There was a bench a few yards ahead, and pulling her arm from Kathleen’s, Anna headed towards it. Her legs felt weak and her hands were trembling as she pressed them into her lap.
“You still say he is a peacock?” Kathleen asked, following her.
“No, not a peacock,” Anna said. “More like a wild, uncontrollable beast.” She glanced at the retreating figures as she said the words, and when she saw Max’s head cock slightly, she knew he had heard her. He glanced over his shoulder, and catching her eye, gave her a grin. She bent down and picked up a small twig lying on the ground beneath the bench. Despite the rain of the previous night, it was dry, and she snapped it in two with a satisfying crack. How easily it would catch alight, she thought, with the slightest breath of flame. All it needed was a single spark. For a moment, it seemed to her that it grew warmer in her hand. She looked up to see Max and Jane round the corner and disappear from view, and with a sigh, she dropped the broken twig and rose to her feet.
It wasn’t until much later that it occurred to Anna to wonder why Max had come to court. Of course, he had been a regular in the years before she met him, but what was surprising was his lack of surprise at seeing her there. Had he already known she was attending the queen when he arrived? Or had he scented her presence in the moments before their paths crossed? But she could find no answer.
Chapter 20
When Anna and Kathleen returned, they found the queen sitting in her parlor, looking out the window. She turned as they approached.
“Come sit with me,” she said. “Denton has just left. What a marvelous writer.” She sighed. “And his plays are not too bad, either. His latest work is very tragic.” She raised her hand to her heart and lifted her face. “It moved me to tears,” she said with a deep sigh. There was a moment’s pause as Anna and Kathleen gazed at her desperate expression, before she turned to Anna. “It will be acted on the stage near the river. Are you familiar with it?”
“I am,” Anna replied.
“I want to see it performed.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged, my lady.”
“Yes, I’m sure it can be. However, I want to see it without him knowing I am there. I wish to see the people enjoying his fine work. Perhaps, Anna, it is time to put our plan into action!”
“Our plan, my lady?”
“Yes, of course! Have you forgotten? Our plan to disguise ourselves as peasants and walk through the streets of the city unnoticed.”
“As … er … peasants, my lady?”
“Yes! Anna, why are you being so dull? We had this conversation before you joined my household.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Anna said quickly. “I just didn’t realize you wished to travel as a peasant. Perhaps a gentlewoman would be a better disguise?”
“Peasant. Gentlewoman.” The queen waved a hand through the air. “It matters not to me.”
“Yes, my lady. When is my Lord Denton performing his play?”
“Three days hence,” she said.
“We could go to the market,” Kathleen exclaimed, still standing next to Anna. She had listened first in surprise and then with growing excitement.
“Yes! Yes! Splendid idea, Kathleen,” Matilda said. “We will travel to market like other good housewives, buy pies and roasted chestnuts, and then go to the play.” She turned back to Anna. “We want to keep this a secret – just the ladies. And perhaps Rupert too, so he can serve as an escort. But you must order the litter on my behalf.”
“The litter, Your Majesty?” Anna said. “Only noblewomen travel by litter, my lady.”
“Of course. We will walk.”
“Yes, my lady. And, uh, what will you wear?”
“I’m sure I must have something suitable!”
Anna glanced at Kathleen with a despairing look. “Common women wear, um, plainer gowns than you are accustomed to, my lady.”
“I’ll make something, Your Majesty,” Kathleen said.
Matilda smiled. “Excellent. Nothing too fancy. The plainer, the better.”
When Blanche returned to the chambers a short while later, she was dismayed to learn the queen’s plans. “But I cannot dress like a commoner,” she protested.
“If your queen can, so can you,” Matilda said, and that was the end of the subject. Elizabeth, on the other hand, entered into the plans with enthusiasm.
“What fun,” she exclaimed when Blanche gave her the news later that evening. “I don’t have any suitable gowns, of course, but I’m sure Kathleen can help me make something too.” She turned to Anna. “You will have some ideas of what we can wear, I’m sure,” she said.
