Jane lowered her eyes. If Livia had somehow survived and escaped, then good. No, not good. Nothing about this was good. Bess was dead. Jane's hands were not clean. But if Livia was gone, at least one of them had crawled out of Beaumont's reach.
"You girls get inside," Nicholas ordered. "I'll get the watchmen. Inside!"
They hurried back through the tavern door at once, skirts rustling, faces pale. Behind them, Nicholas remained in the alley, staring into the dark.
*****
Henry was getting ready to leave the Tower of London. Stephen was packing up the king's things, folding shirts, gathering documents, checking seals. Henry adjusted the cuff of his doublet and glanced toward the window.
Then came a knock. Lionel entered.
"Lionel?" Henry asked. "Is all set for departure?"
"Your Highness," Lionel said carefully. "I have some news."
