QUEEN'S CHRISTMAS SUMMONS, THE by MCCABE AMANDA

Author:MCCABE, AMANDA [MCCABE, AMANDA]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: MEDIEVAL ROMANCE
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-10-02T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Alys climbed up on her trunk to peer out the narrow window at the end of the long, narrow maids’ chamber. The dormitory looked on to one of Greenwich’s three large courtyard gardens, slumbering in the winter chill. The flowerbeds, carefully laid out diamond shapes between the gravel walkways, were brown and brittle now, the towering trees skeletal bare, all the marble fountains quiet. But she could see that in summer it would be spectacular, bursting with colour amid a riot of roses, lilies, violets, scented herbs and skeins of glossy green ivy twining over the trellises. Perfect for her stillroom.

Right now, the only colour was from the courtiers strolling the pathways, their velvet cloaks and the ladies’ trains as bright as any birds. She found herself searching for a hint of purple doublet among them, but there was none to be seen.

Alys sighed as she watched the gardens. Her storm of tears had tired her, but it had also released something in her, some tight knot of uncertainty and fear she had carried ever since John left her in Ireland. That was unravelled and gone now, leaving her feeling lighter, but hollow as well. Drained of all emotion. She had no idea of what would happen next, but she did know she had to get ready for the Queen’s banquet.

Alys turned away from the window to study the chamber more closely. The space shared by the Maids of Honour was a long, narrow rectangle of a room, lined with narrow beds on each side. They were small but pretty, with carved posts, spread with green-and-white woollen quilts and hung with thick curtain to keep out the draughts. A clothes chest and washstand stood by each bed and at the far end was even a precious looking glass. It was peaceful when empty, but was surely all chaos and clamour when all the maids were dressing there. Very different from her own chamber at Dunboyton.

Alys knew Molly was meant to be her maid here, but since she had no idea where the girl was she knew she had to find her banquet gown herself. She opened the travelling chest and took out the layers of new satin and silk clothes, smoothing them carefully as she tried to decide what to wear. After seeing all the court finery, she feared even these fresh, unworn bodices, sleeves, and stockings would be sadly out of fashion.

What would John think when he saw her in them? Would he think her a different lady altogether from the simple girl in Ireland, as she feared he was so different now?

‘Don’t think of such things now!’ she told herself sternly. She tossed down the white bodice she held, embroidered with silver, and spun around, as if she could leave him behind.

Luckily, the door flew open and Ellen appeared, a timely distraction.

‘Oh, good!’ Ellen exclaimed as she dashed between rows. ‘My bed is next to yours. We can whisper at night.’ She perched on the

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