Next to her, Blanche sniggered. “After all,” she said, “you are the most common amongst us.”
Anna drew in a breath through gritted teeth before forcing a smile. “I am happy to help in whatever way I can.”
The following morning, Anna and Blanche accompanied the queen to St. Catherine’s hospital, while Kathleen and Elizabeth remained to work on the new gowns. The queen traveled, as she always did, in the privacy of the litter, its windows draped to keep out the odors of the city, as well as curious stares. Anna and Blanche rode behind on horseback. As they were leaving the palace, Anna caught a glimpse of Max standing in the courtyard. He gave no indication that he had seen her, despite facing in her direction, and she turned her attention back to Blanche’s complaints.
“I cannot believe I have to dress up like a peasant woman,” Blanche was saying. “It is all very well and good for you, given your upbringing, but I am a noblewoman, unused to things common and low.”
“Not a peasant, Blanche,” Anna said. “A gentlewoman. There is a difference.”
“Really? If I cannot wear my fine gowns and jewels, then I may as well be a peasant,” she said. Anna had no response, and they fell into silence as they traveled across the bridge spanning the river and through the city streets.
The hospital was a solid building, built with funds donated by the queen Mother. Crabapples stood on either side of the entrance, their branches now bare, and the whitewashed walls were dull in the winter drear. Inside, however, warm rugs covered the floors, and brightly colored tapestries hung on the wall of the Mother Superior’s office. A silver tray of wine and cakes sat on a table, and when the queen entered the room, she seated herself in the tall wooden chair next to the desk. Ledgers were neatly placed in a pile and taking the first one, she opened the book and started perusing the contents. Anna and Blanche stood at the entrance for a moment, but Matilda waved them away and they headed down the passage to the large dormitory where beds lined the long, wattled walls.
“I hate this task,” Blanche muttered under her breath.
“It is our Christian duty to impart words of kindness and encouragement,” Anna said piously, but although she would never admit concurrence with Blanche, she could not help echoing her silent agreement. Sickness and old age filled her with revulsion rather than pity, and try as she might, she could not muster the patience and kindness that came to Keira so easily. Suppressing a slight shudder, she moved to the first bed, and taking the frail hand of an elderly woman, sat down on the edge of the thin straw mattress. The woman’s skin was mottled with brown spots, and her few remaining strands of hair were white. Her withered and shrunken body was frail, and Anna could not help wondering whether she would fall apart like an old, dry leaf when handled. Her eyes were bright and clear, an odd contradiction to the rest of her form.
“I’m thirsty,” she whispered. A table at the end of the room held a jug of watered-down wine, and leaving the old woman, Anna went to fetch her a cup. The woman watched as she moved across the room. “You’ve been here before,” the woman said as Anna walked back, “but you don’t come as often as the others. You don’t enjoy coming to the hospital, do you?”
Anna glanced down at her hands as a blush rose in her cheeks. “I’m afraid I don’t have as much patience as the others,” she said.
The woman nodded. “Yes. I can see that. But you are young. You will
learn.” The woman peered at her closely. “You’re trying to determine your path in life, aren’t you? But you’re not sure what you want.” She nodded to herself as Anna looked at her in confusion. “I can see it in your eyes. You will find it, with a little patience.”
“How do you know?” Anna said.
“Because I am old and have lived many years. And with age comes wisdom. Learn some patience, child, and you will find your happiness.” The woman lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. “Now go. I wish to sleep.” Anna rose to her feet and moved to the next bed, where a young man lay with open, weeping sores on his legs. She suppressed a shiver and kept her eyes on his face as she spoke to him, but when she moved to the next bed, she glanced back at the old woman. Her eyes were still closed, and although Anna looked at her many times during the visit, she did not open them again.
At last the queen was done and they were ready to leave, and Anna heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness that is done,” Blanche muttered as she followed the queen into the sunlight.
At the litter Matilda paused. “You ride in the litter,” she said to Blanche. “Today I travel on horseback.”
