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“Nay, that is not what I mean. I have an idea. If he keeps control of Alderley, you’ll be trapped here, at his mercy.”

“The king would not allow⁠—”

Anne put up a hand. “It will be some time before the king knows what is going on here. Think you Lord Bannaster will permit someone to inform his mighty cousin? Nay, Lord Bannaster knows what he’s doing is illegal. He must be counting on a few days’ secrecy to conclude his plan, whatever it is.”

“’Tis a good thing you were educated with me,” Elizabeth observed wryly. “One of us has to show some intelligence.”

“The only way to foil him is to make him think everything is going as he wishes. He’ll become overconfident—the servants say he seems quite pleased with himself.”

“So you’re saying I should let him think he’s cowed me?” Elizabeth said, aghast.

“Nay, you’ll be long gone, because I shall take your place.”

She gaped at her dear friend. “What are you saying?”

“You’ll pose as me and slip out of the castle unnoticed. We’ll make sure all your servants understand the deception. No one will give you away.”

“You want me to leave you all here to submit to his wrath?”

“But he won’t know! He’s never met you.” Anne smiled grimly. “I think I can do a decent job being as stubborn and controlling as you.”

In more relaxed times, Elizabeth would have playfully thrown a cushion at her friend. But now she could only shake her head. “I cannot do it, Anne. When Bannaster finds out, think you that I can allow my people to suffer for me?”

“But Elizabeth⁠—”

“Shh, give me a moment.” Elizabeth opened the shutters and looked down on the inner ward below. It was strangely quiet. The people who moved about seemed to scurry fearfully. They all depended on her for the necessities of life; she would not abandon them. Calm returned as she realized that she could deal with this situation. She turned to face her maid. “Anne, you are brilliant.”

“I do not understand. You just said you would not⁠—”

“I said I would not leave the castle. But aye, you and I will switch places, leaving me free to move about the castle and figure a way out of this dilemma.”

Anne blinked. “Oh. I see. And then you could also escape if you need to.”

“I won’t be escaping.”

“But—”

“We have to hurry. Thank God you’re tall like me!”

An hour later, Elizabeth and Anne descended the tower stairs one floor, to Elizabeth’s private solar. It was the chamber she’d always used for needlework with her mother’s ladies. They were all married now with their own households, but Elizabeth was left to defend herself.

Anne looked uncomfortable in Elizabeth’s gown—the bodice was a bit tight on Anne’s generous figure. But the red embroidered brocade looked stunning with Anne’s black hair, which she wore freely hanging as an unmarried maiden.

Elizabeth wore a wimple covering her red-blond hair, with the ends of the fabric draped to disguise her chin and neck. Her gown was a plain brown, with little decoration other than a square neckline to show her white smock up to her neck. It made Elizabeth almost feel invisible wearing it.

This plan would work—as long as she could warn the other servants before they accidentally revealed her identity.

Trying to bolster her own spirits, she smiled at Anne. “You’ve known me almost a lifetime; you know what I’d say. Perhaps you will be able to talk the viscount back to sanity. He has to realize what he is doing cannot be borne.”

“But we are many days’ journey from London,” Anne cautioned. “He might feel free to do as he pleases.”

“You will show him otherwise,” Elizabeth said sweetly. “You can do this.” She put her arm around the maid’s shoulders.

They didn’t have to wait long. They heard several heavy footsteps. The viscount was punctual. Remembering herself, Elizabeth shrank back behind Anne, as a proper lady’s maid should.

The door opened, and a plainly dressed stranger entered, holding the door wide for another. Viscount Bannaster was surely the second man, for his garments were of the finest fabrics. An embroidered codpiece exaggerated his manly attributes beneath his short doublet. A soft-crown hat perched on his dark brown hair, with a feather curling almost to his shoulder. When he saw Anne, Elizabeth could see his tension replaced by relief. God forbid his captured bride wouldn’t be pretty enough for him.

Lord Bannaster swept the hat from his head as he gave Anne an elaborate court bow. “Lady Elizabeth, how good to finally meet you.”