“Is it working?” Ursula says, placing her hand upon the shard too, as if hoping to channel Howard’s queenly connection.
Howard nods.
“And I yours, mistress,” Culpepper says. His voice is the slow drip of treacle. “I understand you have the ear of the queen, and are the closest of her companions.”
Legh laughs. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”
Someone plucks an instrument – a lute, perhaps, from the waterfall of strings. She thinks, from the way the sound echoes off wood panelling, that they must be in her receiving chamber.
“You ladies are always with her, always scheming. Such a bond between friends is quite charming, and very intimidating.”
Howard can hear Culpepper’s smile. She wonders whether there is more to be read from his attitude, and if there is, whether Legh has the skill to do so.
“So we intimidate you? A man such as you, frightened of a group of women. It seems unlikely, sir.”
Howard smiles. Susanna has many skills, but she could not have steered the conversation as deftly and as subtly as Legh has done.
“I think we both know that some women have extraordinary power, mistress. Your sister, I think, is one of them,” Culpepper says.
“My sister has always had power, sir, even before she got herself a crown. She just does not know it.”
It is the kindest thing Legh has ever said. Perhaps the kindest thing she has ever saidabouther. Howard wonders whether this is an apology for her earlier insults, or whether Legh has forgotten that Howard should be able to hear her. Legh is like written scripture to Howard: inconsistent and indecipherable.
There is a scraping along wood, as though someone has thrown themself into a chair. Howard frowns. The only chair in her receiving chamber is her throne.
“I only wish I knew how to assure her of my loyalty,” Culpepper says.
“You serve her in her palace – why should she not think you loyal?” Legh replies.
There is a long silence. Howard wishes she could see what is happening. Doubt pools once again in her stomach: are they conveying messages to each other too quietly for thesunscínato hear? What exactly are they doing?
“I think you know what I mean, mistress,” Culpepper says. Howard can barely hear him, but the words are unmistakable.Well done, Legh.She has smoked him out.
“You are becoming tiresome, Master Culpepper. What of your loyalty to me, hm? Are you not going to ask me about my extraordinary power?”
Culpepper laughs, switching from earnest follower to easy courtier.
“Come, mistress,” he says. “I have business to attend with the master of dragons. Accompany me for a while?”
Their conversation descends into chattering flirtation as the door opens once more. Howard presses hersunscínaand sits back on her heels.
“So?” Ursula prompts.
“He knows, and he is for us,” Howard says.
The pause that follows echoes her own uncertainties.
“Will you admit him into your confidence?” Susanna says.
Howard shakes her head. She strokes Goldfoot’s back; long, gentle strokes. He begins to snore in his sleep. “Perhaps one day, but not imminently.”
If she was not carrying this great secret, she would have enjoyed kindling a dalliance with handsome, earnest Master Culpepper. But as it is she is already plagued with doubt over Legh. She will not add to that doubt.
“Not that my opinion matters, but I am glad of your decision,” Susanna says.
“Of course your opinion matters,” Howard replies.
Ursula seizes Susanna’s hand, across their circle of gowns. Lady Tylney places her hand over theirs. They look to Howard. Hers crowns theirs as she says, “We have plenty to be getting on with now, ladies. My scheme works. So let us think how best to use it.”
