In The Shadow

– Is the father very angry? – A faint smile appeared on Brigid's lips: she had never in her life seen her mother so… So close, so tender to her.

– He is not angry, my child! He is not angry at all! How can he be? We nearly lost you! – Lady Guise smiled broadly, and a tear of joy ran down her cheek: her daughter was alive! God had spared her!

– But he so wished me to go down and smile at the King…

– Oh, forget it! Your life is far more precious to us than all the kings of the world and all their treasuries! I know we have been hard on you, at times, too much… But we are your parents, and we love you. – These words came with some difficulty to Lady Guise, for it was the first time she had ever told Brigid of her motherly love.

– I will try to get well as soon as possible…" the girl began, clutching her mother's hand tightly.

– 'The King has gone away,' her mother said briefly.

– Gone? So soon? – Brigid was surprised.

– After breakfast, he and his retinue continued on their way. There was an unpleasant scene between Henry and the Queen, and he was so angry that he left the castle at once.

– Poor Catherine! – Brigid wrinkled her nose, feeling genuine pity for the Queen. – It's all because of A

– I don't know how it started, but he suddenly rose from his seat, accused Catherine of disrespect, took this Boleyn girl under his arm and left the hall. And in an hour they were all gone… But you need not worry about the Queen: she knows Henry's temper. – Lady Guise was silent, not wanting to tell her sick daughter about the insolent smirks of the Boleyn family watching the scene. – You need to rest. So do I… Just for a little while, I promise I'll be back to you in a few hours… Alienor demanded to be allowed to care for you, but your father wouldn't let her in.

– That's a wise decision. What if she gets infected? She is in surprisingly good health, but she should pray for my soul, Mother," Brigid smiled again. She did not want to let her mother go, now that she had changed her attitude so much, but she realised that she needed rest. – Go, Mother, I feel better. If you are afraid for me, leave the maid with me for the night.

Lady Guise kissed her daughter's forehead, carefully fluffed the pillows beneath her head, and, giving Brigid another kiss in which she put all the love she had awakened in her, left the room.

Brigid closed her eyes and, trying not to think of either the Queen or William, tried to sleep, but suddenly the door opened again, and into the room, dressed in her nightdress and nightcap, came Alienor.

– Don't come near me! What if you get infected? – Brigid exclaimed with anxiety mixed with joy.

But Alienor did not listen to her friend, went to the bed, and sat down next to Brigid.

– 'The King has gone,' was the first thing the sick girl heard.

– I know. Mother has already told me," Brigid said.

– You are so pale… My poor, my good one… – Alienor wet a cloth and began to wipe her friend's face. – How you frightened us all! And I wasn't even allowed to take care of you!

– I'm sorry.

– Silly girl, how can anyone apologise for something like that?

– I think you should leave me. Your parents will be very sad if you fall ill too," Brigid smiled weakly. But how she liked her friend's concern! Alienor's voice was invigorating, enveloping her like a beautiful, cheerful song.

– I won't. My health is undefeated, as my grandmother says! And she is a wise woman, she has seen and learnt many things in her life. – Alienor continued to wipe her friend's face with a wet cloth, and then touched Brigid's forehead with the inside of her palm. – It doesn't help… You're burning up.

– But I feel so much better than I did this morning… I wish I could have had a word with Queen Catherine. She looked so sad, and it was as if the royal retinue didn't notice her at all. It was as if she had been abandoned by everyone," Brigid sighed.

– It was her own fault. If she hadn't made so many demands on A

– She's only six years older than Henry.

– Six years, to think of it! – Alienor shook her head unhappily. – A woman should never be older than her husband! Never!

– But why? – Brigid wheezed in despair. Her chest was full of bitterness and pain for Catherine.

– Because when the wife is older, happens things that constantly happens to the Queen: miscarriages and constant adultery of her husband" – admonished Alienor, but seeing the tears in the eyes of her dear friend, gently added: – But all is in God's hands. Perhaps he will let the Queen bear the boy? Then the King will come to his senses and surround her with the same love that warmed her in their younger days.

– Let us hope so. Amen! – Brigid whispered fervently and touched her cross lovingly.

– Amen," Alienor said.

But she was lying: the last thing she wanted was for Catherine and Henry to be at peace again. She despised the Queen, her iron patience, and the dignity with which she bore the insults and mocking giggles of her own ladies-in-waiting behind her back. If Alienor had been Queen, she would have instantly silenced the mockers and envious, but it seems that the daughter of the great Isabella could not defend herself even from the barking in her direction of the little court dogs that her husband loved so much. Did such a woman, such a Queen deserve respect and love? "No", thought the persistent and self-confident Miss Norton. Catherine would fall, and that fall she would deserve.

Chapter 5

Although Brigid felt better after three days, she had to stay in bed for a week: her mother had insisted, fearing that a draught might cause another attack. When people almost lose their favourite creature, they become overzealous in protecting it. But Miss Guise was not bored, for her dear friend was at her side and spent almost all her time at her bedside. Alienor, who was as anxious for Brigid's health and life as the latter's parents, felt a certain guilt: it was she who had insisted on that ill-fated walk in the field. But could she have foreseen that the light white clouds would be replaced by black storm clouds? After all, she does not possess the gift of foresight, so could she have known that it would rain in a way that would make the frail Brigid sick?

– I'm sorry, my dear, but it seems your favourite hood is lost forever. I looked for it after that storm, and then again, with a couple of maids… But don't be sad: I will give you a new and even more beautiful one," Alienor said affectionately to her friend as the girls strolled through the garden.

Miss Guise was allowed to leave her chambers and the castle, but not for long, so they did not go further than the large, well-tended garden behind the castle. The girls held tightly to their hands, and behind them, silent as a shadow and true as a dog, walked a boy-parlour carrying a small basket of candied fruit. This little procession was closed by two armed servants, who had been ordered to guard the life and peace of Miss Norton and her friend.