Page 53 of Lord of Deception

Chapter Forty-Two

Kit’s jaw clenched as he watched the women disappear along the passageway. His ardent desire to follow was suppressed only by the strength of his pride. Shame on Alys for taking refuge behind Jane Haslitt. Why had she not the courage to face him personally?

He’d offered her marriage, an offer he’d not made lightly. Yet she’d told him to wait, said he had no concern for her feelings. How was he to understand if she wasn’t prepared to discuss those feelings with him? And was she now deliberately flaunting Norris in his face in an effort to make him jealous?

A soft voice by his elbow broke his reverie. “I see your little bird has flown.”

Kit bowed deeply. “Your Grace! Forgive me—I was unaware of your presence.”

“Fiddle!” The queen took his arm and steered him along the passageway down which Alys had recently made her escape. “We do not stand on ceremony, you and I. I am satisfied you have done your penance and will therefore forget your earlier disgrace—though I doubt the Laceys will be so forgiving. Yet I sense your punishment continues still, at the hands of Alys Barchard. Mayhap you are about to be hoisted by your own petard.”

“Majesty, I am not certain I understand.”

“You understand me very well. You are in love with that young lady, and she will not have you. Now you will suffer the pangs of unrequited love, and understand what drove Anne Lacey to the edge of despair.”

“At risk of contradicting you, Your Majesty—”

“You dare to contradict me?” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Nay, I am not angered with you, but I am intrigued. Dare on, good sir.”

“My queen, I had reason to believe Alys… Mistress Barchard… had feelings which matched my own. I cannot understand what has come between us.”

“Your pride, and her inexperience, no doubt. The charms of pretty gentlemen like you, when exercised upon the innocent heart, make a heady brew. I suspect Mistress Barchard’s heart does battle with her head—but she will come about in time. You must not push so hard, or she will fly from you and into the arms of another. You know of whom I speak.”

She paused in her step, then turned on her heel, bearing Kit back towards the great hall. “You will come to my private parlor, Master Ludlow, and converse with me. I had never thought to see you fall so heavily, and am fascinated to learn how this came about.”

“Have mercy, my queen. I thought you wished for no window into men’s souls?”

“Ah. Clever Kit. I should have you severely punished for daring to throw my own words back at me. Mayhap the rack… nay, for you are too tall already. I must think of some other punishment. There, the dimples return to your cheeks. Am I not a good monarch, that can make even her gloomiest subjects cheerful?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.” They had almost reached the other end of Hatfield’s ancient banqueting hall, and the revelers were beginning to take their positions to bid their sovereign goodnight.

Kit carefully negotiated her starched collar so he could whisper into her ear. “You cannot wish me to come any farther. You know what the court will believe if I accompany you to your chamber.”

Elizabeth smiled as she waved her hand gracefully towards her courtiers and guests. “Perhaps it amuses me to have them think so.”

His face must have been a picture, for when she turned to look up at him, she burst into spasms of most unroyal mirth. “Get thee gone, Ludlow. I do but jest with you. But on the morrow, I will hear the history of your dealings with Mistress Barchard. And if you think to leave out a single thing, you will be sent straight to the Tower and join the traitors you put there.”