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She has also appointed apartments for him close to hers, where they can be seen daily, practicing the latest dances, playing the lute, sharing books and God knows what else. He’s even invited his so-called astrologer, Dr. Dee, to devise a propitious date for her coronation. It’s an outrage: the queen of England consulting that madman who believes himself a conduit for spirits—and all because Dudley whispers ceaselessly in her ear.”
    “I … I had no idea it had gone so far.” My stomach knotted. The last thing I wanted was to once more find myself thrust as a wedge between Dudley and his ambitions.
    Cecil said, “It’s gone further than even that. Even as she dallies with him, the papists fling doubts of her legitimacy against her, citing Rome never sanctioned King Henry’s union with her mother. Not to mention that any prince who cares to pursue her will think twice if they learn they must compete with her Master of Horse. Already gossip spreads abroad, making my job even more impossible. Dudley is a blight. He must be excised, eliminated as a threat.”
    “And you expect me to do it?” I exclaimed. “His former squire, who helped ruin his family? You want me to—what? Stab him through the heart in a duel over her honor?”
    Cecil sniffed. “I hardly think killing him is necessary, much as the idea might appeal. Dudley cannot be other than who he is; in time, given enough incentive, he will show his hand. Until then, however, we need someone to distract her. She requested that I bring you to court. After Dudley, I daresay there isn’t a man in all of England she likes more, nor one better suited to remind her of it.”
    I stared at him. “Are you asking me to … seduce her?” He regarded me in silence, until I hissed, “God’s teeth, man, are you mad? We are kin! Her father was my mother’s brother.”
    Cecil tugged fastidiously at his sleeve. “Again, your imagination runs wild. There are many ways to seduce a woman, and crown notwithstanding, Elizabeth is still very much a woman, and a young one, at that. She trusts you. It is a powerful weapon, if you learn to use it.”
    I might have burst out laughing had the entire conversation not been so outrageous. “So, what is your plan, exactly? To wield me as an instrument of envy? To stoke Robert Dudley’s already burning hatred of me to such a fury that he’ll afford you the means to discredit him?”
    “Have you a better plan?” he replied. “She values you highly. Dudley is aware of it; already, he seethes at the very sight of you. He does not know you share her blood. Your presence at her side is all that is required. Let Dudley dig his own grave.”
    “Or mine,” I said through my teeth. “Because that is what he’ll try.”
    “Let him. I will be ready. Until then, however, you will watch over her, keep her occupied until I see to her coronation and other tasks on my plate. She must be steered away from further entanglement with Dudley. I do not want”—he exhaled a terse breath—“ we cannot afford any more rumors where he is concerned. I must present her as a suitable royal bride.”
    As distasteful as the scenario was, I had only to recall Dudley’s mouthed threat to me in the hall to concede Cecil’s point. Besides, it would not be long, I wagered, before Dudley devised some means to attack me. I might as well prepare.
    “Fine,” I said curtly. “But you’d best be ready to safeguard me, should Dudley get out of hand.”
    “You have Elizabeth to do that,” he replied. “But, yes, naturally; should the situation become unmanageable, I will intervene. In the meantime, I shall supply everything you need, the necessary coin for your expenses and apparel, as well as—”
    “Is my horse here?” I interrupted.
    He blinked. “I believe so. Once I heard you were on your way, I sent a groom to fetch it from my manor of Theobalds so it could be housed in the royal stables.”
    “He,” I corrected him. Turning about, I