That closed the subject for me, completely, utterly, and irrevocably. I would never have relations with a man, even if I someday wanted to. It could not be worth the risk. However, at the back of my mind, the words my grandmother wrote troubled me. “And most importantly, pass this power, in the proper time, to your own Fillos.” Perhaps there was another way to pass the power down. If there was, I would find it.
I said aloud to let Blanche know my feelings, “Well, I will not be participating in the procreation of human life. I am firm on this point. From what I’ve seen, it cannot be that desirable.” I thought a bit more and did not understand. “I do still feel confused. How a kiss can produce the effect. I have seen so many people kiss at court without getting with child.”
Blanche laughed at me heartily in that moment and then things got graphic.
She went on for what seemed an eternity about the relationship between a man and a woman, and by the time I went to bed that night all thoughts of Jane and her death were gone, replaced with less gory, but equally horrid, images. I could not believe that people, all people, did what she described. I felt vile, and yet in a very odd way—a way that I did not even want to admit to myself—I felt interested. The conflicting feelings preoccupied me, and I found it hard to sleep.
Episode 2
January 1543
Ashridge House, Hertfordshire
There was a very small amount of snow on the ground as we traveled to Ashridge, and it only heightened the beauty of the ride. The rolling hills and ample woods were not enough, however, to completely occupy my mind.
I could not wait to see Edward. It had been so long since I had visited my younger brother that I tried to imagine how he’d grown. He would be six soon, so he would be out of dresses and on to breeches, which was the sign it was time to find a male tutor for him, for his real education as the future king would begin. I was going to be there to witness it and, in the process, take advantage of tutelage from a real scholar for my own education. Bless Kat for writing to Father, and bless Father for letting me come.
As we entered the gate, I straightened my fur cap and coat and pinched my cheeks with my gloved fingers so that I would look as excited as I felt. I was a bit disappointed that Edward was not waiting for me at the door, but the moment I stepped out of the carriage, I realized that it was far colder outside the contraption than in. I hurried to a black-clad man who shivered as he waited on us.
“Greetings, Sir William. How are you?”
“Well, my Lady. You look elegant and refreshed.”
“Thank you,” I said with a little shiver.
He smiled and motioned me toward the door. “His Royal Highness, the prince, is impatiently awaiting you just inside. I had to keep him out of this cold on account of his health. The king is most particular about the prince, as I am sure you are aware.”
I was aware. I had never been in a cleaner place or with cleaner people than when I was with Edward. Though Edward was in wonderful health, Father was very anxious about him, as he should be, for there was but one son to continue the Tudor dynasty.
“Sir William, do you know, will the king be joining us here? It seems he would want to directly oversee Edwards’s first bits of tutelage.”
Sir William looked a bit surprised by the question and his long face held a bit of a sneer when he answered. “No, I think your father has other plans that will be taking the majority of his time at present.”
I wondered what Sir William knew, but we had entered the house and so I did not get a chance to question him.
“Elizabeth!” came the eager sound of Edward's voice. He rushed up to me exactly as he’d done when he was small. His bright eyes and golden hair looked the same, though he had grown so tall and thin.
A loud humph from a strict looking man at Edward’s side stalled his haste. Edward stopped just in front of me, his tight lips trying for all they were worth to hide his smile. He straightened his fur-lined doublet and feather-plumed cap and bowed gracefully.
“My Lady, you look ravishing. May I escort you to the fire?” his high pitched little voice asked.
I laughed heartily and took his hand, curtseying as low as possible over the proffered hand. “Of course, you may, your Royal Highness. You look very handsome yourself, if I may be so bold.”
“Yes, you may. And on that subject, I’ll have you know that I find myself quite handsome as well,” he said with a serious face except for his laughing eyes.
I smiled wide and squeezed his hand. “I feel honored to be your guest. May I inquire about your family and your health?”
