The Devil's Slave by Tracy Borman

Author:Tracy Borman [Borman, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780802129468
Publisher: Grove Atlantic
Published: 2019-02-15T16:00:00+00:00

PART 3

1611

CHAPTER 28

4 June

The light was already showing between the cracks of the shutters. In the distance, Frances could hear the tolling of a bell. Five o’clock. George was stirring. He had woken with the dawn this past month. Often she had felt the warm press of his hand against her cheek as she slept, and had opened her eyes to see him standing by the bed, impatient for her to join him. That precious hour, before anyone else was awake, had become her favourite part of the day.

Sometimes they lay on the settle, George’s back against her chest as they read together, Frances’s fingers slowly tracing the words as he spoke them. At others, they would play a game – fox and geese was the one George loved best – and he would exclaim in triumph if he won, forgetting his mother’s urging to be quiet lest they wake the entire palace.

She fought the urge to scoop him into her arms and carry him to her bed. He would be awake soon enough. Rolling over, she reached out towards the small table next to the bed and quietly pulled open the drawer. Her husband’s letter was nestled within it. George stirred again at the crinkle of the stiff paper as she unfolded it, but settled back to sleep.

We arrived at Belvoir late last night. It is a beautiful castle and the Earl of Rutland has already shown us the lavish hospitality for which he is famed. The king is anxious to begin the hunt, which we will do tomorrow. He is greatly distressed by the loss of one of his hounds – Esmé – who bolted as soon as I opened the door to their wagon upon our arrival. I was obliged to spend half the night searching the woods for him, but as yet there is no sign.

I trust you and George are well. Pray tell him that there is a chestnut mare in the stables here that much resembles Duke. I wish he were here to ride it. I wish you were here also.

Your loving husband,

Thomas

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