Marbeck and the King-in-Waiting (28 page)

‘Palmer?' Marbeck raised an eyebrow … then he understood. ‘Do you mean the steward?'

The girl nodded.

‘Well then …' A wry smile tugged at his mouth, but he resisted it. ‘Pray pass my respectful greetings to Sir Thomas. I trust he'll find a place at the court of our new King, when he finally arrives.'

The girl bit her lip. ‘He already has, I think,' she said. ‘The King's party will stay at Sir Robert Cecil's house in Hertfordshire soon … My father is gone there before him, to help make ready.' She looked at the lute, which she had been holding at arm's length; now she clasped it to her slim body.

‘I thank you, most heartily,' she said.

‘There's no need to,' Marbeck replied. Then he made his bow and walked off. At the entrance to the rose garden he turned, to see Lady Alice standing where he had left her. She waved, and he returned the gesture. Then he was striding away from Croft House, to retrieve Cobb from the roadside.

He glanced up: the sun was almost at its zenith. He could ride anywhere; all England was open to him, for he had no duties. Perhaps he no longer had a future in Master Secretary's service; just now, it hardly seemed to matter. But he turned eastwards, leading Cobb along the
path towards the Putney ferry. If the ferryman would take the horse across, he could be at Chelsea by noon. If he refused, Marbeck would have to find a barge and pay extra, or even ride as far as London Bridge.

But then, that didn't seem to matter too much, either.