Secrets of the Tudor Court (25 page)

I know better than this. I have learned.

Norfolk goes to sea and I am left behind.

The tears dissipate. With Norfolk gone, I will be afforded very little supervision...

From May to July, Cedric and I are free to do as we please. We are subtle, we are inconspicuous, but we are together. Almost every night we find time to meet and be merry. I am lighthearted. I am, I tell him, at my personal best.

But in July the king announces he will go to lay siege on Boulogne himself and calls Cedric to be at his side.

"Why on earth do they need a musician in battle?" I cry in rage. "So that you might sing his praises while he is running Frenchmen through?"

Cedric laughs. "I suppose so. You know I am not only an amusing and handsome court musician," he says, "but a historian of sorts. You see, no matter the end result of this battle, it is my duty to make King Henry sound noble and heroic--even if he does not return home victorious. A bard can make anyone a hero. And that is what I must do."

"It is bloody ridiculous," I curse, tears warming my eyes. "I do not understand. Everything King Henry touches he taints, just like his rotten leg. He taints love, his perception of love, and in his misery taints others' happiness as well. He has taken everyone I have ever loved away from me. And if he takes you..." Though my tone sounds threatening there is obviously nothing I can do about it. But there is some measure of satisfaction to be found in unleashing my venom.

I take Cedric in my arms. "You must be safe. You must promise not to get too close to...anything. Promise you'll return to me!"

He nods. "I will return to you, Mary," he vows, his tone grave. "I will always return to you."

My heart is racing. I feel as Harry must have when extracting his promise from me. I pray that it is not so difficult a thing for Cedric to uphold.

My father takes Montreuil, desperately short of munitions and provisions. I expect he does not even know what the king wants him to do next. While I await news of his and the king's success or failure on the battlefield, I think about Her Majesty, who has been appointed queen regent in King Henry's absence, an honor she is proving most capable of. She signs proclamations, manages the Scottish threat, and oversees the finances of the king's campaign. She hears petitions, devotes time to charitable works, and, in what I believe to be most important to her, offers her heart to her step-children.

She takes the time to acquaint herself better with her step-daughters, both of whom she brings to court from time to time. Her gentle mother's heart influences the king to at last show his girl children the favor they long for, and despite the fact that Lady Mary is very unlikely to swerve from Catholicism, she seems to respect her reformist stepmother very much.

In the nursery I see my cousin Elizabeth, who bears my Anne's sharp black eyes and keen wit, along with the Tudor red hair and hot temper. I am delighted. She is a beautiful little girl I cannot restrain from embracing upon seeing her again.

"Oh, my dearest cousin!" I cry when I am allowed into her presence at last.

She pulls away, assessing me with those grave dark eyes, wary. "You are Lady Richmond?"

I nod. "Oh, my lady, I am so pleased to see you again."

"Your father is the Duke of Norfolk," she comments, her tone laced with disgust. "He saw my mother to the sword."

I am stunned by the words. I cannot deny it. I will not defend him. I blink several times. I can only imagine the wicked tales this poor girl has heard, and perhaps has been forced to hear, about her mother. That Norfolk should be counted as one of her enemies is not something undeserved.

"You must excuse me if I am not beset with joy at acquainting myself with your branch of the family," she says. Her tone rings of one years older than her eleven. I hear she is so advanced in her studies, with her affinity for languages and keen comprehension of logic, that her tutors are constantly looking for new ways to challenge her.

I do not know what to say for a moment. My eyes stray to her hands. They are white, dainty as lilies, her fingers slim and tapering. The hands of a young lady. "You have the Howard hands," I begin feebly. I do not know if it is wise to stay this course, but do. "Your mother...she also had fine hands. Everyone admired them."

Lady Elizabeth seems to be torn between offering up something sarcastic in reply or deigning to kindness. Her face softens. "Did you know my mother very well?" she asks, and her voice is sweeter, more childlike.

