Page 104 of The Favourite

He closed his eyes. “She wants me to praise her organization skills, gods above.”

The maid giggled and Jane turned even more stony-faced. “If I am dismissive of your flattery, it is because you told me yourself that seventy percent of your manner is mere affectation.”

He smirked. “When did I say that? At Kinnerton?” She nodded. “Sweet of you to hang on my every word,” he commented, “but either your memory is at fault or you are willfully misunderstanding me in this instance, Jane. I believe I told you my measure of sincerity is at all times, seventy, thirty or thirty, seventy,” he reminded her sternly. “In this particular application, I am at least seventy percent sincere.”

“I see,” Jane replied in clipped tones, though in truth, she was feeling less sure of herself by the minute. “Of course, that still leaves thirty percent to account for.”

“Oh, I can account for that easily enough. The measure of insincerity lies in the fact I called your shoulders merely pretty.”

Jane made a scoffing sound, resisting the ridiculous impulse to turn and inspect them in the looking glass. She knew full well they were nothing remarkable!

“Will you break your fast now?” he asked. “Or later?”

“I could not possibly eat a morsel.”

“Then, by all means, let us make for the Queen’s apartments,” he suggested blandly, seemingly not noticing how the sentiment made Jane feel quite queasy with nerves.

“I would just like to look in on Celestia before we depart.”

“Your maternal impulses do you credit, my dear.”

After exchanging a few words with Anne and hanging over the sleeping babies for an instant, Jane accepted Alisander’s arm, and they made their way down the many flights of steps toward the main wing of the castle.

With each step, Jane’s fears seemed to loom ever closer. She had to force her fingers not to dig into her husband’s arm. What if the Queen would not even permit her admittance to the Presence Chamber, let alone the Privy Chamber? The humiliation would be quite terrible to bear.

“Does the Queen expect me this day?” she asked in a hollow voice.

He shrugged. “I told her I would bring you along when I saw fit and our household could spare you. She knows you have had many adjustments to make.”

“And she seemed—receptive to that idea?” Jane asked doubtfully.

“Certainly,” he answered blandly, and she realized that Armenal could have expressed no burning enthusiasm to see her.

“Jane, remember what I told you,” he warned. “If you act like you have something to be ashamed of then she will react with coolness. She will not be able to resist. Instead, you must be quietly confident and assured in your new estate. You comprehend?”

Jane swallowed. “Yes,” she said and took a deep breath. They were now in the main body of the castle and were making their way steadily toward the royal quarters.

“Let us have some conversation now betwixt the two of us. It will help you settle.”

Jane inclined her head. She could see figures up ahead in full court dress. “Of what shall we speak?”

“Perhaps you should pay me some compliment,” he suggested. “It would be good practice for you. You could start with my tunic,” he suggested, “for it is new.”

Jane’s eye wandered over the garment, and she winced slightly. It only reached down to his waist and was very tight. She could only suppose the many slits over the chest and sleeves were to allow free movement—that and give everyone a chance to see the fine undershirt he wore beneath it.

“It’s very eye-catching,” she ventured, “and short.”

Alisander smirked. “I know. My sources in Lascony assure me this is the very latest way of wearing them. You have to admit few men have the thighs to carry off this high cut.”

“I would not know, not having seen many men’s thighs to make a comparison,” she admitted, before stealing a look at his profile and reddening. She hesitated before asking in a voice of reluctant curiosity, “What sort of thing do you usually like to hear?” Alisander’s smile broadened, and Jane added swiftly, “Never mind, forget I asked.”

“You cannot really go wrong with flattery,” he told her as if she had not spoken the last sentence. “I am a vain creature at heart and fond of all its forms.” Jane’s mind turned blank.

“I warn you; I shall not escort you to the Queen’s chambers until you have flattered me a little,” he said, towing her toward a mullioned window. “I am at perfect liberty to remain here all morning, skulking in the outer corridors, buzzing in your ear like an irritating fly.”

Jane gazed out at the gray, unpromising February day. “Do you mean to tell me, my lord, that we will tarry here until I can think of a compliment you deem worthy of you?” He inclined his head.

“We cannot just—” She broke off frustratedly, glancing about. “You are expected by the Queen, are you not?”