Jane Feather - [V Series] (51 page)

Her head throbbed anew and she dabbed a little lavender water on her handkerchief and pressed it to her temples. The headache powder was taking longer than usual to bring relief.

She turned as the door opened behind her. Stuart entered smiling. “Ah, how well we complement each other,” he said approvingly as he took in her costume. “I tried to guess what gown you would choose and I see I guessed right.”

The smile was a facade, Pippa thought. Both the smile and the charming tone. She couldn’t tell whether it was simply anger at their earlier argument that lay beneath the surface or something deeper.

However, she offered a responding smile. Their shared pleasure in the luxurious materials and colors of dress had been another factor in their early attraction for each other. Stuart had always gone to great pains to ensure that his own garments complemented hers. This morning was no exception. His doublet of topaz velvet, the sleeves slashed to reveal the lining of dark blue satin that matched his striped hose, was a perfect foil for her own turquoise and rose.

He came over to her and delicately brushed a crumb from her lip before taking her hand and lightly kissing the corner of her mouth. He whispered, mindful of Martha’s presence in the chamber, “Forgive me for last night, Pippa dearest. I was overdrunk and careless of your needs.”

She could allow herself to believe him; it was so much easier than dealing with her own doubts and questions. His smile now seemed warm and genuine, and she knew well how fond he was of wine and how much he and his cronies could drink over the card table.

“I would not care for it to happen again,” she said, her own voice low.

He bent his head to kiss her again, and she didn’t see the shadow that passed across his eyes.

He said brightly, “Come, madam wife, we are bidden to the queen’s presence chamber. I understand the Spaniards are to arrange a tourney of canes later this morning and we are all to take part. Poor sport, I think it, but we must be courteous to our guests.”

There was a brittle edge to his voice that Pippa found a little puzzling, but then she dismissed it. The Spaniards’ preference for the tame jousting with canes rather than lances was a matter of ridicule and scorn among the Englishmen at the court and an athlete of Stuart’s standard would be particularly contemptuous. But, of course, Philip of Spain was the queen’s husband and the vagaries of his retinue must be smiled upon.

They left the chamber arm in arm. The wide corridor outside was thronged with servants and courtiers. The antechamber to the queen’s presence chamber was even more closely crowded, but way was made for Lord and Lady Nielson. They passed into the queen’s presence and the double doors closed behind them.