‘I knew it!’ I cried, running back to my room. ‘The herald is below. Make ready.’
Jane leapt like a doe. ‘Well, bless me.’ She draped a lace collar around my shoulders and pulled on her linen oversleeves. ‘I’d better go and warn them in the kitchens. Do you want me to finish your hair, mistress?’
‘No, there is not time. Josiah wants to speak to me immediately.’ Her gaze flinched away. ‘That is, I expect he will. He often does.’
Although I do my best to hide it from her, Jane is afraid every time my gift manifests itself. I cannot deny that it is strange – I have always heard things, always sensed things. But when I read Josiah’s thoughts it is no sorcery – unless love be a spell. I simply know him through and through.
I did not stay long after Jane had quit the room. Checking the set of my ribbons one last time, I hurried out through the corridor and down the stairs, taking them in pairs. As I passed the first floor I called out to tell Hetta that her father was home. I should have gone and fetched her in person, but I was selfish. I wanted Josiah all to myself.
I had the servants set a fire in the dining room. Light played upon the tapestries and picked out the golden threads. I thought Josiah would take some refreshment after his journey so I made sure there was spiced wine and a collection of small dishes to suit his fancy: bread, cheese, cold meats and a tray of pastries. It looked most appealing on our new mahogany table. But when my husband swept in, raindrops pebbled on his doublet and his wool cloak steaming, he paid no heed to the food. Marching straight to me, he put his hands either side of my waist and lifted me off my feet.
‘Well met, my love!’ He set me down and gave me a smacking kiss. ‘Can you guess why I have returned?’
‘It is good news from court, I wager. I never saw you smile so wide.’
His eyes glittered. ‘With good reason, Anne. Can you really not guess?’ I shook my head. ‘He is coming. The King is coming.’ I must have gone pale, for his laughter boomed. ‘Not now, sweeting. You will have ample time to prepare. The King and the Queen will stop here for a night on their summer progress.’
For a moment I could only grasp his gloved hand. ‘Blessed God. This is . . . remarkable. What an honour. It is all we have worked for. How, how did you accomplish it?’
Could it be the chrysanthemum petals I put in his wine for luck? The bay leaves under his pillow for intuition? For while Josiah tries to raise our family at court I am working too, busy in my stillroom. I, of all people, will never underestimate the strength of plants.
Laughing once more, he peeled off his gloves and sat down at the table. ‘We accomplished it together, Anne. I told you this house was just the beginning.’
He has told me. Ever since we amassed the money to build a great country estate, Josiah has been insisting that The Bridge will be the making of us. I had no idea it would happen so soon.
He picked up a hunk of bread and bit into it. ‘We have made our name now. This year they stay a night, but who can tell of next year? If I obtain a title . . . Perchance we will be invited to Christmas at court. Perchance the Queen will take a fancy to you and offer you a place in her household.’
In all my wildest visions, I never imagined this. ‘As long as the King holds you in esteem, I have nothing else to wish for.’
‘Do not rein in your dreams, Anne!’ He grabbed a flagon of wine. ‘There is no telling how far we can rise. We will get the boys down – show what fine, strapping lads we have. They would make the King fine Grooms of the Bedchamber or Gentleman Ushers, one day.’
‘Is it likely he would consider them?’
‘Who can say? There is no limit to the success a titled family can achieve. With my mother’s connections and your skills, we will make a reputation for ourselves. Look at the Villiers!’
‘No,’ I said sharply. ‘No, we will not be like the Villiers.’ He paused in his meal, staring at me. I tried a smile, but it was too small. ‘Remember what happened to the duke.’
He tossed his hunk of bread back on the plate. Crumbs snagged in his beard. ‘Do not fret, Anne, I am not setting out to become the next Duke of Buckingham. I doubt there ever was a more conceited, feckless fool in England. All I mean to say is that he has set the bar. He was born a nobody, and by the time he met his end he was richer than the King himself. Anything is possible. And it seems to me it is our duty to get what we can for our boys.’
‘I will write to tell them at once. And they will require new clothes! Heaven only knows how much they have grown. We will need to measure them anew.’
Josiah chuckled.
‘I could write a masque for them to perform before the Queen!’ I have always yearned to experience the theatre and pageantry of a court masque. They say the Queen herself dances in them, spun in the most luxurious costumes.
‘Aye, I can see our James striding on stage to recite a poem.’
‘And Hetta – she will be the nymph who—’
Josiah cleared his throat. He took another quick swig of wine before he said, ‘I have not decided how large a part I want Henrietta Maria to play in this visit.’
My stomach clenched, the way it always does when people mention my daughter. Josiah never calls her by her pet name, Hetta; it is always formal, always Henrietta Maria with him.
‘Whatever do you mean? Surely she will be involved just as much as the boys?’
‘While we are still feeling our way with the royal couple, setting everything out to impress . . . It would be best not to draw attention to her little – aberration.’
Nauseous guilt swept over me. I told myself not to snap, not to reply too quickly. But of course I did. ‘There is nothing the matter with her!’
‘You know that is not true.’
Panic caught at me like nettles; I was sure that somehow he would see through me. See through to the truth. ‘I do not understand why it should affect her role in the visit. She is our daughter. She deserves every advantage for her future, as well as the boys.’
‘I will think upon it.’ Quick as a cloud shifts on a windy day, his mood changed. The shadow of desire darkened his eyes. ‘Enough for now. Come, sit by me. Lord, Anne, I have missed you.’
At the very first chance that offered, I ran to see Lizzy. Once she was my nurse, and she has nursed all of my children. She has been there for every significant moment of my life. I wanted her to share in my joy at this, the pinnacle of our achievement. But she has only made me most unhappy.