Royal Mistress by Anne Easter Smith

in the back staircase made him seize the moment, and taking her hand he pressed it to his lips. “Indeed, you are correct. This is what I am interested in,” he assured her before swinging around to greet the panting William, who was somewhat obscured by the bolts of cloth he carried; he was followed closely by his apprentice, Wat, and the page. “Master Shore, we greet you well. Your wife was admiring my unicorn tapestry,” he remarked with bland smoothness. “It seems she enjoys the chase; I shall have to take her hunting one of these days.”
    William’s astonishment made him let go of the cloth, his mouth agape, and then he remembered to bow. “M-my lord, you d-do us a great honor, does he not, Jane?”
    Jane nodded an assent as she bent down to help neaten the bolts and cover her red face.
    “Nonsense, sir, it will be my pleasure to—” Hastings began.
    “Ah, husband, there you are,” a woman’s sharp voice intruded, cutting him off, and Jane could not help noticing the guilty look that crossed the chamberlain’s face as Katherine, Lady Hastings, approached them. She was the sister of Warwick, sometimes called a maker of kings, and thus cousin to King Edward, and she had her brother’s haughty bearing despite her lack of inches. Her Neville blue eyes darted from Jane to William and back to Jane before resting with suspicion on her husband’s face. How long before he takes this wench to his bed, she was thinking, while dutifully acknowledging the reverences of the mercer and his wife, whom Will had hastily introduced. Despite her three dozen years, she was still a striking woman, especially when she smiled, although Jane thought the pale eyes mirrored a less attractive character underneath, and she shivered suddenly, as though a shadow had fallen over the proceedings.
    “My lady, I am glad you are come, albeit you have spoiled my surprise,” Will bluffed. He made convincing sheep’s eyes at Katherine and explained: “I asked Mercer Shore to attend me toprocure a length of this satin as a gift for your birthday. As soon as I saw it, I was determined to have it. I am particularly grateful to Master Shore for allowing me to see it fully made into a gown. Are you not as delighted by it as I am?”
    William, eager to have the nobleman’s business, pushed Jane forward for inspection. “Turn around, wife, and let her ladyship see the damasking properly.”
    As Jane did as she was told, Katherine sniffed. “And what makes you think I would want the same gown as a merchant’s wife, my lord,” she demanded of Hastings. “And may I add that I have never favored green, and yellow is, as we all know, the color of treachery.” She looked Jane up and down and purred: “Be that as it may, the gown does, however, become you, mistress.” Before Hastings could open his mouth to reproach her for her rudeness, Katherine turned to the mercer and gave him a beatific smile. “But, Master Shore, if you have other silk you could show me. I can hardly disappoint my lord husband in his gift, can I?”
    While Will and Jane stood by in silence, Lady Hastings spent a goodly time pawing bolt after bolt of William’s merchandise, relishing her husband’s prolonged discomfort. She finally settled on a sumptuous blue velvet, and relieved, Will sent for his steward to make the arrangements. Without more ado, Will escorted Katherine from the room.
    “God’s truth, Will, have you not the manners to keep your harlots out of our house?” she expostulated as she dropped his arm and glided away, her attendant scurrying behind her.
    Will scowled and returned to the Shores, who had already measured the desired length of the chosen velvet and were gathering up the rest of the cloth. “I am happy to have satisfied Lady Hastings, and rest assured once the gown is made and seen at court, your establishment will surely benefit, Master Shore.”
    William bowed low, his cheeks flushed with pleasure. Jane was afraid he would try and kiss