by Abby Gordon
“Afternoon, Geoffrey,” he smiled. “How fare thee today?”
“Very … well, sir,” he paused as if searching his mind for the correct response and beaming when he got it right. “Dale sent me,” he continued, then frowned as if he’d forgotten the rest of his errand.
“Ah,” Edward nodded. “My buckle is fixed?”
The boy grinned sunnily. “Aye, that’s it. Buckle fixed.”
“We’re almost finished here. Will you tell him I’ll be there in a moment?”
Geoffrey looked reluctant although Edward wasn’t sure if that was an act or because Edward was supposed to come at once with him.
“Sure, sir?”
“Stay there and watch,” Edward suggested in compromise, glancing at the boys. “Shall we show Geoffrey what you can do, lads?”
“Yes,” they grinned, hurrying into place.
They’d all grown up knowing Geoffrey and most treated him kindly. It had been Beck and Thornby, with Thornby’s uncle Denby encouraging them, who had bullied Geoffrey. Until days before Easter, the boy had lashed about with a wooden staff at the several boys who’d been tormenting him for years. He’d flailed about as if he didn’t know what he was doing when in fact it had been a most masterful defense. Remembering that, Edward grinned as he stood next to Geoffrey. That should have made everyone realize what an act it all was. Except, like me, they weren’t expecting to see it, so they didn’t.
“One,” he started. The boys shifted. “Two, three, four.”
Geoffrey’s arms trembled as if he were trying to contain the need to do the drill as well. One day, lad. One day soon. As the boys finished, Geoffrey applauded wildly, shouting out praise and drawing grins from them and indulgent looks from those in the courtyard.
“Now,” Edward smiled at him. “Let’s get my buckle. Well done, lads.”
With waves, he and Geoffrey headed for the smithy while the boys chattered behind them.
“You’ll be with them one day,” Edward murmured. “Or part of the company. God knows, you’re better than nearly every man.”
“Nearly?” Geoffrey grinned.
“I think I could still beat you,” Edward chuckled. “Though it might be a near thing.”
“Granda’s taught me and I practice all day.”
“Aye, amazing no one saw it at Easter,” commented Edward. “Or noticed the muscles you’re hiding under all those clothes you wear.”
“It gets warm, but I think it makes me tougher,” shrugged the youth.
“Much tougher and you’ll be able to beat your grandfather,” muttered the knight.
Geoffrey went into gales of laughter as they entered the smithy.
“What kept you?” demanded Dale.
“If I suddenly leave the training yard each time you sent Geoffrey, people would wonder,” Edward said quietly.
The smith glowered at him.
“He’s right, Dale,” Godfrey commented from the shadows. “Have you noticed anything lately, Edward?”
“Yesterday, a man came with a message he claimed was from Stonewick, but the seal was Northumberland’s. And there was a courier from Fortinesque. I haven’t been able to get into the office to see either missive.”
“Dear God, Ned,” breathed Jasper. “Don’t risk that.”
“If we don’t know what they say we can’t stop them,” Edward protested.
“We know they’re doing something,” Godfrey muttered.
“Stonewick was here this summer,” Geoffrey commented, perched on a bench near his grandfather.
“He’s often in York,” Edward said.
“He came here with Northumberland’s men and Richland,” the youth said pertly.
Edward opened and closed his mouth. It made him feel a bit better to see Jasper and Dale doing the same thing. Godfrey beamed at his grandson.
“So then,” Edward murmured. “What do Stonewick, Northumberland and Richland have in common with the Elders of York?”
“We figure that out, lad,” Godfrey said quietly. “And we might all be killed for it.”
Geoffrey wasn’t the only one who went pale at that.
Chapter Eleven London
“Where is she?” Alicia stopped her pacing as Rose returned to the room. “Well?”
“Lady Lettys said that Lady Anna was talking to Sir Owain in an alcove. Lady Anna suddenly ran out and he appeared a second later, calling her name. None of the others have seen her since.”
“Damn and blast the man,” muttered Alicia, resuming her pacing.
Rose stayed near the hearth, waiting for the daggers to appear.
