Her memory held brief recollections of him at different ages, but it was likely that she held those memories due to the paintings her parents commissioned of their only son. They were huge oil canvases, ones that hung proudly in the dining hall of their estate. She hadn’t really known what to expect upon her arrival. What she’d found was a man who was a stranger to her.
Edmund wore lace and ribbons set with gold tips. Pearls adorned his doublet and his slops were full and round. His boots were always polished and freshly blacked. Lace edged the ruffles of his shirt. The thing that looked the most out of place on him was the sword he had strapped to his hip. The hilt was gilded and polished. Edmund had a habit of resting one hand on it, almost lovingly. He was every inch the courtier. His life revolved around the gossip. The first few days she had attended with him, she had stared in wonder while he made his rounds. He wasn’t alone in that. Hundreds of people were crowded into court. They competed for appointments with the king. Bribes were frequent and high. Seating at banquets cost you a good amount of silver if you wanted to be seated next to the person of your choice. Edmund dictated every move she made. No one danced with her without his permission. She did not go where he did not bid her to go.
Just like today with the queen…
Raelin and the other girls who served as maids of honor came to mind. Even their dresses were uniform. In spite of having known her so short a time, Helena found herself liking the Scots girl. A desire to return to the queen’s private chambers was growing stronger, but not due to any direction from her brother.
Poor Edmund. How would he deal with such devastating news?
She laughed at her own jest. It wasn’t too terrible to tease her brother in her thoughts. Well, the church would argue about that. Still she didn’t feel guilt chewing on her conscience. After all, Edmund made no attempt at all to be pleasant. A few ill thoughts were the least of his due. But she would not linger on them. The only person who would be upset was herself.
Reaching up, she closed the shutter. Dawn would arrive promptly, so best to rest while she might. Edmund would likely have her dressed and in the carriage at daybreak. But she didn’t mind, for it meant she might see Raelin again, and the idea of having a friend sent her off to slumber with happy thoughts.
“Welcome back, Mistress Knyvett.” One of the queen’s ladies-in-waiting waved the guards out of the doorway. Helena lowered herself before entering.
“Her Majesty is unwell this morning.”
“I am sorry to hear such news.”
The lady offered a small smile that confused Helena. The queen’s illness was no reason for smiles, she would think.
“’Tis the babe making her ill. It will pass in a few more weeks.”
Helena’s face reflected her surprise. She had heard no rumors of the queen being with child.
“And you shall keep that knowledge to yourself, madam. Her Majesty does not need to be bothered with the endless congratulations and chattering of every soul who wants to advance themselves by wiggling into her good graces. Now is the time for quiet so that her body may adjust.”
“Of course. I understand.”
The lady waved her off, toward the circle of maids of honor. They smiled at her, Raelin patting a bench next to her.
“I’m so glad ye came.”
Raelin kept her voice a whisper. “Dinnae ye worry, things will be right as rain by noon. Until then, we will have to behave.”
There was a soft round of laughter from all the girls that they covered up quickly, and lowered their heads to peer at their sewing. Helena felt her eyes widen when she beheld what was sitting on the table in the center of their group. A small chest, banded with iron to make it secure, was there with its top open. Pearls in more colors than she had ever seen sat nestled inside it—cream, white, pink, gold, and even blue ones. They were sorted into different sizes and held in small silk bags that were all carefully untied so that you might see into each bag.
“Can you stitch?”
“Of course.”
Raelin shook her head. “There is no ‘of course’ about it. The pearls are counted and recounted when removed. Make sure your stitches and knots are secure.”
Raelin