‘She smiled when I left her, Bess. I swear upon my honour she smiled. But then her father came to the inn, and flung me about the room, and told me I had dishonoured his daughter and his good name and ruined her for marriage. As an honourable man, Bess, as my father’s son, what could I do? I married her by special licence later that morning, and set off for Norwich that afternoon, and I haven’t seen her since.’
Elizabeth let the breath go that she had been holding, and pressed his hand with hers.
‘Oh, Robbie.’ She sighed. ‘Oh, my poor, poor Robbie.’
Robert tilted his head to brush the top of Elizabeth’s hair with his cheek, brushing away the tear that crept from the corner of his eye. He was a son of Dudley, he had been a soldier, and he was a grown man of sixteen years. He couldn’t be seen with a tear in his eye, no matter how much his heart ached.
‘So, my Bess. Am I forgiven. Can you still look upon me as your dearest friend?’ He tried to make his voice lighter, in the hope that Elizabeth wouldn’t look at him as she had when he had come to her chambers, with hurt and accusation in her eyes.
‘Robbie, you will always be my dearest friend. I have only you and Cat as true friends, who I know would lay down their lives for me. I cannot discard everything I hoped for us, for a foolish …..aberration.’ Elizabeth met his blue eyes with her own dark ones. ‘I don’t wish her to come to court, Robbie,’ she began, trying to stand up from the window seat in her agitation, ‘and if you go to see her, don’t tell me where it is you go.’
Robert held Elizabeth’s hands in his own and refused to let her rise. He turned her head towards his with a finger at the side of her jaw and made her look at him.
‘I married her to assuage my guilt, Bess. She has my name, but she shall have no more of me. She will continue to live with her father, for now. And I will remain here, in my rightful place at court.’
‘And in your rightful place at my side, Robbie. I will have need of your strength and bravery soon enough, I am sure.’
Elizabeth leaned towards him, and he bent his head and kissed her forehead gently. There would be a way back from this marriage. A single moment of weakness could not ruin the rest of his life.
Chapter 6
xtra wine for you, Monseigneur. Four bottles, and some coin,’ Cat said as she placed her gifts carefully on her Uncle’s table. He grunted and nodded from his seat by the fire.
‘Do you need anything else, Monseigneur? I can have it sent in if you need anything?’
‘I need to be out of here, girly. Can you do that, hmm? Speak to the Privy Council and get me out.’ Norfolk growled at her from his chair but didn’t rise.
‘The Privy Council is currently in a state of chaos, Uncle. You do know you’ve got company in here? The guards must have told you ….…’
‘That that rat Seymour and his harridan of a wife are in here? Yes, they have told me. I celebrated with the last of my wine, so I thank you for bringing more.’
‘John Dudley is now King Edward’s regent. He is the Duke of Northumberland, and he heads the council.’ Cat searched her mind for anything else she could tell her uncle. He seemed very subdued and she was concerned that being in this place had started to sap his strength and vitality.
‘Another Lutheran, John Dudley. Hell’s teeth, Mary! I’ll never get out while the Lutherans are in charge.’
‘I’m Cat, Uncle. Mary’s daughter. Mary died of the sweat, remember? I come and see you now, and bring you wine.’
‘Yes, yes! Of course I remember, girly. Your wine is very good, like your mother’s. She had a lot of sense when she grew up, your mother. Enough sense to leave court and make her own life.’ Norfolk turned his gaze from the fire and looked up at Cat. ‘Are you still at court, girly?’
‘Yes, Monseigneur. I am in the service of the Princess Elizabeth at court.’ Cat was concerned at her uncle’s lapses of memory.
‘Our last Howard girl!’
‘I have three daughters, Uncle. They are Howard girls too. But they are small yet, and I wouldn’t want them at court too soon. Come, take a cup of wine with me and let me tell you about the goings-on at court.’ Cat poured two small cups of wine and held one out to Norfolk, who took it and drank it straight down, holding it out for a refill.
