The Other Countess (9 page)

‘Well, well.’ Henry threw his napkin down. ‘Think she needs a shoulder to cry on, Janie?’

‘Henry, don’t.’

‘Excuse me. I have errand of mercy to run.’ He slipped away, disappearing through a side door behind the arras to avoid being noticed.

Jane stared at her empty plate, angry tears burning at the back of her throat.

7

‘My lord? My Lord Dorset, are you quite well?’ Robert Cecil beckoned a servant. ‘Bring the earl a cup of wine.’

Will looked down to find a goblet in his hands. He tossed it back and laughed without humour. ‘My thanks, sir.’

‘You are ill?’ asked Cecil.

Will held the cup out to the servant signalling for it to be refilled. ‘There’s nothing wrong with me. I was just taken by surprise.’

Cecil returned to his plate. ‘Few surprises are pleasant ones.’

‘I couldn’t agree more.’ Will snapped a wing off a roast duck. ‘Things seem fair but prove to be foul.’

‘I take it you do not refer to something you have eaten?’ Cecil thought back to the moment when his companion’s mood had changed. ‘The sight of Sir Arthur disturbs you this much? You need not worry: he’s on his way out of court if my father has his wish. The man’s a public menace.’

‘It wasn’t the father I was surprised by.’ Will drained his second goblet, sending immediately for more. It was a lesson for him, he supposed: he should’ve been concentrating on his mission at court, not flirting with chance-met girls. Thank God, he’d had his eyes opened before he had taken
the relationship any further. He’d half feared before the feast that the Lady Eleanor had quite dulled his appetite for courting other girls. Now he realized what he should have suspected: his ink-stained maiden was the alchemist’s brat.

‘You refer to the Lady Eleanor?’ Cecil frowned. ‘Ah, yes, she is unfortunate to have such a parent. Not the Amazon you expected, I’d hazard. A sweet maid. Blount did her wrong by sending her from the hall. I pity her for the shame she must feel.’

‘Shame?’ Will nearly knocked over his cup as he reached for the salt. ‘I doubt she feels such a human emotion else she would not venture among decent company.’

‘You do not like the lady? I have always found her pleasant and well-mannered.’

‘Then I take it that you do not know her well. She has the art of seeming other than she is.’

‘That’s a grave charge, my lord.’ Cecil was evidently not pleased with Will’s conversation. He looked to his neighbour on the other side, seeking for more pleasant subjects.

Will refused to drop the matter. ‘Then how do you explain, Cecil, that I in my ignorance wore an alchemist’s colours today at the joust?’ He squirmed at the humiliation of having flaunted the hated Hutton’s symbol for all to see.

Cecil turned back to him. ‘You did not know who she was?’

‘I thought she was the Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime.’

‘She is. Her mother’s title, which she inherited – unfortunately without any lands to accompany it.’

‘Like a card cheat’s sleight of hand, the wench uses an empty Spanish title to distract from her true name – Hutton.’

‘So she lied to you?’

‘A sin of omission, but yes, I think she did.’

‘And she had reason to know that you would hate her on sight if you knew her true identity?’

‘We last met when I kicked her and her father off my estate, so yes, she did.’

Cecil smiled crookedly and raised his cup in a toast. ‘Then I say “well done, the lady”. She makes as fair a hand as she can of the poor cards Fortune has dealt her.’

Will had to bite his tongue to stop himself arguing back with Cecil as he would one of his own brothers.

‘In that case, I throw in my hand, Cecil. I’ll have no dealings with a Hutton.’

‘I see you are a believer in the sins of the father being heaped on the heads of the children, Dorset.’ Cecil sat back to allow the servants to set the next remove of dishes. ‘Ah, apricot tarts – a favourite of mine.’

Will settled for more wine, having lost his appetite for sweetmeats. ‘My own experience proves that to be true. You cannot escape the consequences of your parentage.’

‘You speak like an Old Testament prophet, Dorset. I’d dispute if our Saviour would agree with you.’

‘I speak as I know.’

‘Hmm.’ Cecil glanced across at his own father, sitting at the Queen’s right hand. ‘Then I praise God for blessing me with one of whom I can be proud.’

No half-wit, Will saw that he was being offered an opportunity to restore the harmonious tone to their conversation.

‘Indeed, your father is a remarkable man, a steady hand at the tiller of the state.’

