Free Murder at Whitehall by Amanda Carmack

love for so long. I want us, need us, to be truly together.”
    â€œAnd so we shall be,” Lord Hertford murmured soothingly. It didn’t seem to work, as Lady Catherine gave a choked sob. There was thud, as if she hit him on the shoulder. “Your stepfather advised me to wait to approach the queen until I can gain the support of the privy council. I think he is right.”
    â€œThat will surely take ages.”
    â€œBut it would be worth it, if we could be properly wed. We must preserve your station, for our children’s sake.”
    â€œIt is always thus with you, Ned,” Lady Catherine said fiercely. “So cautious. Station and rank. But what of our love? The days are just slipping away, days when we could be starting our own family. Yet now you must curry favor with every peacock on the privy council!”
    â€œI am not the only one seeking favor,” Lord Hertford said, his tone hardening. “You spend all your time whispering with de Quadra and his so-called secretaries.”
    â€œI must talk to those who would pay me some heed,” Lady Catherine hissed. “You say yourself we must preserve my rank, but the queen cares nothing for it. She dislikes me and my sister, and wastes noopportunity to make that clear. The Spanish ambassador treats me as my family name deserves. And his friends are amusing.”
    â€œThey do say all the ladies at court find the new Spaniards, Senors Gomez and Vasquez, most handsome.”
    â€œWhy, Ned,” Lady Catherine said with a laugh, “are you jealous?”
    â€œCertainly not. A Seymour jealous of a Spanish lackey?”
    â€œI declare you
are
jealous. Just as you once were of Lord Herbert.”
    â€œYou were married to Herbert.”
    â€œNot really. I was but twelve when my father arranged the match, and not much older when it was annulled. I never cared for him, or anyone, as I do you. But I must be wed soon! I refuse to molder away my youth, as the queen does.”
    â€œAnd mayhap if we cannot wed soon, you will encourage a Spanish match?”
    â€œI never said that. I merely enjoy their conversation. If they presume more, I cannot help that.”
    â€œAnd do they presume more?”
    Lady Catherine laughed. “Ned, how can I know? I have no interest in politics, you know that. Look where politics got my father and my sister, Jane. To the block. And if we have so little time together, we should not waste it arguing.”
    â€œNow that I truly agree with, sweeting.”
    Lady Catherine giggled, and their words were lost in the sound of kisses, the rustle of fabric. Katecarefully backed away and made her way toward the great room again, hardly daring to breathe. Lady Catherine’s marriage, as the queen’s cousin, was subject to the permission of the queen and her privy council, or it could be treasonous. Elizabeth was obviously right to be keep watch on the Greys.
    And yet—Kate could not help feeling sorry for Lady Catherine. Nothing there could possibly end happily for everyone involved.
    *   *   *
    Mary leaned back against her locked chamber door, and pressed her hand to the nervous flutter of her stomach. She had been seen. If he found out, he would be so angry.
    You must speak to no one but the servants, Mary, and let no one into your chamber. It is of the most vital importance that you listen to me now.
    She
did
listen. What choice did she have? But it grew so lonely sometimes! Her room was so small, so stuffy with the smoke from its one tiny fireplace and the candles that did so little to pierce the wintertime gloom. She could hear the laughter from the great room below, and she longed to join in. It had been so long since she had talked to anyone.
    Music was a lovely thing, but after hours and hours of practicing on her lute she longed for something else. Anything else. Maybe even just a new book of songs to learn.
    In a small fit of rebellion, she shoved a stack of