dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (17 page)

A small snort escaped Anna, and she lifted a hand to her mouth with shamed amusement as the queen turned to glare at her. Another giggle escaped her, and she looked at the ground, biting her lip. She felt a movement beside her, and she glanced up to see Rupert looking at her, his eyebrows furrowed in disapproval.

Anna shrugged helplessly. “It’s funny,” she said as another giggle found its way out. She clamped her lips together, but it was no use. The harder she tried, the more she laughed, until finally, hands over her mouth, she turned and pushed her way to the back of the crowd. She saw Max standing near the queen, his gaze fixed on the stage, but a grin was tugging at his lips, and she laughed even more. Finally, she reached a place beyond the crowds, and leaning against a wall, gave vent to her mirth. People walking by grinned at her infectious laughter, which only made her laugh more, until finally she turned her face to the wall, and biting her lip, brought herself under control.

By the time she made her way back to the others, most of the crowds had dispersed. The queen was standing next to the stage, while Denton knelt before her. She was stroking his head as though he were an adoring puppy, while the others waited a few feet away. Max was looking on with an expression of distaste, but Rupert seemed to have lost all patience.

“Stop making such a fool of yourself, Matilda,” he said. “You’ll have the city talking about your display if you continue like this.”

“Nonsense!” she said, but she drew her hand away nonetheless. Denton reached up to grab it, but she took a step backwards. “I must be gone,” she said, “but we will meet again.”

“Even a minute will be too long, my sweet Tilly,” he said with a sigh. His eyes were fixed on her, but a dry laugh from Rupert had him glancing at the company watching them. He rose to his feet with a flush. “Of course, my lady,” he said, before quickly stepping away and disappearing into the shadows.

By the time the small entourage arrived back at the palace, more than three hours had disappeared. Max had accompanied the queen to the river, securing a ferry for her and her ladies before finally stepping away. He had watched as the small craft was pushed down the river, and Anna’s last sight of him was standing on the river bank, his arms folded over his chest as he stood against the lowering light of the day. Rupert had also taken leave of the little party, and it was just the women who stepped off the ferry as the ferryman pulled the boat towards the small landing below the palace lawns.

As they walked towards the palace courtyard, a woman came hurrying out towards them, pausing in obvious surprise when she saw the queen amongst the party, decked out in simple clothes.

“Your Majesty,” she said. “I came looking for you, but you were not in your chambers, nor were your ladies,” she said. “And,” she added, laying emphasis on the word, “your secretary did not know of any appointments that would take you from the palace today.”

“Oh, hush, Mary,” said the queen. “We have just had the most marvelous adventure. You saw through my disguise, but only because you know me. The people on the streets had no idea they were traversing the roads with their sovereign queen.”

“You went into the city, my lady? Dressed like that?”

“Yes, Mary,” the queen said, impatience creeping into her tone.

“But why?”

“So I could travel incognito, of course.”

“Oh.” Mary’s gaze lingered on the gown for a moment, her mouth tightening in distaste, before she looked up at the queen. “His Majesty, the king, has been looking for you.”

“Then go and give the word I will be with him directly,” she said. “Oh, and Mary,” she added as the woman turned away, “not a word about my escapades. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The entire court will know by nightfall,” Blanche said as she watched Mary walking away.

“I know,” Matilda said. “I just hope I can explain to the king before he catches word in the wind.”

Frank and Tobias were standing outside the door when Matilda and her ladies arrived at her apartments. They bowed as she entered the rooms, although Anna could see Frank eyeing the group suspiciously, his gaze pausing on her. He frowned for a moment, then turned away. The gown that Kathleen had discarded earlier had been spread out on the bed, and within a few minutes the queen had donned it and was sitting down for Blanche to do her hair. She was still brushing when a sound at the door had all the ladies turning around to see the king enter the room. Anna dropped into a curtsey as the king strode forward.

“Matty, my dear, we have been searching the palace grounds for you,” he said. He was smiling, but beneath the friendliness, Anna could hear the note of irritation. “I was growing concerned that some disaster had befallen you.”

