On the Altar of England (Tudor Chronicles Book 4) by Lesley Jepson

Author:Lesley Jepson [Jepson, Lesley]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Tudor, Court, Henry VIII, Robert Dudley, Queen, Elizabeth I, Chronicles, Love, Book 4, Lettice Knollys
Published: 2016-10-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

ady Howard, we have come to see the Queen. Is she well?’ Robert took both of Cathy Howard’s hands in his and kissed the knuckles, pressing them to his forehead before he rose from his bow. Cathy Howard laughed merrily at Robert’s familiar flattery. Clad in pale blue silk, Lady Howard looked as serene as ever, and as one of the Queen’s favourite ladies, she had no need to dress in virginal white as the younger attendants were expected to. She gazed up at Robert in his grey court finery, jewels gleaming and a jaunty feather in his hat, and smiled ruefully.

‘She is well, my Lord, but surrounded as always.’ Cathy turned her gaze to Rob, standing by Robert’s shoulder, equally as tall and dressed in his own court finery, with a jewelled dagger at his belt and an elegantly wrought golden clasp holding his cloak onto his shoulder. She tilted her head and smiled.

‘Who, might I ask, is this fine young man?’ Cathy raised her eyebrow questioningly and then took hold of the hand of the girl by her side, stilling her excitement with a shake of her arm. Robert grinned, and bowed again slightly.

‘Lady Howard, I would present to you my son, Robert Dudley. Rob, this is Lady Catherine Howard, chief Lady of the Bedchamber to her Majesty.’

Rob swept off his hat and bowed low for more than a few seconds, then raised his eyes and took the extended hand, kissing the knuckles briefly. He took the hand of the girl and brushed his lips over her knuckles too, eyes gleaming as the flush crept up her cheeks. He turned his eyes to Cathy.

‘My Lady, it is truly an honour, and I see now why the Howard women are famed for their beauty. I thought only my mother was so blessed but now I see the truth of it.’

Robert smothered a smile at his son’s words, and Cathy burst into peals of laughter while the girl at her side blushed and shifted her feet excitedly.

‘Lissey’s boy. I should have recognised you.’ Cathy clasped him on the arm and squeezed excitedly, ‘You look like your father, it is true, but I see your mother in your smile.’ She beamed at Robert and then looked back at Rob. ‘Might I present my granddaughter Eliza Southwell? She is newly come to court into the Queen’s service.’ Eliza curtseyed first to Robert, who nodded in response, and then to Rob, gazing up at him through her lashes and smiling broadly. Rob bowed again.

‘I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mistress Southwell. I am gratified that I shall not be the only new face in this court of strangers.’ Eliza returned his grin eagerly and gazed into his eyes as he spoke, while Robert and Cathy both hid their smiles. ‘I should be honoured to receive your advice at how to proceed with the Queen. I am overwhelmed by unfamiliar faces, and I am pleased to find a friend so soon.

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