The Last Howard Girl (Tudor Chronicles Book 3)

by Lesley Jepson

  Elizabeth, Princess of England

  Chapter 4

  alph, must you really go?’ Tears rolled slowly down Meg’s sorrowful face and she tried to control the tremor in her voice as she spoke. ‘Can’t it be someone else?’

  Ralph took both Meg’s hands in his and kissed the knuckles, then thumbed the tears away before brushing the escaping wisps of hair back from her hot forehead.

  ‘Please don’t upset yourself so much, my love. It won’t be good for the baby.’ He put his arms round his wife and drew her into an embrace while she cried a little more onto his velvet doublet. ‘Cecil only trusts me and Francis, my Meg. You know this. And you also know that Cat is too near her time for Francis to be gone that long.’

  ‘How long will you be gone?’ Panic started to raise Meg’s tone, and Ralph hugged her tightly and hushed her.

  ‘Probably three weeks, my love. A week perhaps to get up there, providing the roads are clear. The Great North Road is a direct route, with many inns and hostelries on the way. I shall be quite comfortable. And I shall probably remain at Berwick a week, to pay the troops and make sure Warwick and Somerset are funded properly before I leave. Then a brief week to get home.’ He smiled. ‘Home to you, my love.’

  ‘I do understand, Ralph. Truly I do. Three weeks isn’t so very long, and I shall have all the children to distract me. And if there are any delays, and you are gone longer, then I shall understand that too. That’s the real reason you are going, and not Francis. Cat delivers her babies so quickly now, that he cannot risk there might be a delay.’

  Ralph smiled at the quick mind of his wife, concealed behind wide hazel eyes, light brown curls and a sweet smile with perfect teeth.

  ‘I shall not delay either, my love. I shall have the protection of the guard, taking so much money north for the campaign. But the journey home will be far swifter without the payroll wagons. I shall be back before you need to slacken your laces, I promise.’

  Meg laughed at Ralph’s words. She usually only slackened her laces when she was very far along, as she carried her children well concealed within her slender frame. He would have to be gone several months, she thought, before her laces needed letting out. She thought of her friend Cat, who expanded immediately when pregnant and lumbered for months before delivering exceptionally quickly and being back on her feet and at court within a week or two. She was so pleased Ralph liked her to stay at home as much as she could; she enjoyed bringing up her own children and watching them grow and learn.

  ***

  My most beloved and esteemed Princess

  We have finally engaged the Scots in battle. We crossed the River Eske and were apprehended by the armies of the Earls of Arran and Angus at a place called Pinkie Cleugh. Bess, it was a rout! The mercenaries were fearless and brutal, and the battle raged all around. Henry and I were not in the heat of the battle, you understand. Father made sure we had tasks on the edge of the camp, but the noise, Bess, and the smell. It was truly fearsome. The Scots fought bravely, and their Highlanders fight like savages; a true opponent for the Germanic troops.

  The Italians made their mark, shooting great distances with their wonderfully accurate weapons and they managed to kill many of the leaders without putting themselves at risk. The archers too, good English bowmen, killed a great many Scots from a long way away before we had to engage our stout English fighting men into a shield wall. About 200 of our brave soldiers were killed, my Father tells me, and more than thrice that number of Scots. But afterwards Somerset spoke with Arran and they signed a truce at Stirling.

  I shall be home soon. I can’t wait to see you, and the King. I shall have such stories to tell you both. I think soldiery is an honourable profession, and I shall petition my Father to let me be a part of any future campaigns. But until then, I shall be home, with you.

  Take care, my Bess. I shall see you very soon. Affectionately and humbly. Robert.

  Elizabeth folded the letter silently. She could tell by the tone that Robert had become entranced by the life of a soldier. She wondered how long it would be before he left her again on yet another campaign for his father. Cecil had told her that Robert’s father was being considered by the Council for the honour of Dukedom. Cecil had explained that the Duke of Northumberland position had fallen into abeyance, and may be awarded to Warwick. Elizabeth wondered how her Robbie would feel about being Sir Robert Dudley.

