“Where are you going? What will you do?”
“Oh, be not afeared I’ll give you away.” She wrenched out of his grip. “I’m not that unchristian. I only ask that you do whatever you have to without my help. Nay, I ask for more than that. Leave Selwood now. We go to Norfolk next week—send one of Walsingham’s henchmen to spy on us there if you must. If proof of their guilt is found, I will take my chances. I know my own soul to be clean, and if there is any justice in Heaven, I’ll be found innocent of collusion. Then I’ll at least have the satisfaction of knowing I never betrayed what little family I have left.”
As if to echo her mood, a low growl of thunder sounded off in the distance. She looked up to see the sky had become ominously dark. Moments later, the first fat drops of rain splashed down on her shoulders. Soon, the surface of the old pond fizzed under the onslaught of raindrops.
Kit stood before her, a shadowy figure in the gloom, hands held out in supplication. “Alys, please don’t go. Not like this.”
If she didn’t go now, she’d be soaked to the skin. There was no more to say anyway. She could barely think straight, confused, betrayed by this impostor.
Had his loving tenderness towards her been false as well?
“I don’t want to set eyes on you ever again, Kit Ludlow, do you hear me?”
She picked up her skirts and ran back along the path, heading for the house as fast as she could, praying he’d not follow her.
Hot tears mingled with the runnels of rain on her cheeks.
So this was what it felt like to have a broken heart.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“You seem a little dull this night, Mistress Barchard. I hope naught ails you.” Richard Avery scanned her face.
He must never discover she’d been weeping. “Ah, ’tis nothing. I’m a little weary, I suppose, what with the additional company from London, and the preparations to remove to Norfolk.”
“I hope you haven’t put yourself out too much on our account. But as for Norfolk, why, ’tis meant to be a pleasure, not a burden. You’ll find the sea air most reviving.”
Alys stared at her cards, trying to concentrate on the game. After the gamut of emotions she’d experienced today, all she wanted was the security of her chamber. She had a great deal of thinking to do, which could only be accomplished in private. But Kate had insisted she join the company downstairs.
Richard leaned closer. “Seeing you with so wan a face has me worried I’m out of favor.”
“Oh, nay, indeed not. Please do not take it so.” He mustn’t know she now held him in the deep distrust after what Kit had said. Which of the two men was in earnest, and which the liar? Which one had the most to hide? It was hard not to start suspecting everybody, even Hannah Shawcross and the servants.
Time to move the subject away from herself. “Have you heard any news from London lately? It takes such a long time for it to permeate here.”
“You surprise me. Did you not garner any when you went to the market? That’s the usual place for picking up the latest tales.”
She failed to prevent a flush—she’d been much distracted while at market.
“Ah, I see you blush! No doubt your eyes were enslaved by all the lovely gewgaws and fairings on sale. I cannot blame any young lady for that. Did you buy any pretty trinkets for yourself?”
Her color deepened still further. She’d not been given any money to spend upon herself—only what was needed to buy the ribbons for Kate. It was Kit who’d paid for everything. To think she’d accepted his generosity so blithely, little knowing what harm he was about to do to her and her family name.
“Again, I can see that you did.” Avery chuckled. “Was there any particular news you might have been interested in? I could, perhaps, bring you up to date.”
Now was her chance to test him. “I should like to know what goes on at court. I also wonder how fares Queen Mary. It amazes me that one monarch can imprison another, and escape revenge for so long.”
Avery’s blue eyes narrowed. “Neither queen is getting any younger. One at least has an heir, but what is to happen when Elizabeth dies?”
“Is she in poor health then?”
“Not that I’ve heard, but should Elizabeth die without naming an heir, we risk descending into chaos, as when Jane Grey was elevated to the throne at the same time as Mary Tudor. That was before your day, I know, and my own, but ’tis a very dangerous time for any kingdom. Destabilization allows the rise of factions, who’ll battle it out amongst themselves until the whole land is reduced to wrack and ruin. But I should not speak to a lady of such things—you’ll be bored.”
“Nay, I want to understand. Do you think Elizabeth should name Mary her successor?”
“I know not what she might want personally—her actions are initiated by her advisors. Would it be any great harm if Mary were to succeed Gloriana?”
“I feel too ignorant to venture an opinion on the subject.” Alys attempted a simper, copying the sort of expression Kate often used. “Only gentlemen like you can expound on such an idea.”
Avery seemed pleased with her answer. She breathed a sigh of relief. He’d said nothing incriminating—indeed, he seemed, rather, to be questioning her loyalty. But at the same time, he’d not said anything against Mary becoming England’s queen, despite her Spanish connections. She decided it was time to change the subject to more mundane topics, such as the forthcoming visit to Norfolk.
As the summer downpour pounded incessantly against the windows, they ruminated on what state the roads would be in and whether their journey would be affected. Then they resumed play.
Alys was finding it increasingly
