"Lord, the lack of activity in the country wears on my nerves." Lady Kat Ashley, Elizabeth's governess, stood looking out the beveled window, distressed by the gloomy weather. The wet day had kept her from her coveted walk in the garden.

A handsome woman, the blue dress she wore with the matching snood brought attention to her midnight blue eyes, enhancing her figure instead of concealing it. She had been looking forward to today's meeting with Sir Parry, but now found herself in a disconsolate mood. The fire blazing merrily in the metal grate at her feet, failed to combat the room's dampness. Stretching her hands towards the heat, she longed for a day of real warmth with the sun shining brightly in the sky. The steady rain, gently drumming on the steeply gabled roof, had momentarily lulled her into a zen like trance, but the same water sluicing through the gutters had triggered an unwelcome memory. The vivid memory of Queen Anne's horrific execution. The ugly day calling on her like an unwelcome visitor, floated into her mind's eye. She squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to exorcise the nightmarish images, but it was in vain. Blow by blow, the execution scene played out. Why had there been so much blood with such a small body? After the head had been sliced off like a common chicken's, red rivulets of gore had pooled on the green, congealing where the corpse's head should have been. The acrid, coppery smell of blood had filled the air that day. Coughing, the Lady fought to compose herself before visitor's arrival. No matter how much time passed, she would never forget the image of Anne's decapitated head. The eyes open and full of accusation, staring at her. "I thought this time in Bisley would be a most welcome change from court." She spoke quietly to the man who had just entered the room. "Now, I find each hour increasingly torturous."

"My dear Kat, try to remember how fortunate we are to be out the Black Death's path. Safe from it's ravaging destruction. I received word earlier, my brother's dear wife, Lady Simpson, has succumbed to the hellish sickness." Sir Thomas Parry, Elizabeth's other guardian, removed his black cape, dripping wet after his journey on horseback from Whitehall. He shook the wool garment out to hang near the fire. "I too was fond of Anne, but I admit caring for her child is far more desirable than dealing with the intrigues of King Henry's court."

Princess Elizabeth's governess opened her eyes. The agonized look in them cleared as she nodded in agreement. "Aye, 'tis true Thomas. We are fortunate to be out of the plague's reach. The Lady Simpson was a healthy, vigorous woman. She should have lived a great deal longer, but for that cursed sickness. Pray, tell me. What is the necessity for you to travel here on such a dreary day?"

"Kat, I've received news regarding Princess Elizabeth." Sir Parry moved closer to the hearth's meager warmth. "You will need to prepare the Manor for a royal visit."

Kat Ashley looked at her handsome companion with open surprise. "A royal visit?"

"Aye, the King is arranging a treaty between England and Spain. He wishes to unite the two houses by marriage. Princess Elizabeth will wed the King of Spain's nephew. His Lord plans on visiting Brisby this coming week to see the state of his daughter's health for himself."

"Does he, now? "Lady Ashby quickly recovered from her initial surprise, weighed the  advantages and disadvantages of a royal visit. "Are you certain of this, Thomas? With his poor health, his Highness hates unnecessary travel. The discomfort to his leg for such a journey is too great." Lady Kat signaled her lady in waiting to bring her a fresh pot of tea. If she would be preparing for a royal visit, she would need an alert mind.

"Aye, Tilsby has written me. The royal notice for the visit arrived this morning."

Lady Kat let pent up expletives explode out of her mouth. "We shall have to double this week's market order. Lord knows, Our Lord Savior eats enough for ten men. As well as their horses."

Thomas Parry laughed without mirth. "Truly he eats enough to feed a great army, rushing his corpulence to the grave." Lady Ashley and Sir Parry exchanged the haunted, furtive looks of court refugees. Following the disposal of Henry VIII's disgraced second wife, they had both survived the flurry of ensuing executions. However danger was still constant as they tried  to appease the King's unstable emotions. If only his Lord would pass from this world. Their looks silently communicated the treasonous hope of a King's early death.

"If only Anne had given him a son. She would be alive." Lady Kat Ashby paced as she spoke. "Elizabeth and her mother would be here now with us, still merry." Lady Ashley looked out the window, discouraged at the thought of resettling in a foreign court. Princess Elizabeth's betrothal to the Spanish prince would entail a dangerous trip overseas. One they might not survive.

Sir Parry guffawed softly. "You forget, he was tired of Anne before the babe was born. Surely, his appetite for sex is unnatural. He needs not one wife, but six!" He could not hide his disgust at Henry's ill treatment of his many spouses.

"Shhh..hold your tongue before our heads ends up garnishing the traitor's gate!" Their conversation was interrupted when the young stable boy burst into the room. In his haste, he unceremoniously slammed  the door against the wall. Their surprise doubled when they saw he was wearing a woman's royal dress. Even worse, his face was caked with makeup. As the two guardians stared at the boy's bizarre attire, the garment's overlong hem tangled his feet causing him to land sprawled before them.

"Neville! What is the meaning of this intrusion, and what on earth are you doing in that dress? More importantly, why are you not attending the Princess?" The look of fear on the boy's face immediately stopped Lady Kat in the middle of her tongue lashing. Her anger melted into apprehension."Pray tell us. What's wrong?" She moved towards him as if to shake him "What is it!"

"Sir! Madam!" The young boy turned to each of them, gasping for breath between words. "You must come! Princess Elizabeth's sick. She has the plague!"

Lady Kat Ashley felt as if floor had dropped out from under her feet. "No!" She grabbed at the back of a chair, to remain standing. Walking over to Neville, Lord Parry took hold of the boy's arm. Lifting him up, he shucked off the youngster's disturbing attire, before settling him back on his feet. "Here lad, calm yourself. This fever you say the Princess has might not be plague. Take us to her, immediately! We shall judge her condition for ourselves."

On the way out, Lady Ashy nearly barreled over the maid who had arrived with the tea service. "Simone, find the physician! The Princess needs attention! Be quick about it!" When the shocked servant girl stood immobilized, mouth agape at the word 'fever', Kat yelled, "Hurry, fool! Do as I say!"