dragon archives 04 - dance with a dragon (13 page)

“So you can come and visit?”

“Yes. I’m sure the queen will grant me permission to visit my family. And you can come visit me, too.”

“And how long do you have to stay with the queen?”

“Well, most ladies remain until they get married, or choose to retire from court. The queen cannot force me to stay against my will.”

Bronwyn nodded, considering this. “So what are you going to do?”

Anna shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Well,” Bronwyn said, “I want you to stay here, and Aunty Keira wants you to go to Storbrook, and the queen wants you at court. What do you want?”

“That’s the problem! I want to be near everyone!”

“Well, maybe it’s the queen’s turn to have you for a while.”

Anna turned to look at Bronwyn in surprise. “Maybe,” she said. She smiled. “Maybe so.”

Chapter 17

Anna tapped the quill on the desk as she sought the words to write. She had informed Aaron and Keira of her decision to go to court and join the queen’s entourage, but the most difficult communication lay before her now.

‘To Garrick Flynn of Storbrook Castle, from Anna Carver,’ she wrote.

‘By the time you receive this communication I will have already taken up residence at the royal court at the behest of Her Majesty, Queen Matilda. I have been appointed to the position of lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty, and do not …’

Anna stared down at the letter, before scratching her pen through the words and flipping the page over.

‘To Garrick Flynn of Storbrook Castle, from Anna Carver,’ she began again.

‘You have probably received the news that I am now serving the queen at the royal court, and will not be returning to Storbrook in the foreseeable future …’

With a groan, she crumpled up the paper and drew out a fresh piece. 

‘To Garrick Flynn, from Anna Carver.

‘The queen has appointed me as one of her ladies, and I have accepted the position. I am so sorry for the hurt I may have caused. You deserve someone far better than me. I wish you all the best. With fondest regards, Anna.’

She folded the letter and sealed it with a wax wafer, before leaning back in her chair and closing her eyes. Once the letter was delivered there was no going back. She rose to her feet – she would give the letter to Aaron right away, before she could second guess herself. Everything else was already in readiness. Her garments had been packed in a trunk and sent ahead to be delivered to the palace, and she had taken leave of the Drakes of Drake Manor the previous day. She had stayed the night with Keira and Aaron at Drake House, and this morning Aaron would accompany her to the palace. She walked down the passage slowly. She was casting herself adrift in the wide ocean of the world. At the palace there would be no family close by to turn to, and no dragons watching over her. And the human world she was stepping into was far more dangerous than the dragon world she was leaving.

Keira was waiting in the small parlor behind the hall at Drake House. Aaron was not in the room, but Anna guessed he wasn’t far away. Keira smiled as Anna walked into the room.

“Ready?” she said.

“I am,” Anna said.

Keira took a step forward, taking Anna’s hands in her own. “You are more than ready,” she said. “You are strong and courageous, and I know that you can rise above whatever challenges or intrigues come your way.” She smiled, and lifting her hand, stroked the hair from Anna’s face. “I will miss you,” she said.

“I will miss you, too,” Anna said, a sob catching in her throat and making her voice squeak, and then she was in Keira’s arms. “I don’t deserve such a wonderful sister.”

“Nonsense,” Keira sniffed.

“Give my regards to Mother and Father,” she said. “And hug the children for me. Tell Lydia she will daily be in my thoughts.”

“I will,” Keira said, pulling away gently as Aaron came into the room. She kissed Anna on the forehead and turned away.

“Ready?” Aaron asked quietly, and Anna nodded.

“I’ll see you later, my sweet,” Aaron said to Keira, brushing his hands down her arms. She nodded, and he drew away, turning towards the door and striding out of the room.

“Goodbye,” Anna said softly, and quickly turned and followed Aaron, not waiting for a reply. Aaron was already out the door, waiting on the street. He looked down at Anna as she joined him.

“You don’t have to do this,” he said.

“I know,” she said. “But I want to.”

Aaron nodded. “Then let’s be on our way.”

Aaron led Anna to a wooden door on the second floor of the palace, where he gave their names to the guard. The man nodded and disappeared through the door, closing it behind him. There was a small bench on the opposite wall, and Anna sat down while Aaron stood, hands clasped behind his back, a few feet away.

“If you need anything, let me know,” Aaron said. He had already provided her with a handsome allowance. “And if you are unhappy and want to return home, I will speak to the king.”