I nod. It is a relief to be able to talk about Anne with the king away. "I loved her very well," I tell her. I swallow several times. "Oh, my lady, there's so much I want to say to you. So much about your mother...how she could come into a room and light it up with her smile...how the moonlight could catch her hair through a window and make it shimmer almost blue." Tears clutch my throat. "She always knew just what to say. She could charm anyone. Nothing sordid, my lady, but disarming. She could be sweet but fiery. She was the most determined woman I have ever known." My words are coming out in a rush, as though I fear the king will burst through the door of the nursery any moment and imprison me in the Tower for daring to speak favorably of the witch. "Her views about religion were similar to those of Her Majesty, your stepmother. In fact, your stepmother even served her at one time."

"She mentioned that," Lady Elizabeth says. She smiles. It is her mother's smile, a smile possessing its own radiance, a smile to melt a heart. "She is not afraid to talk about her to me, either. She always tells me whatever she can. But she did not know her as you did." Tears fill her eyes but she blinks them away with ferocity, determined to maintain her composure. There is no doubt that this ability to summon hardness is a trait attributed to both the Howards and the Tudors. "I am disposed to like you, cousin Mary. We shall meet from time to time and discuss my mother or whatever else strikes my fancy. I have been told you are most learned as well. I should like to have discourse with you on many subjects, if you are keen for such a thing."

I nod, impressed with the child's regal bearing and mastery of emotion.

"Her Majesty will convince the king to reinstate me as princess," she continues. "I will reclaim my birthright."

Again I nod but cannot contain a laugh. "Indeed, you are a Howard, my lady."

Lady Elizabeth joins me with a girlish giggle of her own. "I am not certain that is a name I should associate myself with too closely."

I shake my head. "Oh, no, my lady. Once a Howard, always a Howard."

She regards me with Anne's eyes. "You are wrong, Lady Mary. There is only one name that matters in this world. Let all the Howards, the Brandons, the Seymours, let them all fall by the wayside with their beloved names. In the end only one name matters." She pauses. "'Your Majesty.' It is a name I shall endeavor to attain."

I sink into a curtsy, taking one of her pretty hands in my own.

At this moment there is nothing in my life I am more certain of than the fact that someday, somehow, this child before me with Anne Boleyn's eyes
will
attain that name.

This girl will show us all. She, the witch's daughter; she, a Howard girl. She will be queen; what's more, she will hold her throne.

My heart surges with triumph, as though I have been allowed a glimpse into the eternal. It is a glimpse that affords me hope in a world where hope seems so very out of reach.

While the men are away I occupy myself with writing verse.

It is then that at last I unlock my little silver casket of treasures and pull out the unfinished "O Happy Dames."

As I ponder it I think of Cedric--he and any man who has left a maid yearning for his arms. I think of the sea. I think of longing. I think of the fruitlessness of ambition and war. I think of the Howards, of poor Margaret Douglas, of the king's wronged queens, of Norfolk's strange menage with my mother and Bess, of Cedric. Of me. Emotions capture me, swirling about my mind and heart like the currents of the Channel. I take up the quill.

And I write. One word, then another, till the phrases flow with the urgent determination of a river's unswerving course. I write and write...

When it is done I lock it away in the little casket. I have vowed not to read it over, not even once, until he comes home. Until he returns to me, as promised.

With instruction from the king being vague at best, Norfolk is left in Montreuil, his resources dwindling and the overall morale low. Eventually the siege is raised and once Boulogne is garrisoned, he retreats to Calais. Word has it that the king was ill-pleased with my lord and I can only imagine the shameless groveling Norfolk reduced himself to in order to remain in favor.

Norfolk, to his credit, has the presence of mind to realize what is attainable in this battle. He knows, just as I do, that England is not capable of holding a city such as Boulogne for very long.

In October they return home, two old men weary of war and disappointment.

I do not embrace Norfolk when I see him. I can no longer bear the feel of his rigid body, a body so abhorrent of any physical demonstrations of love, in my arms. Instead I remain cool and composed, offering a perfect curtsy.

"My lord," I say in smooth tones. "I am pleased to see you home and safe."

He nods, then smiles as though pleased with my formal greeting. "It was a farce, Mary," he tells me. "But we will not speak of it. The topic disgusts me." He proffers his arm and I take it; together we proceed into Hampton Court. Despite his loss, his manner is light. Indeed, he is as close to cheerful as I have ever seen him.

