The Lady in the Tower Read Online Free PDF Page B

that passes, eating most of the good food he pretends to take up to Mother. The keys bump against his belly at every step, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I never see him without them. He pretends to be a man of God, but in truth he is no better than a gaoler and an assassin.’
    ‘Except that he has not killed your mother, Mistress,’ said Alice. ‘He must have had chances aplenty, these past four years, but he has not taken them.’
    ‘What I don’t understand,’ I said, ‘is why it is suddenly so urgent now? Mother has been locked up for four years. Has something happened to make Sir Walter more angry?’ I shook my head, at a loss to know what to think. It made no sense to me.
    ‘I can’t help you there,’ Alice said. ‘I don’t know nothing about the ways of noblemen.’
    I got up to go, leaving the bundle of food for Mother and the precious note.
    ‘Is there anything you need, Alice?’ I asked. ‘I’m sorry. I was so upset today that I forgot to pack a loaf for you.’
    Alice shook her head. ‘Never mind, Mistress. I’ve hungry mouths to feed but we can manage.’
    I looked at the baby, still grizzling in its cradle. The thought of this family’s poverty drew me from my own troubles for a moment. They had helped Mother without hesitation, even though, if caught, they could lose their home and their employ for defying their landlord.
    ‘Can I bring you some milk, Alice, or some cream? I’m sure Betsey would spare some.’
    ‘That would be most kind, if it’s not too much trouble,’ said Alice gratefully. ‘The older children would love to have some milk to drink. They’re out in the fields helping their father this morning, but they are always hungry when they come in.’
    ‘I’ll bring something tomorrow,’ I promised her.
    I returned to the castle deep in thought. The day was drawing to a close and it was chilly as I walked along in the shadow of the curtain wall towards the drawbridge. I had the beginnings of an idea in my mind. It was not possible to take the keys without the chaplain noticing, I knew that. But what about when he slept? Where did he put them then? The very idea of creeping into his rooms at night made me feel dizzy with fear. Did I have the courage to carry such a plan out? For Mother’s sake, I thought perhaps I did.

CHAPTER FOUR

     
    My dearest Eleanor,
    Fear not. I will touch nothing. Tell me more of the tournament. Every piece of news is like a breath of fresh air,
    Elizabeth.
    I went to the chapel as darkness fell that night. I had not gone in to supper, feeling too excited and terrified at the thought of what I was planning to do to eat a single bite.
    Selecting a secluded pew near the back of the chapel, I sat quietly as the dusk deepened around me. A single candle flickered at the altar, casting long dancing shadows as the flame was caught by draughts. I murmured some prayers for Mother’s safety and another for the success of the task ahead.
    I could hear voices outside the chapel. Men were crossing the inner court, talking and laughing. Once there was a sound of hooves on cobbles, and I heard a horse neigh from the stables in the distance.
    When it was completely dark, I heard the rattle of the chains from the gatehouse as the drawbridge was raised for the night. Whenever the doors to the keep were opened, I could hear the voices and laughter of my father and his guests from the great hall. They were merry tonight. I thought again of the conversation I had overheard this morning, and wondered how Sir Walter could plot such dreadful deeds and then sit drinking and laughing, playing the carefree host. I felt a rush of hatred towards him.
    An hour passed. Perhaps more. The castle grew quiet at last. I heard the guards retire. I was beginning to feel stiff and cold. I had been certain the chaplain would come to the chapel before he went to bed, but it grew so late, I began to doubt my plan. I was just about to move, when the chapel door was pushed open. I jumped,