Anne Herries – Lady in Waiting (страница 13)

‘You are lovely, perfect…’ Nick said huskily. ‘I vow you have bewitched me, Mistress Catherine. I languished all night for thinking of you.’

His words were true enough, for he had forgone his tryst with Annette because he could not get a picture of Catherine Moor out of his head, and he had lain sleepless in his bed thinking of her. The glimpse of her white breasts above the revealing neckline of her gown had set him to wondering about the softness of her skin and the gentle curves of her lovely flesh. How sweet it would be to lie with her!

‘Fie on you, sir!’ Catherine laughed. ‘You flatter me but I…’ She caught her breath as he moved towards her, certain that he meant to kiss her and not sure what she would do then, but even as she trembled inwardly she heard her aunt’s voice calling in the hallway and knew that she was saved. ‘Ah, my good aunt is home. She will be delighted to see you, sir.’

‘And I to see her, of course,’ Nick replied but looked so disappointed that Catherine could not hold back her laughter.

She was laughing as Lady Stamford swept into the room, her eyes sparkling like precious jewels as she turned to greet her.

‘Sir Nicholas called to inquire after my father. Was that not kind of him, Aunt?’

‘Exceeding kind,’ Lady Stamford said. ‘I hurried home lest you were fretting, Catherine, but now I see you have been well entertained.’

‘Mistress Catherine was good enough to see me in your absence,’ Nick said coming smoothly to her rescue. ‘And we laughed over Her Majesty’s comments last even. Now, I must come to the second purpose of my visit, ma’am. My mother Lady Fineden begs that you will bear her company at a picnic tomorrow by the river—if such a pastime is agreeable to you?’

‘Thank your mother for her kindness,’ Lady Stamford replied looking pleased. ‘We shall be delighted to come, sir.’

‘Then I shall take my leave of you, sweet ladies.’ Nick’s eyes dwelt on Catherine for a moment. ‘I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, and shall send an escort for you so that you may easily find the appointed place.’

‘We shall look forward to seeing you, sir,’ Catherine replied, a little flush of pleasure in her cheeks.

Catherine’s aunt gave her an odd look but said no more as Nick bowed and went out, merely remarking a little later that it was a kind thought on Lady Fineden’s part to invite them to a picnic.

‘I have heard that her home has a splendid garden that leads down to the river,’ Lady Stamford said. ‘I imagine we shall be somewhere nearby.’

‘We must hope the weather keeps fine.’

‘Yes, indeed,’ her aunt replied. ‘And now I must go up and see how William is, for it would be a shame if he were not able to accompany us tomorrow.’

‘Father would not wish us to give up our pleasure, even if he did not feel able to come with us.’

Lady Stamford looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, then inclined her head. ‘I am sure you are right, Catherine.’

‘Besides, we have promised to go.’ Catherine’s cheeks flushed as her aunt was silent.

‘I know a little of the family,’ she said at last. ‘Lady Fineden is a woman of some influence, as is her husband, and Sir Nicholas comes from an old family. I shall say no more, Catherine, but he has a reputation for being a charmer…’

The morning dawned fine and bright as Catherine had hoped, but though her father came down to the small parlour when she and her aunt were being served some coddled eggs and fresh muffins with butter and honey, he told his daughter that he preferred to stay at home and rest for another day.

‘If you feel unwell I shall stay with you,’ Catherine offered, though her heart sank at the prospect of missing the promised treat.

‘You have already suffered a loss of pleasure because of my foolishness,’ Sir William said smiling at her. ‘I shall not ask another sacrifice of you, Catherine. You must go to your picnic and Helen must accompany you. I shall do well enough here with a book of poems to keep me company. If it is fine I may sit in the garden for a while.’

Catherine kissed her father and thanked him for his thoughtfulness on her behalf, for which she received an affectionate pat on the cheek.

She spent some time sitting with him in the best parlour until their escort arrived. Within minutes they were ready to leave, setting out with Thomas walking beside their chairs as well as the escort Sir Nicholas had sent to show them the way. Despite seeing a few beggars standing or lying at the street corners, they met with no trouble and were eventually taken to a pretty spot on the riverbank.

Lady Fineden’s was a handsome house situated down river from the Palace of Whitehall, and sat on the opposite bank in a pleasant spot that had not yet been encroached on by the press of building that was springing up all around the city.

However, they did not enter the house itself and were taken through the gardens to where a picnic had been set out a little distance from the water’s edge.

Sir Nicholas had clearly been awaiting their arrival, for he immediately left a group of ladies and gentlemen with whom he had been conversing, and came to welcome them, taking Catherine by the hand to introduce her to his mother.

Lady Stamford was already slightly acquainted with her hostess and many of the guests, but they were all unknown to Catherine and the first half an hour or so was taken up with meeting and greeting strangers. She was asked her opinion of London, and whether or not she had been to court, but after a while the conversation became more general. Most of the ladies seemed to prefer gossip from the court, but there was also some talk of politics amongst the men.

In February of that year the Pope had excommunicated Elizabeth by means of the Bull Regnans in Excelsis, by which he hoped to see the Queen deposed and Mary of Scots raised to Queen in her place. This had given cause for fears amongst those loyal to Elizabeth that the Catholics would see this as a reason to rebel, though with the failure of the uprising the previous year others thought it unlikely.

The talk of politics held no interest for Catherine, who, once left to herself, was more than content to look about her and enjoy the sunshine. She sat on large soft cushions while Lady Fineden’s servants served the meal, tasting the delicious cold fowl, pies and pastries, which were accompanied by wine cooled in the river. It was after the food had been consumed that everyone began to stroll about the gardens, admiring the splendid view.

Catherine stood up and went down to the water’s edge, where a pair of swans and five signets were leisurely swimming by. A dragonfly skimmed over the surface of the river, and swallows were swooping on the warm current to catch their food.

‘I have often thought this a pleasant spot,’ Nick said, coming to stand by her side. ‘Especially on such a day as this.’

‘Yes, almost idyllic,’ Catherine replied, turning her head to look at him. ‘One would hardly think the city is all around us.’

‘Building goes on apace,’ Nick said. ‘I dare say much of this open land will be eaten up in years to come.’

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