The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards

Author:Eve Edwards [Edwards, Eve]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780141327341
Publisher: Penguin Adult
Published: 2011-01-13T23:00:00+00:00

The court was preparing to move. The privies at Whitehall had reached their capacity, the taint in the air unpleasant, so the order went out for transfer to Greenwich to allow the palace to be sweetened. Jane’s maid packed her wardrobe and other personal effects from her chamber – several trunkfuls by the time she had finished.

‘I’ll see to these, my lady.’ The maid bristled with annoyance to have her work overseen by her mistress. ‘Can’t trust those boatmen – they’re not above misplacing a cargo or two.’ The girl had been cold towards her ever since the episode when Jane had practically thrown her from the room. The application of the soothing balm of a half-crown had done little to soften her disposition.

‘Thank you, Margery.’ Jane smiled at the maid but her overture was met with a stony look. She sighed inwardly. ‘I will meet you at Greenwich this evening.’

A tap at the door turned her thoughts from the fractured state of affairs with her maid.

Margery answered the summons. ‘What’s your business here?’ Her curt tone told Jane that it was someone of low status.

‘I have come to ask a favour on your lady, maid.’

Margery gave snort. ‘She won’t want to be bothered by the likes of you. Get thee gone before I call the guard.’

‘Enough, Margery!’ Jane stepped into view of the open door. ‘I know this man. Diego, please come in. Have you a message from Milly?’

With an amused glance at the maid’s crestfallen face, Diego advanced past her and into the chamber.

‘No message, O most beautiful lady. I am here to cast myself on your mercy.’

Delighted to be of assistance to her friend’s betrothed, Jane gestured him to a seat, which he refused, insisting on standing respectfully in her presence. ‘Just ask, Diego, and if it is in my power I will happily oblige.’

He tapped his chest with a fist and bowed. ‘I would ask to serve you, my lady.’

‘But you serve Master Lacey.’

‘He has gone to join the ship for America.’

So soon? a small voice wailed inside Jane.

‘I have begged leave to stay with Milly, which he has graciously granted. Until such time as I marry her and can take her back to Lacey Hall, I am on temporary leave from my Lord Dorset’s household.’

Aware of Margery’s avid interest in this conversation, Jane tried not to give away her consternation at the news that James had left without even a farewell. She forced herself to focus on Diego’s predicament. ‘So you need a place while you remain in London?’

‘Aye, my lady.’

The request was simple enough, and she was not short of money to pay for ten more servants, let alone one. ‘Then of course, you may enter my service for however long you require – on the understanding that the Laceys do not object. I do not want to be accused of luring away one of their best men.’

‘Master James will not mind – he holds you in very high regard.’

But that was not the kind of regard she wanted from him.

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