“You may, thank you. I am in perfect health, and my family are all very well, excepting my sister Bessy. You may know her. She is a frightful creature, a very scary thing to behold. But it is her wit and her tongue you must fear the most.”
I feigned shock and began tickling him in the ribs. That was his vulnerable spot. “Why, you royal rat!” I said as he began to laugh and squirm violently. I held him fast and continued tickling. “I will show you, speaking of your loving sister in such a manner! It is reproachful. What if she were present to hear you?”
Through his laughing he said in mock surprise, “Oh heavens, it is you, Bessy! How did you disguise yourself? I did not know you.”
But the laughing and playing was cut short, for I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard another humph. I stopped tickling Edward, who was now on the ground, tears of joy in his eyes. I stood straight and looked around to see the same angular-faced man.
“It is improper for the prince to be acting thus. He has guests to introduce you to.”
Edward was getting up now. “Oh yes, Elizabeth. I am sorry I forgot.” He took me by the hand, all courtier again, and turned me toward the back of the room. Standing there in the dim candlelight were three other boys. One of them, the beautiful one, I knew instantly.
“Robert!” I said with so much longing and excitement that even I would have been embarrassed had I time to think about it. I rushed to him and hugged him tightly. He did not hug me back and when I pulled away, I saw fear in his eyes. It was then that I remembered I was not to show this side of our friendship to other people.
“Sorry, I forgot,” I said so low I hoped no one could hear, and his countenance instantly changed so that I knew he was glad to see me.
Edward came up behind me and said, “Well, I guess you know Robert Dudley. When did you meet him, Sister? I thought that you were fairly secluded from society at Hatfield.”
I gave him a withering look. “I do occasionally have visitors, Edward. Robert and his father happened to be nearby and were able to attend my birthday celebration. Robert and I had so much fun dueling with one another that we became fast friends. Did we not Robert?”
He cleared his throat, put on his best courtier manners, and spoke. “Yes, we did, my Lady.” I was once again thrilled to hear the beautiful timbre of his young voice. “I think that your sister here bested me in several sword fights, my Prince. She is unusually skilled, if I do say so.” Before I could clarify that he was joking, the other boys laughed loudly.
The light-haired boy, who did not have as fine of clothes as I thought one of my brother’s playmates ought to have, spoke. “I am sure you are telling a great falsehood, Robert, for you are the only one who can beat all of us together. There is no way a girl could best you.”
He had an Irish accent, green eyes, and freckles. The overconfident way he spoke made me sure that I either would like this boy immensely or hate him with passion. I would wait to decide which after I beat him in all our subjects.
Everyone was laughing now except Robert, who kept his eyes on me, never once looking away. I felt an urgency from him that I did not understand. Unfortunately, I would have to wait to find out what it all meant.
I looked to the Irish boy. “Edward, would you please introduce me to your playfellow here, so that I might know whom I am challenging to a duel?”
Edward wrinkled his nose at my haughty speech and smile
d. “Let me do this in the proper order. This is Dr. Coxe.” He pointed to the severe looking man standing next to him. “He is our tutor.”
I curtsied and felt worried. I did not like the look of the man and I did not like his attitude toward Edward.
“This is Henry Brandon, the young Duke of Suffolk.”
I again curtsied to a dark-haired boy that had not yet spoken. He looked the same age as Edward, while the other two boys were older.
Lastly, Edward indicated the Irish boy. “And this is Barnaby Fitzpatrick, a cousin of the Earl of Ormonde. He also happens to be my best mate. As to why, I am sure you will soon understand. Unfortunately, he is also my whipping boy.”
“That is regrettable,” I said with a bit of sarcasm in my voice. “I shall make special effort not to get you into any trouble then, Edward, for I would not want this boy, who is intent on degrading me the moment he meets me, to find his buttocks sore on account of our folly.”
Now it was my turn to enjoy everyone’s laughter and this time Robert did laugh as he continued to watch me.
“Your sister has a quick wit, my Prince,” Henry Brandon said.