“As you can see, my lord, I am quite safe and sound. My ladies and I went into the city.”

Alfred frowned. “Why?”

“I wanted to see a play.”

“You can see plays anytime you wish to,” he said, turning away and pacing the room. “You do not need to sneak away to do so.”

“I did not wish to be known,” she said.

Alfred stopped his pacing and turned to face her. “You went to see Denton, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

“Good lord, Matty, could you be any more obvious?”

“I traveled in disguise.”

“In disguise? And you did not reveal yourself to Denton?” Matilda was silent. “Who saw you speak to him?” he asked.

“Anyone watching the play.” She lifted her chin as she met his gaze. “But no one knew who I was. I could have been a fisherwoman for all they know.”

“You are clearly no fisherwomen,” he retorted. “Whatever clothes you wore to disguise yourself, anyone with an iota of sense would have seen that you were a noblewoman, and they would have wondered why a noblewoman was traversing the city dressed in rags.” He paused. “Who traveled with you?”

“Rupert. And when we encountered Master Brant in the city, he joined us, too.”

“Rupert! I’m surprised he would go along with a plan such as this. It is unlike him to be so wanting in sense.” Alfred turned to look at the ladies, his gaze falling on Anna. “Along with your other duties, you are expected to provide wisdom and counsel to your queen. You should have talked her out of this foolishness.”

“Do not blame my ladies,” Matilda said, rising to her feet. “The blame is mine alone. And despite what you say, I do not believe anyone who saw me recognized me for who I am. I will not regret the actions of today.”

Alfred nodded. “Well, clearly there is no point in saying more. But my dear, if the slightest whiff of scandal reaches my nose, you will regret it.” And with that he turned on his heel and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.

Chapter 23

The next days passed by quickly. Whatever private regrets the queen may have had, she kept them to herself. The king said no more about the affair, and since no other action was taken, his annoyance was soon forgotten. Matilda had enjoyed her adventure thoroughly, and talked often about how delighted she was with the city.

“I will keep my red gown so we can go again,” the queen said, a pronouncement that made Anna’s heart sink. The king’s tolerance could only be pushed so far.

Anna was sitting with Kathleen in the queen’s private parlor one afternoon a few days later when a soft knock was heard on the door, followed a moment later by Betsy coming into the room. In her hand she held a cage with rounded sides and a domed top. It stood about eighteen inches high, and perched inside were a pair of bright yellow canaries.

“Excuse me, Mistress, but this was delivered for you,” Betsy said, looking at Anna.

Anna rose to her feet. “For me? Who’s it from?”

“There’s a note, Mistress.” Anna took the cage from Betsy’s hands and placed it on a nearby table. It was similar to the cages she had seen in the market a few days before, but more intricately wrought, with trailing vines and flowers covering the dome. The note was secured to the cage with a narrow ribbon, and Anna carefully untied it and removed the missive. ‘I hope you enjoy many hours of cheerful birdsong,’ it read.

“Who’s it from?” Kathleen asked eagerly.

“I don’t know,” Anna said, turning the note over and studying the back. “It doesn’t say.” She nodded at Betsy, who quickly exited the room.

“It must be from the prince,” Kathleen said.

“The prince? It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing he would do. And why would he send me a gift?”

“Well, who else? I saw him talking to you when we were in the city. In fact, he barely left your side. And wasn’t he with you when you were admiring the birds at the market?”

“He only walked with me because the queen was giving her attention to Master Brant. And Master Brant saw me admiring the birds, too.”

“Yes, but why would
he
give you a gift? Everyone knows he’s pursuing Mistress Jane.”

Anna turned in surprise. “He is?”

“Of course. Why, Blanche was telling me just the other day how Jane has resisted all his advances thus far, but he still keeps dangling after her. She also says …” Kathleen’s voice trailed away, and she dropped her gaze to the hands in her lap.

“Yes?” Anna said. “What else does Blanche say?”

“Nothing,” Kathleen said. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Kathleen?”

