to the yeomen, who lifted their halberds so that Felton and the two ladies could progress through the gatehouse. The crunch of the gravel underfoot seemed deafening in the silence of the long courtyard that led up to the main house. As they approached the heavy oak door, it was opened by a groom Frances recognised from Whitehall.
‘Will you take some refreshment? The prince has not yet risen.’
‘No,’ Felton replied gruffly. ‘My orders were to attend him as soon as we arrived.’
The man sniffed, then motioned for the page to escort them. Frances hardly noticed the exquisitely woven tapestries or gilded carvings that adorned the walls as they walked briskly through a series of vast rooms, each more richly decorated than the last. They must be near the turret now, Frances calculated, as she glanced out across the gardens.
Sure enough, the page slowed his steps and paused outside a door towards the end of the corridor. He knocked softly on it, then slipped inside. Frances stole a glance at Lady Ruthven as they heard the boy whisper something inaudible. He reappeared and nodded for them to enter, then ran off back down the corridor.
The chamber was so dimly lit that at first Frances could not see anyone within. Then a figure rose slowly from a chair in the corner. Frances heard a bolt slide shut behind them as he turned, a smile of welcome on his face.
Buckingham.
CHAPTER 61
2 March
‘Ladies.’ Frances watched, horror-struck, as the duke swept an elaborate bow. ‘Lucky you brought this . . . gentleman with you or your reputations would have been quite ruined by visiting my chambers at this hour. Why, I am barely dressed,’ he added, brushing at the folds of his richly embroidered nightgown. He strolled to the dresser and poured a large glass of wine. ‘Forgive me – would you care for some? I do so hate to drink alone, especially when there is such cause for celebration.’
Frances bit the inside of her cheeks as she glared at him.
‘No? As you wish.’ He swallowed a long draught. ‘You are looking at me in amazement, Lady Tyringham! Anyone would think you did not expect to find me here, yet where else would I be but by my master’s side?’
‘The King left you to manage his affairs at Whitehall.’ Her voice was as hard as flint.
‘You are quite right, as always, my lady, but I knew that His Majesty could never bear to be parted from his angel for long, so I saved him the trouble of summoning me. It is as well I came – he has sickened for want of me.’
Frances felt a shudder of apprehension. Had he poisoned the King already?
‘Oh, there is no need to fear – he is much improved now. My presence helped, of course, and I had my wife bring our physician from Tyringham, just in case. Dr Lambe was full of the wonders of your old herb garden, Lady Tyringham.’ He smiled. ‘He has been able to prepare all manner of potions and salves.’
Frances felt as if she might vomit. The idea that the plants she had so carefully cultivated should be put to such evil use was too much to bear. ‘You are sure His Grace is out of danger?’ she demanded.
‘Yes – for now, at least,’ the duke purred. ‘But stubbornness can stir such foul humours, so my physician is on hand to administer his cures if it persists.’
It was just as she and Bacon had predicted. Buckingham meant to poison the King if he did not agree to the French alliance.
‘Well now, God has clearly smiled upon my endeavours in coming here, for He has made sure that I was able to greet you when you arrived. Tell me, how was the journey from Calais, Lady Ruthven?’
‘The devil take you!’ Felton growled, stepping forward. He made to draw his sword but the duke was there before him. Quick as a snake, he pulled a dagger from the pocket of his gown and held it to the man’s throat. ‘Be still, dog,’ he sneered. A droplet of blood trickled down Felton’s throat as Buckingham pressed the blade into his skin. ‘Now, should we dispense with these niceties?’
As Felton struggled to free himself, Frances saw his eyes alight upon something at the back of the room. She turned to see the Marquis de Châteauneuf flanked by two thickset men. They must have been hiding in the shadows. The envoy’s smile flashed white in the gloom. Following