“And a haughty manner,” Barnaby said with a huge smile, not at all scared by my open threat. “I like her.”
“She is very intelligent—for a girl,” Edward said, “Of course she is related to me. Superb blood, that is what I say.”
“Well, at least half of it is,” Henry said, thinking he had told a great joke, but the room became quiet as everyone looked to me for my reaction.
Anger welled up in me at once and I felt my mind reach out for the power that was in me. As it settled around me I felt strength and a calming wisdom. I instantly realized that I needed to get along with these boys if I was going to stay here, so with all the strength I could muster, I looked at them in turn and said aloud, “None of you will refer to my mother in this manner again. While I am here, we will all get along as equals. Do you understand?”
As I said it, four small orbs of light left my aura and descended upon Edward, Barnaby, Henry, and Dr. Coxe.
Shock widened my eyes and brought blood to my cheeks. In the last few months I had tried many times to do this very thing, but it never worked. Yet here in this public situation my power easily affected everyone in the room—everyone excepting Robert, a fact which confused me more than anything.
I stood motionless and completely stunned, so much so that I did not know what to do when all but Robert started muttering confused apologies in staggered unison. Robert’s eyes left me for the first time as he looked around him. Dismay screwed up his brown eyebrows, and when he looked back at me, I knew that I would have to explain.
The rest of the evening went smoothly except for the occasional probing eye from Robert. The conversation was light and the boys were very generous. Dr. Coxe was the perpetual fly on the wall and I noticed how he focused all his attention on Edward. I felt as if he were making a mental list of his strengths, or perhaps his flaws. The constant sour expression on his face told me that it was perhaps the latter. However, his speech and manners were impeccable—perfect in fact, if that were possible by anyone but Christ. I was very excited to start my lessons with him, but I hoped that we would have some variety in our instructors or I might forget what it was like to smile in earnest.
Supper was light but expertly done, and after I finished I sat back in my chair and admired the elegant dining room of Ashridge House. This place reminded me of an old monastery, which would make sense considering Father was systematically acquiring all monasteries and giving them away as gifts. Only the prince of England could expect a house as lushly furnished as this, though. The wooden beams and stained-glass windows were breathtaking, and all the décor was exquisite in its make.
“I can see you are admiring my home. Father has outdone himself with the apartments. Just wait until you see yours. I saved the second best for you, my dear sister,” Edward said happily.
“It certainly makes Hatfield feel more like a stable, my brother,” I said admiringly, and I turned to watch the rain gently trickle down the windows. “I like it here, Edward. You might not see me leave anytime soon.”
“You are welcome for as long as it pleases you, Bessy. Only do not begin to feel so comfortable that you forget who is master here,” he said without any hint of teasing. Then he quieted his voice. “I will not hear of the cook making all those sweet things you love so much. It is an indulgence you should give up, my sister, unless you want to be as fat as Father.”
I was shocked to hear him say the words, and I wondered what his feelings toward Father were. “I do not think Father is all that fat,” I said, trying to let him know that I was not about to talk badly about our father.
“Yes, he is, Elizabeth, and I will not have it in you. Girls are not supposed to be fat. It is unsightly.”
I knew that my six-year-old brother could not be thinking these things on his own. “Whose words are you repeating, Edward?”
He blushed but easily admitted, “Dr. Coxe. He changed my diet so that I began eating much blander foods as soon as he arrived. He thinks that obesity is equal to gluttony and he says that the Bible teaches against it, as it is a sin. He is very pious.”
I knew that he had to be Protestant or Father would not have given him the position as Edward's tutor, otherwise how would it be for Father to work so hard to promote the Church of England only to die and have his own son and successor tear all his work to shreds? Yes, Father would see to it that Edward was properly indoctrinated. Nevertheless, I was concerned. Edward seemed far too impressionable. He was already quoting a man he barely knew. That was not good, and I felt I needed to tell him so. Unfortunately, I was unsure of how to go about it.
