The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr by Byrd Sandra

Author:Byrd, Sandra [Byrd, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Howard Books
Published: 2012-06-05T00:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Summer: Year of Our Lord 1546

Palace at Westminster

The queen’s chambers were quiet that season, and the air held the awkward tension of those picking their way through the forest whilst avoiding trap holes, leafed and twigged over.

“I am glad that the Lady Mary was here to visit with you earlier,” I said, making polite conversation whilst Kate and her sister, Lady Herbert, sewed linens for the poor. “She has oft been away.”

“Yes,” Kate said. “She has drawn closer to me now that the king is oft given to melancholy. He is tired afore the day begins. He does not walk in the gardens as was his habit during the afternoon. He eats but little, compared to his former appetite.”

All knew the king was ill unto death. ’Twas only a matter of time, though none knew if that would be weeks or a year. And as he grew sicker, he grew more troublesome and impatient.

“Perhaps you might send him a physic,” Kate’s sister suggested, “as a show of your continuing concern for his health?”

Kate brightened at that. “Yes, yes, that is an excellent idea.” She called her secretary to her and dictated a quick note. “Juliana, will you please deliver this to the king’s physician and wait for a response?”

I nodded, glad to be of help. I took the letter and made my way past the king’s chambers and down the long hallway where I knew Dr. Wendy might be found. I knocked upon his door, but his associate told me that he was already with His Majesty. I left the letter for him to deliver upon his return and began to make my way toward the hall back to the queen’s suite. As I did, I saw another figure, blocky and bold, just ahead of me. He seemed to have just come from the king’s chambers.

It was Sir Richard Rich. I wondered if he’d washed Anne Askew’s blood from under his nails.

A certain dreaminess overtook me. I saw a scroll drop out of his leather bag and fall toward the rushes. I knew it was the one in my vision, with the queen’s name written and dripping blood, and that I was to act and take the scroll in hand.

Rich stopped for a moment, but I dared not move lest he hear me and discover his loss and turn back afore I reached it. I knew I was in danger by taking what clearly belonged to him. He hastened to his destination and seemed unaware of the fallen document. I picked it up, tucked it into the fold in the front of my gown, and held it there with my hand whilst making my way back to Her Grace. As I did, the words spoken in the book of Esther whispered to me.

Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

I quickly made my way to the queen’s chambers.

“Did you find the doctor?” she asked.

“No, lady. But as I was returning, Sir Richard Rich was leaving the king’s chambers.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.