Chapter Twelve
The keeper’s guard opened Diana’s door for Joanie. “Thank you,” she muttered before the door closed behind her.
Diana lifted her head from her pillow. “You’re whiter than usual,” she rasped. “What happened?”
Joanie wandered aimlessly into the room, her arms hanging limp at her sides while her mind tried to navigate through a fog of disbelief.
“Joanie!” Diana burst out, cutting through Joanie’s haze. “What has happened?”
“I’ve been sold,” she said and slumped onto the bed.
Diana’s eyes widened in horror. “To whom?”
Joanie’s lips trembled. “To Randolph Tweed.”
Diana gasped and sat up. “No! I won’t allow it.”
“It is done. He promised Geoffrey one-hundred silver marks.”
“But that is a fortune! Why would he pay such a price?”
Joanie shook her head. “I dare not consider why. Anyway, the matter is arranged. It is done. He promised to come for me in an hour’s time. I am supposed to be ready to leave the palace.”
“But ... you can’t leave me,” Diana cried. “You—”
Joanie put her hand up to silence Diana.
“Listen,” she said, her heart pounding. Footfalls sounded in the hallway.
“But I’ve only just returned. He cannot come for me now.
” Joanie clutched Diana’s hand. “One of the keeper’s own soldiers escorted me here and now guards the door. Mayhap, he will not be granted entry.”
Just then the clanging of blades stung Joanie’s ears, and a moment later something or someone slammed into the door and thudded to the ground. Deafening silence followed.
Diana wrapped her arms around Joanie. “I won’t let him take you,” she cried.
Then the door swung wide, and Simon thundered into the room.
Joanie looked past him at the crumpled body of the guard on the floor. “He’s ... you ... you killed him.”
Simon shook his head. “I only rendered him unconscious. I had to. How else could I save Diana?” He crossed the room and scooped Diana into his arms. Cradling her close, he pressed a long kiss to her brow.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Diana whispered, cupping Simon’s face.
Joanie thought of all the times Simon had stood by and let Geoffrey beat them. “Why did you never interfere before?”
“Believe me, Joanie, it killed me to watch him hurt her and you, but she made me promise not to interfere.”
Diana nodded, still staring up into Simon’s eyes. “I told him that I would rather belong to the Devil and live in luxury, than be free and know poverty again.”
Simon’s mouth settled into a grim line. He set Diana back on the bed and stood.
“But that time has come to an end.” Then he turned to Joanie.
“You both need to leave right now. Put together a satchel.” Then he handed Joanie a heavy purse.
“This coin will guarantee her comfort, but I need your word, Joanie. Promise me that you’ll take care of her. ”
“Do not speak of me as if I am not here,” Diana snapped. “As if I am already dead.”
A wave of pain twisted Simon’s features, but his gaze never left Joanie’s. “Give me your word.”
Joanie nodded. “I swear it. You know I will take care of her as I’ve always done. But why are you not coming with us?”
Simon shook his head. “I will stay behind and do what I must to keep him from following you.”
Joanie hated the idea of Simon carrying on beneath Geoffrey’s thumb. “Come with us,” she urged. “Run with us. You deserve more than this life too.”
Simon shook his head sadly and pulled Joanie into his arms. “Diana cannot run,” he whispered in her ear. “She is not long for this world as you well know. You must take her to a hospital or an abbey where she can die in peace and with dignity — my coin will pay for her care and a proper burial.”
“What is going on?” Diana asked.
Simon let go of Joanie. “It is time to go,” he said, loud enough for Diana to hear.
Diana looked around the room nervously. “Please tell me what is going on.”
Simon made no reply. Instead, he reached for Diana and helped her to her feet. “Can you walk?”
Joanie watched as Diana’s white-knuckled grip on Simon’s arm loosened, and she took her first tentative steps.
Slowly, she straightened her spine and walked to the center of the room where she stopped, her stance regal.
Joanie could see the glint in her eye — Diana would fight until the last breath fled her body. “I can walk,” she gritted.
Simon turned to Joanie. “Are you ready?”
Joanie shook her head and set to work, packing a satchel for Diana. When she had her mistress’s effects and the herbs and oils she would need, she nodded.
“I will take you as far as the kitchens,” he said. “The keeper is lazy and arrogant. Only the front gates to the palace are guarded. You can leave through the gardens. Stick to the palace wall. There is a gate on the far right. On the other side, you will find passage across the Thames.”
“Please come with us,” Joanie said, trying to reason with Simon one last time, but he cut her off.
“Enough,” he snapped. “Now, stay close. Remain silent until you are on the other side of the river.”
Joanie hastened to the door while Simon escorted Diana, bearing her proudly on his arm.
When they descended the stairs to the kitchen and stepped out into the garden, Simon cupped Diana’s cheeks. “With angels trumpeting we will meet again,” he said, and then he kissed her.
Tears flooded Joanie’s eyes as she watched Diana lean into Simon’s kiss, her lips trembling, her hands desperately gripping his tunic. A gasp of longing reached Joanie’s ears, and in that moment, she realized that Diana did, indeed, return Simon’s love.