Kathleen looked up. “Blanche says it won’t be long before you are in the prince’s bed, if you are not already,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Pray, forgive me, Anna. I know it’s not true. At least … I think … it’s not true, is it?”

“Of course not! I have no interest in the prince whatsoever.”

“Oh. It’s just …”

“Just what?”

“He does seem to give you more attention than other ladies.”

“Only because he finds it amusing when I speak my mind!”

Kathleen dropped her gaze, and Anna reached for her hand. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I don’t mean to sound so cross.”

Kathleen nodded and the subject was dropped, but Anna could not get Kathleen’s words out of her mind. Later that day, she pulled Blanche aside.

“What rumors have you been spreading about me?” she said.

“What do you mean?” Blanche’s eyes widened in surprise as she gazed at Anna.

“About me and the prince.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Did you not tell Kathleen that I would soon be sleeping with him?”

“Certainly not!” Blanche took Anna’s hands in her own. “We may have our differences, but I would never say such things. Kathleen must have misheard.”

Anna pulled her hands free. “How could she have misheard?”

“I told her that the prince seemed to like you. Maybe she leapt to conclusions.”

Anna stared at Blanche. “Very well,” she finally said. “But do not talk about me with others.”

Blanche nodded. “I won’t. I swear.” As Anna turned away, Blanche caught her by the arm. “I did hear that the prince sent you a pair of canaries.”

“The note wasn’t signed, so I cannot say who sent it.”

“Well, who else could it be?” Blanche said, echoing Kathleen’s words. “He was with you when you were admiring the birds at the market.”

“I suppose so,” Anna said. “It just doesn’t seem like something he would do.”

“Well I have no doubts at all,” Blanche said. “I am quite convinced that our handsome prince sent it to you, and is intent on pursuing you.”

As Anna fell asleep that night, she wondered about it again. Her mind refused to accept Rupert as the giver – it was just too out of character – but who else? Not Max, certainly. The queen? But why would she favor Anna with such a gift? It did not make sense. She was still puzzling over it when she drifted off to sleep, with the sound of rain tapping against the shutters.

She awoke early, startled by the call of an owl as it flew past the window. No-one else had been disturbed, however, and the only other sound was the gentle lull of soft snores and heavy breathing. She lay back on the mattress, but the fright had chased away her sleep. It was still dark outside, but Anna could see the faint stain of light on the horizon through the window. The warm cocoon of blankets kept her curled up for a little longer, until finally she pushed them aside, and pulling on a pair of boots, quietly crept from the room. The rain had turned to snow during the night, and the landscape was blanketed in white. The air was cold, and Anna pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders as she stepped outside. There was a large fire burning in the center of the courtyard, with a few people huddled around for warmth. They glanced at her as she walked past, but she did not pause. Skirting the gardens, she took the path that led to the wilderness. On the horizon the light was no more than a smudge behind the gray, looming clouds, but it was enough for her to pick her way through the dead blades of grass, which were damp from snow and rain. They brushed against her cloak as she walked, leaving trails and muddying her hem, but she took no notice. She breathed in the bracing air, and watched as her breath formed little clouds of mist that hung in the air for a moment before dispersing.

High above she could hear the discordant cries of geese as they flew overhead, chased away by the cold weather that had arrived overnight. She watched as they passed in their ‘V’ formation, one side longer than the other. From the end of the shorter arm, a goose pulled out of the line, and flying heavily, pushed ahead of the rest until it reached the front of the formation, taking the place of the leader. The replaced goose fell back, slowing down as the other birds pulled ahead, then headed towards the back of the line. It never made it, however. As Anna watched, the goose suddenly quivered and started falling towards the earth, slowly at first, then gathering speed as it dropped lower. It had been brought down by an arrow – she could see the shaft sticking through its neck – and picking up her skirts, she started to run in the direction of the falling bird. She could not have explained what impulse propelled her forward – perhaps it was seeing a winged creature being felled from the sky, or maybe it was just that the early morning peace seemed shattered by the act of violence. She was not unused to seeing animals die – it was a part of life, after all. But something had touched her, and she started to run.