The Queen's Secret by Victoria Lamb Page A

she stood still, startled by his strangeness. The man was followed by a bear on a stout chain. In a dark robe, rough cap and sturdy black boots, armed with a thick stick, the traveller was arguing with the guards for a place to pitch his tent against the castle wall. He seemed to speak English only haltingly, and kept jerking on the bear’s chain.
    His bear was black and shaggy, its fur unkempt and missing in patches, its claws almost within reach of the guards. Whenever the creature reared up, which the man often urged it to do with the use of a long stick, one of the guards would level his pike at it and angrily shout an oath.
    Eventually, some filthy piece of paper was produced, which the guard pored over dubiously, then shrugged and handed it to his captain. It had the required effect, for soon the man bowed and turned his snarling bear in the direction the guard had pointed. Whatever the paper contained, Lucy had the impression that the guards had allowed the bear-tamer a place near the walls more out of fear than because he belonged there.
    So absorbed was she by this exchange, she did not at first notice the large man who came climbing the sloping path towards her, his cloak thrown back over a broad shoulder, his cap set at an angle, his black beard thick as any sailor’s.
    ‘How now, Mistress Morgan?’ the man remarked, halting before her with a flourish of his cap. ‘Why, you’ve grown so tall, I wouldn’t have known you.’
    She gave a little cry of astonishment and delight, and threw herself into his arms. ‘Master Goodluck!’
    ‘Careful. I bruise easily.’
    She laughed and leaned comfortably against his vast chest, wishing that a little of his strength could somehow pass into her own weary body. Master Goodluck was like a bear himself, a great black bear whose sharp claws would never hurt her. She had hoped secretly that her guardian might come to Kenilworth with his travelling troupe of players and acrobats. Before she had gone to court, he had always been there to offer advice or teach her new tricks. But his visits had become less frequent since she had won herself a place at court as a singer and dancer for the Queen. In fact, she’d almost begun to fear that Goodluck had forgotten her.
    ‘I missed you, Goodluck.’
    ‘And I missed you, dearest heart.’ His humorous gaze swept the outer court, lingering for a moment on the foreigner and his black bear, which was now rolling on its back, exciting no little interest in the crowd that had gathered. ‘But where are you lodged? Here within the castle walls?’
    ‘I don’t think so.’ She frowned, not wishing to admit her own foolishness. ‘I lost my friend, and was told to come back here and speak to a Master Payne. Do you know him?’
    ‘No, but don’t fret. I’ll help you find him and your lodgings for tonight. But not until we’ve had a chance to talk. By Mary, you’re so tall now, woman, I barely recognized you.’ He stuck his cap back on his head and slipped an arm about her waist. ‘Shall we walk?’
    The bear and its owner had finally disappeared back through the gatehouse, but there was still a steady stream of passing servants in the outer court, and harassed-looking gentlemen with their ladies. Under the trees, a troupe of acrobats in green livery were practising their tumbles, and everywhere was a great hum of activity. Even though the sun had finally set, there could be no privacy while light spilled from every window in the halls of the inner court, though at least there was no Mistress Hibbert here to watch her every step. Now only Mistress Longley remained to guard the women servants of the court. A plump and easy-natured woman, she lacked Mistress Hibbert’s dedication to making the lives of her charges a misery.
    ‘Are there gardens here, do you think?’ Lucy asked.
    ‘Indeed.’ Goodluck smiled. ‘Though the best are for the Queen’s private use. I came to Kenilworth a few years ago and have always thought it one of