Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I Read Online Free PDF Page A

do.
    •   •   •
    Some weeks later, the margrave and Princess Cecelia held a large, lavish banquet to celebrate the birth of Edward Fortunatus. After the rich meal of nearly one hundred courses, a masked herald arrived in the hall, and as the room hushed, he trumpeted three times and then spoke up. “A messenger has late arrived with tidings from a strange country, with greetings and an invitation for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Honorable Princess Cecelia of Sweden.”
    The crowd began to clap and all seemed delighted with perhaps the exception of the margrave, who had not, noticeably, been included in the greeting.
    A second man strode into the room attired in heavy boots and spurs and knelt before the queen. “In honor of the marriage, next month, of the Earl of Warwick and the Lady Anne Russell, four foreign knights challenge any comers of Your Majesty’s kingdom. Shall this challenge be met?”
    A great ripple of laughter, shouts, and cheers went up. Lord Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester, called out, “I shall meet these strange comers. Who rides with me?” Many men stood to meet the challenge. Lord Northampton cheered and clapped with the rest of them, but he did not offer to joust.
    The queen raised a hand and instantly the room grew quiet. “We heartily thank you, Master Herald, Master Messenger, and we shall be most pleased to look upon these strange knights and the defenders of our realm,” she said. “And we are most pleased to attend the wedding of our dear friend Lord Ambrose and his betrothed, Lady Anne.” She turned to Princess Cecelia. “If that seems right to you, too, my good sister?”
    Cecelia nodded and smiled, and then the room burst into cheers again and music echoed throughout the hall. I was instantly chosen to dance, as were Cecelia’s other maids of honor, which pleased us all and brought happy, high color. The night was joyous and festive, and I admit I enjoyed not only the playacting and playfulness of the queen’s court but the pleasant manner of the queen herself.
    After some time I noticed Lord Northampton approach Princess Cecelia. I didn’t have to wait long to find out why. She called me into her chamber, alone, the next morning. “Elin,” she said, “sit with me.” She indicated a plush low stool near her feet. “Lord Northampton, the Marquess of Northampton, approached me last eve,” she said. “He said he had fallen in love with one of my ladies. I asked of whom he spoke, though I could but guess. Hespoke of you and wished to know if he had any hope of winning your hand.”
    “But . . . I am engaged, my lady,” I said, vexed. Even if Philip did not love or desire me, I understood that there had been some arrangement that I could not set aside without permission or a refutation on his part. “To Philip Bonde.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “Are you, indeed?”
    “Am I not?” I asked wonderingly. Did she know about the partial dowry, and had it canceled our engagement? Or had news reached her regarding Philip and my sister Karin? Would I want to stay here in England after the others returned home? Worse, perhaps, would be to return home with no dowry and my fiancé in love with my sister.
    The margrave came in then, and the princess dismissed me. I would have to wait until she raised the matter again.
    •   •   •
    It has been said that every wedding puts a woman in mind of her own nuptials, whether or not they have yet to transpire; therefore we ladies were a happy gaggle. Bedford House was the Russell family home, and we Swedes were particularly fond of the bride. She was of an age with most of us and, in fact, shared my exact day of birth and had her apartments across the hall from Bridget and me. So I felt closer to her, perhaps, than to the other Englishwomen. And of course William’s request to Princess Cecelia for my hand was much on my mind.
    One afternoon I helped Anne Russell stitch a rip in her train and asked, “Are you