“I know my face is ugly but I am sorry it is so awful it is making you cry.”
At that Catherine laughed. “No, it’s not you.” She blew her nose, and, to his credit, he didn’t look disgusted.
“Promise?”
“Yes.” She managed a weak smile for him. “I should go — I will be missed.”
“Catherine, I would not marry you if you did not want to marry me.”
“How can I know that so soon? But I do not hate you.”
“I will accept that for now.” He took her hand and placed a kiss on her tear stained palm. “I shall try to never make you cry like that again.”
“Just don’t lie to me.” Catherine took her hand back and disappeared. She tried to compose herself as best as she could, but Mistress Loew did not miss anything and asked her if something had happened.
“Family issues,” Catherine explained in broken German.
Mistress Loew smiled at her attempt and patted her arm. “Go wash your face and return when you have caught your breath.”
Her uncle was soon distracted from tormenting her by the news that Cromwell would be invested as Earl of Essex by the King and given the title of Lord Great Chamberlin of England.
On a cool night in April he had railed before both Jane and Catherine.
“Why has the King chosen to reward Cromwell now?”
Jane was dumbfounded. How was she supposed to know?
Catherine was looking at the floor but she dared to reply. “Perhaps he has found a way for the King to get rid of Anne. He is always generous when he has received good news.”
The Duke slammed his hand down on the table in front of him. “That man is still responsible for this mess in the first place. He should be glad he is not in the Tower!”
“Anne has argued with him over the Lady Elizabeth. She wants him to allow her to visit court.” Catherine volunteered the information.
“That should make him angrier, not ready to jump to a reward.”
“But my Lord, the King wouldn’t get angrier if he no longer feels trapped in his marriage.”
For once, he looked at her with interest as if impressed with her thinking. “Yes, and he has done this before, handed out awards only to throw the offender in the Tower the next day.”
He straightened up and re-adjusted his doublet which had become askew during his tirade.
“Good, keep an eye out. You are dismissed.”
On the day of his investiture something that Cromwell himself had been surprised about, the court enjoyed a day of celebration. In the tournament arranged, his nephew joined the lists and rode well in the joust.
Catherine found it amusing that the factions of court could be seen so easily in the faces of the courtiers. Those who supported the reformation of the church were light on their feet, ready with an easy smile at their triumph today. In contrast, those who longed for a return to the Catholic faith were sullen and ready to snap at anyone who displeased them.
Queen Anne, who had yet to receive her visit from him, found herself confused. She asked Lady Rutland if she might summon the Lord Cromwell to visit her, but Lady Rutland returned with a message that he was much too busy.
If Anne had been Queen Catherine of Aragon or the other Queen Anne, she would have railed and demanded him to appear, but she did not give commands.
No Queen of Henry’s would survive long with a commanding disposition.
She did achieve a small victory, though, and she was allowed to take the Princess Mary and her court of ladies to visit with the Lady Elizabeth. This was not the royal welcome at court she desired but it was a step.
Perhaps Catherine should have warned her that even though the King gave her permission to go, she should not, since he was so displeased with the idea.
Yet, here they were on the royal barge being rowed down the Thames to Hatfield House. Elizabeth was usually attached to the Prince’s household, but she had recently taken to residing in the house, finishing her education.
The party was greeted by the assembly of the household.
Catherine’s eyes went straight for her cousin and, as she secretly knew, her half-sister as well. She was tall for a seven-year-old with a pale complexion, and, even from a distance, the redness of her hair could be seen from beneath her hood.
Her governess Kat Ashley stood by her side but did not hold her hand nor did she need to assist this clever child who knew how to greet the visiting Queen. As soon as Queen Anne had stopped in front of her, she performed a perfect curtsey and kissed her new stepmother’s hand.
“I am honored you have come to visit me.” She met Anne’s kind gaze.
“The honor is all mine. I was hoping to see all the children of my husband the King.” The sentence was awkward but unsurprising given she had only been in England for a little over four months.
“I think I should introduce you to your cousins.” Queen Anne looked behind her and motioned with the tilt of her head for Catherine to step forward with Kitty Howard too.
They bobbed a curtsey that was fitting for the Lady Elizabeth’s station as the King’s illegitimate daughter.
Elizabeth seemed intrigued by the sudden growth of her family. Catherine knew that ever since her mother had died, she had been in the keeping of servants and her only family had been the King and her two siblings. Now, suddenly, she had gained cousins.
Of course, Elizabeth knew that she had relatives from her mother’s side, but she had rarely, if ever, interacted with them. Catherine knew that the last time Elizabeth had been at court was when she had been honored with carrying the baptismal cloth at her brother’s baptism.
The three girls seemed to consider each other for a moment before she finally spoke.
“A picnic was prepared.” The former Princess led the way.
“Will you sit beside me?” Anne was all kindness and generosity as she walked side by side with her to where the tables had been set up outside.
A small tent had been erected to protect the party from the sun.
