Page 50 of Lord of Deception

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Jane Haslitt was inclined to be friendly. “You have been stout-hearted in foiling this plot, I’m sure,” she said, as she led the way to her chamber. “And deserve the praise and gratitude of all who serve the queen. Let me be among the first to thank you, as I am ever in her company and would like as not been killed along with many others. Rumor has it this armed attack was to be at Whitehall. I am dying to hear more.”

Alys entered a room even larger than Kate’s at Selwood. A maid stood ready, next to a bed on which several sumptuous gowns had been laid out. A large array of sewing things covered a table nearby.

“I fear I cannot divulge anything of the plot.” She needed Kit to tell her what she could, and could not, say. She needed him to tell her a lot of things, in fact. “My apologies.”

Conversation was cut off while the maid deftly stripped Alys down to her shift, then tutted, and removed that as well. Before she could complain, a fine linen garment had been dropped over her head. It felt like wearing thistledown.

Feeling mean-spirited at repaying such kindness with silence, Alys ventured, “If it is not already known, it doubtless soon will be, that Sir Christopher Ludlow played his part in the guise of a gardener. He didn’t fool me for long. Yet I know little of his genuine history—could you enlighten—”

Jane clapped her hands together. “Ah, how it lightens my heart to hear it. What a merry jest, that the great Kit Ludlow should be so humbled. A gardener, i’faith! Great punishment indeed for so proud a fellow.”

Alys tried again. “Know you aught of the reasons for his exile, or anything of the lady he dishonored?”

Jane gave a mischievous smile as she pulled out a gown from the heap on the bed. “Ah. What lady would not wish to be dishonored by him! Oh, but I see I have shocked you—you have gone quite pink. I crave pardon—I was ever too free with my tongue. You must understand there are many liaisons and intrigues at court, but they mean but little. Men and women play games that both enjoy, secure in the knowledge that no real harm can come of it. That was not, alas, the case with Anne Lacey.”

Alys raised her arms while a waist roll was tied on, followed by a petticoat. “Anne Lacey was the one he dishonored?”

“Well, it was never proven, of course. She was, is, an empty-headed thing, and quite obviously head over heels in love with Sir Christopher. The affair was all kept very quiet. Indeed, I am not even sure what she accused him of in the end. I know he was required to marry her and bluntly refused, which was why he was sent away. As far as I know, she is still unwed, and there is no sign about her person that any foul deeds were done—if you know what I mean.”

Alys blinked.

“I mean she does not grow thick about the waist, which she would have by now had she been bedded. Regardless, her father claimed she was ruined for any husband, which was why so much pressure was put on Ludlow.”

The maid helped Alys step into a voluminous skirt, then tied a decorative stomacher in place to support her breasts. “Why would he not marry the lady, do you think?”

Jane held up a bodice and tucked it under Alys’ chin. “This suits your coloring. No gentleman likes to be forced into wedlock.”

“But if he lay with her, as people suppose, he must have known he should marry her.”

“My dear child, do not believe that every man who lies with a woman does so because he intends to marry her. Oh, dear, how very innocent you are. I can see I shall have to take you under my wing, or you will never survive at court.”

Alys smiled weakly, trying to hide the emptiness inside. So, it was true then—Kit was a man without honor.

Jane clasped her elbow. “Don’t be too hard on him. As I said, ’twas never proved. I should think any maid who had lain with Kit Ludlow might boast of it as Anne did, but maybe she invented the story to trap him. You must ask him yourself—you can be no stranger to him after what you’ve both been through.”

“I have asked him. He did not wish to speak of it.”

Jane handed the bodice to the maid and looked Alys straight in the eyes. “It may well be that Sir Christopher has been unjustly dealt with. I know Anne Lacey and much dislike her. She’s too young to have mastered the rules of court affaires, and too selfish to be honest in all her dealings.”

She hoped she hadn’t made her feelings for Kit too obvious. “So, what is she like, this Anne Lacey?”

“She has seen sixteen summers or more but behaves like a spoiled brat of ten. You will soon see how she cannot be with a man, but she must touch him. She leans close into his face when she speaks as if she were already intimate with him. And she displays her wealth for all to see. She has no need of a rich husband like Kit Ludlow, but she holds her own worth so high that none but the richest, most handsome man at court will serve for her husband.”

It must have been Anne Lacey who’d flounced up to Kit earlier. “What is she like with women?” It was harder to speak now, as the maid was yanking at her hair with a hefty comb, and pulling it back from her face.

“Oh, they are of far less interest—she barely bothers with us. But if she knew of Kit’s fondness for you, you’d find her a cunning enemy.”

“I know not that he has any fondness for me.” None that she dared trust.

“A man such as that would only entrust his secrets to someone he holds in high regard. You look doleful. Come, see how you look in the glass. Does that not bring the smile back to your lips?”

Jane’s maid held the mirror for Alys, who stepped back so she could see herself better.

The gasp that sprang to her lips made the other women grin. She couldn’t help but beam herself—she had been transformed.

Her dark hair had been brushed out and up and was now piled under a dainty lace cap interlaced with red silk ribbon. Her ears bore eardrops of blood-red carnelians, and around her throat was a matching necklet, which picked out the deep natural color of her lips. The borrowed gown was of russet brown, trimmed with scarlet ribbon at breast and cuffs. Where the puffed sleeves were slashed, they showed undersleeves of red satin, each slash being trimmed with a tiny carnelian teardrop. A long sigh escaped her. Even Kate had no gear to match this.

“There now—how Kit will admire you when he sets eyes upon you. And if you choose not to welcome his attentions, court is full of hopeful young lordlings, looking for royal favor. What better place to find a handsome, well-set-up husband than here, amongst the queen’s most wealthy and loyal subjects?”

A distant bell echoed down the passageway outside. Suddenly, Jane was all bustle and authority. She signaled to the maid. “Gatty, the door if you please. Where are my gloves? You were told to have them cleaned for Mistress Barchard to borrow. Oh, but you are a careless wench. That’s it, thank you… although why I should be thanking you, I have no idea. Come Alys—put all unwelcome thoughts from your head, and enjoy your first evening at Elizabeth’s court.”

Taking a last look at herself in the glass, Alys found a confidence she’d never felt before. But whether it would be enough to convince Kit he was of no importance to her remained to be seen.