Neville's mind raced, searching for an explanation for being discovered half undressed in the garden hedge. "The Earl of Mayhem challenged me to a race through the maze last night. I became rather lost."

"Racing through the maze in the snow? Barefoot? What were you thinking, daughter?"

At the incredulous look on the King's face, Neville added. "I wasn't barefoot Father. I lost my slippers somewhere during the race."

"Well, the maze is confusing enough to navigate sober, let alone making merry. It's the trapezoid shape that befuddles everyone. You're lucky Whitefoot and I stumbled upon you."

"Thank you, Father. I'm eternally grateful." Neville bowed deeply. He had secured a wedge of cheese, pilfered from the kitchen pantry. Smelling the food, the Cavalier jumped up. Straining at it's leash, it sniffed Neville's pocket. He broke off a small piece of Brie and gave it to the dog.

"That's enough beggary, Whitefoot." The King gently corrected the dog, pulling him off of Neville's knees. Although his voice was stern, Neville relaxed seeing the King's barely concealed smile. The large man snorted, "You should have been born a boy." The monarch surprised him even more when he slowly turned and crouched down on one knee. "Climb aboard little one. It's unbecoming, but I shall be your mount. I'll give you a ride back to the castle."

Neville suppressed a cry of delight for he couldn't feel his feet. They were like heavy blocks of ice. Grabbing the King's broad shoulders, he carefully climbed onto his back. With a grunt the King rose, proceeding to easily navigate his way out of the maze, He carried the young boy on his back like a sack of potato's, the Cavalier scampering happily at their feet. "I wanted to thank you and your sister for procuring the puppy for Edward. He needed something to raise his spirits."

"I'm happy The Prince was pleased. How does he feel today?" Neville noticed the King was breathing heavily as he walked before he was deposited gently on the ground near the main hall entrance.

The King's face clouded. "Not well, his lungs are still filled with fluid. He will be bedridden a little while longer."

"I'm aggrieved to hear that. I shall visit him after supper." Since I have something to ask him.

Looking like Father Christmas, The King stamped his feet, shaking the snow off his boots. "I'm sure your brother would appreciate another visit from his two sisters. Now, go and change for morning mass. I look forward to seeing you there with Mary."

When Neville returned to his room, he was relieved to see Mary was gone. She must be at breakfast.

Just as Neville had finished bathing and was dressing for mass, a voice from the corner of the room startled him. "Princess Elizabeth." He whirled around to identify the voice, blinking in surprise as a cloaked friar stepped into the room's thin morning light. The stranger was dressed in a grey cloak. To Neville, the man had appeared like a ghost.

"God's Death! You scared me. Who are you?"

"I'm was a friend of Physician Ingle." Friar Ballard inclined his head apologetically. "I'm sorry if my intrusion upset you."

"What do you mean appearing in my room like a specter? Are you a specter trying frighten me to death?" Without enough sleep, Neville's patience had been worn thin by another  unannounced visitor catching him undressed. He did not trust this man's claim to know Ingle. Everyone was claiming to know his former mentor. Although he was still only three quarters dressed, he brushed the man aside, heading for the bedroom door. "The King expects me to be at mass before the hour."

"Neville, I know you are feeling tired and powerless, but you should listen to what I have to say before you leave."

The compassion in the man's voice halted Neville's abrupt departure. He gathered his skirts to sit on his bed, then resumed tying his corset. Walsingham left me in the puzzle maze to freeze to death, while Princess Mary accosted me throughout the night. I'm not well served despite being a royal princess."

"Ah, we both know you're not a princess." At the scowl on Neville's face, the friar quickly amended. "If your father had lived, you would have been a prince. Don't be alarmed. I won't expose you. I'm here to help. Sir Francis has thought of a plan to exorcise Mary's sinful thoughts about you."

Neville, stopped tying his laces. "Really? How? If someone can reign in Mary's midnight visits on my person, then I might survive this Holiday."

Father Ballard smiled enigmatically. "Let's just say the Princess is a devout Catholic, who's obviously lost her way. A night visit from Satan might be extremely helpful making her understand sin can put her mortal soul in danger."

"I've discovered something about Mary. She's quite mad. She might not care about her soul, or ending up as a bride to Lucifer in the fiery pits of hell."

"Her strange behavior is not a discovery. That is a well known fact."

"If you can tame her lust towards me, I would be most grateful."

"Have no fear. After tonight she will leave you in peace. That, I promise you." With those parting words, Father Ballard exited the room.

Dashing to the morning mass, Neville felt a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders with the Friar's promise. The chapel was located near the Gate House. The Lord's family and dignitaries sat in the upper part and the servants occupied the lower part of the chapel. Climbing the stairs to the gallery, he found a seat near the King and squeezed in beside him. The stout monarch rewarded him with a conspiratorial wink. Across the aisle, he spotted his guardians, Lady Ashley and Sir Parry. He thought it best to avoid eye contact with them. On the other side of the King, Mary glowered at him. She was dressed all in black as if she were attending a funeral.

As the priest droned on during the mass, Neville observed the stone chapel's architecture, trying to take his mind off the cold. He found the smell of so many unwashed bodies pressed close together, blended with chapel's heavy incense overwhelming. At least in Bisley, the church was drafty enough to be well ventilated. He forgot trying to breathe through his nose, when one Lord in particular caught his attention. A handsome man was leaning down to whisper something to Mary. Warning bells went off in Neville's mind. That must be The Duke of Norfolk. I wonder what poison about me he's dripping in Princess Mary's ear?