The Cradle Queen (Simon Danforth Mystery Book 3) by Steven Veerapen

Author:Steven Veerapen [Veerapen, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Published: 2018-08-12T00:00:00+00:00

15

Danforth stood in the bustling market cross, Rowan at his arm. Being outside of the palace brought a sense of relief. It was as though he were suddenly engaged in some great, gladiatorial battle, and leaving the place was stepping out of the arena to catch breath. She raised a finger towards a well-kept wooden building, its door painted. ‘That’s our Master Apothecary,’ she said. ‘He knows me, so I should speak.’ Danforth nodded, a little put out. It ill became a woman to take charge. It was a trait peculiar to Scotswomen, he thought. Some men, perhaps, found it attractive enough. They must, or there would be no more Scots.

‘Very well. Wait. Here is a friend of mine. Mistress Beauterne,’ he cried, ‘ho, mistress. What news?’

Diane started at the sight of him, and then she smiled an impish grin. ‘You’ve caught me. I am come into the burgh to pick up some cloths,’ she said, skipping towards him, a length of purple draped over one arm. ‘For the dowager’s entertainments. Her tailor went off to the governor, so we must shift for ourselves, get what we can from the burgh. Mind, I enquired of books?’

‘Ah, yes. They were useful?’

‘Uh … Signor Bassano can turn his fellows’ lutes to anything, really.’

‘An entertainment?’ whispered Rowan. Her eyes had clouded. Danforth thought he saw something like longing in them.

‘Oui,’ said Diane. ‘What brings you to town, monsieur? And good day to you, Mistress Allen.’

‘Good day, Diane,’ said Rowan.

‘Are you to walk back up to the palace? I should be glad of the company.’

‘You came down here by yourself?’ asked Danforth.

‘Yes, sir. I hoped to be here and gone before the rain comes. You can feel it in the air.’

‘It is unwise to go jetting about alone,’ warned Danforth.

‘Mistress Allen here does so,’ chirped Diane.

‘It is hardly the same,’ said Danforth. Diane was a gentlewoman. Rowan Allen was … he was unsure what she was. ‘Mistress Allen belongs to the burgh. She knows it. You do not.’

‘It is but a short walk. Mr Guthrie offered to walk me, but I couldn’t bear listening to his chattering about God and so I sneaked out before he could come.’ She tinkled laughter, reached out and lightly touched Danforth’s arm. Rowan, he noticed, fixed her eyes on the gesture, her smile frozen in place. The politics of women, he thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. ‘Besides, I like taking the air. Especially now, shut up in the palace.’ She shivered. ‘Shall you both come back with me?’

‘Not yet. Perhaps Mistress Allen can take you. I can see to the business which brings me alone.’

‘No, no,’ said Diane. ‘I did not mean to break you up. Have you much to do?’

‘Not very much,’ said Rowan. ‘We must pick up some stuff from the apothecary over there. Excuse me,’ she barked at a woman who had nudged her elbow with a basket as she passed. The woman gave her a dirty look but kept moving. ‘Aye,’ called Rowan, ‘you keep walking, sweetheart.

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