Cecil smiled. ‘Very good – my father as the Queen’s
helmsman – he’ll like that. Now, my lord, tell me what you think of music.’

Ellie ran as fast as she could away from the castle, taking refuge in the gardens she’d visited the previous day. The last person she wanted to see was her father; he no doubt would be wondering what he had done to deserve the ejection and would try to enlist her sympathy. He had not the faintest idea of how the world saw him – nor did he care. Let him take his complaints to Lord Mountjoy; she was sick of it all.

Ellie kicked the stone basin of the fountain where the earl had wetted his handkerchief only yesterday, feeling trapped and desperate. Hot tears traced scorching paths down her cheeks; she dashed them away with the heel of her hand, annoyed with the futility of crying. It never made anything better. No one heard, saw or cared when she was upset. She wanted to scream, to rant – but what would be the point?

‘Lady Eleanor?’

Ellie froze.

A man walked out of the shadows. Not the earl, as she had half wished, half feared, but Sir Henry Perceval.

‘Oh, sir.’ She dipped a curtsy, hoping he had not witnessed her unladylike kicking of the garden ornaments and praying it was too dark for him to see her tears.

‘I noticed those knaves turn you away from the feast. As I told my sister, you’ll always find a welcome in our party. She was adamant that I should seek you out to ensure that you come to no harm.’

She had? Ellie felt touched that the Lady Jane had spared her a thought.

‘Your sister is most kind, sir. I am … I am quite well, thank her for asking.’

‘I would not perjure myself with a false report.’ He took a step closer. The light was fading, his face was in shadow, but Ellie feared he would see hers too well if he came any nearer.

‘Really, sir, I merely came out here to … get some air before retiring.’ She moved away, her skirts brushing the yew hedge at the back of the arbour.

Her retreat only encouraged the hunter to approach. ‘Fie on you, Lady Eleanor, you tell not the truth,’ he said softly, shaking a finger at her. ‘I see the tears those rogues have cost you.’ He reached out and traced the path they had left on her cheeks, letting his thumb brush past her ruff and come to rest on her collarbone. ‘See, the track runs to your heart.’ He trailed his index finger across her skin to the square neck of her gown, following it with his gaze.

Ellie was suddenly aware how far they were from other people.

‘It is true, sir, that I was a little upset,’ she said, hoping formality would encourage him to step away. ‘So once again, I thank you for your good wishes.’

He walked his fingers up her chest to rest in the hollow of her throat. She lifted her chin, trying to escape the touch of his back of his hand. ‘Sir?’

‘Poor Lady Ellie,’ he sighed, the pad of his thumb feathering over the sensitive skin of her neck to where her ruff was pinned to her collar. ‘It doesn’t have to be this hard.’

‘It doesn’t?’ Ellie wished her voice was less of a frightened squeak. Her eyes darted from side to side, looking for an escape route.

‘There are those that would wish to make your path smooth, see those lips smile more than they frown.’ His thumb now brushed her mouth, tugging the bottom lip slightly. Not breaking eye contact with her, he lifted the thumb to his own mouth and pressed it to his lips.

Ellie shuddered. ‘I’m … I’m grateful to anyone who wishes me well.’
I mustn’t provoke him
, she told herself.
I must persuade him to leave this as a bit of harmless flirting.

‘I may not look like I can today,’ he said with what he probably thought was a charming smile, gesturing to his sling, ‘but I can protect you.’

At what cost?
thought Ellie. ‘I am under my father’s protection, sir.’

‘He does a bad job of it, does he not? You are a jewel of great lustre marred by a poor setting. If you were mine, I would dress you in silk, wrap you in lace, put satin shoes on your feet.’

Did he ever listen to himself?
Ellie marvelled. It was evident he was far more intrigued by the unwrapping. He wanted to turn her into a high-class courtesan but made it sound as if it were a favour.

‘You are the soul of generosity, sir, but I have no need of such things. If you do not mind, I wish to return to the castle now.’

He smiled fondly at her, shaking his head. ‘Such an innocent. You have no idea of what I’m offering you, do you?’

He was a fool if he thought her that ignorant. ‘Please, sir.’

He dropped his hand to rest on the curve of her hip. ‘I think, perhaps, I should show you a little of what I mean.’ He crowded her back to the hedge, arm clipping her waist to press her against him, lips seeking hers. Ellie tried to protest but he took advantage and thrust his tongue roughly in her
mouth. She shoved at his chest, but he just laughed and held her tighter.