“Alicia,” Rose started, wondering if she dared speak what she’d realized the week before, and amazed the other two hadn’t. The woman continued muttering French curses. “Alicia.”
“What?” she paused and glared.
“May I have your daggers before I say it?”
Alicia gave her a ‘what did you just ask?’ expression. “Why would you want my daggers?” came her threatening voice.
“So, you don’t use them on Sir Owain,” whispered Rose. “The way you threatened to when Anna returned from Tutbury.”
“Why would I –” Alicia froze in mid-step and gave the girl a hard look. “Why would I use them on Sir Owain when I haven’t these past few – Mon Dieu,” she breathed then weaved.
Jumping for her, Rose helped her sit on the trunk at the foot of Anna’s bed. Panting to recover, Alicia heaved in a breath and glanced at the young woman.
“Do you know what this means?” asked Alicia.
“It means Anna is preg—” Rose’s mouth fell open and she stared at Alicia. “It means—”
“There is an Heir to Catalan and York,” breathed Alicia. “And the Root of both is wandering about Whitehall unprotected and vulnerable after whatever that Welsh jackass said to her.”
“Anna wouldn’t panic the way I did,” Rose stated firmly. “If she didn’t come here to us, where else would she go that she felt safe?”
Lifting her chin, Alicia met her gaze and they both smiled. “Lady Ursula.”
“He wouldn’t think of that,” Rose nodded.
“You certain?” frowned Alicia. “He’s rather clever at putting information together.”
“He’s been distant from Walsingham since they returned from Tutbury,” pointed out Rose. “So, he probably won’t think of it. I wonder what he would do if he knew.”
“If he does anything after hurting her the way he has,” Alicia sniffed, resuming her pacing.
The daggers came out and Rose sighed, knowing better to say anything else. It would take Lady Anna to keep Alicia from castrating the queen’s cousin and after whatever their conversation was about, Rose wasn’t sure Lady Anna would stop her.
Pushing the needle through the satin, Rose continued the tale.
“Now, I don’t know why—”
“Attacked! The queen was attacked.”
“Anna,” Rose and Alicia breathed.
Needle and the skirt fell to the floor even as Alicia flew out the door first. Rose barely remembered to lock it behind her before she raced to catch up. Other ladies and maids filled the corridor and Rose had to push her way through.
A disheveled and distressed Lady Lettys Knollys stood at the doorway, her two maids holding her up.
“Lady Knollys,” Alicia whispered. “Where’s Lady Anna?”
“Taken,” breathed the queen’s cousin. “She fought them off and—”
“Where’s the queen?” demanded the Frenchwoman with more authority than any dared address a lady of her rank.
“Privy chamber,” gasped Lettys, placing a hand over her heart.
“Rose, stay here,” Alicia ordered.
“Not when our lady’s been taken,” vowed Rose, matching her stride for stride down the hallway. “Whatever happens, we stay together, remember? Family. For the Rose.”
“Aye, little sister,” Alicia murmured with a smile at her. “For the Rose indeed.”
Rus
hing through the hall to the outer room, they could hear the distant shouts.
“What is that?” Rose wondered.
“The Roses,” Alicia breathed in wonder. “Owain called the Roses to save the Root. Even if he doesn’t know the full truth.”
Pushing open the last door, they stepped inside the Privy meeting room as Sir Owain burst from the outer hall.
Rose stared in astonishment as Owain calls the queen ‘Bess’, and glimpsed a closeness between them she had not seen before. Griffin joined him as Daffyd and more men were stopped by the guards. As the brothers dropped to their knees, she caught Alicia’s hand and the woman squeezed back as they listened to the Queen speak.
Alerted by Lady Lettys, several ladies rushed past them, nearly knocking both off balance and into the guards. Sir Owain left with Sir Mark and others to see where the attack happened. Rose lost sight of Daffyd as Griffin began talking to the chamberlain about what was required.
“What do we do?” she whispered as the ladies surrounded the queen.
“We have to go with Sir Owain,” Alicia stated. “And the only one who can ensure that is the queen.”
“But how do we accomplish that?” Rose wondered as the queen was hustled back to more private rooms.
