To Kiss A Spy (36 page)
He came over to her and delicately brushed a crumb from her lip before taking her hand and lightly kissing the corner of her mouth. He whispered, mindful of Martha’s presence in the chamber, “Forgive me for last night, Pippa dearest. I was overdrunk and careless of your needs.”
She could allow herself to believe him; it was so much easier than dealing with her own doubts and questions. His smile now seemed warm and genuine, and she knew well how fond he was of wine and how much he and his cronies could drink over the card table.
“I would not care for it to happen again,” she said, her own voice low.
He bent his head to kiss her again, and she didn’t see the shadow that passed across his eyes.
He said brightly, “Come, madam wife, we are bidden to the queen’s presence chamber. I understand the Spaniards are to arrange a tourney of canes later this morning and we are all to take part. Poor sport, I think it, but we must be courteous to our guests.”
There was a brittle edge to his voice that Pippa found a little puzzling, but then she dismissed it. The Spaniards’ preference for the tame jousting with canes rather than lances was a matter of ridicule and scorn among the Englishmen at the court and an athlete of Stuart’s standard would be particularly contemptuous. But, of course, Philip of Spain was the queen’s husband and the vagaries of his retinue must be smiled upon.
They left the chamber arm in arm. The wide corridor outside was thronged with servants and courtiers. The antechamber to the queen’s presence chamber was even more closely crowded, but way was made for Lord and Lady Nielson. They passed into the queen’s presence and the double doors closed behind them.
About the Author
J
ANE
F
EATHER
is the
New York Times
bestselling, award-winning author of
The Widow’s Kiss, The Least Likely Bride, The Accidental Bride, The Hostage Bride, A Valentine Wedding, The Emerald Swan,
and many other historical romances. She was born in Cairo, Egypt, and grew up in the New Forest, in the south of England. She began her writing career after she and her family moved to Washington, D.C., in 1981. She now has over six million copies of her books in print.
Also by Jane Feather
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TO KISS A SPY
A Bantam Book
Published by
Bantam Dell
A Division of Random House, Inc.
New York, New York
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2002 by Jane Feather
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2002052604
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