“He's the king, Amethyst.” His gaze landed on her, sharp and focused. “He can do anything he pleases.”
“Dear God, you sound like mother and Aunt Margaret did through my childhood about my father's fate. Henry would never do such a thing to me, just as no one could ever conceive of the king's frustration over the powers thwarting his need to be free of Catherine,” she berated him, mostly to assure herself. “But of course no one can understand. No one knows my Prince Hal as intimately as I do.”
* * *
That evening, a subdued tone enshrouded the great hall as the court supped, listened to music and dispersed. A page presented Matthew to the king. Henry stayed polite enough but he feigned interest in Matthew's ramblings-on about his estates, falcons, and tennis game. Amethyst felt badly for
