The Lady in the Tower by Marie-Louise Jensen

it. He sat very straight on his horse, his brow furrowed in thought. I looked at him anxiously, realizing that I minded whether or not he believed me. I wanted him to be my friend as he once had been.
    ‘Eleanor, what is it you wish me to do exactly?’ he asked abruptly.
    ‘I’m not sure, to tell you the truth,’ I admitted. ‘I hoped you might be able to help.’
    ‘Do you wish me to speak to Sir Walter?’
    ‘Good God, no! That would merely get me into trouble.’ As I said this, I thought he looked relieved. No doubt the prospect of speaking to his formidable and powerful uncle on such a subject was unthinkable. ‘In fact,’ I continued, ‘I do not want you to repeat what I have said to anyone; unless you are quite sure they might be of use.’
    Gregory sighed and shook his head. ‘I will think about this,’ he promised. ‘But really, I do not see what I can do.’
    I was not sure whether I had convinced him of the truth. Neither did he actually promise me any support. But we returned to the castle much better friends than we had left it. It was a relief to have been able to talk to him.
    Lord Stanton was in the stable yard when we returned. He had just dismounted from his own horse, and stood watching us as we rode in. Seeing me ride with a man’s saddle made him lift his brows in surprise. He sent me a quizzical look, but I met his eyes as briefly as possible.
    ‘Mistress Eleanor,’ he bowed, ‘and Hungerford!’ He nodded casually to my cousin in a way that suggested they were acquainted. ‘You will like to know that the king’s herald arrived scarce an hour ago. The king himself is expected at any moment.’
    I was taken aback. I had not expected the royal visit so soon—or indeed at all, truth be told. Stanton interrupted my thoughts.
    ‘Mistress Eleanor, I would urge you to hurry. You would not wish the king to see you in such a guise.’ As he spoke, he looked pointedly at my saddle. ‘He may get quite the wrong impression of you.’
    ‘I do not seek to find favour with the king, sir,’ I said as haughtily as I could.
    ‘More fool you,’ he retorted. ‘Better people than you have lost their heads on King Henry’s orders. But it was the possibility that you might find more favour than you expected and of quite the wrong sort that was on my mind, Mistress.’
    I felt my face flush hot, and slid off Arianna’s back with more haste than elegance. Stanton stepped up to me and held out his hand for Arianna’s reins. I was vexed at his interference.
    ‘I can manage myself,’ I said swiftly. Stanton shot me an amused look and bowed again.
    ‘I did not know you numbered stable skills among your accomplishments,’ he replied insultingly.
    I glared at him, cursing myself silently for my awkwardness. I was beginning to think him a hard man to get the better of. I took Arianna to her stable to escape him. I found Tom there, looking harassed and anxious.
    ‘I’ll see to Arianna for you, Mistress,’ he said. ‘There’s not going to be enough stable room. She may have to go out to pasture.’ I nodded my understanding, and hurried out into the courtyard again. My cousin was waiting for me and accompanied me back to the inner court. We parted on the stairway to the great hall. ‘We’d both best hurry and make ready,’ he said ruefully, looking at his muddy clothes. Then he took me by surprise by taking my hand and bowing over it. ‘Thank you for this morning, cousin. I shall think on what you said.’

CHAPTER ELEVEN

     
    Dearest Mama,
    You did not wave to me this morning when I passed the tower. Did you not see me?
    With love
    Eleanor
    Upon reaching my room, I washed and dressed. I selected a kirtle of dark green and a gown of paler green woven with silver thread to go over it. Maria had insisted that yellows and greens were the best colours for me, so most of my new garments were shades of these. I picked out a pair of soft leather slippers slashed with green satin and pulled them onto