‘Hush, Bess. Don’t upset yourself. I’m sure that by the time the weather turns from this cold spring into warm summer, the King will be well again.’ Robert took both her hands in his own and pressed them together, to give her confidence in his words.
***
‘Boys, the King is dying.’ The Duke looked around at his sons with a dark scowl on his face. ‘I have almost convinced him to name Jane Grey as his heir, but we need her to marry Guildford before he does so.’
‘But, Father. Guildford? She doesn’t even like him. The only one she likes, has ever liked, is Edward himself.’ Robert spoke his thought aloud to his father.
‘Do you think I don’t know that, Rob? But we don’t have time to woo her. And we can’t let Edward marry her himself on his deathbed either. There wouldn’t be an advantage to our family, if he did that.’
Robert was astonished at his father’s words. He knew that family advantage was everything to his father, but he hadn’t thought that the Duke would use the young king’s untimely demise for his own benefit.
‘Guildford is the only one left available to marry, thanks to your sudden attack of conscience, Rob.’ His father’s tone told him he was not yet forgiven for this transgression. His other brothers laughed at his flushed cheeks.
‘Where is Guildford, Father?’ asked Henry. John and Robert both looked to their father for his answer, but Ambrose coloured to the roots of his hair and looked down, trying to avoid his father’s sharp eyes.
‘By the look on Ambrose’s face, he knows where Guildford is,’ said the Duke harshly. ‘Tell us, Ambrose. Where is your brother?’
‘Mmm. I’m not really sure. I saw him taking his lute up to the music rooms when I was on my way here, but I don’t know if he’s still there, Father.’
‘John, did you send the message to all my sons to join me here?’
‘Yes, Father. As you commanded.’ The Duke’s eldest son looked him directly in the eye, telling the truth.
‘I will deal with him later. But to the business in hand; we must marry Jane to Guildford as soon as we can, but before the King dies and before he names her his heir.’
‘Why would he do that, Father, when he has two sisters?’ Henry asked the question that Robert, reluctant to draw his father’s attention to himself again, wanted to ask.
‘He doesn’t want Catholic Mary, for obvious reasons. And Elizabeth is still declared illegitimate. Jane is the obvious choice, as the granddaughter of Henry’s sister Mary on her mother’s side, and the great granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth Woodville on her father’s. She has more threads attaching her to the throne than either Mary or Elizabeth.’ The Duke’s voice rose harshly. ‘And we need those threads tethering to our family. She will be compelled to marry Guildford!’
Ambrose nudged Robert with his shoulder and whispered ‘We have to get him out of the music master’s bed first, Rob, without Father finding out.’
Chapter 10
arly May was warm and pleasant, ending the cold spring with the weather improving greatly. The Duke’s preparations went ahead, and betrothals were made without consulting the young people involved.
Unwillingly, Jane was betrothed to Guildford, and the Duke seized the opportunity to betroth his own daughter Katherine to Henry Hastings, heir to the Earl of Huntingdon and of Plantagenet heritage. Jane’s younger sister Catherine was also part of the Duke’s matchmaking scheme, and he betrothed her to William Herbert, heir to the Earl of Pembroke. The date of this triple wedding was set for 25th May, and all the necessary contracts were signed and preparations were made.
***
My Lord Husband
I write to tell you of the death of my dear father. His sad passing has left me quite adrift, as my step-mother says I should no longer live at Syderstone but with you as my Lord husband, as is right and decreed by God.
You must come and fetch me, my Lord. Then I shall live in your house with you, and be a good wife. You must come soon.
Your wife before God, Amy Dudley
Robert re-read the letter and then put it into the flames of the fire. He went across to the writing desk and found paper, a sharp quill and an ink-horn. Thinking carefully about the words he was using, he began to write the first of the two letters he needed.
Dear Amy
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. The man who brings this letter is my steward, Thomas Blount. He will escort you to the home of my friends, with whom you will reside until I can make other arrangements. I do not yet have a house of my own, so you must remain with my friends until my plans are finalised. Make sure you take all your things from the house of your step-mother. There will be plenty of room in the cart.
Your servant, Madam, I remain
Lord Robert Dudley
His second letter needed to be more expansive than the first, and he thought long and hard about how he would phrase his request.
My dearest friend William
My trusted steward Thomas Blount brings you this letter on his way to Norfolk. I have received the most terrible news about the death of my father-in-law, and my wife Amy, in her sorrow, suddenly finds herself to be put out of the house by her step-mother.
In view of the long and valuable friendship you have enjoyed with my father the Duke, I wondered if I could prevail upon you to allow my wife a prolonged visit within your household. As I have no house of my own to offer her, I thought she would be most happy in your large comfortable home, with friendly people around her to offer distraction in her time of trial and sorrow.
Master Blount has a substantial amount of money for the maintenance of Lady Dudley, and if I could ask a considerable favour of your good lady wife, to engage a suitable companion for Amy. Someone who would be kind to her, help her through her sorrow and keep her company until such time as I find my circumstances enable me to make proper provision for a wife. You would find me eternally in your debt.
After delivering this letter and the necessary funds, Thomas will make his way to Norfolk and return with my wife. I don’t expect she will have many possessions, and if your good lady feels she needs further remuneration to remedy this situation, don’t hesitate to let me know.
