Commoners and nobles rub shoulders at the gaming evening held by Joelle. The three royal ladies and the Crellins meet local scoundrels Thomas Ryker (a criminal), Samuel Mountford (a forger and lothario) and Beth Webster (a prostitute and go-between), Beth pretending to be Mountford's wife. Ryker and Mountford are soon cutting a dash with the ladies, Ryker falling for the Duchess and Mountford receiving an invite to visit the Queen.
Mountford returns to the Tabard, a disreputable tavern in Southwark, where he and Beth keep rooms. They share information (and a lot more besides), and agree that she will find out more about the Duchess' motives for the party, while Mountford will attempt to curry favour with the Queen with the aid of his trusty lute and smouldering good looks.
The following day, Joelle and Ryker go out together for a ride, Sam pays a visit to Her Majesty, and Beth arrives at Joelle's to see what she can find out.1