“Tell me more about Dr. Coxe,” I said finally, hoping that I could somehow just bring it up.
Edward was excited. “I am so pleased to be in the company of a man. I love Lady Bryan, and she has taught me well, but it is different with Dr. Coxe. Everyone has been telling me how I am to be king one day, and now I feel as though I am finally going to be prepared for that task. You must admit, Elizabeth, that women are deficient in so many ways. They cannot be a man, they cannot act like a man, they cannot teach one to be a man. It is a man’s job to teach that art.”
My mood instantly changed. “Art? Edward, I am afraid that you are mistaken. We women may not technically be as strong as a man is—or perhaps we are, for consider which one of the sexes have the children. I say this because I have recently experienced something tragic in regard to birthing and I know for a fact that if that job were left to men, the world would have ended with Adam and Eve.”
Edward thought for a moment, and I was sure that he pondered the fact that his own mother had died as a result of complications following his birth. However, he soon came up with an argument. “Yes. Sister, but which one of us makes war? You would not be able to fight in a war. We men do that,” he said a bit haughtily.
I laughed. “You princes think you do it, but truly the men who live under your rule do all the fighting. Moreover, who has said that women cannot fight? Given equal standing as a man has in war, meaning woman against woman, I can promise you that I would do alarmingly well. Women can fight, and women have babies. And just as the entire world sees, every time a king goes off to war, women can rule a kingdom and do marvelously well. However, I will concede on this point: a woman cannot teach a man to act like a man. She can only teach him to be the best parts of the human disposition. I am convinced that men only act genteel because women have forced it upon them.”
Edward looked at me out of the corner of his eye and smiled. “Whose words are you repeating, Bessy?”
I laughed, but my answer was interrupted by Dr. Coxe, who said in a low bass voice, “My, my, we have a little revolutionary on our hands.” He was standing on my other side and I had not seen him lingering as I talked. “You have been instructed well, Lady Elizabeth. I can hardly believe the wisdom and maturity of your arguments. The ve
ry manner of your delivery and soundness of your speech entices me to write to a colleague of mine and see if he would be willing to join us for our lessons, simply to observe the phenomenon that is the Lady Elizabeth.”
I could see in his face that he was truly impressed, and I was astounded to find that his features had softened as he spoke, so I answered, “If you seclude a child from other children, and that child only has lessons to occupy her, someone like me is naturally produced. I can write, read, and speak some of Latin, French, Italian, Welsh, and Spanish. However, I am most fluent in French. I have read all the great works from Homer to Machiavelli. My needlework is excellent, though I hate to do it, and my calligraphy is superb. I am a talented equestrian, as well as swordsman. I love new dresses and sweet foods, and Kat says I look at my own reflection in the mirror far too often, but I disagree. I think I gaze at myself just the right amount.” I smiled mischievously and went on. “I dance, draw, sing, play two instruments, and I debate with adults to get my way about things on a regular basis. Thus, I am well practiced and, as you know, practice makes perfect.” As I listed my skills, his eyebrows slowly climbed higher and higher on his tight forehead, and when I finished, I blinked my lashes up at him as sweetly as I could and concluded shrewdly from his observatory stillness of the night, “I hope that all this information will help you in deciphering how best to deal with me.” I glanced at Edward, who looked impressed, and then back to Dr. Coxe, with a knowing expression on my face.
He flushed with excitement and interest. “Not only are you more accomplished than most women of my acquaintance, but you are far more perceptive than I would have believed possible, and you do it all with a touch of wit.” He cleared his throat and straightened his doublet as he asked, “How old are you, my Lady?”
“I am in my tenth year, sir,” I said, knowing that now I would get the best this man had to offer. He would not assume that I had received inferior training because it was given by a woman, or that I was unable to keep up with the boys. Thus, we could get straight to learning.
Elizabeth Tudor- Ancestry of Sorcery Page 10