The Virgin's Spy Read Online Free PDF Page B

Boleyn. As Duke of Rochford and both regent and chancellor in his time, he had commanded more power than any man in England, save the king. Charterhouse had been witness to ambassadors and foreign royals, to negotiations and threats and careful deploying of English power. Charterhouse was also the site of Lord Rochford’s assassination. In the twenty-five years since, it had been used primarily as a temporary residence for visiting dignitaries and those wealthy Continental merchants whom England needed to impress.
    Anabel looked suitably surprised, which pleased Elizabeth enough for her to add graciously, “If you want to learn how to rule, nowhere better than in my uncle’s home. I expect the very walls are soaked in Lord Rochford’s genius.”
    “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Then, after a moment, Anabel added, “Mother.”
    “Now,” Elizabeth continued briskly, “more important than the physical residence is the makeup of your own household. Philippa Courtenay, naturally, will be chief of your ladies, but you need an older, more experienced woman to take charge.”
    “I can think of no one better than Lady Leighton as the public face. Of course, Madalena will take care of the details, as she always has.”
    Madalena Arias had been a gift to Anabel from her father, a lady-in-waiting who had come to England at the age of ten and firmly attached herself to the five years’ younger princess. Her grandmother had been a
converso
Moor, making Madalena darker than the usual Spaniard and, Elizabeth conceded, extremely attractive. She served Anabel faithfully, though Elizabeth was always watchful, afraid of Philip using any tactic against his daughter.
    “I approve your chaplain and steward. That leaves you two posts to fill—Master of the Horse and household treasurer.” Elizabeth spoke casually, knowing how insulted her daughter had been by Kit Courtenay’s refusal to accept the former post.
    But, like her mother, she had mastered the art of moving on, and if not feeling indifference, at least feigning it well. “What do you think of Robert Cecil for Master of the Horse? Lord Burghley might be pleased to have his son expand his experience in public service.”
    It was an astute choice. “He’ll do very well. And treasurer?”
    For the first time, Anabel looked a touch defiant, as though anticipating a refusal. “I should like Matthew Harrington.”
    She had sense enough not to say more, for Elizabeth knew perfectly well who Matthew was. His parents had been Minuette and Dominic’s loyal companions through their disgrace and exile, and their only son had been rewarded with an education to match that of the Courtenay sons. Matthew had studied law and, for the last year, been part of Lord Burghley’s staff in his role as Lord High Treasurer.
    Young, yes, but so was Anabel. And Pippa. As Elizabeth had once been young, with Minuette and Dominic and Will…Youth had its faults, but also its strengths. And with his bloodline and upbringing, Matthew Harrington would be the most faithful of servants.
    She nodded once. “I think Matthew is quite a good choice. Provided you can persuade Lord Burghley to part with both his son and his protégé.”
    Her daughter’s smile was blindingly confident. “Pippa says Lord Burghley has been training Matthew specifically for my household. He will be glad to have him with me.”
    “And Philippa would know,” Elizabeth retorted wryly. “Very well. We shall make all the necessary arrangements and announcements before leaving for Wales next week.”
    Where Anabel would be formally invested as Princess of Wales and begin her public tasks, meant to bind the hearts of England as firmly to herself as to her mother.
    And where she would meet for the first time the French representatives of Francis, the Duc d’Anjou, and begin the delicate formal dance of possible betrothal.

6 August 1581
    Dearest Lucie,
    We arrived in Chester earlier today. It has been more than two weeks since we left