* * *
Amethyst and her small retinue rode all the way to Ludlow Castle, stopping at an inn on the way. Upon entering Mary's chamber, she sighed with relief that the girl was sitting up in her window seat, tuning her lute, looking pale but healthy enough.
“Hello, Mary.” Amethyst rushed into the chamber and embraced the young girl. It was like hugging a bird. Mary's gown hung at the shoulders and sagged at the neckline, but her face brightened upon seeing her ally. “Are you well?”
“Aye, much better.” She nodded with a smile. “'Tis this recurring sickness, I know not what it is, the physicians know not what it is. It comes over me suddenly, one minute I am reading or studying or at the virginals, the next minute I am deathly weak, and in bed with fever and complete loss of appetite. Today
