Exile (9 page)

So the casket had not been locked. This was terrible news for Ellie.

“Forgive me, Banoo Yasmine,” I said, “but are you certain that Ellie the laundrymaid is the thief?”

The Banoo and Esther both stared at me in astonishment.

“The jewel was found in her basket,” replied Esther. “And no one else was let into the dressing room after the ruby was put away last night. The room was guarded at all times because the Heart of Kings was in there.”

I looked at Esther thoughtfully, wondering if she could have taken the ruby. But, unfortunately, I had to acknowledge that it was unlikely. For one thing, I believe her to be completely loyal to the Banoo, and her horror at the theft seemed real enough. And for another, Esther would have spent the night in the Banoo's bedchamber. If she had risen to go and steal the ruby from the dressing room, poor, sleepless Meg would have been sure to notice. And Meg told me only this morning that none of the other ladies were disturbed in the night, so Esther cannot be the thief.

But this was not helping Ellie one jot and I realised I could not ask any more questions, for I have to keep my investigations secret.

At that moment a page came in with a letter for his mistress. I recognised him. He was the one who had saved Lady Sarah from a drenching last night. He glanced at us and I think he was actually disappointed that she wasn't with us.

“Thank you, Sharokh,” said the Banoo.

He gave a deep bow and was about to take his leave when the door to the chamber opened again and in came another page. He had Rajah the panther with him! I gasped with delight as Rajah padded regally into the chamber, his black coat gleaming like polished ebony in the candlelight. He spotted Sharokh and immediately began to pull on his leash like an eager puppy after a favourite toy. Rajah was clearly keen to go and see the page, but Sharokh backed away swiftly with a look of utter panic on his face. I was surprised to see this because all the other servants of the Banoo seem entirely comfortable with the panther. I had thought that only the English were nervous of the big cat, but Sharokh was obviously terrified.

“Take Rajah to the other side of the chamber, Anoosh,” ordered the Banoo, smiling. With great difficulty, the young man pulled the panther over to the window. Sharokh immediately ran for the door and disappeared, without even stopping to bow!

“Rajah adores Sharokh and wishes only to play with him,” explained the Banoo, laughing. “But Sharokh is in terror of him. I have never understood why, for Rajah is as harmless as a kitten.” She walked over and stroked the panther, which rubbed his head against her happily. “Rajah is my dear
friend. He and Esther are the nearest I have to kin now. I expect you ladies are longing to pet him.”

I was!

“Come forward slowly and show no fear,” the Banoo instructed.

I did as she said. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest with excitement. I touched the panther on his silky black head and he immediately rolled over onto his back! Banoo Yasmine stroked his belly and I did the same. He felt soft and warm like one of the kitchen cats. Then he rolled over again and began to pull at the tassel of a cushion.

“He is young and loves to play,” said the Banoo. She pulled the tassel out of his reach. “You must not toy with Her Majesty's property!” she told him. “See, here is your ball.” She produced a small ball made of strips of leather. Rajah batted it and then rolled over again with his paws in the air.

“Come and pet him, Mary,” I urged, reaching out to stroke his belly once more.

But Mary could not be persuaded to come any closer to the panther. “I can see all I need from here,” she said nervously. “I have more than enough to tell my little nephew.”

“Panthers are usually wild and untameable creatures,” Banoo Yasmine said, smiling at Mary. “But I
have had Rajah since he was a cub. I hand-reared him myself and he is very well-behaved.”

Mary still looked ill at ease, so I decided it was time we took our leave. And in truth, I was feeling guilty for having fun while poor Ellie is locked up in a storeroom.

Outside the apartments I stopped to speak to Samuel Twyer. I thought I would play the silly maid and find out what I could. I have watched Lady Sarah and Lady Jane do it often enough in order to gain some favour from a young courtier.

