“Not really but it gives the King such pleasure to get silk from ugly worms for the cost of a handful of leaves that the keepers pretend there’s more silk made than there is. He wishes he could spin it himself, what with the Treasury as it is.” Robin laughed, then corrected himself, as if the King could hear him. “That’s not unreasonable of course, but the place stinks.”

The palace clock struck two, the chimes rolling across the black, cold night and into their luminous bed.

“I must go, the King will not be pleased I wasn’t with him this night. I’m like his wee greyhound, always called to heel. But, Frank, I have to tell you, Essex and his crew plot against me. Here’s the one place I’m safe from being moaned at or stabbed.”

“Here you are safe,” she confirmed, impressing me as ever with her seeming confidence when I knew she was terribly afraid that the annulment would not be granted or that Robin would waver.

“Blasted Overbury has put everyone against me with his meddling and his high carriage of himself,” said Carr, deep anger in his voice. “It’s hard to find someone to take his place; the work’s too much for one man.”

“Does he write to you?” asked Frankie, all innocence.

“He can’t, but I send letters in. I tell him I’m working to get him a pardon, just to keep him quiet ’til he apologizes to you, but he’s as stubborn as a bull to the butcher.” Fear tightened Carr’s voice as he spoke of the overwhelming nature of his duties; he may not have missed Overbury’s friendship, but he yearned for his help and his ability to shield the favorite from the constant pestering of those seeking favor.

With much kissing and promises of another visit soon, Robin left. Frankie called softly, to see if I was awake. She invited me into the comfort and warmth of her bed, and we fell asleep instantly.

A little while later I was woken. Someone was in the room. It was still dark and freezing air crept under the covers as Frankie moved, already awake.

“Weston was waiting in the Privy Corridor for me with a letter from Overbury.” It was Carr back again.

“Take light from the fire, my love, I cannot see you.” Carr lit a candle and I climbed down from the bed to wrap Frankie in her shawl.

“Weston says Overbury’s brother-in-law visited him yesterday. Lidcote’s his name.”

“How was he allowed?” said Frankie.

“I don’t know, he must have paid the right man. Weston swears he searched this Lidcote, on going in and coming out of the cell, and found naught on him. But Overbury claims he’s written a full account of our relations and that Lidcote will circulate it widely.”

Frankie stared at him in horror. “Oh, God in heaven.”