Murder at Fontainebleau by Amanda Carmack Page B

whitewashed wall.
    Kate took a sip of her drink, but she felt restless, watching everyone around her.
    â€œWe had heard in England that things were much more settled now since the death of King Francis,” Sir Henry said.
    The landlady gave a snort. “’Tis the Duc de Guise and his family. They’ve become desperate; everyone knows that. Queen Catherine will rule now, and she is no true friend to them. She seeks peace with the King of Navarre and the Huguenots—so they say. Such leniency can never hold, not in a Godly kingdom.”
    â€œCan it not?” Toby Ridley said tightly. “Surely a peaceful realm is a laudable aim?”
    â€œIn this district, monsieur, monks have been killed, an ancient statue of the Blessed Virgin destroyed by a Huguenot mob they say was emboldened by QueenCatherine’s mild words to them,” the landlady said, crossing herself. “How can there be peace thus?”
    The woman suddenly seemed aware she had perhaps said too much to foreign strangers. She bobbed a hasty curtsy and left the small sitting room, shooing the sniffling maid ahead of her. “I will send in more ale, monsieur.”
    For a long moment, silence fell heavily over the English group crowded into the little room. Kate sipped at her ale and studied everyone around her. Lady Barnett and her niece reclined on the cushioned settee by the fire. The men gathered around a round table, all of them looking grim. Rob and Thomas stayed near Kate, and she was glad of their presence. They made her feel not quite so alone in a strange land.
    â€œIt would do these people well to listen to Queen Catherine,” Lady Barnett said, tearful and angry. Kate was surprised—Jane Barnett had never shown even a flash of such seriousness before. “She is a very clever lady. What is the use of losing everything over such trifles?”
    Sir Henry brought his fist down on the table before him, rattling pitchers and goblets. Amelia burst into tears all over again, and even Kate was startled enough to jump a bit. Everyone’s nerves seemed terribly on edge.
    â€œBe quiet, woman, about matters you have no knowledge of!” he roared, his bearded face red. “Queen Catherine is a Florentine to her very bones, and one day her Italian ways will bring France down with her. Kingdoms need strong kings, and one faith to unify them. I should have left you and your silly niece in London.Matters are much too delicate and vital to have such ridiculousness to deal with.”
    Lady Barnett let out a wail before she buried her face in her hands. Sir Henry slumped back in his chair, as if wearied by his outburst, something that seemed a common occurrence between the married couple. Everyone else went still and silent, which only made Lady Barnett’s sobs sound louder.
    Amelia took her aunt’s arm and helped her to her feet. The two ladies limped out of the room. “I will take her to rest,” Amelia said as the door closed behind them.
    â€œWomen,” Sir Henry muttered as he raised his goblet for another long drink. “They understand naught.”
    Mistress Berry scowled down at him.
    Kate slipped out of the room and into the cool quiet of a narrow corridor. She could hear Lady Barnett crying from somewhere in the shadows. Mistress Berry came out of the sitting room as well, and hurried past Kate with a basin in her hands.
    â€œIs anything the matter, Mistress Berry? Can I help?” Kate asked.
    â€œMistress Haywood, I did not see you there,” Mistress Berry said. “Aye, follow me, if you like. I fear Lady Barnett often has such fits. ’Tis only to be expected.”
    Kate wondered what she meant by that.
Only to be expected because of the way Lady Barnett’s husband dismissed her? Because things are so uncertain there in France?
    â€œI thought Lady Barnett enjoyed her last time in France,” Kate said, watching as Mistress Berry took a vial from her valise and