The Dark Lady's Mask by Mary Sharratt

not coming.” Nell grimaced as she grappled with the child and tried to spread salve on his angry red skin nettled from the heat.
    Aemilia joined in to help, trying to soothe the little boy. “Surely he must come. He promised.”
    â€œHer Majesty’s sent him on an urgent mission to Denmark,” said Nell.
    Denmark.
That meant they probably wouldn’t see Perry for at least another year. Why, oh why, with all his skills in diplomacy had he not persuaded the Queen to allow him a few days’ leave to visit his family before he sailed abroad again? Poor Lady Mary. She must be humiliated. But at least the guests would soon be gone.
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    I N THE SCHOOLROOM A EMILIA found a sumptuously bound copy of Dante’s
La Divina Commedia
lying on her desk. She caught her breath and opened the calfskin cover to find a message penned in a flawless italic hand.
    Â 
    For Aemilia Bassano, a most learned young woman
    Your well-wisher always, Henry Carey, Lord Hunsdon
    Â 
    Her hands trembled as she held the book. Such a precious—and costly—gift. Until this moment, she had no book she could call her own. Blinking, she traced his letters on the page.
Your well-wisher always.
But why had he left it for her to find instead of giving it to her directly? Cradling the book in both hands, she carried it to her room.
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    A EMILIA GLANCED OUT HER bedroom window to see that some of the guests were already riding away
. Lord Hunsdon, too?
she wondered.
    A fever clogged her brain. Something soon must snap. The air was full of invisible knives.
You must prepare yourself to make your own way in the world.
Without Perry or Susan to protect her, she had no true place at Grimsthorpe.
You’re only a parasite, a useless dependent.
    Trying to calm herself, she put on her breeches, shirt, and doublet. Unbidden, Lord Hunsdon’s words about the Scythian warrior women came back to her. Was that how he had seen her, not as a shameful hoyden but something rare and fierce? Something powerful even? Her skin tingled at the memory of the admiration in his eyes whenever he’d looked at her. Flinging herself on the bed, she allowed forbidden thoughts to dance inside her.
If I had been Angela, I would have said yes to him.
    At the sound of a sharp rap on the door, Aemilia nearly screamed.
    â€œOpen the door, if you please,” came Lady Mary’s crisp voice. “I wish to speak to you.”
    â€œOne moment!” she called, flailing in panic.
    Tearing off the men’s clothes, she kicked them under the bed then donned her shift and stays, her stockings and garters and skirts as fast as she could. Her fingers fumbled as she frantically laced up her bodice.
    â€œWhat are you doing in there?” Lady Mary called through the door.
    â€œDressing, my lady. I just had a nap.”
    Aemilia unlocked the door.
    â€œNapping in the middle of the day,” Lady Mary said, as she strode in. “How I envy you. I haven’t slept in three weeks.”
    â€œI am so sorry to hear of my Lord Willoughby’s mission to Denmark, my lady.” Aemilia folded her hands and bowed her head, bracing herself for Mary’s temper.
    â€œAfter seven years his wife, I imagine I should be used to it.” Lady Mary sat on Aemilia’s bed and let out a hollow laugh. “To have relations with my lawful husband, it seems I must travel in his wake like a camp follower.”
    The pain in her voice undid Aemilia. It struck her that Lady Mary had no trusted confidante. But now, after nearly a month of hiding her anguish from her noble guests, Mary was baring her heart to her. For the first time, Aemilia had the inkling that they might even become friends.
    â€œYou know what it is to be left behind, Amy.” Lady Mary gestured for Aemilia to sit beside her. “Peregrine and Susan are just the same. They lure us here with pretty promises. Then they run away and wash their hands of us.”
    Aemilia took her