His Dark Lady by Victoria Lamb

Author:Victoria Lamb [Lamb, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ROMANCE, General, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781446463017
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2013-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

Six

Dearest Cathy,

It seems an age since we were at court together. I received your letter last month and am glad to know you and your son are in good health. How strange it must be to nurse a babe in your arms! And is your husband returned yet from the Low Countries? I keep you all in my daily prayers. Write again and this time spare no details, I wish to hear everything.

But I have news for you, dearest friend. You remember one W. S. who so rudely accosted me at the masque? He has spoken to me since then, many times, and I was mistaken in him. In truth, I am in love with him and hope to be Mistress Shakespeare one day. There, it’s out, and looks so cold and hard on paper. But I do, and my heart sings for the gentleman. For I swear he is a gentleman, though a player too, and from the land.

I was sorry to hear you have been lonely with your husband at the war. I am lonely too, not being at court any more. Come and stay with me in Cheapside, if you will, and bring the child with you. I long to see you again. And keep me in your prayers also.

Yours, Lucy

PS W. has promised nothing, yet I trust him. Am I wrong to do so?

‘SO ALL THIS is yours now?’ Cathy asked Lucy, glancing curiously about the dark, cramped house in Cheapside. She shifted her young son from one hip to the other, hushing him as he protested. ‘Since Master Goodluck’s death?’

Lucy threw back the front shutters, and warm sunlight streamed in through the window. ‘His body was never found, so it remains Goodluck’s property until his death can be decided.’ She tickled the child under his chin. ‘This one’s growing bonny. He must be nearly two now. Does he favour his father?’

‘I can hardly remember,’ Cathy replied, then managed a wry smile at Lucy’s surprised glance. ‘Oh, do not misunderstand me. I love Oswald well enough. But I have not seen him in nearly a year, not since he went off soldiering in the Low Countries. What if he never comes back, Lucy? What if he is killed out there?’ She shook her head bitterly. ‘I do not know how we will survive if my husband dies.’

‘Whose command is he under?’

‘He is with Lord Leicester’s troops.’ Cathy hesitated, then giggled, her face suddenly diverted. ‘With the great man himself. But you will not have heard the stories. You have not been back to court, have you?’

‘Not since the Queen in her wisdom dismissed me,’ Lucy agreed, then laughed. ‘No, don’t look like that. My life here is not so terrible, though it seems you receive news of the court while I am shunned. But I am happy now, for you are here at last and we shall be like sisters again.’

It was good to have Cathy to stay. The weeks since she had left court had

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