“Thank you,” Anna said.

Aaron nodded and started pacing along the corridor. “Do not expect the men at court to be honorable,” he said. “And never, ever, allow yourself to be alone with any man. The higher the rank, the more dangerous he will be.”

“I’ll be fine, Aaron,” Anna said, a note of exasperation creeping into her tone. Aaron stopped his pacing and turned to look at her.

“I know you will,” he said. “But humor an old man, will you?”

Anna grinned. Aaron did not look more than thirty, although he was well over the century mark. “Please continue, O ancient one,” she said.

The door opened and the guard reappeared. “Her Majesty will see you now,” he said. “Follow me.” Anna rose to her feet and followed the guard through the door, Aaron behind her. The guard led them down a passage to a door at the end, which he opened. Within the room sat the queen on an embroidered chair, surrounded by a small group of people. Anna saw Kathleen sitting in a chair a short distance away, a piece of embroidery in her hands, while closer to the queen were the women Anna had seen in the gardens.

“Your Majesty,” Anna said, sinking into a low curtsey.

“Mistress Anna,” the queen said. “And Aaron Drake. How wonderful!” One of the women from the gardens tittered behind her hand.

“Your Majesty,” Aaron said, greeting the queen with a shallow bow, before his gaze wandered to the woman who had laughed. He frowned slightly. “Blanche.” She smiled, her lips thinning tightly in a smile that did nothing to soften her features or remove the glint from her eye. So this was Blanche, Anna thought. The woman who had been so sneering towards Keira when she first met her six years ago. No wonder Aaron didn’t like her. Blanche nodded slightly.

“Aaron,” she said. Aaron stared at her for a brief moment, then turned to the others.

“Lady Elizabeth,” he said. “Lady Kathleen.”

“Master Drake,” Kathleen said, her voice so soft Anna had to strain to hear it. She was staring at the floor as she twisted her hands in her lap. But she peeked up with a smile at Anna when Aaron returned his attention to the queen.

“How nice of you to accompany your sister-in-law,” Matilda said.

“Of course,” replied Aaron. “She is part of my family and falls under my protection.”

“Why, is she an orphan?” Blanche said with a little laugh.

“Blanche. Enough.” The queen frowned, and the tight smile grew tighter.

“No,” Aaron replied, “but Master Carver lives many miles distant. However, even if he lived within the shadow of the palace, my name and protection would still extend to Mistress Anna, and I would consider it a personal insult should anyone injure her person or name in any way.”

Anna sighed. She knew what Aaron was doing, and as much as she appreciated it, she felt like a bone between two fighting dogs. One side, royal court, other side, Dragon Master. Aaron glanced at her, giving her a wry half-smile and the slightest of shrugs.

“Of course it would, Aaron,” said the queen. “I’m sure Blanche did not intend to insult Anna.”

“Of course not,” Blanche said. “I cannot imagine why anyone would think I meant to insult our dear friend. It was just an innocent question.”

Aaron took a step forward. “I have known you for a long time, Blanche,” he said softly. “I will not tolerate any slurs against Anna’s name. Do not think that because I live away from the city I am unaware of what happens within this court. I am very well informed, my dear Blanche, and will take whatever action I deem reasonable should any member of my family be in any way maligned.”

Anna saw Blanche swallow hard and her face grow a shade lighter, but she kept her eyes locked with Aaron’s.

“You have made yourself very clear, Aaron,” she said. He continued to look at her for another moment, before stepping away and turning to Anna.

“Remember what I told you,” he said. “We will remain in Civitas until the end of the week should you need to contact me.” Anna nodded. “Farewell, sister,” he said, leaning down and kissing her forehead as Keira had done.

“Goodbye, Aaron,” she said. “And thank you.”

He nodded, and glanced once more at Queen Matilda. “Your Majesty,” he said, then turning on his heel, left the room.

Chapter 18

Anna quickly settled into the routine of a lady-in-waiting. She and the other ladies slept in a room adjoining the queen’s bedchamber – a long chamber, with four beds hung with drapes that could be pulled closed to allow for some privacy. Two desks stood in the room, and beneath the long window were chairs and benches, covered in embroidered cushions. There were separate alcoves where each lady’s garments were stored, as well as other personal items. Each lady had a lady’s maid, who woke them every morning with a cup of mulled wine, and assisted them with dressing. Betsy, Anna’s maid, was a quiet, young woman, with a shy smile and deft hands.

