Page 65 of Eloise and the Queen
I learned later that, more horrible still, Jane had not been able to find the block once she’d been blindfolded, and a man had darted out of the crowd to help her to it.
I fell to my knees in the mud, trying to banish the image from my head.
It vanished as suddenly as it had come, and I saw only the frozen ground under the trees, and a thick root that had poked itself above the earth. The folds of Colby’s leather boots and glint of spurs came into view as he crouched beside me.
I gasped for breath, drawing the sweet scent of the night into me, welcoming the cold.
“Eloise?”
I could not say if Colby was upset at my distress or annoyed that I’d broken down.
“I am unhurt,” I said, the only words that came to my lips. “I simply …”
Colby’s hands were large and warm, lifting me to my feet. “I told you too abruptly. My apologies.”
I wiped my eyes with cold fingers. “I grew up with Lady Jane, you see, and designed gowns for her. I started to sew her a queen’s wardrobe.” I shuddered. “I dared hope that Mary would spare her. Jane did nothing.”
“She was a banner to flock to, just as Elizabeth is,” Colby rumbled in the darkness. “Whether Jane had any desire to become queen was not the point. So long as any man could use her, she was a danger to Mary. Elizabeth is an even greater danger, which is why we must take our time riding to London. If Elizabeth arrives too soon on the heels of Jane’s execution, Mary might simply follow with another. A lightning trial, a night in the Tower …”
“Enough,” I said sharply. “I do understand, though I am but a foolish woman, weeping on your cloak.”
“Not so foolish.” Colby’s voice became surprisingly gentle. “Dudley is sometimes led astray by a pretty face, but not in matters of importance.”
I gazed at him, barely able to make out his features in the gloom. “If I were to think that through long enough, I might twist it into a compliment. Thank heavens you stayed away from Wyatt and his followers in the end.”
“But I was in the thick of it.” Colby touched my face with rough-gloved fingers. “I fought with the soldiers in London against Mary. When Wyatt saw that his quest was futile, he sent me back to Ashridge to protect Elizabeth. They battled at the very gates of Whitehall, and the queen’s personal guard were nearly too cowardly to protect her. Had not the City stood by her, we would have gained a foothold in London. It might have ended in victory. But it did not, and I slipped away and rode to rejoin Elizabeth’s household.”
I absorbed the story, cold fear twisting my heart. Elizabeth could well share Jane’s fate if Mary saw fit. If Mary was angry enough, if she could be convinced that Elizabeth had set Wyatt and his soldiers on her, she might be merciless.
“Damn them all,” I said between clenched teeth.
“We will protect her,” Colby promised. “You and I.”
“We are doing naught but gossiping in the mud in the dark. How can this protect her?”
Colby firmly clasped my shoulders. Even through the thick fabric of my cloak and his gloves, his hands were warm.
“You will. You must. There may soon come a time when all our princess has is you, when Mary will take away everything but you. Then you must stand by her. You must insist on it.”
I knew there was much Colby was not saying, but I was not certain I wanted to learn more tonight. “I will always stand by her,” I said indignantly.
“It will be difficult. Very much so. But I believe if anyone can keep her from falling, it will be you.”
His confidence surprised me. “You have much faith in my abilities, James Colby.”
“I have come to know you.” His words were rapid and soft. “You are clever, though you try to hide it behind that guileless face. I realized at once that the method Elizabeth used to communicate with the rebels was invented by you.”
I tried not to warm to his praise. “I simply made it practical.”
“No one else could have.” Colby gazed down at me a moment longer then finally released me. “Go to her now and convince her to tarry here as much as she can. And prepare for the worst. Do not let my faith in you be misplaced.”
“It shall not be,” I replied with irritation. “You give and take back compliments quite easily, Master Colby.”
“If we survive this,” Colby said in light tones, “I will toast your many accomplishments.”
“Elizabeth would not approve.” I drew my cloak more tightly about me. “Good night, sir.”
Colby stepped from me and let me go, his eyes glistening in the darkness. I walked away from him, uncertain of my heart as I always was after speaking to him.
