The Redheaded Princess: A Novel by Ann Rinaldi Page A

Elizabeth, it's Robin. Robin Dudley. Don't you recognize me?" I was surprised and not surprised all at the same time. I had not recognized him at all at first. Then he took off his hat again and I remembered the brown curls. I could not help staring. He was Robin, my childhood friend, and he was not. He was a ghost of the childhood friend, grown fully, with the broad shoulders of a man and the courtly manners of one schooled by his powerful father and polished in court. His hands were those of a man. He wore a sword and dressed like a courtier, but his clothes were not frilled and fancy as Sir Tom's had been. His colors were solemn, serious, except for the white and green sash from Edward's court. His voice was grave and sure, as was his manner. We rode ahead, starting for Hatfield. My knights kept a discreet distance behind."
    When did you get back to court," I asked, "and how?”
    “We've been back for a while. My father is now the Duke of Northumberland and head of the council. Didn't you hear?”
    “I heard. Why didn't you write to me?”
    “I didn't want to get you involved.”
    “What happened?" I asked.
    "The Lord Protector has fallen. My father won."
    "Oh.”
    “The Lord Protector lost the affection of the people after he executed his brother. But there was plenty before that to lead to his downfall. The weakened power of the currency, the taking away of public lands to provide grazing for the sheep of the rich, rebellions brewing in the West Country and in East Anglia. All of this he ignored. The poor people resent the fact that he pulled down six acres of buildings on the Strand to make himself a new home. And then he fled with your brother, Edward, in tow to Windsor Castle.”
    “Oh, poor Edward!”
    “His dignity was put upon, but he was masterful all through it. My father could have mustered the army to overcome the Lord Protector, but instead he talked him into surrender. Elizabeth, it's the first bloodless transfer of power in England in decades. All the council is behind my father now: Cranmer, Southampton, Arundel, Paulet, and Cecil.”
    “And so what now?”
    “Lord Somerset, the former Protector, is in the Tower, where he belongs. My father, now Protector, is allowing your brother more freedom, more time to play at sports, and more spending money, and letting him have more say in matters of state. Edward is very happy. He puts his hands on his hips and imitates your father's walk. He shouts thunderous oaths.”
    “Oh, I can't wait to see him.”
    “And you shall. My father wants the King's sisters to come to court. I've come to invite you." He grinned and I saw my childhood friend.
    I smiled back, sadly. "I've had many adventures of my own, Robin.”
    “I know." He sobered. "Did you love him?”
    “In a way I hope I shall never love a man again.”
    “The rumors about him and you ... are they true?”
    “Partially. But we were never really lovers."
    He scowled and bit his lower lip. "I've something to tell you, Elizabeth. I want to tell you before you get to court, before anyone else tells you."
    My bones seemed to freeze. "What?”
    “I'm betrothed." I felt myself go hot and then cold.
    "You are only seventeen.”
    “My older brother was this age when he was wed."
    "Who is she?”
    “Her name is Amy. Amy Robsart. She is the daughter of a knight. I met her at court. We're in love." Love! I felt the world spinning around me. Never again will I let any man hold sway over me. My own words rose like bile in my throat. Because I loved Robin. I always had. But I had never thought about what would happen after we ceased being children.
    "Elizabeth." He leaned toward me from his saddle. "I love you. I always will, and I will always protect you. But you are a royal Princess, far above me in rank. I have always known that. We can't wed. And if you become Queen, you'll be expected to marry a foreign prince and make an alliance for England. Anyway, no matter what happens, we will always be friends. And