Catherine noted card tables that had already been set up. It was already well known that the Queen enjoyed playing cards and embroidery above anything else. The Lady Elizabeth seemed intent on pleasing her.
Indeed, she recited a poem for her in both English and Latin and then presented her with a set of handkerchiefs embroidered by her own hand with the letters HA entwined with vines and flowers to represent the Queen’s union for her father.
Anne, who loved children, was more than pleased with the sweet talented girl. She promised to visit her often and perhaps even have her at court for the May Day celebrations. She had not seen how the child had blanched at that, but, Catherine, who was watching her intently, noted it.
Of course, she knew that it was on May Day that her mother was arrested and thrown into the Tower. To say it had been an unpleasant day would be an understatement.
But Queen Anne of Cleves seemed sure she could wipe away all the old conceptions of the day and replace the bad memories with new ones.
Catherine had to admire her tenacity. After all, wherever she went, the Queen was reminded of her predecessors. She wore Anne Boleyn’s rubies, the Spanish jewels and lived in the rooms where Jane Seymour had labored with her child and then died. Any other woman would have been haunted by these ghosts but not her.
They returned with the tide and arrived back at Westminster in a timely manner.
The King had been in a foul mood at dinner, no doubt displeased that the Queen had dared to go the Hatfield. But she spent the evening lavishing praise on Elizabeth, saying that only a daughter of his could be so smart and well-bred. This had placated his temper somewhat.
On the day of the May Day joust, they were awoken to the sound of music playing outside the Queen’s apartments.
Catherine was surprised that the King had arranged for musicians to bring in the May. Kitty Howard was leaning out the window to their rooms waving a little handkerchief at them.
King Henry was among th
em, disguised as a bard. But even if it wasn’t for his large size, he would have stood out, for, though he carried a lute in his hands, he barely played and instead looked at the ladies who had gathered with a satisfied grin.
“He promised me he would awaken me so sweetly.” Kitty shared her secret with Catherine.
So this had not been for the Queen’s benefit. The thought hurt her, after all she would not like it if her husband was serenading a woman under her very nose. The Queen was blissfully unaware, though, and the King had not been cruel enough to let her know the truth.
There were gifts for all the ladies of her household. From bouquets of flowers to little trinkets.
Kitty had received a string of pearls, much finer than any of the other gifts. This the Queen had noticed but said nothing for the moment. Instead, she thanked her husband for his generosity.
Catherine slipped the silver broach hammered into the shape of the Tudor rose she received into her hat for the day’s festivities.
“Who shall you give your favor to?” Henry asked Anne. From his nonchalant tone, Anne sensed a trap and was wise enough now to tread carefully.
“I was going to ask you to help me decide. I know your majesty will have chosen the best man to ride for you in the joust.”
“Of course, I have a lot of experience with this. Thomas Seymour and Richard Cromwell are riding for me.”
“Then I shall place my bets on them since they have been chosen by you, husband.”
He smiled at that and the tension in the room dissipated. “Very well.”
They paraded down to the lists as one big party. The King’s men and the Queen’s gentlewomen.
Catherine was unsurprised to find Francis had made his way over to her side.
“Would you grant me your favor?”
Catherine turned to face him. “You are riding?”
“Is that worry I hear in your voice?” he teased.
“Well, yes. After all, it is dangerous.” She tried to look away but found his smile enchanting. A giddy feeling overtaking her.
“Then give me your favor and it shall protect me.”
She saw that everyone else was distracted, so she picked at a ribbon from her sleeve and pulled it out for him. He took the ribbon and clutched it to his heart in the chivalric fashion.
“Thank you, my lady. I hope I shall make you proud of me.” He gave her a little bow, which drew people’s attention, and then he ran off ahead to join those getting ready to joust.
Mistress Loew gave her a disapproving look, but Catherine merely shrugged. There was nothing wrong with giving her betrothed her favor.
They were seated in the Queen’s box, and, as they had arrived, the people had cheered for Anne. She had flushed with embarrassment but waved good naturedly to them.
“Why do they cheer for her so much?” Kitty’s jealousy was poignant.
“She is kind to everyone.” Catherine rolled her eyes.
“She isn’t pretty or anything.” Clearly, Kitty had not heard her. Catherine wasn’t about to indulge her jealousy and she stepped away.
Catherine studied the men in the King’s box. On one side was an anxious Lord Lisle, who had returned from his post in Calais. There had been rumors of a plot, and he was here to answer the King’s questions. On the other side was her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk. His head was leaned towards the King’s, and the two men seemed in deep discussion. Behind them, Lord Cromwell, who was not in his usual seat of honor, kept leaning forward then leaning back. Sometimes he looked as though he was about to stand to hear what the King was saying.
A blast of trumpets announced the start of the tournament and all discussion stopped as the competitors entered the ring. Catherine kept her eyes peeled for Francis but could not pick him out from the knights with their visors down. She saw the King’s men immediately, for they carried his banner.
From all sides, people shouted for their favorites.
