"How very peculiar," Micheline observed softly. The musicians had begun to play and Henry led his future queen forward to lead the first dance.
Sandhurst was about to reply, when a stocky, well-fed-looking young man appeared before them. Like King Henry, he could not conceal his identity with a simple mask, for his yellow hair and flushed cheeks were clues enough.
"My lady, would you dance with me?" he inquired mysteriously.
Micheline was too surprised to play along. "M'sieur Playfair, is that you?"
"How ever did you guess?" Sandhurst laughed.
"Yes, that's what I'd like to know!" Jeremy fretted. "What's the fun of these masques if everyone knows who one is? And, by the by, madame, my name is Culpepper, not Playfair!"
"My pardon. Sir Jeremy," she apologized. "I'll not forget again."
"Speaking of remaining anonymous," Sandhurst interjected, "how did you know who we were?"
"You're my best friend, aren't you? Besides, you two are the handsomest couple here tonight, and I've seen you wear that doublet before, Sandhurst."
This elicited a burst of laughter from Andrew. "It's good to see you here, Jeremy. When did you arrive?"
"Late this afternoon. I saw the two of you at supper, but I was seated at the other side of the hall. Not everyone is honored with a place beside the king."
"I'd have preferred your company, sir," Micheline told him sincerely. "And I'm awfully glad that you are Andrew's friend and not his manservant."
"You aren't the only one!" Jeremy harumphed. "I must say, though, that all the humiliation I suffered in France was well worth it if you two have worked things out. Word has it that you're getting married after all!" He smiled at his friend and shook his head. "Only you could have managed to escape successfully from that coil you were wrapped in two days ago, Sandhurst! Charm will out, eh?"
"Not charm, but love," he replied evenly.
"Well, I wouldn't know about that." Seeing the way Micheline gazed at her betrothed, he felt a twinge of envy. No wonder Sandhurst had succumbed at last to romance. "What about that dance, then?"
The floor was crowded now. All the court seemed to be dancing, laughing gaily as they pretended not to recognize one another. Micheline found Jeremy very endearing, even when he made a wrong move from time to time and stepped on her toes. Across the room she glimpsed Andrew leaning against the paneled wall under a carving of Henry VIII's royal arms impaling those of Anne Boleyn. He watched her affectionately, and it filled her with delight when she saw him shake his head after a figure she knew to be Lady Dangerfield approached him.
Micheline's dance with Jeremy was followed by two with Sandhurst. Thomas Wyatt begged for the next, and as he led her into the crush, she felt something slip up her sleeve. It seemed to be a piece of paper, but she promptly forgot about it as she chatted and danced with the poet.
Long past midnight Sandhurst suggested that sleep might be in order, and they went to bid the king and Anne Boleyn good night.
"When will your wedding take place, my lord?" inquired Anne.
"In a fortnight's time, my lady," he replied, then looked toward King Henry. "I know that you had planned to attend, when first you and my father spoke of this marriage, but we realize that circumstances have altered in the interim. Doubtless the arrangements for the Marquess's coronation as queen will prevent you from embarking on a journey to Yorkshire." His eyes added his understanding of the fact that the king might not be kindly disposed toward him since their conversation earlier that day.
Henry nodded slowly, raising an eyebrow in silent communication with the Lord Sandhurst. "Certainly we shouldn't come all that way on your account, Sandhurst!" He took care to lace his jest with an edge of steel so subtle that only the other man would perceive it. "And you are correct. There is much to keep us near London through May. However"—the king turned to beam at Micheline, lifting her hand to his small pursed lips—"we feel that the enchanting Madame Tevoulere deserves special consideration, and there are others from our court who have expressed a wish to attend your wedding. We can make no promises, but if it is within our power, we shall make a brief journey to Aylesbury Castle to join in the nuptial celebrations."
"As always, Your Majesty demonstrates exceptional thoughtfulness and generosity," said Sandhurst. "It would give us great joy to have you present at our marriage,