Читать книгу My Dark Lady: Shakespeare's Lost Play - Dan Walker - Страница 6

"Beggin' your pardon, Ma'am."

The old woman looked over at Ben, surprised by his interruption, "Yes?"

"I'm very sorry, Ma'am..."

"What is it?"

"Well, Ma'am, beggin' your pardon, Ma'am, but I ran all the way from Cripplegate, Ma'am and I have to..." Ben stood up, his face twisted into a pained expression. He crossed his legs. "You know..."

"Oh very well. But be quick about it or your master will hear ill of you."

"Thank you, Ma'am," said Ben, rushing for the door.

Gnarled hands toyed with the book in her lap, but the old woman was in no mood to read. Now that she had begun Edward's story, she was amazed at how vivid her recollections were. It was so easy to conjure up the past. The memories were all there, waiting for her. Perhaps it might be better if they weren't. Hadn't she been made old by her secrets? Had not carrying them withered her before her time?

Ben hurried back into the room, resumed his seat and picked up the pen. He glanced at the old woman and was once again astonished at how old and white she looked. One thing was sure; the old crow had never worked a day outdoors in her life. What was she saying?

"We were speaking of?"

Ben looked down at his pages. "Err...poems, Ma'am."

"Ah yes. Poems. Well, now that Edward's sonnet had been successfully delivered, he launched his campaign in earnest. The utmost discretion was essential. They called Elizabeth the Virgin Queen, you know.

"For once, Edward decided on a prudent course. Next day, as he feasted with the Queen, the Earl kept a goodly distance from Anne. He deliberately refrained from even looking in her direction, lest an adoring glance should betray his intentions.

"That evening, the entire Court attended a masked ball. Attired in a lavish costume, his face hidden behind a colorful mask, Edward managed to secure a single dance with the Court's newest, and most popular, maid. As they whirled around together amidst swirling couples, he gallantly complimented her on her skill at the virginals. She replied with praise for his players and a smile, which dazzled him.

"Before Edward once again trusted himself to speak, Anne told him how much she had enjoyed reading his poem. 'I keep it under my pillow,' she whispered boldly as the music stopped. With another blinding smile and a demure curtsey, she skipped away to her next partner, leaving Edward lonelier than he had felt in a very long time.

"Next day, encouraged by the warm reception his sonnet had received, Edward entered a backgammon tournament. Manipulating his games, he soon found himself matched against Anne. The Earl used their time together to persuade the maid to dine at his apartments in the Savoy."