‘My husband Francis is part of the new council, Monseigneur, with William Cecil and the Duke. Francis Walsingham is there too, the brother of the Constable of the Tower. Robert Dudley has just quelled a rebellion in Norwich about grazing land being fenced by the land owners, and his father signed a treaty with the Scots so we have peace along our borders at last.’
‘Hmmph! Been busy, John Dudley.’ Norfolk snorted into his cup. ‘Busy pushing his family forward, no doubt.’
‘The Duke is doing what powerful families have done for centuries, Uncle. What you yourself have done in your time.’
‘Yes, girly. But we are Howards! We deserve the power. We know what to do with it, not like these jumped up Lutherans all over everywhere, like rats in a barn.’
‘The King is promoting the Protestant faith throughout the country, Monseigneur. We don’t call them Lutherans any more. He wants to establish the Church of England properly into the fabric of the nation. He is tolerating Catholics keeping to their faith, as long as they are discreet with it, but the churches have all given up their idolatry and use Cranmer’s Book of Common Prayer now.’
‘Hmmph!’ Norfolk snorted into his cup again. ‘Cranmer! Another peasant.’ He cleared his throat, and his voice became stronger. ‘So I’m still to be kept in here, because I am of the old faith then? Not that I plotted against the King?’
Cat stood up, knowing that Norfolk in this mood was feeling far too sorry for himself for him to have any interest in court matters.
‘I must go, Uncle. I must return to the Princess.’ Cat gathered up her cloak from the bed, and Norfolk grabbed her wrist quickly.
‘Mind Elizabeth, Mary!’ he hissed. ‘Don’t let John Dudley marry her to one of his interminable brood in secret to make them a Prince. She is our future, the future of our family. Our last Howard girl.’
Cat patted her uncle’s hand in a conciliatory matter and extracted her bruised wrist from his grasp. She ignored the fact that he again thought she was her mother. He was almost eighty years old, and she realised that at times age was affecting his memory. Yet he was still the powerful Duke of Norfolk, a Howard to his bones.
‘I will come again soon, Monseigneur, and bring you more wine. I shall speak to your manservant about building up the fire and making you some hot food.’ Cat fastened her cloak and quickly took her leave, anxiety about what her uncle had suggested making her want to speak to her husband and Ralph as soon as she could.
***
Meg snuggled under her husband’s arm as their breath returned to normal after their lovemaking. Meg loved these moments, loved the fact that Ralph still wanted her, even though her waistline was thickening and her belly hardening as her pregnancy progressed.
‘So, my love, what else did Norfolk say to Cat?’ Ralph continued the conversation that had been interrupted by passionate kisses.
‘Well, Cat said he kept getting her mixed up with Lady Mary. And that he was worried that the Duke of Northumberland would marry one of his sons to the Princess.’
‘The council would never allow that, my Meg. We need foreign alliances badly, to keep England safe, and that is the lot of princes and princesses, to be married off for the benefit of the country.’
Meg raised her face and kissed Ralph’s cheek. ‘I’m so glad our children can marry for love, Ralph. Like we did. Not that any of them are old enough to think of marriage yet. Richard is only ten after all.’
‘W
ell, the Duke is negotiating with France for a betrothal with Elisabeth de Valois for Edward, and is also looking towards Spain for a suitable match for Princess Mary. No doubt he will scour the Protestant countries for Elizabeth. She is too valuable to squander on an English Lord.’
‘Poor Princess Elizabeth,’ whispered Meg. ‘She deserves some love in her life, Ralph. After everything she has been through, she deserves love.’
‘You and Cat love her, my Meg. And her nurse, but I understand what you mean,’ as Meg took a breath to interrupt, ‘she deserves to be loved by a man who will treasure her above everything. As I do you.’
He bent his head and kissed her again, and Meg’s breath caught as he rested his hand on her swollen belly and their child kicked hard. She began to laugh and Ralph joined her as he put his ear to her stomach and began to whisper to their baby to have more respect for his parents when they were trying to make love.
