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“I think not. Who knows what you can discover.”
Philip sighed. “When one is pretending to be drunk, yet still must appear to keep drinking…it is difficult.”
“You are succeeding admirably.”
“My thanks.” Philip pushed himself to his feet and went over to watch the Tables tournament.
Anne eventually returned by the same door she’d left, and John knew that that was where he’d first start exploring on the morrow. She sat down near the hearth, looking tired and lonely. His first instinct was to go to her, but he knew that that would be too much pressure in one day. She had to think that he would not force her into revealing what she didn’t want to.
He watched her covertly. Not many people spoke to her, which surprised him. Why wouldn’t people want to distract her from her worries? Or perhaps she spent so much time with Lady Elizabeth that she didn’t really know anyone else. Could his betrothed be so demanding? Anne’s solitude did not bode well for Lady Elizabeth’s disposition. When the cook finally came and sat down beside Anne, John relaxed.
* * *
Elizabeth looked up with a smile as Adalia sat down beside her. She was glad for the company, for the distraction.
“And how is our mistress tonight?” Adalia asked.
Elizabeth sighed. “She is well. The tedium is beginning to annoy her, but I brought her some mending to do, so she is happy.”
“Happy to mend? The girl who loves to talk?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “She has no one but me to talk to.” She looked about, but with the Tables game distracting most of the residents, she and the cook were truly alone. “Anne and I came up with a plan,” she said softly.
Adalia scooted closer on the bench. “What is it?”
“I’m going to send a missive to the king and tell him what his cousin has been up to.”
The cook gave her a doubtful look. “But Lord Bannaster will be in London before yer missive.”
“But do you think he’ll tell the truth, that he’s kept a lady prisoner?”
“I’m sure he’ll make it seem like he’s protectin’ ye.”
“But we both know he’s protecting his own interests. I can tell the king that my betrothed is surely on his way by now—”
“But ye don’t know that.”
“It has to be true,” Elizabeth said stubbornly.
“What if the king decides that ye’re causin’ too much trouble? Maybe ’twill be easy for him to give ye to his cousin. Then he’ll be able to trust the next earl to support him.”
“But he has to hear my side,” Elizabeth whispered, her hands fisted. “How will he know if I don’t tell him? I have to take the risk. Otherwise, I’m just sitting here waiting.”
“But who will take the missive, Anne?”
“’Tis a dangerous journey for a man alone. I wouldn’t want to take a man away from his farm, or choose someone too visible, whose absence Milburn would notice.”
“What about the miller’s son, Harold? And he’s even been to London before.”
“Perfect! I’ll write it when I’m in the tower in the morning, and I’ll make sure to seal the wax with my father’s crest.”
“Surely the ring is in your father’s private solar,” Adalia warned. “Milburn uses the room more than the steward’s chamber.”
“I’ll keep watch on the chamber and wait for him to leave. It shouldn’t take me long.”
“Anne, if ye feel ye must do this, I can send word to Harold that I need a shipment of grain from the mill.”
“I’ll let you know when I need him.”