“My lady?”
“I want to see the city.” She waved her hand impatiently. “Go.”
“Yes, my lady,” Blanche replied.
Although Anna had never seen Matilda ride before, she mounted the mare with ease, and they were on the move a few moments later. As they proceeded back to the palace, Anna noticed the queen intently watching the people on the bustling, noisy streets. The people paid little attention to the passing party, except to quickly step away from the horses’ hooves, pulling their children with them. It was well known that a nobleman would sooner run someone down than pause in his journey to ensure a person’s safety, and anyone who interfered with the queen’s royal litter would have to deal with the two guards that accompanied the group.
Matilda leaned towards Anna as they rode. “Are the streets always this busy?” she asked.
Anna glanced around. “Yes, my lady, except on holy days.”
“But where are they all going?”
“I expect they are just going about their daily business, my lady. Many people are going to market to buy their meat and eggs, or maybe cloth or pottery. Some might be going to watch a joust, or a play. Some are farmers, selling their produce, and others are tradesmen, setting up shop.”
Matilda nodded. “I didn’t realize there were so many of them.”
They reached the gates of the city and crossed over the river, doubling back along the bank. Across the water they could see the bustling metropolis. Hawkers and tradesmen could still be found along the road on this side of the river, but they had left behind the frenetic pace of Civitas, and Anna could hear the occasional call of a bird as they continued along. The palace came into view, its rising walls reflected in the rippled water of the river, breaking apart and reforming as the river ran its course, unconcerned about the affairs of kings and common men.
They clattered into the courtyard where more guards hurried forward to help Matilda from her saddle. From the shadowy interior of the litter, Blanche emerged, smiling contentedly.
“I do not ever intend to travel by horse or foot again!”
“Really?” Matilda said.
“Except, of course, when Your Majesty commands it,” Blanche added, dropping her eyes to the ground as she executed a curtsey.
“Of course,” said the queen, sweeping past the women and into the palace.
Chapter 21
Kathleen had spent the hours industriously, and as Matilda walked into the royal chambers, she proudly held up a gown.
“Your gown, my lady,” she said. It was dark red, and although the weave was fine, the cut was simple, and the gown was single-toned.
“Let me see,” Matilda said, taking the gown from her and holding it against her chest. “It’s so plain,” she said. “Could we not add some jewels? Or another color?” Kathleen’s eager look fell away, and she glanced down at the floor.
“It is the style of a gentlewoman,” Anna said.
Blanche gave a little laugh. “Anna would know,” she said. “This is probably more elegant than she is used to!”
“At least my life has equipped me for all manner of situations,” Anna retorted, “whereas you, Lady Blanche, know nothing at all!”
“Ladies, enough!” Anna dropped her gaze, embarrassed, as the queen glared at the two women. “I will not have you insulting Anna,” she said to Blanche, before turning her gaze on Anna. “And you, Anna, have to learn to control your tongue!”
“Yes, my lady,” she said.
The queen nodded. “Help me change into my new gown. Let’s see how these simpler garments become me.”
The morning of the play dawned fair, with a pale sun breaking through the clouds. Betsy helped Anna into her plainest gown, and deftly twisted her hair into a braid, before Anna joined the other ladies about to enter the queen’s bedchamber. She was already awake, a frown creasing her brow.
“Make haste,” she said, waving away a second cup of wine that Anna offered. In less time than usual she was dressed in Kathleen’s red gown. It was then that another problem presented itself. There was no way the queen could escape from her chamber unnoticed by the guards at the door to the apartments, and Matilda insisted that their escapade needed to be kept a secret. The only other person who knew of the adventure was Rupert, who had reluctantly agreed to play the role of escort. Anna wondered what enticement the queen had used to convince him to come, because she was sure that accompanying a group of women into the city would be a terrible trial to a man like Rupert. Or perhaps it was just an opportunity for him to tweak his brother’s nose.
“We need a ruse,” Anna said, stating the obvious, but it was Kathleen who came up with a plan.