Once the ladies were ready for the day, they would ensure that the maids of the queen’s chamber had everything in readiness for the queen – a hot bath drawn and placed by the fire, mulled wine and warm, buttered bread ready on a tray, her garments laid out for the day, ornaments set on the table, and slippers warming by the fire. The maids would leave the room, and the drapes around the bed would be pulled open by Lady Elizabeth, who would wake the queen, brushing her hands down her arm, as Anna stood by with the tray. It took a few days before Queen Matilda was satisfied with Anna’s handling of the tray – it must not rest on the bed, nor be too high in the air; it must not be too close, nor too far; the bread must be placed just so on the tray, with the wine two inches away.

While the queen had her meal, Kathleen, whom the queen declared had the gentlest hands, brushed her hair, seating herself on the bed beside Matilda. Her golden hair reached all the way down her back, falling in gentle waves that glimmered in the candlelight. Oils and spices would be rubbed into it, and Kathleen would wrap it in a strip of linen, in preparation for the queen’s bath. Her meal finished, Matilda would rise from the quilts and step into the hot water, perfumed with rose and lavender, and Blanche would wash her body with a linen cloth. Once the queen had completed her bath, Elizabeth would rub oils into the queen’s skin, covering her entire body while Her Majesty stood naked in the middle of the room, sighing and groaning in pleasure. Anna never felt entirely comfortable, and would glance away when the task was performed. When the queen was well oiled, Kathleen would bring the royal chemise and gown, and she and Anna would lower the garments over Her Majesty’s head. While Blanche coiffed her hair, one of the other ladies would take turns reading aloud for the general amusement of the others.

There was a small chapel in the queen’s apartments, and the first duty of each day was to attend mass with the queen. With hands clasped together, she would gaze at the crucifix hanging on the wall, while her lips moved in silent prayer. Half an hour would then be spent each morning with her children in the nursery, sometimes watching them as they had their lessons, other times listening with them as a nurse told them a short tale. After that, however, the routine varied. Every Tuesday and Thursday she held court with the king, listening to the petitions of commoners. The king would occasionally defer judgment to her, and Anna was always surprised at her just and insightful rulings.

On Wednesdays, the queen would order a litter to take her to St. Catherine’s hospital, of which she was patron. The hospital was a place of shelter for the weary traveler, a place of refuge for the blind and crippled and a place of care for the sick and dying. Matilda would meet with the Mother Superior to discuss the hospital finances and other matters, while her ladies would dispense words of encouragement to the elderly and infirm housed within.

The queen took an avid interest in the arts, and she would invite playwrights and musicians to perform for her. If she enjoyed their performances, she would sponsor them, allowing them to perform at court or at the new theater recently built in the city. On fair days, Matilda could often be found in the gardens, where she loved to walk. She would stop and chat with the gardeners, and Anna noticed with amusement that although they listened deferentially to her advice, they never seemed to implement the changes she suggested. If the queen noticed, however, she chose to overlook this small defiance.

The queen’s chambers consisted of the chapel; a parlor, where visitors would be entertained; a ladies’ bower, where the queen and her ladies could enjoy a view of the gardens while they read or embroidered; a dining room; the queen’s bedchamber; and the ladies’ bedchamber. Every Thursday evening the king joined the queen for supper. He would retire with her to her bedchamber afterwards, leaving an hour or two later.

There were two guards assigned to the queen. Frank and Tobias stood outside the apartments when the queen was within, and traveled with her when she went abroad. The men would nod at the women as they came and went, but Tobias was the friendlier of the two, often exchanging a few words with Anna or the other ladies.

Anna soon learned that the queen thrived on knowledge. She read voraciously, books both spiritual and secular. She invited scholars to visit her, and she questioned them at length on their specialty. She demanded that Anna tell her about her home, the village, and the surrounding countryside. She asked about the city and the markets. She was also an unrepentant gossip, and she would quiz the ladies on the latest rumors and intrigues circulating around the palace. She was always well-informed, and knew who was having affairs with whom, and who had been tossed on the street. She knew that Lord Bartley owed Master Somerton money, or that Nellie was not talking to Fanny. She knew the name of the king’s latest mistress, and how often he saw her. She also kept herself abreast of political developments in the land, and although she was never invited to meetings of council, she always knew what had happened in the closed-door conferences within a few hours.