The Last Heiress Read Free Page A

easy creature, as you well know.”
    “Will you ask for Philippa’s help?” Banon queried him, her pretty face curious. “Katherine, Thomasina, Jemima, and Elizabeth, it is time for your lessons. Run along to your tutor now, and take Margaret with you. I know she is but three, but perhaps an early start will help.”
    Banon sighed.
    “I fear I have no choice,” he answered her. “Philippa’s connections at court are impeccable, as you know.” He waved to the little girls leaving the hall, for he did love them all despite their high spirits, and his heart warmed as they blew him kisses.
    “Perhaps no longer,” Banon noted. “Even here, Uncle, we get the gossip. Later than most, but eventually it comes. You know the queen is no longer in favor with the king. And he pays most public court to the younger Boleyn girl. I doubt my eldest sister approves, for like our mother her devotion to Queen Katherine is deep.”
    “Indeed it is,” Lord Cambridge agreed, “but I suspect now her loyalty to her sons will be even stronger. She must look to their future, and the king will decide their fate, not the queen. Philippa may love the queen, but it is the king who wields the power, Banon. Your sister will not embrace Mistress Boleyn, but neither will she offend her.”
    “Well, Uncle, you shall soon see,” Banon replied. “How long will you remain at Friarsgate, and when will you depart for court?”
    “There is so much to do.” He sighed, taking a piece of fresh, warm cottage loaf and buttering it lavishly. The butter ran down his fingers as he popped it into his mouth. “Elizabeth must be reminded of her heritage and her breeding. She must begin to practice her social skills again. The court is not filled with sheep. At least not those with woolly coats,” Lord Cambridge amended. “And she will need clothing.” He licked his fingers clean of the butter. “Maybel and Edmund have little authority over her, I fear.”
    “They are old, Uncle. Edmund will be seventy-one in the spring, but he is still strong enough to steward Friarsgate for Elizabeth.” Her  blue eyes grew thoughtful, and her plump fingers drummed upon the tabletop. “But what will she do when Edmund cannot aid her? I do not know if my sister has even considered such a possibility. Elizabeth seems to think that nothing changes, but of course it does.”
    “First things first, my angel girl. And the first thing is to recivilize your little sister, and then take her to court to show to her best advantage. There has to be one younger son of some sense who could find it in himself to live in the north. I shall track him down and get Mistress Elizabeth married properly before year’s end.” He stood up. “I must go now, Banon, if I am to reach Friarsgate by nightfall. I shall send word when I plan to return. In the meantime Otterly is yours to care for and watch over.” He kissed her cheek and gave Banon’s husband, Robert Neville, a friendly wave as he turned and departed the hall.
    “Well,” Banon said, turning to her husband, “what do you think of all of this?”
    “Tom knows well what he is doing,” Robert Neville said. He was a man of few words, which was fortunate, since everyone else around him had a great deal to say. And he had quickly accepted the fact that his wife ruled Otterly. It suited him, as he far preferred hunting and other gentlemanly pursuits. Leaning over he gave her a kiss on the cheek, knowing it was expected of him. Then, grinning lecherously at Banon, he remarked, “We shall have Otterly to ourselves all winter, my sweet. Only the children to consider, and the nights are yet long.”
    Lord Cambridge’s party rode hard the day long, and as he had anticipated it was dusk as they came down the hills to Friarsgate. The fields about them lay fallow, the plow ruts frozen and touched with white frost. The lake had a skim of ice upon it, and already a moon was rising in the half-light to reflect itself in the frozen waters.