The Winchester Goose: At the Court of Henry VIII by Arnopp Judith

Author:Arnopp, Judith [Arnopp, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

The weeks pass slowly and although I try to keep my eyes closed to the goings on of the Queen, I cannot help but be aware of the night-time whispers, the furtive locking and unlocking of chamber doors. Jane Rochford has a look of wary devilment in her eye and I tell myself that perhaps it is she who has taken a lover with the Queen’s endorsement, and not the other way round. Katherine is young enough to enjoy romantic intrigue and would surely not be so foolish as to risk the same fate as her cousin. It must be she who shields Lady Rochford, not the other way around.

One morning, as I am passing along the corridor toward the chapel, someone comes whirling down the stairs. There is no time for me to retreat and we collide. She is moving so fast that I am almost knocked flat. As I grab at her gown to steady myself, I am engulfed in fragrance, and when I gather my wits I realise that I am grasping the richly jewelled sleeve of the Queen herself. Her cheeks are flushed with laughter but she straightens her face and snatches her arm indignantly away when she recognises me.

“Mistress Greywater,” she says, as haughty as ever. I wonder at her formality for she usually addresses me as Bella, or sometimes Belle, which I can’t abide. She swallows, licks her lips, her eyes darting up the twisting stair as if she expects someone to be following. “I was looking for you. I have mislaid the emerald ring the King gave me. I would have you go to my apartments and search until it is found.”

She speaks loudly, her clear voice filling the corridor. I know she lies for the benefit of some companion hidden up the stairway, but I sink into a curtsey and turn on my heel to do her bidding. It is not my place to question the directives of the Queen.

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.