Her Christmas Knight. Nicole Locke

How is her ankle?’

      ‘Mending, much to Esther’s relief.’

      ‘They always were good friends.’

      ‘Hence the reason why the gossip of no goose for St Martin’s Day caused a scandal!’

      Elizabeth shook her head ruefully. ‘Oh, I know it’s been years since you’ve been to a formal function, dear sister, but it’s not that I have a choice.’

      Alice stamped her feet, which tingled with the cold. ‘Out of the two of us, you made the wiser decision.’

      Elizabeth smile widened. ‘Yes, I did, didn’t I?’

      Alice felt a pang in her heart at Elizabeth’s happiness. The role of mayor’s wife was ideal for her sister’s excellent social skills. It was made all the more perfect since she and John adored each other.

      But Alice had her own bit of happiness to divulge. ‘Today, William needed no instruction with the abacus.’

      Elizabeth clapped her hands. ‘Oh, I’m so happy for you.’

      Another pang. This time of annoyance. ‘Not happy for me, for him.’

      Elizabeth’s elated smile dimmed. ‘Yes, for him. It’s—’

      ‘No more, Elizabeth. This is better for him.’

      It was an old argument. William was the only child of Bertrice’s friend, Sarah. When she and her husband had drowned, Bertrice took him in. Bertrice hadn’t always been able to corral William. As he got older, Alice would find him wandering the Great Hall or other official rooms. It hadn’t taken long for Alice to realise how bright and curious he was.

      She’d always helped families with food, clothing, tools and sometimes with chickens or goats from her own stocks when her father wasn’t looking. But with William, she had given to in other ways by educating him on matters around the house.

      Eventually the little tutorials had turned into lessons. And now, William came to the house twice weekly for his studies.

      Alice was certain William would make one of the finest stewards in the country, if only someone would take him on.

      ‘Is it better for him?’ Elizabeth pursed her lips. ‘You know he has to be noble-born to run a household.’

      Alice’s frustration burned, despite her certainty that her sister was wrong. ‘Perhaps I intend to put him in a more...accommodating home.’

      ‘Mary knew it!’ Elizabeth’s smile was triumphant. ‘She knew that if you couldn’t provide for him in Father’s home she’d end up with William in hers.’

      Alice wasn’t surprised her sisters had talked about her. She also wasn’t surprised that they’d guessed her plans. Still, she didn’t know how they were feeling.

      ‘And did Mary protest?’

      Elizabeth sighed. ‘She didn’t...unprotest.’

      Alice wanted to smile her own triumphant smile. It wasn’t an agreement, but it was a start. William had many more years before he’d be fully trained. In that time she could wear Mary down.

      William would be perfect for Mary’s household, and she didn’t live that far away. Alice would keep him herself, but knew her father would never allow William to run his home. Her father wanted the best of everything. And that included having people in his employ with only the best connections.

      Her father would take on the eighty-eighth cousin of the King even if he was a thief and couldn’t count with his fingers.

      ‘Has Father Bernard told William he intends to crown him Boy Bishop?’ Elizabeth asked.

      Alice did smile then. William—quiet and analytical—would be the best Boy Bishop in all of Swaffham, if not in the whole region.

      It was a great honour. Every year a boy was chosen to be a pretend Bishop from the sixth of December to the twenty-eighth. Under the guidance of Father Bernard, William would officiate all the Advent services apart from mass.

      There was a part of Alice that thought William would make a great steward for the church but, as much as William was worthy, even she knew the church would never accept someone with no royal blood.

      ‘Not yet, but I have no doubts Father Bernard will tell him soon. There’s no one more suitable for it.’

      ‘He does have the most beautiful voice in the choir, which will help him secure the post,’ Elizabeth said.

      ‘And he has me to make sure it happens,’ Alice said.

      Elizabeth made a tsking sound. ‘This is why you remain unmarried. All your projects and causes. At least this particular project—making a child, with no connections or blood, steward of a wealthy landholding household—will start and end with William.’

      Alice rubbed her hands towards the fire.

      ‘Alice?’ Elizabeth said in a warning tone. ‘It will end with him? It’s fine that you help the families here in Swaffham with other things, but William must be the only one you educate.’

      Alice arched her brow. If she could help William, she could help others. Her sister had her projects as well, and Mary’s household was larger than the entire Fenton family’s. Alice had this.

      ‘Why?’

      ‘You are my most frustrating, sister.’ Elizabeth glanced through the open doorway. ‘But we’re here to celebrate Martinmas. The Alistair and the Benson families are in the other room, and no doubt wondering what we’re arguing about.’

      ‘We’re not arguing.’

      ‘Chatting heavily, then.’

      Alice smiled. ‘Certainly.’

      Elizabeth clasped her hands loudly. ‘Don’t think we won’t chat heavily another day. But right now I need to ensure that Cook hasn’t packed her satchel and left the kitchens.’

      ‘Oh, yes! What a tragedy would occur if the precious goose can’t be shoved in the oven and the cook, in shame, runs away!’

      Elizabeth shook her head in chagrin, and Alice knew she had her sister on her side.

      However, even as Alice’s heart warmed, unease settled upon her. It was time for her to meet everyone. To laugh even if she didn’t feel like it. Even if she disdained the waste and chatter that didn’t help her projects. It was time to begin what King Edward had ordered her to do. It was easier arguing with her sister.

      ‘Who else is coming?’

      ‘The Alistairs and Bensons, along with Lyman and Mitchell. Also, a few from the town council and a couple of shopkeepers,’ Elizabeth said.

      Trust her sister to be supporting her husband. ‘Ah, to address cleaning up the streets?’

      Elizabeth smiled conspiratorially. ‘I intend to ply them with lots of wine until they agree.’

      ‘Lots of wine? That should make the Alistairs and Bensons happy.’

      ‘No doubt the Alistairs more than most.’

      Family friends for years, the Alistairs and the Bensons were like uncles and aunts to the Fentons. It would be easy for Alice to procure an invitation into their homes for investigation. They might be practically family, but she couldn’t dismiss anyone from being responsible.

      Apprehension made her dizzy. But with Elizabeth beaming nothing but goodwill, how could she not do what the King commanded? What wouldn’t she do for her family?

      ‘That seems like quite a party for St Martin’s Day,’ she said.

      ‘Oh, I might have invited one more... Just to help your cause.’

      Alice bit her tongue. It was what needed to be done, but the mere thought escalated her apprehension.