***
Robert sat with Elizabeth in her privy chamber, door to the anteroom open as always but he knew no-one would dare to disturb them. They sat on the window seat gazing over the vast parklands of the palace towards the river.
‘An Andalusian, Robbie? Really? You would buy an Andalusian stallion for me?’
‘Bess, I would buy you the moon if you wanted it, you know that.’ Robert brought Elizabeth’s hand to his lips and kissed the palm, tracing his lips over her skin with the faintest warm touch until he heard her catch her breath. He lifted his head and smiled into her dark eyes.
‘But you know the income I have is dependent on the generosity of my father. When he deems that I am suitable for a higher position in your brother’s household, then hopefully I shall have an income of my own.’ Robert shrugged carelessly. ‘Then I shall be able to buy you gifts of jewels and gowns. And horses.’
Elizabeth beamed at him, then looked out of the window again, sliding her eyes shyly back towards him without moving her head, ‘You would be the greatest gift, Robbie,’ she whispered.
Robert looked at her profile intently, then pulled her gently towards him, lowering his head and kissing her lips softly, then more firmly. Elizabeth allowed herself to be drawn into his embrace and her eyes fluttered closed.
‘Oh, my love.’ Robert kissed Elizabeth again, tasting her lips gently, breath ghosting over her skin as he kissed her neck and throat, thumb stroking the pulse that beat frantically below her ear. Elizabeth could only gasp.
‘I love you so much, my Bess. I don’t know how long I can bear not to have you properly,’ he whispered, kissing and nipping at her jaw and ear lobe. Elizabeth squirmed in pleasure and buried her hands in his hair. ‘I need you so badly. I need you to be mine.’ His head dipped as he kissed the top of her breasts.
‘Oh Robbie,’ she breathed, ‘I just cannot. I have to remain chaste until I marry. I want you too, so very much. But we mustn’t. I mustn’t. Even though I want to, so desperately.’
‘There are things we can do, my Bess. Things that will give both of us pleasure, but ensure you remain …. pure.’
Elizabeth sucked her breath in with a hiss and sat up properly, away from Robert’s kisses.
‘Things you did with …her?’ she said sharply.
‘No, my love.’ Robert sighed, and slid his hand gently from around Elizabeth’s throat. ‘I have told you, over and over, what I did with her. What I did, once and only once, with her. The ‘once’ that destroyed my life.’ He examined his hands, turning them over and scrutinising them, keeping his eyes away from Elizabeth’s. ‘I only meant things I have been told about, by my older brothers.’
‘You have told your brothers about me? About us? About our love?’ Elizabeth stood and began pacing the chamber, wringing her fingers together in her agitation. Robert suppressed another sigh and stood to face her.
‘No, my love. I haven’t told anyone how much I love you. That is a secret between us. I simply meant my brothers talk ….about women, about what pleases them, and I….listen.’ His voice trailed away as Elizabeth came to a standstill in front of him. He grasped her hands and drew her carefully into his embrace, making his movements slow and gentle, not trying to surprise her. Again it crossed his mind that dealing with Elizabeth was oft times like dealing with a skittish colt. A firm but gentle hand was needed, and a soft, soothing voice.
‘I would like to please you, my Bess,’ he said simply.
He dared not tell her that he now knew how to please her, about his visits to the landlady of a local hostelry his brothers had recommended. The landlady was a kind, laughing older woman, who enjoyed the many rewards to be had from entertaining the young unmarried men of the court. She had shown the young Robert many ways of pleasing a woman that didn’t involve entering her, and Robert was grateful. He felt he would have been even more grateful if the lessons had taken place before he went to Norwich.
‘Oh, Robbie. I would like to please you too. But I’m afraid.’ Elizabeth’s voice was muffled by his doublet as she pressed her face into his chest.
‘Afraid, my love? Afraid of me?’ Robert asked the question but kept his voice low and soothing.
‘No, Robbie. I’m afraid of myself,’ and with that Elizabeth withdrew from his chest, straightened her shoulders and went back into the anteroom to join her ladies.