“We go talk to her,” Alicia decided, turning and pulling her along.
“All right,” agreed Rose, secretly hoping the queen didn’t have them killed for disturbing her after such an afternoon.
“Hurry,” Alicia urged, breaking into a run. “We have to get inside before the doors close.”
Panting, Rose moved as quickly as she could. They slipped inside before Lady Alice could close the doors.
“You can’t be in here,” she protested. “You’re maids.”
“We’re attendants to Lady Anna,” Alicia corrected. “Majesty, please!”
“Out, out,” urged Lady Alice.
“Majesty, what happened to Lady Anna?” screamed Rose over the murmurs.
Silence fell as even Alicia stared at Rose in shock. Mortified, Rose covered her mouth with both hands and trembled as the queen left the circle of ladies and walked towards them.
“I’m very sorry,” the queen spoke. “Lady Anna was taken. She saved my life. I only pray that hers is not lost because of her brave deed.”
“Majesty, I’m Alicia.”
“She mentioned you to me the day Walsingham introduced us,” the queen commented.
“This attack might not have been on you, but on her,” Alicia told her.
“Not on the Queen?” Lady Alice protested grabbing at her arm. “You’re a lunatic. Majesty, I’m so –”
A royal hand came up and she fell silent. No one moved. Rose didn’t even lower her hands as they waited. Alicia met the dark eyes with a pleading.
Owain has mentioned a little of the Order of the Rose. All those men came with him. Not for me. For her. For Anna. She’s important to the Order. And their enemies? That first day she said the time wasn’t right. Walsingham thinks she’s here secretly. That no one knows who she is. But some might have found her after all these months. What better way to take her than a feint at me then seize her?
“Walk with me,” the Queen commanded. “Both of you. The rest of you, prepare my bath and have food and wine ready when we’re finished.”
Alicia and the young woman followed her to the far hearth, waiting as she sat down.
“Lady Anna is important in ways I don’t know, is that correct?” she asked quietly.
“It is, Majesty,” Alicia confirmed. “Not that kidnapping you would not be a prize,” she said hastily, clearly worried she might have caused offense. “But taking you, harming you, would have brought them more danger than most would be willing to risk.”
“Ah,” the Tudor nodded, eyes narrowed as she considered that. “What favor would you ask of me?”
“Sir Owain is going to lead the Roses of London in search of her,” Alicia started.
“Aye, he is. My cousin is slow at things, especially his emotions,” she smiled slightly. “I was quite cross with him this morning as you know for his treatment of Anna. However, I spoke with him before the Privy meeting. I have a plan for him and Lady Anna which will keep her safe and both happy.” The Queen shook her head. “He didn’t seem certain she would want to listen to him. Men can be quite stubborn at times.”
“Aye, majesty. If I’d seen him before that moment in your Privy chamber just now, I would have been tempted to geld him myself,” Alicia admitted.
Chuckling, the queen shook her head. “Oh, Owain, you foolish man.”
“I promise not to harm him, majesty,” Alicia smiled. “As I promised Lady Anna this morning.”
“Thank you, Alicia. What favor would you ask of me?”
“Ensure Rose and I go with Sir Owain,” requested the woman the queen estimated to be near her own age. “Wherever these men took Anna, a woman might be able to enter more easily than a man. Rose and I could get more information before Sir Owain attacks the place.”
“And likely get Lady Anna killed as he attacks,” mused the queen.
“Yes, ma’am,” agreed Alicia.
“Would you both be able to keep up with the company?” she glanced at Rose.
“For our Lady we could do anything,” Rose whispered.
Studying them both, the queen idly tapped the arm of the chair. “Agreed,” she finally said, then smiled. “I think you’d find a way to go even without my assistance, wouldn’t you?”
That Alicia didn’t hesitate earned the queen’s respect. “Yes, we would go anyway, majesty. I’d much rather have your help though. Men are such stubborn creatures.”
Chuckling, the queen nodded. “They are indeed.”
East of England –
“Rose, you shouldn’t be here,” Daffyd stated, pulling his horse next to hers as the company rode east.