  She stood and went quickly to her writing table, ignoring the looks from her ladies. Since Cat had retired to Rotherfield Greys to deliver her new baby, Elizabeth had no-one with whom to discuss the letters she received from Robert. She would only entrust Cat with her secrets; all her other ladies fetched and carried for her, but none were in her confidence like her cousin. She looked forward to her return too, as she knew Cat would come straight back to court as soon as she could.

  Dearest Robbie

  I shall soon have to begin my letters “Dear Sir Robert” when your father takes the Dukedom of Northumberland. Until then, you are, and shall stay, my dearest Robbie.

  I am pleased you are safe. I, on the other hand, do not feel safe at all. Edward and the council are considering my betrothal to either King Eric XIV of Sweden or Archduke Charles of Austria. It may already be finalised by the time you get home. You were very wise, counselling me to learn statecraft alongside my brother. I might need all the lessons I have learned if I am to marry either of these powerful men.

  I understand you have to travel home with the troops, but for my sake, please try and make haste. I have need of you beside me when I am to be told of my fate. I do not think I can bear it. I miss you so. God protect you and bring you home to me. Bess

  ***

  ‘Princess, please don’t upset yourself.’ Cat held the sobbing girl to her ample bosom and spoke gently, trying to soothe her tears.

  ‘But Cat,’ Elizabeth gulped a sob back into her throat so she could speak, ‘why didn’t Robbie come back with his father?’

  ‘Because of the rebellion, Princess. The Duke left Robert in charge of the troops sent to put down the rebellion over land in Norfolk. He is honouring his son, and Robert won’t be delayed very long, my lovely.’ Cat smiled to herself; she heard herself using her mother’s phrases with her children, and now with the Princess.

  ‘I need him here, Cat. With me. Before I am told about my betrothal. I shall tell the Duke when I see him, to recall Robbie immediately and let him come home.’ Elizabeth sounded every inch her father’s daughter when she spoke like this, thought Cat.

  ‘I’m sure he will be home as soon as the rebels have been overcome, Princess. And he will only be in charge of implementing his father’s orders. He won’t be part of any fighting.’ Cat felt Elizabeth begin to tremble again at that thought, and led her to a seat near the window.

  ‘Sit down, Princess. I’m sure we’ll have good news soon, and you want to look your best when he comes, don’t you? Not blotchy faced with crying and lips bitten bloody.’ Cat placed a cool cloth on Elizabeth’s forehead and unpinned her hood. She looked on the top of the dresser for a soothing salve that Meg had made, to spread on Elizabeth’s bitten lips, and then she began to brush Elizabeth’s long copper hair in gentle soothing strokes.

  ‘Is that better, my lovely?’ asked Cat softly as she brushed. Elizabeth sighed her pleasure. ‘I’m sure you will receive a letter from him soon, telling you when he expects to be home.’ Cat hoped that Robert would think to write, to reassure her Princess that he would indeed be with her very shortly. Elizabeth struggled to eat or rest properly when she was agitated, and Robert’s continued absence certainly contributed to the Princess’s constant state of agitation.

  A knock came on the door of Elizabeth’s apartment, and at Cat’s call a pageboy entered with a letter, ha
nding it to Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth looked down at the folded parchment, sealed with the stamp of the bear and ragged staff, the Warwick emblem that Robbie had used since his father had been created Earl. She broke the seal excitedly and scanned the letter quickly, dark eyes flashing over the cramped writing. Suddenly an anguished groan came from her lips and she slumped to the floor, letter fluttering down at her side. Cat crouched beside her, trying to see if she had hurt herself, and saw tears coursing silently down her face.

  ‘Princess, what is wrong? Whatever is the matter? Is it Robert?’ Cat’s words tripped over themselves in her concern for Elizabeth. She had never seen this reaction from the young girl, who could be worryingly self-contained at times.