Chapter 7
lizabeth, Cat realised almost immediately, had fallen in love. As the weeks passed quickly, she watched as Elizabeth blossomed into a lovely young woman. Her skin and hair glowed with health, and her body, still slight and delicate of frame developed more womanly curves. Cat had no doubt who it was that had brought about the change in her Princess, but she also knew that there must be no chance for impropriety between them.
Elizabeth’s mornings were taken up with language lessons alongside the young King, the Grey sisters and, when he could be bothered to stir himself to attend, Robert’s youngest brother Guildford. After a competitive lesson, King Edward attended the council, and Elizabeth was usually allowed to accompany him. Obviously a woman couldn’t participate in the discussions and decisions, but Elizabeth was allowed to listen, then ask questions of William Cecil afterwards, regarding the debate that had taken place and what had been decided as a result.
Under the tutelage and gentle direction of Cecil, Walsingham and most importantly the Duke, Edward was growing into his Kingship, and was proving himself to be a wise, forward thinking leader. The introduction of the Protestant religion throughout England was his passion, and he was tireless in promoting this agenda, assisted by Archbishop Cranmer. This was not to say, however, that he didn’t turn a blind eye to the old Catholic service that his sister Mary followed. He granted her special licence, and as long as she and her other devoted attendants didn’t flaunt their beliefs, he was happy to leave them alone.
Each afternoon, Robert would take Elizabeth riding, at whichever palace the court was in residence. His own mornings were now occupied with sword practice with his older brothers, horsemanship and strategy. Their father intended all his sons to be proficient with the required skills to lead troops into battle should this ever become necessary. Robert, Henry, Ambrose and John Dudley all showed great prowess in those skills, and appeared to thoroughly enjoy learning all they could from their father and the other commanders. Only Guildford disappointed his father, showing no aptitude for either war craft or state craft.
Elizabeth would ride with Robert at her side, and the ladies and gentlemen of the court following behind, calling, chattering and laughing together. They held small competitions between themselves, and when they were tired or thirsty, there were always servants nearby with baskets packed with refreshments, drinks, sweetmeats, fruit and sliced meats. They could shelter from the sun beneath the trees, or from the rain inside the many hunting lodges built throughout the palac
e parklands.
It was on one such lazy hazy afternoon that a message was brought to Robert to tell him to take the Princess to Hampton Court palace at once.
‘Return to Hampton Court, Robbie? We set out from Richmond, so why should we return to Hampton Court?’
‘I don’t know, Bess. But the message comes from my father, so there must be a good reason.’
Elizabeth gestured to the groom holding her horse that he should help her mount, while Robert went in search of the messenger, who was taking a cup of ale from Cat to slake his thirst.
‘The message that came from the Duke.’ Robert spoke to the messenger in a low voice, his back towards the group who were all remounting their horses.
‘Aye, mi’Lord.’ The messenger nodded his head respectfully.
‘Do you know why we must return?’ Robert looked over at Cat, who he knew was within earshot of the man’s response.
‘I on’y know rumour, mi’Lord.’ Robert nodded his willingness to hear anything the man might tell him.
‘The rumour was that it is mi’Lord Somerset what ‘as taken the young King to Windsor, and ‘ad barricaded ‘em inside. He won’t let the King go until Northumberland – I beg your pardon, mi’Lord – until your father the Duke renounces ‘is regency.’
Robert’s face was aghast, as was Cat’s, who moved swiftly round the men and clumsily remounted her own horse to be at Elizabeth’s side.
‘And what is the Duke doing, man? Do you know that?’ Robert struggled to keep his voice low.
‘The Duke wrote that note to you, then called the Yeoman of the Guard to ‘im, to march on Windsor. I heard ‘im tell Master Cecil that ‘e must ensure the safety of the King, while ‘e knew you, mi’Lord, would ensure the safety of ‘er, I mean the Princess.’ The messenger nodded in the direction of Elizabeth, chatting with her ladies.
The Last Howard Girl (Tudor Chronicles Book 3) Page 4