Page 130 of The Favourite

“Open up, in the King’s name!” shouted a stern voice. Now two babies were crying. The first must have been Celestia, as the second let out a much louder wail.

“Whoever is it? What’s to do?” called out Anne’s frightened voice as the bangs on the door increased in volume.

“Jane,” Alisander said firmly, setting her aside. “I need you to go now into Robert’s room and prevent him from coming out and seeing this. I need you to go and do it now.”

“But—”

“He can’t see them take me like this, Jane. He’s seen this once before,” he said in such an urgent undertone that she released his sleeve at once and made for the back bedroom, even as she kept her head turned toward him and her eyes fixed on him.

He flicked something off his sleeve and then walked out of the room. “Make way, Ayleth,” Jane heard him calmly say. Then there was the sound of bolts being drawn back.

Jane opened the door to Robert’s room without knocking and found the old man dozing in his chair. “Oh, milady,” he said, rubbing his eyes. “I do apologize—”

“Stay where you are, Robert,” Jane urged him, slamming the door behind her and hurrying to his side.

“Milady?” He looked startled but bleary-eyed, and Jane realized he must be half-deaf not to have heard the commotion outside of his room. She pressed her hand down on his shoulder to keep him where he was as she listened to Ayleth angrily scolding the guards.

“What do you think you are doing, that’s what I should like to know?” Ayleth cried. “Hammering on our door and setting the babes to crying, you nasty brutes!”

“For shame!” Anne added above the clamor. “They was sweetly sleeping too, and now look what you done! Shame on you!”

Jane could just about hear the lower buzz of male voices but could not make out their words.

“Have we visitors?” Robert asked in confusion.

“Please remain seated, Robert. They will be gone presently, and your master wished most particularly for you not to be disturbed.” The old man remained where he was, though he was clearly perturbed.

Seeing a bottle of wine on the side, Jane hurriedly poured him a cup with hands that shook. “Please drink this and promise me you will stay put until my return.”

He nodded. “Right willingly, milady,” he said and took the cup from her. Jane hurried out into the hallway and found the rooms empty of occupants.

She ran to the door and let herself out into the corridor where she found Anne and Ayleth stood grimly side by side, watching the soldiers march down the stairs escorting Alisander with them. Celestia and Bertrand were cradled in their arms, still sobbing up a storm.

Jane crossed to the balustrade and watched as the company marched across the courtyard toward the main wing of the palace. Were they taking him to the dungeons?

“Come away, my lady.” Ayleth’s voice was in her ear. “Come away from prying eyes.”

Jane turned and was surprised to see the entire corridor was now lined with courtiers who must have emerged from their rooms having heard the commotion. Their expressions were avid with curiosity.

Anne turned toward her tearfully. “Oh, where they takin’ him, milady?” she asked.

“I don’t know yet,” Jane replied, feeling rather numb. “But I will find out, rest assured.” She cleared her throat. “Ayleth, we must be very careful not to let Robert be distressed with this news. His master was most insistent. Has Robert told you—?”

“About his son, John?” Ayleth said grimly. “Aye, he’s told me, right enough.”

His son, thought Jane, the last piece of the puzzle falling into place. Of course, Alisander had told her that his brother’s steward, John, had also been hanged, though quite innocent of any treason. John Tunney had used to carve him wooden birds, that was what he had said. Robert’s last name must be Tunney.

They made their way back inside and Ayleth hurried into the backroom to check on Robert. Jane took Celestia from the beleaguered Anne, and soon they had quieted both children.

“We best keep him busy, milady,” Ayleth whispered when she and Robert appeared presently.

Jane nodded and then cleared her throat. “Does anyone else think it is a little cold in here at present?” she asked aloud.

“I’ll light the fire, my lady,” Robert said, hurrying to the fireplace.

When Wat appeared two hours later looking pale and chastened, Jane took him to one side. “Have you heard anything? About your master?” For a moment, she thought he would deny all knowledge, then he seemed to think the better of it.

“I’ve asked around, my lady,” he admitted unhappily. “The official word is that it’s in retaliation for some collapsed betrothal talks.”