  Elizabeth picked the letter off the floor and handed it wordlessly to Cat, who read it, then read it again.

  My Beloved Princess

  I and my troops have quelled the rebellion in Norfolk, and have hung Master Kett and his fellow rebels from the walls of Norwich castle. My father is satisfied with my justice.

  Bess, I must tell you, I have taken a wife. I met Amy on my way to Norwich. She is the daughter of a gentleman farmer, and I have married her. I will explain more fully when I see you. Amy will remain with her family when I return to court, as she would not be comfortable in our world. I say again, I will explain when I see you, which should be within the week.

  Until then, my Bess, God keep you and I remain, most humbly, your Robert.

  ‘Oh, my lovely! Don’t upset yourself so. You are a princess of England and you must learn to hide your sorrow. You may be betrothed yourself soon, and away from this court.’ Cat knew these words were not what Elizabeth wanted to hear; she knew Elizabeth had been in love with Robert Dudley since she had come to court on Queen Kate’s instigation.

  But Cat also knew that nothing could come of this childhood romance; Elizabeth would be married abroad for a foreign alliance, and Robert should have married into a powerful English family. Robert’s father would have had much the same reaction as Elizabeth to the news, Cat would hazard, even if he hadn’t collapsed in a tearful heap on the floor like her Princess.

  Cat helped Elizabeth to stand, and supported her as she walked unseeing to her bed, where she lay down and stared up at the tester above her, face white with anguish and teeth again biting at her lower lip to keep tears at bay. Cat wondered if Ralph Sadler knew the real story behind this sudden marriage of Robert Dudley. She determined to visit Meg as soon as Elizabeth could be left for an hour or so.

  Chapter 5

  eally Meg, it was truly awful.’ Cat shook her head despairingly. ‘After her first outburst, she became silent and withdrawn. She just lay on the bed and stared upwards until she finally fell asleep. I sent one of the little maids to fetch Kat Ashley and Blanche Parry to be with her in case she woke before I returned.’ Cat rocked her newest baby Elizabeth and looked across as her friend poured them some small ale and unwrapped some honeyed sweetmeats from waxed paper.

  ‘Ralph has told me how angry the Duke is. He wanted Robert to marry well like his brothers, not to a simple country girl. The Duke can barely bring himself to attend Council meetings at the moment, Ralph says.’ Meg passed Cat the plate of sweetmeats and then took a seat near her own small daughter Anne, still little enough to sleep most of the day away in her cradle.

  ‘Why did he marry, then? Does Ralph know?’ Cat chewed slowly.

  ‘Ralph says that they broke their journey southwards in Syderstone in Norfolk, and they stayed at an inn near there. After they had broken their fast, Robert went for a walk down to the river. Then, according to Ralph, he came back an hour or so later looking very dishevelled and went straight up to his room.’

  ‘Oh, Meg. This tale sounds dreadful. I thought Robert had more sense than this.’ Cat shook her head sadly at the young man’s folly.

  ‘Ralph told me the grooms saddled all the horses and they were about to leave the inn towards Norwich when a large man came and demanded to know which room Robert was in. The landlord told him and the man went up and there was such a commotion that Ralph and another of the men went to see what was happening.’

  Cat gasped and helped herself to another sweetmeat.

  ‘Apparently when they got to Robert’s room, he came out suddenly, very red in the face, followed by the man, and they went downstairs and mounted the horses, riding away. All Robert said to Ralph was that he would return by noon, and they could start their journey to Norwich then. When he returned, he told Ralph he was now a married man, and his wife’s name was Amy.’ Meg took a long drink from her cup as she met her friend’s eyes.

  Cat snorted into her cup. ‘He deflowered her then, Meg. And her father demanded he do the honourable thing and marry her, and Robert, not wanting to disgrace his own father, and not being old enough in the ways of the world to know there are other ways out of this mess, complied.’ Cat’s eyes filled with tears at the heartbreak Elizabeth would suffer when she heard the story.

