Harlequin Historical November 2016, Box Set 2 of 2 by Lauri Robinson

Author:Lauri Robinson
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488025921
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Several weeks later

‘Most exciting news, Alys!’

Alys glanced up from her sewing and smiled to see her father’s enthusiasm as he came into the great hall, waving a letter in the air. He had been in such low spirits since the horror of the Armada, staying in his library all hours, only emerging to eat dinner, grey-faced and silent. Messengers passed back and forth, but she knew not what letters they bore.

In truth, she had not been in good spirits herself. The village houses were being rebuilt and life at Dunboyton was slowly returning to its old routines. There were tasks to do, meals to be cooked and gardens to be tended. Yet something so deep and fundamental seemed to have changed. The days did not have their old smooth rhythms and distrust and fear seemed to hang in the air like smoke from the village fires.

Alys touched the ring she wore on its chain beneath her gown, then abruptly dropped her hand. She had to push away all thoughts of Juan, as she always did when his face appeared in her mind. She put down her sewing and turned to her father. ‘Good news is welcome indeed, Father. What has happened?’

‘What I have been waiting for so long.’ He sat down in the chair across from hers and gently touched her hand. ‘You are summoned to court as Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth.’

Alys stared at her father in shock. She shook her head. Surely she had not heard his words right? ‘What? Now? But I thought…’

‘As did I. Yet it seems I am not without friends in London after all.’

Alys frowned in suspicion. ‘Did Sir Matthew…?’

Her father sat back in his chair with a huff. ‘I know you think he had something to do with the village that night, Alys.’

‘He must have! He vanished soon after.’ And he took Juan with him. The uncertainty, the not knowing who they really were and what really happened, nagged at her.

‘Sir Matthew has his own work. But we have known each other for many years. It does seem he has helped me now.’

Alys did not want such a man’s favours. But then again—what if Juan was at court? ‘I should not leave you now, Father. Not with everything that has happened of late.’

‘That is exactly why you must go, Alys! Now more than ever. There is nothing here for you.’

‘There is you.’

‘And I am old. My dearest daughter, to see you settled and happy is all I long for now. There are prospects at court, many paths you could take, and there are none here.’ His face, so set in worried lines, softened as he smiled at her. ‘And you could help me much, when you have the Queen’s ear.’

Alys hurried over to hug him close, her heart torn. For one thing, she did worry about her father, worried he would have no one to watch over him. For another—he was right. She could help him at court, make friends for them, perhaps find him another post in a warmer place where his health could improve.

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