My Enemy, the Queen Read Online Free PDF Page A

bring me no good. It was a prospect which delighted me and was one of the reasons why I was so pleased to have come to Court.
    The Queen was seated on a large carved chair which was like a throne and my mother led me to her.
    our Majesty, my daughter Letitia. We call her Lettice in the family.
    I curtsied, keeping my eyes lowered as I had been told I must, conveying that I dared not raise them because of the dazzling brilliance of royalty.
    hen so shall I call her,said the Queen. ettice, stand up and come closer so that I can see you better.
    Shortsightedness made her pupils seem very large. I was amazed by the delicate texture and whiteness of her skin; her light brows and lashes gave her a certain look of surprise.
    hy, Cat,she said to my mother, for it was a habit of hers to give people nicknames and my mother being Catherine it was easy to see why she called her Cat, ou have a pretty daughter here.
    In those days my good looks pleased her. She was always susceptible to good looksarticularly in men, of course, but she did like handsome women too until the men she liked admired them also!
    hank you, Your Majesty.
    The Queen laughed. oue a fertile wife, Cousin,she said. even sons and four daughters, is it? I like to see large families. And, Lettice, give me your hand. Wee cousins, you know. How like you England now you have returned to it?
    ngland is a beautiful place since Your Majesty became its Queen.
    a!she laughed. see you bring her up in the right fashion. That Francis, Il swear.
    rancis was always watchful of what was happening to his sons and daughters while we were away from home,said my mother. hen Your Majesty was in danger he was in despair so indeed were we all.
    She nodded gravely. ell, now you are home and life should go well for you. Youl have to find husbands for your girls, Cat. If they are all as handsome as Lettice that should not be difficult.
    t is such a joy to be home, Madam,said my mother. verily believe that neither I nor Francis can give thought to anything but that for a while.
    e shall see what can be done,said the Queen, her eyes on me. our Lettice has not much to say for herself,she commented.
    had believed I must wait for Your Majesty permission to speak,I said quickly.
    o you can speak up, then. I glad of that. I could never abide those who cannot give an account of themselves. A plausible rogue is more amusing than a silent saint. So what will you tell me of yourself?
    will say that I share my parentsdelight in being here and seeing my royal kinswoman where we have always fervently believed she belonged.
    ell spoken. I can see that you have after all taught her to use her tongue, Cousin.
    hat is something I taught myself, Madam,I retorted quickly.
    My mother looked alarmed at my temerity, but the Queen lips twitched in a manner which showed she was not displeased.
    hat else did you teach yourself?asked the Queen.
    o listen when I was incapable of taking part in discussion; and to throw myself into the center of it when I could.
    The Queen laughed. hen you have learned much wisdom. You will have need of it when you come to Court. Many prate but a few ever learn the art of listening and those who do are the wise men and women. And you but seventeen, is it? have learned this already. Come and sit near me. I would talk with you for a while.
    My mother was looking well pleased and at the same time flashing a warning glance at me, telling me not to let this initial success go to my head. She was right. I could be impulsive, and instinct warned me that the Queen could be as suddenly displeased as pleased.
    My opportunity to walk on this dangerous ground was denied me, for at that moment the door opened unceremoniously and a man came into the room. My mother looked startled and I realized that he must have broken some strict rule of royal etiquette thus to burst in unannounced.
    He was different from any man I had seen. There was an indefinable quality about him which was immediately apparent. To say