Lady in Waiting. Anne Herries

was sadness in his face as she carried his hand to her cheek and she felt the sting of tears. Elizabeth Moor was much missed by them both. ‘Go to your aunt now, my dear, and see what plans she has for you today.’

      Catherine was thoughtful as she went in search of Lady Stamford. She had never considered marriage until her aunt had insisted that it was her duty to marry, and that had made her rebel against the idea, but her father’s words had softened her heart. Perhaps she might want to marry one day if she found a man she could like well enough. After all, her parents had been truly happy, why should she not be as fortunate?

      If there was another reason for the softening of Catherine’s heart, she was not yet prepared to admit it, but her memory of a man’s smile might just have something to do with it.

      ‘Ah, there you are,’ Lady Stamford said as she went into the back parlour and found her aunt labouring over her accounts. ‘I trust William is being sensible and keeping to his bed this morning?’

      ‘Yes, Aunt. My father feels a little shaken after what happened.’

      ‘The foolish man…’ Lady Stamford began, but subsided as she saw Catherine’s look. ‘Well, well, I shall not scold. We were fortunate that Sir Nicholas happened along. I do hope you thanked him properly for his kindness, Catherine?’

      ‘Yes, of course, Aunt. I could not but be grateful for what he did last evening. Without his timely arrival my father might have been fatally hurt.’

      ‘Yes, indeed. We must thank God for it,’ Lady Stamford said. ‘Now I must apologise to you, my dear. I had thought your father would take you out today and have made prior arrangements to meet a friend—a very old and wearisome friend whom you would find quite tiring. It was not my intention to ask you to accompany me, though you may if you wish?’

      ‘I think I would rather stay here, Aunt—if you will forgive me? You have been good to take me everywhere these past two weeks and a day spent quietly at home will not hurt me. Besides, I would rather be here if my father should need me. He says he is feeling better, but I am still a little concerned.’

      ‘You are a good girl,’ Lady Stamford said. ‘It was a shame that your gown was ruined last evening. I have sent it to my seamstress and asked her to take out the panel that was spoiled and replace it if she can so you may yet be able to wear it again. However, your other gowns will be ready soon and Her Majesty understands why you were unable to attend. She commended your courage and said that if she has as brave men about her she can count herself fortunate.’

      ‘Did Her Majesty truly say that, Aunt?’

      ‘I believe she found the tale diverting,’ Lady Stamford said, looking thoughtful. ‘I naturally apologised for your absence, for a royal invitation is a command, Catherine, and I believed she might be angered, but not so. You will I am sure be commanded to her presence again soon.’

      ‘I thank you for your good offices on my behalf, Aunt.’

      ‘You repay me with good manners, Catherine. Remember them should Sir Nicholas or his mother call on you. Lady Fineden did say she would ask us to dine another night, but we shall see…’

      Left to herself after her aunt had gone out, Catherine spent half an hour or so at her needlework but found that it palled and laid it down, venturing into the small courtyard at the back of the house to take a turn about it in the sunshine. Her inactivity irked her, for she had been told that her father was sleeping and she had nothing to do but wait for her aunt’s return.

      It was as she was about to return to the parlour that she turned to see one of the footmen waiting to see her.

      ‘Your pardon, Mistress Moor—but there is a visitor. A gentleman has called to inquire after Sir William’s health.’

      ‘A gentleman?’ Catherine stared at him, her heart racing frantically. ‘What name did he give?’

      ‘Sir Nicholas Grantly, mistress. I asked him to wait in the small parlour but Sir William’s man has given orders that he is not to be disturbed.’

      ‘I shall come at once,’ Catherine said. ‘The gentleman is known to me. I shall receive him myself. Please request Mistress Pike to bring refreshments to the parlour—some wine and biscuits I think.’

      ‘Yes, of course.’

      The footman bowed and went away. Catherine took a deep breath before walking into the parlour. Sir Nicholas was standing by the small window, looking out at the street, his back towards her, but he swung round as she entered, a slow smile spreading across his mouth—a mouth that could only be described as sensuous—and into those grey eyes. Oh, what that smile did to her foolish heart. It was beating so fast that she was sure he must see her agitation.

      ‘Mistress Moor. Forgive me if I intrude? But I came to inquire after your father. He seemed much shaken last evening. My mother was most concerned and scolded me for not accompanying you both home myself. And indeed, I regret that I did not do so, for your need was surely the greater.’

      ‘You do not intrude, sir. I thank you and Lady Fineden for your concern on my father’s behalf. He was indeed much shaken by what happened, and I believe his arm pains him a good deal though he denies it. He is resting in his chamber today and may not be disturbed, but I shall tell him of your kindness in coming to inquire.’ Catherine smiled as she took a seat in a chair by the fire and gestured to its pair at the other side of the hearth. ‘Will you not sit down? I have ordered refreshments, as I am certain my aunt would wish to return the hospitality that was shown us at your good sister’s house.’

      Nick did not hesitate, sitting at his ease in the chair she indicated, his long shapely legs stretched out in front of him. She noticed that he was again dressed in black that morning, his white shirt showing through the slashing of his handsome velvet doublet. As on the previous evening, his clothes were much finer than he had worn when they had met on the road and at his sister’s house, and he looked every inch a courtier of some degree. But there was more than that about him, some indefinable quality that Catherine could not name, but which she found fascinating.

      ‘I hope your father’s health will not be long impaired? It would be a shame if we were not to have your company at court, Mistress Catherine. Her Majesty was pleased to ask me for the truth concerning your absence last night, and much entertained when I told her you were as fierce as any bear in defence of its young, hanging on to the ruffian’s arm until he threw you off by superior strength. I told her that a lady of your beauty and courage must be brought to court, for we should all be the poorer for the lack. You must know that Gloriana admires spirit more than anything, and she was intrigued by the story.’

      ‘My aunt assured me that Her Majesty would invite me to attend her again, but I feared I might have offended. I am glad that it was not so.’ Catherine blushed as she met his look, which seemed almost to burn her with its heat. Why did she find her eyes drawn to his mouth so often! She looked down, feeling slightly breathless, and was a little relieved when the housekeeper brought in their wine. ‘Ah, thank you, Mistress Pike. You will take a glass of wine, Sir Nicholas?’

      ‘I thank you, Mistress Catherine.’ Nick bestowed his warm smile on the housekeeper. ‘Did you make those delicious-looking biscuits yourself, ma’am?’

      ‘Why yes, sir.’ The woman dimpled at him and placed the dish of almond comfits on a small board set on a stand close to his hand. ‘Should you need anything else, Mistress Catherine, you have only to ask…’

      ‘I have never seen Mistress Pike dimple before,’ Catherine said after the door was safely closed behind her. She smiled, her green eyes unconsciously alight with teasing laughter. ‘I think you are a rogue, Sir Nicholas. Do you charm all the ladies so?’

      Nicholas chuckled softly in his throat, amused by her show of spirit. He had been trying to charm her and she knew it—no fool then, the little Moor. Yet he would swear Matthew was right and there was fire beneath the ice. Indeed, the ice had already begun to melt several degrees.

      ‘How is it that you have found me out so swiftly, Mistress