Murder at Fontainebleau Read Free

given it to Cecil. And she danced but once or twice with Dudley at the Christmas revels. Sir Christopher Hatton was much at her side,” Rob said.
    Kate nodded. The queen was fond of Dudley—mayhap more than fond. Everyone could see the glow in her eyes when he was near. But she was, above all, the queen. “Are his hopes of marrying the queen truly ended?”
    â€œTo all but himself, I think. Dudley doesn’t seem a man to give up easily.”
    Kate laughed. “Nay, that he is not.” She had worked with Sir Robert a time or two and rather liked him. His vitality and vivid sense of life was hard to resist, but his ambition was enormous.
    â€œNor should he, or any man, when he knows his heart’s desire.”
    Surprised at the sudden serious tone of his voice, Kate glanced at him to find he watched her steadily. Flustered, she looked away into the fire.
    Rob shifted in his chair as a silence stretched between them. Then he laughed and said, “They say Erik of Sweden wishes to come to England in person to press his suit. He sent the queen a fine pair of horses for a Christmas gift. There has also been talk of a new marriage for Lady Catherine Grey.”
    â€œLady Catherine?” Kate said. She hoped that was true; Lady Catherine seemed so sad, so alone, a woman who truly wanted marriage, a family, and a home. Her royal blood, something so many coveted, held her away from such normal dreams. “With Lord Hertford?”
    â€œHertford? Nay, they say he will be sent to the Continent soon. A betrothal with the Earl of Arran, to thus unite the thrones of England and Scotland, though most think this is impossible. There are also whispers the queen will adopt Lady Catherine and make her heir, though Queen Elizabeth seems in no hurry to secure the succession.”
    â€œThere are plenty of claimants if she was so inclined. Lady Catherine and her sister; Lady Lennox . . .”
    â€œMost of the talk is of Mary, Queen of Scots.”
    Kate nodded. Queen Mary had been widowed in November, King Francis of France dying at the age of sixteen. No one knew what she would do now. Return to Scotland? Marry again? “What is the talk?”
    â€œIt’s said she seeks a new marriage, of course, though it would be hard to match her first. There’s whispers of Don Carlos of Spain.”
    â€œIndeed?” Kate gasped. Rumor said that Don Carlos, the only son of King Philip of Spain, was feeble-minded and violent, not to mention a hunchback. Mary’s beauty and charm was legendary. But indeed, the throne of Spain was a glittering prize. “Anyone else?”
    â€œThe queen’s other cousin, Lady Lennox, has sent her son, Lord Darnley, to carry the family’s sympathies to Queen Mary, but few rate his chances high.”
    â€œIt would be wrong to underestimate Lady Lennox, I think. A most determined woman.”
    â€œAlso, there is an unfortunate new fashion for round collars of starched Antwerp lace. It makes everyone look like lions in the menagerie—it must be stopped. Along with the new style of yellowish green. Most bilious.”
    Kate laughed. Whether it was the wine, the company, or the news of the world, she felt much warmed and restored. “It sounds as if there is indeed much work to be done at court. We must leave atonce.”

CHAPTER TWO
    â€œV ery nearly there now, Kate,” Rob said. “See? Aldgate is just ahead.”
    Kate thought he sounded rather too cheerful. Her hands were numb from clinging too tightly to the horse’s reins, and her backside was sore from the hours in the saddle, even through the layers of her woolen skirt and petticoats. She did not fear horses as she once had; riding constantly between royal palaces had taught her how to control them and understand them better, and they were surely far more comfortable than being bounced around in a rickety cart. But she would still prefer the solid ground under her