  ‘Ralph tells me that all might not be well in the Council chamber too, Cat. Robert’s father may have more things to think about than his son’s unwise marriage.’

  ‘What now, Meg? What else? Is there something wrong with Edward? Is he unwell?’

  ‘No, Cat. Not really, although he has never been…. robust, I think the word is. Not like your Tommy, for instance, or my Richard. No, Ralph has sworn me to secrecy, but I must tell you, that the Seymour days seem to be numbered.’

  ‘Ha! Good! Norfolk will be pleased. He always said they were snakes and shouldn’t be trusted. I shall have to pay him another visit soon. He’ll have drunk all the wine and will want his stocks replenished. It will be a pleasure to take him some good news at last.’

  ‘Please don’t say anything yet, Cat. Ralph said it was a real secret, because the Duke is going to declare himself Regent when he has got Somerset out of office. That’s why he is so angry with Robert’s marriage.’

  Cat bit into another honeyed sweetmeat and rocked her baby contentedly. It was Princess Elizabeth’s dismay she was concerned with, and she knew that once she had finished her visit with Meg and her children, she would have to return to court and help the Princess with her own sorrow at Robert’s marriage.

  ***

  ‘Bess, please sit down and listen to me.’ Robert pleaded with Elizabeth as she paced up and down her apartment. She had dismissed her ladies into the antechamber which adjoined the room, and the door was open for propriety’s sake, but she and Robert were as alone as was possible.

  ‘You married her, Robbie. What more is there to say?’ Elizabeth stopped in the middle of the room and turned to face Robert, seated in the window embrasure and haloed by the sunlight streaming through the mullioned panes.

  ‘You were all but betrothed to Sweden, Bess. There has never been a hope that we might marry each other. Marriage doesn’t change my feelings towards you.’ Robert held out his hands to her and she took them and sat beside him. He stroked her cheek gently and she laid her head on his shoulder.

  ‘Tell me then, Robbie. Tell me how it was that you were coming home to me, but married her on the way.’

  Robert closed his eyes briefly, trying to find the words to explain this mistake, his most grievous error of judgement. His ears were still ringing from his father’s anger, and his face was still flaming with embarrassment at the derisive laughter of his brothers.

  ‘I went for a walk, Bess. Just a morning walk before getting back on that damned horse to ride to Norwich. I was afraid, because I was in command and I knew we might be engaged in a skirmish by the rebels.’

  ‘Afraid, Robbie? You? You are never afraid,’ Elizabeth whispered.

  ‘I am often afraid, my love. I have just learned not to show it. B
ut I was afraid, and I was missing you, and wanting you. I have wanted you for so long, and the letters between us made me long for you even more.’ He stopped and swallowed, trying to remain calm as he spoke and tried to make her understand.

  ‘So, I was walking by the river, lost in my thoughts of you, hungering for you. And there she was, sitting beneath a tree, looking out over the river. She smiled, and I smiled, and she asked if I would like a drink from her basket.’

  Elizabeth’s hand trembled in his own, and he heard her catch a sob in her throat. But her head still rested on his shoulder, and it was easier to tell her these things if he didn’t have to meet her eyes. He continued his tale.

  ‘I thanked her, and took a drink, then another, and sat beside her. We talked of the area, of the river and shared more drinks. She told me about her father’s farm, and I told her of the battle I felt was to come, and how apprehensive I felt, and she turned and kissed me.’ Elizabeth’s hand went very still and he thought she held her breath ready for the next part of the story.

  ‘One kiss led to another, and then another, and before I knew it, she had unlaced my breeches and rucked up her skirt and we …..’ Robert stopped, knowing that he couldn’t go into any more details with Elizabeth.

  Couldn’t tell her that he was so afraid that this might be his last chance to lay with a woman, any woman, before he died; that he had wanted to lie with her, his Bess, so often that he thought he would go mad with wanting. But he had been afraid, and he had been weak, and he had closed his eyes and taken the virginity of Amy Robsart, pretending to himself it was his Bess.