Catherine watched, not daring to blink or look away for one second as the first competitors appeared on the opposite end of the lists, their lances up and their breastplates gleaming in the sun.
It was time for the Queen to begin the match. She had a white cloth in hand and she stood by the edge of the box. With a flick of her wrist the competitors were off. The warhorses pounding the ground as they raced towards their opponents, unafraid.
All morning the men clashed. Once a man who turned out to be Thomas Culpeper was unhorsed, and the ladies had all cried out in horror as they thought he might have died. Another time, it had been her own Francis who had his helmet flung off his head. He had seemed a bit dazed but was otherwise unhurt.
Still Catherine had gasped and covered her eyes. He had seen her and had patted his breastplate over his heart, reminding her that he carried her favor and was protected.
That night, there was more dancing and frivolity. Will, the fool, juggled and danced around, making everyone laugh.
Catherine was led away into one dance after another before finally escaping and looking for Francis. She supposed she could no longer ignore that she felt drawn to him. Of course, she hadn’t quite forgiven his deception, but he had not meant any harm by it. In fact, his romantic notions of wanting her to love him before knowing they were to be betrothed made him seem all the more endearing.
She found him talking to some other gentleman, but he excused himself when he saw her waiting nearby.
“Are you proud of your knight? Can you forgive me for not winning any prizes?”
Catherine grinned. “I shall but you must dance with me now to make up for it.”
“That’s hardly a punishment.”
“It might be when I step on your toes.”
Chapter Ten
With the May Day celebrations concluded, the court’s attention went to the King.
He was in love again.
He didn’t write poetry like he used to or compose songs, but the goldsmiths were kept busy, coming in and out of his private rooms. But it was not the Queen who was being decked out in jewels. His dislike of her was no secret, and, though, to her credit, she never complained and remained entirely respectful. Her reward for this was mockery. This led Catherine to believe that Anne was stronger than anyone gave her credit for.
The speculation over who the King’s new favorite was began in earnest.
Catherine knew more than most, but she was certain it wouldn’t remain secret for long. Several of the Queen’s ladies would run out of the Queen’s rooms to go hunting with the King, but Kitty was always first among them.
Recently, she had also been summoned to Lambeth by her grandmother, but this was merely a ruse to disguise the true reason. For Gardiner would throw lavish parties where she was a guest for the King’s amusement.
Kitty’s wardrobe was replaced with fine jewels and elaborate gowns. She seemed perfectly happy accepting these gifts and not thinking about the consequences or how she would have to repay the King’s generosity.
Catherine liked to think that she didn’t know what she was doing when she came running to the Queen to show her a new pearl pendant or a pair of new riding gloves. Kitty was still innocent and incredibly self-centered. The world revolved around her.
Queen Anne merely smiled and admired her new trappings.
Mistress Loew was far less accepting of Kitty’s behavior. She sought to reprimand the girl whenever she could, but she didn’t have the power to stop her from going when the King summoned her. Catherine was sifting through the box of thread to lay out the colors Anne requested when she overheard them arguing.
“You must send her away.”
“I cannot, the King likes her company and so do I. She is a sweet girl.”
“The King has likely taken her for a mistress. She puts your marriage at risk.”
Catherine tilted her head to see Anne’s expression. The Queen looked sullen.
“If it pleases him, it pleases me.” Then she caught Catherine looking at her. “The thread Lady Carey.” She held
out her hands expectantly.
Catherine handed them over.
“She is your cousin.”
“A distant relative,” Catherine corrected, not wishing to be associated with Kitty at the moment.
“She would be mistress to the King?” Anne asked in that straightforward way of hers. No one else was around that morning to overhear them.
Yet again, Catherine was at a crossroads. It took her a moment to find her voice again as she struggled with the dilemma of being honest or lying to her. She settled on the truth for there was little Anne could do either way.
“No.”
At her side, Mistress Loew frowned. “But she goes away with him and he gives her so many presents.”
“She is an honorable and virtuous lady.” Catherine had developed a habit of hinting at the truth without saying it out loud. “The King would not dishonor her so.”
“What else could there be for her?”
Anne hushed her German lady and turned to Catherine. “I understand. What could I do?”
“Do whatever is necessary. Don’t give him any reason to be displeased with your or accuse you of anything.” Anne had to lean forward to hear her words.
She looked at her, her lips pursed together in a grimace. Her features were scrunched up in a look of concern, as if to say what a cruel upbringing she must have had if she was ready with such cryptic advice. Catherine thought of the Tower and a shiver ran down her spine. She didn’t want to see another Queen Anne disappear into their cold damp rooms.
It filled her with guilt to leave the Queen’s rooms, but she also needed the time to clear her head. Francis had taken to making excuses to join her on her outings. However, for the sake of decorum, they were never alone.
At first, he would send her a note claiming that he was feeling unwell and needed fresh air, asking if she would join him on a walk. Then if they went out riding, he would say it was his duty to accompany her and protect her from vagabonds lying in wait in the forest. Finally, he admitted he was beginning to miss her company.
The Lady Carey Page 13