“Tell me,” I breathed, pretending to be avid for gossip. “Who was guarding the jewel through the night when it was stolen? Has he been taken from his duties? He is surely in great trouble with Her Majesty. And, indeed, are any of us safe in our beds?”

Mary looked at me as if I were mad, but the guard smiled.

“No cause for alarm, my lady,” he said. “It was Harry Thornham on duty all last night and he's a true and honest gentleman. Harry says no one went in that room until the thieving little maid this morning, not even Banoo Yasmine. And you can sleep safe, my lady, for we'll make sure any miscreants are quickly apprehended.”

“Thank you, Samuel,” I said, fanning my face with my hand. “You have quite relieved my mind.” He had not, of course. Quite the opposite, in truth, for it still seemed that only Ellie could be the thief!

I was lost in thought as we made our way down the tower stairs—when suddenly I realised that Mary was talking to me.

“Grace!” she frowned. “You haven't been listening to a word I have said! Whatever were you doing playing the silly maid with that guard? It is not like you at all.” Then she stopped and stared at me. I tried to look innocent but obviously didn't manage it.

“Of course,” she said, smiling. “I should have known. You were play-acting! You are determined to free Ellie, aren't you? Though how I cannot imagine.”

“Nor can I, Mary,” I said sadly. “For everyone's finger points to her. But there must be a way of finding the real thief, for I know it is not Ellie.” And, with that, I returned to my thoughts, wondering what I could possibly do to further my investigation and free my friend!

We were on our way back to our chamber when we met Mrs. Champernowne bustling along the corridor. I waited for her to chide me over my missed dancing lesson but she turned to Mary instead.

“Look lively, Mary Shelton,” she said. “The Queen has invited Banoo Yasmine and her party to go hunting in Greenwich Park. She hopes to lift her guest's spirits.”

So this is what my Lord the Earl of Leicester had organised. I should have guessed it would involve horses, for both the Queen and the Earl are superb riders and can easily outstrip the rest of the Court. This would give the Queen's favourite an opportunity to have her to himself. I do not think he had thought overmuch about cheering up the Banoo! I confess my heart sank at the thought of hunting. I am not a good rider and I hate to see the deer killed. Besides, I had no time to be galloping about Greenwich Park when Ellie needed my help. I had just resolved to look weak and ask to be excused when Mrs. Champernowne turned to me.

“Her Majesty seems to think that you will not be well enough to accompany us, Grace,” she said, puckering her mouth as if she had sucked on a lemon. “I must suppose that that is also why you did not come to the dancing practise.”

Mary looked as if she wanted to laugh and I had to turn my head for fear she would set me off giggling. “Whatever Her Majesty wishes,” I replied, trying to sound feeble. “I am so disappointed. There is nothing
I would have loved better than the hunt—but I dare not disobey.”

“Humph!” snorted Mrs. Champernowne. “Then get you to Her Majesty's Privy Chamber. There is a roaring fire there.”

“I will,” I croaked. “But, dear Mrs. Champernowne, I have a fancy to write down my meditations. I will just fetch my daybooke from my chamber first.”

Mrs. Champernowne stomped off to ready herself for the hunt, for she will be of the party even though she will not ride.

I could not believe my good fortune! The Queen was giving me a wonderful chance to investigate while everyone was away from the palace. For a moment I felt quite cheered up—until I remembered that I have made no progress at all and, worse, have no idea what to do next.

So now here I am, sitting by the fire. My writing is a little strange, for I forgot to collect my penner. I have used one of the Queen's quills, but I did not dare trim it to suit my hand, so the result is a little wobbly. Luckily I will be finished with the quill in a line or two, for I have written all I can while I wait for the Court to go off to the hunt. As soon as they are gone I will do some hunting of my own.

I am sitting in an alcove with a fine view over the Cellar Court. It is dark outside, but her Majesty loves to show off the palace where she was born, so all the courtyards have been lit each night since our visitors arrived. They look quite magical with little candles under all the hedges.