“What?” gasped Rose, staring at him with hurt in her eyes.
Eyes the color of the clouds that continued to pour rain on them.
“You shouldn’t,” he insisted. “Nor should Alicia. Something like this is not for women to do. It’s for men.”
“I will not turn back,” Rose declared, glaring at him.
“You’re exhausted. You’re barely able to stay in the saddle.”
“I will not turn back,” she repeated. “The queen said we could come and we will stay even if the trail leads us to the gates of Hell.”
“Rose,” he groaned. “Go back to London. Let us find Lady Anna.”
The very words seemed to give her energy as she straightened on her mare.
“I will help find my lady,” she said stubbornly.
“Rose,” Daffyd started again but she wouldn’t look at him, fixing her gaze ahead.
Muttering to himself, he turned and rode a few riders back to where Alicia was.
“Make her go back,” he told her.
“Make who go where?” Alicia wondered, a sly humor in her eyes.
“You know what I mean,” Daffyd said. “Make Rose turn back. Make her return to London. And you should as well. It’s folly for either of you to be doing this.”
“Why do you care, Sir Daffyd?” The Frenchwoman’s voice was low and curious. “We are but maids, attendants to a lady. We are beneath your notice.” Her profile turned so she met his gaze full on. “Or have you noticed her after all and want her to leave so temptation goes with her?”
“I want her to leave so she doesn’t catch her death in this unceasing rain,” grumbled Daffyd. “The woman won’t listen to reason.”
“You don’t seem to understand her at all,” Alicia observed.
“I do,” he said, trying to stay calm. “I understand her loyalty to Lady Anna. It’s very commendable. As is yours,” he added with a gesture. “But the men in the company –”
“We are not slowing the company down,” pointed out Alicia. “Now, or before Sir Owain divided it into four parts.”
“No, but—”
“Sir Daffyd, if
you continue in this way, you will draw more attention to yourself and your purpose and make things very difficult for Rose. Both as we search for Anna and when we return to London. Now, is that your purpose? To make her the subject of gossip? Possibly cost her her position? For if that is your cause, then I will deal with you now.”
At the questions and the hard warning in her tone, Daffyd stiffened then glared at her.
“My purpose is—” With a muttered oath in Welsh, he shook his head. “On your own head be it,” he told her. “I did what I could.”
“Not entirely,” murmured Alicia with a smile. “But I think you’re nearly there.”
◆◆◆
York
“Mistress?” Al said quietly from the door.
Turning from the table where she stood with Bessie, Celeste smiled. “Yes?”
“The master wants to see you,” he told her.
“Thank you, Al,” she replied, removing the apron.
“Tell him if he changes one more thing on the menu, I’m putting him in the pot instead of the goose,” Bessie warned, brandishing her spoon.
Laughing, Celeste shook her head, smiling at Al as she passed him. It had been two weeks since she’d been with Edward. Rain and duties had kept them apart. I don’t understand why we must wait until my birthday. The law says we can marry.
Knocking on her father’s door, she opened at it at his brusque ‘come’.
“Al said you wanted to see me, Father,” she greeted him, dropping a slight curtsey the way she’d been taught. Will I be doing that when I’m married? Will I need to do that to Elder Talbor?
“Come in. Close the door,” he ordered shortly. “Then sit down.”
Puzzled, she obeyed, perching on the edge of the chair.
“I’ve been having second thoughts,” he said abruptly.
“Second thoughts on what, Father?” she wondered, puzzled.
“Your betrothal to Edward.”
Celeste stared at him in shock. “Father, you can’t be serious,” she protested. “We pledged our troths. Before the Minster and archbishop. Before all of York practically.”
“A betrothal can be undone,” he waved all of that away.
“But, Father, this has been planned since we were children,” Celeste whispered, struggling to understand his words. “All of York and beyond know. With news of Meggie and Julia spreading, our betrothal brought our house at least some respectability again.” A thought occurred to her and she inhaled sharply, bringing her hand to her mouth. “Does Elder Talbor not want this? Does he think me tainted by my cousins’ behavior? I will speak with him, if you wish. Swear to him that I am not at all like them.”
