It was the others about whom she was nervous. Her comptroller, William, was well known to her, of course. He had been withher for many years before the King removed him. Now she had demanded his return, and she felt fairly comfortable that he wasloyal still. He was her man. The same could not be said for Cromwell and his other three knights. De Sapy, she thought, lookedshifty — the sort who would change allegiance as the wind changed; de Lymesey she did not like. He had a directness of staringthat made her feel as though he was undressing her. Not quite disrespectful enough for her to complain, but there was thatsexual note in his eyes. She would not dare trust him alone. Lancaster himself she was quite certain of. He was a mercenary,and entirely untrustworthy. So, if she were to offer a bribe to de Sapy, he might be reliable enough for a while, she thought.And that was the best she could say about them.
Now the lower orders were being trooped in to her. The cooks, the clerks under de Bouden, some guards, and finally a bandof musicians.
These last were a shockingly scruffy lot. Their leader was clad in a tabard with her insignia, but although the material wasclean and fresh he managed somehow to make it look ancient. This man, Ricard, introduced a tubby, younger man called Adam,fair-haired and tousled; then a slender fellow with bright eyes and the manner of a sparrow; then a heavier-set drummer withlowered, suspicious eyes, and finally a tall fellow with the delightful lilt of the Irish. He bowed most graciously, and shehonoured him with a smile and slight nod of her head.
His tones reminded her of Mortimer. That poor man had been successful in Ireland before he had fallen from grace. He’d been sentthere to stop the ravages of the Scottish, and it was largely because of his efforts that the Gallowglasses had been throwninto the northern seas.
‘Blaket, I am glad you shall join us on this,’ she said to Richard.
He nodded, his eyes reflecting his pride in her words. Alicia was just behind her, and she saw his gaze go to her. But thenIsabella saw how his eyes darkened as he took in the sight of the musicians.
It was enough to make her smile. The group was careful to avoid looking at Alicia, she noticed, and there was no surprisethere. After the way their companion had insulted her the last time they had played in the palace, it was wonderful that theyhad dared to return here. But they were reliable. Not only were they competent as musicians (though not as good as some ofthe singers she was more used to), they were also known to her. The fact that they had behaved rather disreputably on thelast occasion meant that this time they would be sure to be more cautious in their manners. She did not wish for any bad feelingto be caused by fools who were supposed to be there for entertainment just because they grew lecherous towards some Frenchgirls.
No, she was content. Blaket might be unhappy to see them — Alicia must have told him how the man had attempted to molest her- but they would serve her purposes.
‘Is that boy with you?’ she asked suddenly.
The leader of the musicians reddened and grunted that yes, he was a little lad whose mother was dead, and they had-
‘No, that is enough. Bring him here to me.’
She studied the little fellow with a heart that felt taut and painful. ‘He is a handsome little man. I like his face. He remindsme of my brother when I was a child myself.’
‘Your majesty, would you mind if I brought him with me? There is no one I can leave him with in safety, and I would be anxious forhim all the time.’
The Queen considered, then nodded. ‘And if you have trouble arranging transport — for he will not be able to walk all theway — you have my permission to put him into one of the carts. He is very young.’
She had thanked them all for joining her on her journey, and now she watched them depart to prepare for the start.
‘Well, Alicia? What do you think?’
‘The musicians could do with a good clean. De Bouden promised me that he had seen them washed.’
‘He lied,’ Isabella said. She looked about her. Eleanor was at the far end of the room, briefing the ladies-in-waiting whowould be travelling with her, and was for a moment out of earshot. ‘Which was the man who tried to rape you?’
‘He was not here.’ Alicia smiled. ‘Perhaps he was too nervous to come with them.’
‘Maybe,’ Richard Blaket said. He had approached them from the doorway, and now he stood gazing after the men as they left.‘He is not there. The Irishman has replaced him.’
‘Good,’ the Queen said. As she spoke, she saw her chaplain in the doorway and beckoned him. ‘I am thankful you too will joinme, Peter.’
‘I am glad that my presence comforts you,’ he responded. ‘Although whether there can be a happy conclusion to the embassy,I doubt.’
‘Let us hope that there may be,’ she said.
Thorney Island
Baldwin was glad to be out of the little chamber, and as he walked along the corridor which led to the great hall and outto the palace yard before it, he was aware of Sir Charles’s footsteps behind him.
‘Sir Baldwin, a moment, sir.’
‘It is a pleasure to see you again, Sir Charles.’
There was a laziness in Sir Charles’s eye that betrayed his mood. He was amused to see how Sir Baldwin had hurried from theroom. ‘You are as easy in the presence of royalty, I see, as you always were in any other company.’
‘I don’t know that I understand you,’ Baldwin said. He was reluctant to consider their last meetings on Ennor. During histime there, to his shame, he had committed adultery with a lonely woman, and the memory was still painful — especially theaftermath when he returned to England and his wife once more. ‘But tell me, how is it that you are now a household knight?’
‘When the last time you saw me I was a desolate renegade, you mean?’ Sir Charles said sharply — and then laughed aloud atthe sight of Baldwin’s face. ‘Don’t take me too seriously, Sir Baldwin. I am permitted a sense of humour, I think.’
‘There is much about you which appears to have changed,’ Baldwin said.
‘It is some little while since we were thrown up on the beaches of Ennor, is it not? One year and a half, and yet it couldbe a decade for me. We parted in Cornwall, did we not? I made my way to London, hoping that I might find some position whichwould be not too arduous, while not attracting too much attention from any enemies — such as men in the King’s employ! Butwhen I was discovered by one of them, to my astonishment I learned that I was not considered a dangerous enemy of the King,as I had expected, but was fully pardoned.’
‘Why would that be?’
‘Ah. Well, I happened upon an old friend. Do you know Sir John de Somery? He is a knight banneret in the King’s household.There are few enough of them, in God’s name. Time was, back in the tenth year of the King’s reign, when there were some fourteen or fifteen. Now there are three. At the same time the King has reduced his knights from almost fiftyto about half that.’
‘I am surprised.’
‘So was I. But he had so many who proved to be unreliable. Men who agreed to serve him in exchange for clothing, food anddrink, and living at his expense, are fewer than those who seek money. Why, Sir John de Somery receives two hundred marksfor his service, along with thirty men-at-arms. It is a better way for the King to remain armed and stable.’
‘You mean that a man will be more loyal to a mark than to his oath?’ Baldwin asked.
‘Ach, you are one of the old breed, Sir Baldwin. Believe me, this is the way of the future. Kings cannot expect men to fightand die at their side just because of the past. A man will fight when he can see that his service will enrich him, though.’
‘Not I.’
‘So you have no need of money. I envy you. Me, I need a new horse. And when I find one, I shall require a good saddle forhim. And a decent courser must have the best provisions. Some the King will provide, of course, but for the rest, well, perhapsI shall have to buy it myself. And now I can.’