The king, conversely, is not light of manner. Instead of praising his worthy queen for her competent management of his kingdom in his absence, he accuses her of trying to usurp the throne, and this because she dared don a purple cloak!

Our Catherine Parr is a clever one, however; as much as I love her, it is still a bit begrudgingly that I admit she is far cleverer than my Anne. She soothes the snarling lion, placing his putrid leg on her lap, changing his soiled linens and massaging ointment into the oozing sore with her own hands. He moans and cries when she rubs his leg while speaking sweet and low, telling him what he most wants to hear, that he is the most glorious king to ever sit the throne of England and no one could dare replace him, least of all her, lowly woman that she is. She only did as her master and sovereign bid her; guarded his kingdom with her heart, relying on the support of her regency council and the earls of Hertford and Shrewsbury to guide her so that she could make decisions that may best please her good husband. She tells him of his accomplished children, the studious Mary, the vivacious and intelligent Elizabeth, and fiery young Edward.

They are the right words, the right things.

For the first time, England may have a queen who can manage Henry VIII.

When the king is settled he orders an entertainment. Perhaps wine and song will help blot out the French failure. The king, once such a lively dancer, sits at the high table beside the queen, resting his leg in her lap. She is a master of composure. How she can resist the urge to vomit right there is a feat which should earn her some kind of additional title.

She sits, a font of dignity, rubbing her husband's leg while he devours every delicacy in sight. I watch him stuff food into his doughy face. Crumbs gather at the corners of his mouth, wine spills from his cup down his chin as he gulps it. Remnants of food remain on his face while he converses with courtiers too terrorized to point out any flaw of His Majesty's countenance to him.

I avert my eyes from the high table to the group of musicians, hoping to find Cedric among them. I have not seen him since the army's return.

I do not know who to ask. Should I inquire of Norfolk he would scoff at me, then suspect my fallen virtue and do God knows what. There is only one person to approach. As much as I detest the thought I advance to the high table, offering a curtsy to Their Majesties.

The stench of his leg assaults my nostrils and I make a strident but subtle effort to breathe through my mouth, though I swear I can almost taste that sickeningly sweet smell. It catches in my throat and I swallow the urge to gag.

If I still believed in saints I should count Queen Catherine Parr among them.

"Lady Richmond." The king's voice is merry. His cheeks and nose are red. His eyes, once one of his comeliest features, are little blue beads bugging out of his fat. "And fairer than ever. Look at her, Cat--is she not fair?"

Cat offers her gentle smile. "That she is, Your Majesty," she agrees, her voice like warm butter.

"I am so grateful Your Majesty has returned home safe to the kingdom that loves him," I tell him, forcing sincerity into my tone.

"Bless you, child," he says.

He has not bidden me to rise so I remain almost on one knee. "Your Majesty," I begin. "I...was wondering if I might make an inquiry."

"Speak, child," he says, gesturing with his plump hand for me to go on.

"I..." I draw in a breath. My cheeks are hot. I cast my eyes to my silver slippers, hoping that I appear modest. "The musician...Master Dane...he accompanied you to France." I dare look up. His Majesty is taking in a long draught of his wine. I continue. "I was wondering, Sire, did Master Dane return to Cornwall to see his children after your return? I have not seen him at court."

King Henry's face is drawn. "Yes, Master Dane. Good musician." He clears his throat. "A fine lad." He breaks off a piece of cheese and begins to nibble as he speaks. "No, my dear lady, he is not in Cornwall. Master Dane took ill on the voyage home." Cheese is spewing forth as he talks. A piece lands on my pearl-encrusted bodice. I stare down at it, my gut churning. I cannot hear what His Majesty is saying. All I see are the specks of cheese landing on my pretty dress..."cast into the Channel..." he is saying.

Cast into the Channel.

He is not saying it. He did not say it. He is making a royal pig of himself, spitting and spewing. He is not talking about death. He did not say the body of his treasured musician was thrown into the sea like a sack of rotted apples.