Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey by Ann Rinaldi Page A

slept last night at Euston Hall, near Thetford, the home of a friend. She now travels disguised as a serving maid. A courier of Northumberland's intercepted her and told her that she cannot hope to prevail against Northumberland. That she cannot escape from England because the way is barred by warships on the eastern coast."
    I knew Mary well enough to reason that, told such, she would only press on harder to her goal.
    Northumberland did not know her. He only thought he did.
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    The next day I had another caller: Lady Mary Sydney, daughter of Northumberland. She came by way of the river, with a retinue of ladies.
    "It is necessary that you come with me immediately," she said when I had received her. "We must go on to Syon House, my father s mansion at Isleworth on the Thames.''
    "Why?" I inquired.
    "Don't ask, just do as you are told," my mother said. Then she ordered one of my ladies to pack some of my things. I should have been suspicious of something, because my best dresses were packed with care. And in a short time I found myself on Lady Mary's barge along with Mother and Mrs. Tilney, to take the water to Syon House.
    Mother would not tell us why we were being taken there. And we did not press her to know. But she had a pleased smile on her face that made me suspect they were all in congress about something.
    The sun was hot on the water, in spite of the silk canopy over us. A musician on board played the lute skillfully. We passed the gilded barge of the Lord Mayor and he waved at us. Seagulls
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    swooped and cried overhead, following us, as if to say, "Beware, Lady Jane, beware."
    I tried to keep from being frightened. I was Protestant, so I knew I was safe, but all kinds of people were being moved about on Northumberland's chessboard since Edward's death.
    On the shore, farmers and their helpers came to the water's edge, waving at us, knowing we were somehow connected to royalty. The girls threw flowers into the water. I waved back.
    When we arrived at the water gate for Syon House, we were greeted respectfully by Northumberland's servants. They helped us out of the barge, Mother first. And we made our way up the steps and into the great hall of the house.
    At first it seemed deserted except for a few stray servants who brought us wine and sweetmeats.
    "It is requested that all of you wait here, madam," one of the servants said. And she left us.
    I looked around at the Persian carpets, the magnificent tapestries.
    "This used to be a convent," Lady Mary told me.
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    Tes,
    I thought.
    One of the many seized by Henry VIII and now by Northumberland

    Soon we heard footsteps echoing on the marble hall floors, and Northumberland, my father, and the whole of the Privy Council came into the room to join us. Helios were said but the Council and Northumberland stood a way apart, discussing something in low voices. Then my husband, Guildford Dudley, came running into the room, late and apologizing.
    His father gestured to him, and he came to my side and bowed. "Good morrow, Lady Jane."
    "Good morrow," I said.
    He stood to one side of me, my mother to the other, waiting. It seemed like everyone was waiting and everyone but me knew what they were waiting for.
    Northumberland gave the faintest of signals with his head and then two of the Council, Pembroke and Huntingdon, came over to speak to me. I raised my head to listen.
    But they did not speak.
    They knelt. They called me their sovereign lady. I thought they were mad to give me such honor. I looked at my mother and she shrugged.
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    I looked at Guildford and he smiled.
    Northumberland and the rest of the council were smiling too.
    "Is there something you are not telling me, my lords?" I asked. "Why do you do me this semblance of honor? I am not your sovereign lady."
    "Ah, but you are, Lady Jane." Northumberland stepped forward a pace or two.
    He paused and said something to one of the council, who immediately left the room. Then he proceeded to approach me and extended