Everyone has returned from the hunt and is getting ready for supper, so I have time to write.

As soon as I heard the blast of the hunting horn and the sound of the hooves galloping away into the distance, I ran to my chamber and hid my daybooke at the bottom of my chest.

Next I went to the kitchens. It wasn't part of my investigation—I was starving! Everyone else was to be fed at the hunt and I had been forgotten. The kitchen workers and the other servants were all sitting round the big table in the middle of the Great Kitchen just finishing their dinner. Mistress Berry stood and curtsied as she saw me.

“Lord love us, Lady Grace!” she exclaimed when I begged her for some food. “I thought all the Court had gone! Let's see what I can give you—for all the fine food has been packed on the carts and taken off
to the hunt.” She scurried off and soon came back with two apples and a piece of cheese. “Will this do for now, my lady?” she asked anxiously.

I had to say yes, although I would have preferred a bit of leftover veal pie like the one I could see disappearing down the scullion boy's throat.

I made quick work of the cheese and apples as I headed for the Banoo's apartments. I had decided to examine her dressing room. Somehow, someone other than Ellie had got in there without being seen and I was determined to find out how.

“Where are you off to, Grace?” said a voice behind me. It was Masou. He ran up and placed a hand on my brow. “There must be something wrong with you if you are not out with the Court.” He grinned. “For I know how much you love to hunt!”

“But I am on a hunt,” I told him. “And you can help me instead of making silly jokes.”

“At your service, my lady,” Masou said with an elegant bow. “Anything that will help free Ellie.”

“We are going to the Banoo's rooms to find out how the thief stole the jewel without being seen.”

“Then I am doubly at your service!” Masou was in the middle of another ridiculous bow, when he suddenly stood up straight. “But I cannot present myself
there like this,” he cried. “I must put on finer clothes for that great lady.”

I grinned. I had forgotten that Masou was love- struck. “God's Odkins, Masou!” I exclaimed. “The beauteous Banoo has gone with the hunt. She will not be there. Nor will anyone else, I hope.”

We climbed the stairs to the apartments.

Samuel Twyer was still there, guarding the outer door. He stood to attention as we approached. “I beg your pardon, my lady,” he said, “but no one is to enter until the Banoo returns.”

“Is there no one in there who could allow us entry?” I asked, disappointed. I tried to flutter my eyelashes at Samuel but probably just looked as if I had a twitch.

“There's no one but that big cat, my lady,” answered Samuel, “and I do not intend to ask him!”

“Tis a pity,” said Masou, “for Lady Grace and I have a wager, do we not?”

“Do we?” I asked.

Masou glared at me.

“Oh, indeed … that wager!” I mumbled, realising that Masou was up to something.

The guard looked interested. It seems that no gentleman can resist a wager. It was clever of Masou to
think of it—though I was not going to tell him that. His head is quite big enough.

“What may that be then?” Samuel asked me.

“It's … well …,” I faltered. “Um, tell Mr. Twyer about our wager, Masou.”

Masou's eyes twinkled. “I am of the opinion that a simple laundrymaid is not clever enough to think of stealing the Heart of Kings. It is my belief that it could only have been done by magic,” he told the guard. “But my lady here tells me that I speak nonsense and will pay me nothing until I can show her the signs.”

“There's no magic here,” said Samuel firmly.

“We have our thief. So I'd be keen to join that wager—if I had coin enough.”

The Gentlemen of the Guard are often younger sons of noble families, so they have no chance of inheritance and are always in need of money. I pulled some silver coins from the purse on my belt and put them in his hand. “I will stand your wager,” I told him, “for we are both on the same side in this matter.”

Samuel stood aside, looking fixedly down the corridor so he would not see us go in. Masou opened the door and we both slipped quickly through it.

As Samuel had said, there was no one in the long chamber where the Banoo received her guests. We looked at the three closed doors that led to her privy rooms.

“The one in the middle is her bedchamber,” I said.