Witchfall Read Free Page B

sister in cloth of gold or russet satin, and wearing her hair demurely loose as befitted an unmarried lady of the court. Yet there was something about the way she held herself which told the world she was a princess born, and the legitimate daughter of King Henry, whatever the law might say on that contentious matter.
    No doubt King Philip’s special attentions had helped the Lady Elizabeth feel more confident at court, I considered, then chastised myself for such uncharitable thoughts. The princess was not interested in her sister’s husband, and could hardly help it if he was attracted to her. But she was clever enough not to spurn the King too openly, for one day she might need his protection against her sister’s ill will.
    ‘Oh, just some hideous creature watching me from the shadows. It was nothing, a foolish dream.’ The Lady Elizabeth forced a smile. ‘What else could it have been?’
    The door opened and Blanche Parry came staggering in,red-faced and breathless under the weight of a great heap of silver and black cloth.
    ‘Look what I managed to glean from the royal wardrobe,’ Elizabeth’s lady-in-waiting exclaimed, laughing at our bemused expressions. ‘Come, Meg, help me with this and there could be a new gown or wrap in it for you. Why, you silly goose, don’t frown. You are permitted to look your best. You are at court now, remember?’
    ‘Why can we not go down into the palace gardens again, as we did when we first arrived, and play a game of croquet or quoits?’ Elizabeth demanded, watching us rummage through the pile of fine clothing. ‘I need the sun on my face. I cannot breathe in this stuffy room.’
    Sitting down heavily beside me on the settle, Blanche Parry shook her head and comfortably began unstitching one of the sleeves.
    ‘Now, my lady, be patient and do not fuss so loud. You know well that the Queen’s Grace cannot bear to hear any sound outside her window, so the gardens have been forbidden to us until her child is born.’
    ‘That wretched child!’ Elizabeth exclaimed, forgetting to lower her voice. ‘We have been waiting weeks for him to make his appearance. I never heard of such a lengthy pregnancy. My sister must be an elephant, carrying her child a full year. I swear the Queen has been with child since late last summer. Will this much-awaited son and heir never be born?’
    Blanche set aside the sleeve she had been working on, its silver stitchwork hanging loose. ‘Hush, my lady!’ she hissed, glancing at the door in case we were overheard. ‘The dear little prince will be born when he is born, God bless his soul. It may be divine will that his birth is delayed. The stars may not yet be auspicious.’
    ‘Then perhaps they should have consulted the Queen’s astrologer on the matter, rather than calling him a magician and dragging him to the Fleet prison in disgrace.’ The Lady Elizabeth nodded when I looked up in surprise. ‘Yes, Meg, I heard of his plight yesterday. Master Dee’s house has been searched, his books and papers removed by the Inquisition.’
    Blanche was even more horrified than before, rolling her eyes towards the door. ‘My lady!’
    ‘Yes, yes, I know. I must mind my speech and keep my own counsel on this matter. I have not forgotten my pre carious position at court.’ Yet far from taking her own advice, Elizabeth strode restlessly back to the window and stared down at the rolling Thames. Her severe black gown did nothing to disguise the burnished red-gold of her hair, shining in the sunlight. ‘Poor Master Dee. I only hope they do not find anything dangerous amongst his papers.’
    She glanced at me, and suddenly I remembered how we had visited the astrologer one night at Woodstock, meeting him secretly at the village inn and discussing Queen Mary’s horoscope. But I said nothing, catching a warning look in herface. Blanche Parry was aware that her mistress had gone to see John Dee that night, but knew nothing of what had been discussed. Which