Free Mary Gillgannon by The Leopard Page A

wondered if that was possible.
    A servant arrived with a large bucket of water and a basin, and Astra hurried to wash away the grime that covered her face and hands. The day was hot, and she was sweaty as well as dusty. She decided to freshen up before she changed clothes and stripped to her chemise. To keep from getting it wet, she pulled the thin linen undergarment down to bare her breasts. She was nearly finished washing when she heard the door open again. She turned, expecting to see the chambermaid arriving with fresh water, and stared in astonishment at the sharp-featured young woman in the doorway. She was elegantly attired in a pale pink gown of patterned silk, with a gold and rose headdress to match.
    The woman gaped openly at Astra’s breasts. Her eyes fixed there with such shock and amazement Astra wondered if she’d ever seen another naked woman before.
    “Holy Mother of God!” the woman gasped, still staring at Astra. “What are you doing in my room?”
    “Your room?” Marguerite stepped forward and glared at the intruder. “We were shown here and told we were welcome to use the chamber during our stay.”
    “Who are you?” the woman demanded.
    “I am Lady Marguerite Fitz Hugh, come to court for a visit with the Queen. My father is Reginald Fitz Hugh, Baron of Westford.”
    The woman met Marguerite’s icy look with her pallid gray eyes. “I am Isabel Vipoint, third cousin to the Queen. She herself assured me that this room would be available to me as long as I wished.”
    The two women stared at each other a moment, each taking the other’s measure, like a pair of dogs preparing for a fight. Nervously, Astra stepped between them.
    “It seems there has been a mistake, Marguerite. The chambermaid obviously did not realize this room was being used by Demoiselle Vipoint.”
    Isabel’s glance flicked to Astra, regarding her as one would a noxious insect. “And who might this sluttish creature be? Your serving girl?”
    Astra sucked in her breath, completely stunned. She had done nothing to this woman. Why should she speak so cruelly?
    “This lady is Astra de Mortain,” Marguerite answered. Her dark eyes glittered dangerously. “She is a dear friend of mine, and she will be sharing this room with me.”
    Astra glanced from one angry woman to the other. They looked as if they might come to blows at any minute. The thought horrified Astra. They had only arrived at court. It would hardly do for Marguerite to provoke a fight with one of the Queen’s relatives. She had to intervene.
    “Ladies, please!” she remonstrated. “There is no reason to quarrel. I’m sure something can be agreed upon.” She looked anxiously around the tiny chamber. “There is plenty of room. I could sleep upon the pallet, and the two of you could share the larger bed.”
    Marguerite looked at Isabel as if she would rather sleep with a snake. Isabel was not much more enthusiastic. Astra continued to reason with them. “It appears there is a shortage of bedchambers in the palace. If we make a fuss, it will likely distress the Queen. I’m sure neither of you would wish that.”
    Marguerite’s eyebrows rose, and she assessed Isabel disdainfully. Then, abruptly her full mouth curled into a smile. “Astra is right, of course. We would never dream of distressing the Queen, would we, Lady Isabel?”
    The other woman’s angular features twitched, as if she could not decide if Marguerite was mocking or sincere. Finally, she returned Marguerite’s smile with a taut one of her own. “No, of course not. We would not dream of it.” With those words, Lady Isabel cast a last hostile glance at Astra and quit the room.
    “What a viper!” Marguerite exclaimed. “You are right that we must not inconvenience the Queen, but still... I hate to think of sharing a chamber with such a nasty little tart. She’s bound to make trouble. Did you not see that look she gave you when she first entered the room? Already she despises