Chapter Forty-Five
“Was that really necessary?” Kit asked as soon as he and Alys left the audience chamber.
She blinked at him. “You’re not pleased, then, that your name has been cleared?”
He supposed he should be, but he’d been humiliated in front of Good Queen Bess, and it would take a while for the sting to ease. “I always knew there was nothing to Anne’s claims—there has been no stain on my conscience.”
Alys pulled him to a halt. “I don’t understand. She lied about you. You were banished, given a dangerous task for which you might have paid with your life, when all the while you knew yourself guiltless? How could you not speak out?”
“Not here.” He edged her into a side passage and glanced around to ensure it was empty of interested ears. He must have looked fearsome, for she took a step back.
“Nay, don’t be alarmed by my wrath. What manner of man would hurt the woman who holds his heart in her keeping? My ire is neither for you, nor my queen, but for that interfering ape Norris. Why did it have to be him who must come in and catch me at such a disadvantage?”
Alys laid her hand on his arm, stroking away the tension in the muscle. “I would not say you showed to disadvantage, sir.” Her voice was a seductive purr. “In fact, I would say you were more impressive bare-chested than with your doublet on. Anyone could see you needed no padding to make yourself appear a man.”
Perfect. She was teasing him, all good-humor restored. Perhaps now, finally, they could rediscover the good accord they’d lost.
Except for a most untimely interruption. A servant came thudding down their passageway, bowed, out of breath, and handed Alys a folded piece of paper.
A hundred ills upon the messenger’s head! He’d been about to steal a kiss. Something to seal the victory he hoped he’d won, something to prove he was right to hope.
“What is this?” Alys caught at the man’s sleeve as he turned to go.
“I know not, lady. It was among the day’s dispatches, and is addressed to you.” She turned it over. “There is no seal.”
“I can assure my lady the letter has not been opened.” The messenger kept his eyes lowered. “It is not my place—”
Kit laid a reassuring hand on Alys’ wrist. “Go on your way, fellow. The lady thanks you.”
“I can answer for—”
“Later.” He pressed a firm finger against her lips. Her rich, tempting lips. He moved around to shield Alys from anyone watching. Their kiss was long overdue. “You can read your letter later, too. We have things to discuss, you and I.”
She was still looking at the letter. Damn it all, she was supposed to be looking at him, thinking about him. For he could think only of her.
“Who would send me a letter? Who knows that I am here?”
He wanted to shred the letter, trample on it, and then set fire to it. It threatened to completely ruin the moment for which he’d waited so long.
“It’s from Kate. I know it is.” She gazed up at him, uncertain, confused. “Oh, what can she have to say to me? I hardly dare unfold it.”
“Then don’t. If you believe it’s from her, pray, give it to me. She has no business writing to you—she’s a prisoner under sentence of death in the Tower. She will have used underhanded means to get this to you—she is not to be trusted.”
“I must read it. But I do greatly fear what she will say.”
Before he could voice his disapproval, she’d opened it and scanned the page. Unease cooled his ardor. The kiss would have to be postponed. He hoped his aching heart could cope with the wait.
The color leached from her cheeks, and she pressed a hand to her midriff. In an instant, he had an arm about her waist, holding her up.
“Is it from Kate? Show me.”
Guileless, trusting, she handed him the letter. Ice drove through his body as he read the hurried scrawl.
“Dear Coz,
That you have done me wrong I will not tax you with because I know you know it. It is not too late to amend matters and seek my forgiveness. I know not what mad envy or jealousy led you to break the tie of family that unites us, betraying me to blind justice and a capricious queen. I have done wrong, I confess it, but it was not by design but by coercion. I can say no more now, only I beg you by all that is holy, to come to me here and hear my confession. Then you will know that I have been wronged and can intercede for me with the queen. Only come, and I shall chide you not. Fear is great in my heart. When all is still and quiet here, I can hear the screams and sounds of agony from the interrogation chambers where Thomas and Richard do suffer.
I have the means to reduce their suffering. I know the name of the leader of our ill-fated plan, a name which neither of the men will ever utter. But I know it, and I will tell it to you, only be sure that Bess will pay me well for this name. I pray you will ask her to spare me.
Only come to me in the Salt Tower where I am held, and we will make our peace with one another.”
He read the letter a second time, his thoughts growing ever darker. Kate Aspinall was a Machiavellian manipulator, exploiting Alys’ compassionate nature, adding the sop that she had information. Which was probably a lie.
Alys tugged at the letter. “I must tell the queen immediately!”
He pulled it gently out of her grasp and folded it up “No. Walsingham must have it.”
“Why? Why must it go to Walsingham? It is not he who could pardon Kate, only the queen.”
He doubted Kate would