“Your Majesty and I are of similar size,” she told the queen, her eyes on the ground as a blush rose in her cheeks. “I can wear one of your gowns and will go by myself into the gardens.” Kathleen glanced up to meet Matilda’s gaze. “The guards will follow me instead,” Kathleen continued. “You can slip out the side door. Once the guards realize it is me, they will leave me alone, and I will meet you on the other bank.”
“But your hair is much duller than mine,” Matilda said.
Kathleen dropped her gaze. “I will cover my head with a cloak,” she whispered. “The guards will think I – you – are seeking some privacy and will keep their distance.”
“And when they realize their mistake, they will come looking for me,” the queen said. “What will you tell them?”
There was a moment of silence. “I have an idea,” Blanche said, “but you will not like it, Your Majesty.”
“Continue,” she said.
“Kathleen can admit it was a ruse to keep people away from your chambers so you could, er, indulge in a little, er, rendezvous. The guards will stay away from your chambers, and Kathleen will be free to leave.”
“Ah! And if the king hears of this little deception?”
“Then my lady will tell him the truth – that it was a ruse to go into the city. By then our adventure will be over.”
“I see.” The queen turned around, her fingers on her chin as she considered. “Very well. It seems that is the way to proceed. Kathleen, let us find you a gown.”
All was in readiness twenty minutes later. Kathleen wore a gown of crimson and blue, embroidered in gold with the royal arms. An indigo cloak covered her head, and she pulled the hood close around her face. Blanche went out first to engage the guards’ attention as Kathleen slipped out of the chambers. It only took a moment before the guards saw the figure flitting down the passage, and turned to follow at a discreet distance. The queen, dressed in her new, simple gown, her head covered with a cloak, quickly hurried from the room, Blanche and Elizabeth close behind, and turning in the opposite direction, headed to a side door that opened away from the bustling courtyard. Anna, who had chosen to stay and wait for Kathleen, saw the
m leave, then sat down to wait for Kathleen’s return.
Half an hour had passed before she heard footsteps outside the chambers, and the door opened to reveal Kathleen, with Frank, one of the guards, close on her heel. Anna jumped to her feet.
“Out,” she hissed to the guard. She glanced back at the queen’s chambers. “If the queen hears you here …” She left the sentence hanging as she looked pointedly at the man. He glanced in the direction of the chamber, then back at Anna.
“My orders come from the king,” he said.
Anna sighed. She dug her hand into the purse at her side, and withdrew a silver coin. “Would it really do any harm to allow the queen some privacy for a few hours?” she asked. Frank looked at the coin, then back at Anna with a shrug. With a silent growl, she pulled out another coin as he watched.
“I suppose not,” he said with a smirk, which widened when Anna scowled. “Two coins, two hours,” he said.
“Fine,” Anna ground out, pulling out one more coin and tossing them at the guard. “Three.” He caught them easily and with a mocking bow, turned and left the room. She watched him go, then turned back to Kathleen.
“What happened?”
“Tobias believed me, but Frank followed me back. I don’t know why.”
Anna sighed. “He must have smelled a rat. There’s nothing more we can do. Change your gown and let’s begone.”
They opened the door a few minutes later and walked into the passage. Both guards were back in place outside the chamber. Anna smiled and nodded at Tobias as Frank watched. He gave her a mocking salute as she walked past, three fingers raised in the air. She ground her teeth in annoyance, but kept her silence. They finally reached the courtyard and headed towards the river where the ferrymen plied the waters. A ferry was approaching the small landing as they arrived, and they stepped onboard, sitting down on the cushions that covered the seats with sighs of relief.
Anna had arranged to meet the queen, Elizabeth, and Blanche at a small tavern on the opposite bank of the river. Its main custom was the ferry passengers, unlike the tavern just a dozen yards away where all manner of unsavory persons could be seen entering and leaving. She found the ladies easily. Rupert stood at the queen’s side, thoroughly bored, and although the atmosphere was clean and comfortable, Anna could see that Matilda was ill at ease.
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