Anne woke alone, which was not unusual, and so completely comfortable that she for a long while did not want to get up at all. But it was that very comfort that began to worry her, for it was not her bed that she was so comfortable in and that fact made itself quickly known. She was on her feet a moment later, looking at the grand floors and ceiling and out the window into a land that she had never seen before.

"Oh, it's wonderful!" she said, but that was her only moment of delight before there was a loud banging outside the door to her erstwhile bedroom.

She looked around the room, quick and frantic, and to her relief—and also dismay—saw Matthew tugging on the heavy curtains to see out the other window.

"Hide!" she hissed at him, and prayed that he listen at once.

Moments later the door opened under the force and a half dozen men burst into the room.

"You are to come with us at once!" the first of them said, sword in his hand and seizing her arm, taking her away in her bedclothes.

"I haven't done anything!" she said, pitching her voice as loudly as she dared. "Oh, I haven't meant to trespass, if that is my offense!"

Please, Matthew, please just this once have listened to me.

She didn't dare look in his direction.

"You're to be brought before the queen," he said, and said no more about it as they dragged her out of the room and into the corridor, not making any secret about it as they did.