The Devil's Slave. Tracy Borman

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СКАЧАТЬ corridors grew gradually darker as they neared the queen’s privy lodgings. Frances breathed in the scent of lavender, which was strewn over the rush matting. The walls on either side were lined with thick tapestries, keeping out the draughts that whipped around the larger public rooms.

      When they reached the door to the antechamber, a page bade them wait while he announced their arrival. Frances smoothed her skirts and brushed the dust from George’s sleeve. She had been surprised that the invitation had extended to her son, but was glad of it. She had no desire to leave him at Whitehall, now that Thomas was away at Oatlands.

      The page reappeared and motioned for them to enter. George tugged back on his mother’s hand, but she gave him a reassuring smile and led him gently forward. The queen raised her head from her needlework. She was sitting at the window, silhouetted by the bright sunlight. ‘You are most welcome, Lady Frances,’ she said, in her clipped tones. ‘I have but few visitors here at Greenwich. Come – let me see you.’

      Frances took a few steps forward. As she drew level with the queen, Anne’s features were no longer obscured by the sun. Frances drew in a breath when she saw the change that had been wrought in her. Her high cheekbones seemed to have melted into the folds of her face, and her skin was now sallow rather than pale. Looking down, Frances noticed that the queen’s stays had been loosened, though not for the usual reason. She had heard it whispered that there would be no more children, though she was only midway through her thirties.

      ‘I am not as you remember me,’ Anne said softly.

      Frances flushed. ‘Forgive me, Your Majesty. I am a little overcome. It has been so long since I was last in your presence.’

      The queen gave a wry smile. ‘You were ever of a gentle nature. But there is no need to hide your dismay. I hear it often enough from the king’s lips. Little wonder he chooses to leave me for the hunt so often. I am sorry that, in so doing, he deprives you of your husband for many weeks together.’

      ‘Sir Thomas is happy to do his duty, Your Grace,’ Frances replied.

      There was a brief silence, during which Anne eyed her. ‘I trust he does his duty by you too?’

      Frances forced herself not to look away. ‘I am blessed to have such an attentive husband, Your Grace.’

      There was a scuffing noise as George shifted impatiently behind his mother’s skirts. Anne smiled. ‘How rude of me! I should have introduced myself to your young master. Please, come forward.’

      George bit his lip and stared down at his feet as if they demanded all of his attention. Gently, Frances coaxed him forward and laid her hands on his shoulders. He gave a stiff little bow, as she had taught him. Anne’s smile never faltered as she gave him a long, appraising stare. ‘How like your father you are,’ she said, casting a glance at Frances.

      ‘Papa?’ George beamed with pleasure. ‘Thank you, Your Majesty,’ he added quickly, when Frances squeezed his shoulder.

      ‘He must be very proud of you,’ Anne replied. ‘It is plain to see that your mother is. But we mothers are always proud of our sons. My own are a little older than you. I hope you will meet them soon – Henry, in particular. He will make a fine king one day.’

      George looked thoughtful. ‘Does he ride as well as me?’

      The queen let out a bark of laughter. ‘Of that I am not sure, though he is an excellent horseman. Perhaps you should challenge him to a race. The parkland around here extends for miles. You would tire out many horses, I am sure.’

      The boy’s eyes widened with excitement. ‘I should like that very much, Your Grace.’

      ‘Well, now,’ Anne said. ‘You must be hungry after your long journey. Lady Drummond.’

      A young woman stepped out of the shadows. Frances had not noticed her before. She was of small stature, with jet-black hair that made her skin appear all the paler. Her slate-grey eyes regarded Frances briefly before she turned to her mistress.

      ‘Will you take Master Tyringham to the privy kitchen and see what delicacies my cooks have prepared? I am sure there will be something to tempt him.’

      The woman inclined her head and held out her hand to George, who took it without protest. Frances felt a pang as she watched him being led away.

      ‘Do not worry, my dear. Jane will keep your precious jewel safe,’ the queen assured Frances. ‘I would trust her with my life. Now, come and sit by me so that we may converse more freely.’

      Once she was seated, Anne clasped her hand. ‘I am glad to see you, Frances, truly I am. I have thought of you often since you left court. I know how you must have suffered. Do you miss him still?’

      ‘With all my heart,’ Frances whispered, looking down at the queen’s hand. The large emerald ring glinted in the sunlight. ‘But George is a great comfort to me, and Sir Thomas is a good husband – better than I deserve. I understand it is you I must thank for that.’

      Anne gave her hand a squeeze. ‘I know you wished to hide at Longford, but the world would soon have found you. It is better so.’ She sank back into her chair and gave a heavy sigh. ‘I have had my sorrows too, since we last met.’

      ‘I heard of your loss and am sorry for it, Your Grace,’ Frances replied. ‘Mary was a sweet child.’

      ‘Sophia too,’ Anne added. ‘She looked so much like Henry – and cried lustily like him too. Yet she drew breath for just a few hours—’ She broke off and stared out of the window, her shoulders heaving with silent grief.

      Frances wished she could offer some comfort, but how could words ease the pain of losing two children in as many years? She could not imagine summoning the will to live if George was taken from her.

      ‘Do you have need of my skills, Your Grace?’ she asked gently, when Anne had regained her composure. ‘I heard that you have been in poor health since – since your last lying-in.’

      The queen sighed again and placed a hand on her stomach. ‘My physicians have taken so much blood from me that I wonder there is any left. They say it is the only way to stop the menses that have flowed since Sophia’s birth.’

      Frances held back a scornful remark. ‘I would be glad to assist you in any way I can.’

      ‘Thank you, Frances. I am sure your remedies would do me more good than their leeches and purges,’ the queen said. ‘But we must have a care – you know that such practices are frowned upon, perhaps more than ever. Only last week there was talk of another witch trial at Southwark. Besides, that is not why I summoned you here.’

      Frances felt her heart quicken.

      ‘I wish you to join my daughter’s household again,’ Anne continued. ‘Elizabeth is a young woman now and her father would have her married. He will use her to forge a powerful alliance – that is what daughters are good for, after all,’ she added bitterly.

      ‘Does the princess wish to be married?’

      ‘It hardly matters – to her father, at least,’ the queen replied. ‘But she is even more susceptible to flatterers than she was when you knew her.’

      The two women exchanged a knowing look. Frances had seen СКАЧАТЬ