‘No, no, do not struggle, little bird.’ He rested his forehead against her, his breath heavy and hot. ‘Ssh, now, I’ll not be unkind. Just a taste, something we can both enjoy.’

‘Please –’

He swooped again, convinced he could seduce her with a little coaxing. The hunter was not going to let the prey flee now he had her cornered.

Will had no desire to linger at the feast, looking for an excuse to retire as soon as was deemed polite. The Queen departed for a private entertainment in her rooms with a select circle so he was free to plead the next day’s joust as an excuse when he left Cecil. As he stood, he recognized the signs of having had too much to drink, his legs unsteady, his mood dark. He waved off James and Tobias, telling them to stay as long as they liked. No need to spread his bad humour to them by denying them the pleasures of the evening.

‘Don’t forget the Lady Jane,’ murmured James, nodding to where the exquisite blonde sat on the other side of the hall.

Tobias snorted. ‘Her face looks like thunder.’

‘Peace,’ growled James, not wanting Will to put this off. ‘She just needs cheering up since her escort was so unmannerly to abandon her. Having a handsome knight ask for her favour should do the trick.’

Will sighed heartily. ‘I’ve got a better idea. This love-sick knight, too abashed by his lady’s blazing beauty, sends his herald,’ he yanked Tobias up, ‘to win her over with honeyed words. Got that, Tobias?’

‘Me?’

‘Yes, you. Let’s see if this expensive education I’ve been paying for has taught you the art of persuasion.’

‘Dammit, Will!’ spluttered Tobias.

‘Go to, be a very Cicero and plea my cause before her.’ Will shoved his brother in the shoulder blades, taking his vacant place beside James.

Walking stiffly, aware of his brothers’ eyes, Tobias approached the lady.

‘Not a bad bow,’ commented James.

Will waited for Lady Jane to look in his direction as he knew she would once Tobias began his pitch. He raised a cup to her in salute.

‘He’s doing well. She’s already smiling,’ Will murmured, warming to this idea of distance courting. It seemed to be more successful than his attempts face-to-face.

‘Ah-ha! He’s laid the bait and caught her.’ James thumped the table with his knife hilt as Tobias pocketed the sleeve she handed him. ‘Glad to see the lady came prepared with a spare one. She knows how to play the game.’

Will suppressed a twinge of regret. Somehow the scrap of embroidery had seemed far more meaningful.

‘There, he’s done it: left her with a smile on her lips and the favour secured.’ James threw out his arm as Tobias approached. ‘Here comes the hero, back from the wars. How did you persuade her so quickly?’

Knowing they were still observed, Tobias reverently handed over the sleeve, which Will kissed and tucked in his doublet. With his back to the lady, Tobias grinned.

‘T’was a simple matter, Jamie. I said I had a brainless brother
– a fusty nut with no kernel – who’d made but one sound judgement and that was to devote himself to be her knight, if she did but take pity on the poor fool.’

‘You did not!’ groaned Will.

‘Did too. She laughed and said I was a motley fellow that pleased her humour. She surrendered the sleeve without protest and wishes you well in tomorrow’s joust.’

Jamie chewed on a handful of raisins. ‘Unconventional, but it worked. Give the Cicero points for strategy.’

‘I suppose I brought that on myself. I’m to bed. Don’t wake me up when you come in and keep Tobias out of trouble, Jamie.’

‘Yes, my lord,’ grinned James.

‘Shouldn’t it be the other way round?’ suggested Tobias.

‘No, by appealing to his sense of responsibility I’m hoping you’ll both turn up with all limbs and teeth intact.’ Will weaved his way out of the hall, wondering why the floor had suddenly become uneven.

‘Walking like a seaman on land,’ commented Tobias.

‘Yes, half-seas-over is our Will. Bed’s the best place for him.’

Will’s dark mood returned when he stepped outside, heightened by the fact that everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves while he was miserable.

Scheming jade.

Deceitful witch
.

He heaped insults on the absent lady’s head but it didn’t make him feel better. A perverse desire to punish himself guided his feet to the spot where he had first seen her. He needed to learn the lesson that he should not make impulsive judgements, but know a person’s worth before offering friendship.
He’d dishonoured his family by sporting the colours of the very ones that had brought them low; it stuck in his craw to remember that. And he’d felt so smug, enjoying his little joke with the lady while all the time she’d been laughing at him.