Three Maids for a Crown: A Novel of the Grey Sisters by Ella March Chase Read Free Book Online

whim. If you ever challenge my authority again, you will see what happens when I am displeased.”
    Henry’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Your Grace, I only wished to … I do not understand why we must delay.”
    “It is not for you to understand. It is for you to obey.” Northumberland turned on me. “As for you, my lady, what have you to say for yourself?”
    I tried to squeeze words through my throat, but I never knew what to say when I was in trouble. Jane would argue logic, Mary would pierce to the core of the matter, but I could only hang my head and blink back tears of remorse. I loathed my own helplessness. “Your Grace, I am sorry I displeased you.” I sank into a low curtsy, but my knee caught upon Northumberland’s cloak and tugged it from the stool he had tossed it upon.
    The cloth slid to the floor, and a sudden, strange tinkling sound startled me. Glass? I froze in horror as a vial tumbled free and shattered against the stone. White powder spun a cloud over the shards. Merciful heavens , I thought in dismay. Glass was valuable, rare. Whatever Northumberland carried in it must be precious indeed. I dove to scoop up the pieces of glass, but he grabbed my arm and jerked me away so hard, I knew I would be bruised come morning. “Do not touch it, you stupid girl!”
    I leaped back. Henry caught me in his arms. “Your Grace, it was an accident,” he said.
    “I am certain my lord father will replace your …” I faltered, trapped in eyes that burned with rage and something more, something sinister, terrifying.
    The devil duke , Mary had named him. Mary, with her strange ability to see more than anyone.
    “We will not disturb your father with tales of your disobedience. It would be most unfortunate for you should anyone hear of your accident. ” Northumberland drew out the word like a blade. “You understand my meaning?”
    “We do, Your Grace,” Henry said. Even he looked frightened.
    “My man will see you out,” Northumberland said.
    The servant looked to the mess upon the floor. “Your Grace, let me sweep the glass so you will not cut—”
    “By Christ’s holy blood, do as you are told!”
    The servant jumped, as startled as Henry and I were. “As you wish,” he said with a bow.
    I looked over my shoulder as we were hastened from the room and saw something strange. The haughty Duke of Northumberland knelt beside the wreckage, scraping glass and powder up with a stiff sheet of parchment, careful to touch none of it. He had bound a Holland cloth over his nose and mouth. To protect himself? From what? I remembered tales I had heard of the duke’s ruthlessness, how he had befriended purveyors of poison.
    The duke paused in his task, looked up, and caught my eye. It was as if he could read my mind. I fled to my room, too afraid to set foot beyond my door even to find Jane. But what could I tell Jane even if I reached her? That I believed the Duke of Northumberland had a supply of poison? Could a powerful man use such a devious tool? If so, what pains might he go to in order to keep from being exposed?
    Murder . I could almost hear Mary’s voice. Murder is usually what poison is used for . I stopped up my ears, but I could not silence my fears. I crossed to the bed Henry and I had not shared. I huddled under the covers, straining to hear any tread of footsteps drawing near, any sliding of a wooden panel concealed in my room.
    Do not be ridiculous, Katherine , I told myself. Northumberland could hardly poison the daughter of the Duke of Suffolk even if he wanted to . But what strange thing had Mary heard, wandering about last night? That some game of chance was being played—and that Jane, Mary, and I were the stake?
    What if that were true? I hugged myself against the question that chilled me. If Northumberland’s powder was poison, then who was it destined for?

Chapter Four

M ARY
B RADGATE H ALL , L EICESTERSHIRE
J UNE 1553

    know lightning. When it will crack the sky wide open and split