I remain, good sir, your most humble and devoted friend at court, in gratitude,
Lord Robert Dudley
Robert found all the money he could readily put his hands on and sent for his steward. He explained to Thomas that he should ride to the Hyde residence in Hertfordshire in the first instance, and give Sir William the letter and the money, keeping enough back for the purchase of a cart when he got to Norfolk. Then Thomas must take Amy to the Hydes, after giving her Robert’s other letter, but not listen to any excuses from Amy or tell her any other information but that which Robert had already written down. Blount, in loyal service to the Dudleys for many years, nodded his assent and left immediately.
Robert went to find Elizabeth, to take her riding and help her forget, even if only for an hour or so, that her brother lay near death at Greenwich.
***
The day of the wedding dawned, and the King’s health was deteriorating. The Duke had arranged for the three couples to be married simultaneously at Durham House by Archbishop Cranmer. Elizabeth, in the absence of her brother the King, was the royal presence, and she was lovingly escorted by Robert.
‘Bess, you look wonderful,’ he whispered as he sat beside her in the private chapel. The witnesses were gathering, and the Duke and Duchess were sat at the front with their other sons and their wives. Elizabeth gazed into his eyes and smiled. Her carefully chosen gown was of burgundy silk, as light as gossamer with an iridescent sheen as she moved. Her sleeves were cloth of gold, and her burgund
y silk hood held a diaphanous gold veil to hide her hair, which tumbled down her back past her waist.
‘Thank you, Robbie. So do you. In that gold doublet slashed with burgundy through the sleeves, we almost make a matching pair.’ She smiled into his eyes and gave a little giggle. ‘Did Cat tell you what colours I had chosen to wear?’
‘No, my love. But I know what suits you, and if I am to be by your side this whole day, I need to complement your beauty.’
‘Oh, Robbie, you are so…..’ Elizabeth’s words trailed to a stop and she sucked in a harsh breath as her eyes went past him to see who had come into the chapel.
‘God’s blood, Robbie! What has your father done to that poor child?’
Robert turned and looked to see what Elizabeth had seen, and recoiled in shock. ‘My father does not beat children, Bess. His words are sharp, but he has never beaten any of us. This is not his doing.’
They watched in horror as Jane limped painfully down the aisle towards Archbishop Cranmer. Her jaw was bruised, her eye all but closed and blackened, and she held her shoulders at an odd angle, as if they were too painful to move. Guildford at her side sported only a large, blooming red handprint across the side of his face, splayed fingers clearly visible against his pale skin, and eyes reddened with crying.
Behind this couple stepped Jane’s sister Catherine, walking sulkily but unmarked beside Sir William Herbert, and lastly came Katherine Dudley, smiling in her excitement at being married to the very handsome Henry Hastings. This last couple seemed the happiest with their arrangement, and could hardly keep their eyes off one another or their hands to themselves.
Archbishop Cranmer gathered himself and began to intone the words of the marriage service.
‘Well, if it wasn’t your father Robbie, then who would it be? The poor girl is so pained she can hardly stand,’ Elizabeth whispered to Robert as they stood for the service.
‘I don’t know, Bess. Her own father perhaps? Someone has also slapped Guildford, and although God knows he has done enough in his life to deserve more than one slap, my father has never raised a hand to him.’ Although Robbie’s heart ached for little Jane, forced into a marriage she didn’t want by a good beating, he had to suppress a smile that someone, probably one of his brothers, had slapped Guildford.
‘If that is marriage, Robbie, I want none of it. I will be no man’s whipping boy, before God I will not.’ Elizabeth worried her bottom lip with her teeth and was becoming more and more upset by Jane’s plight. Robert caught her hand with his and pressed it to his chest, kissing her knuckles gently, then softly blowing across them.
‘Hush, my love. Calm yourself. You cannot let them see you upset by this.’ Robert leant towards Elizabeth and spoke softly into her ear. ‘After they are married, and we have eaten, there will be dancing. Say you will be my partner, Bess. You will enjoy yourself, and you will be my partner.’ His low voice was soothing her, and her hand stopped trembling in his, and her teeth released her lip. Her breathing calmed once more and she turned to him.
‘Yes, Robbie, I shall dance with you. I may dance with others, though, should they ask.’ She smiled at him from beneath her lashes. ‘But I shall dance with you the most.’
***
The wedding feast was sumptuous, but neither Jane nor Guildford ate of it. Jane sat upright, looking ahead but speaking to no-one, and Guildford consumed an inordinate amount of wine. Katherine Dudley danced every dance with her handsome husband, and even Catherine Grey permitted herself one dance with William Herbert before she sat stony faced by her sister’s side.
While Elizabeth danced with Sir Francis Knollys, Robbie went in search of Henry and Ambrose and found them near the wine table.
‘Which of you slapped Guildford?’ he asked, smiling and looking at them both.
‘Not us, brother. We would not dare,’ laughed Henry.
‘Someone did. I doubt it was Father, much as he might have wanted to. Mother would never forgive him that. So then who, if not one of you?’ Robert thought he was onto a sure thing, wagering it was either Henry or Ambrose.
‘We have another brother, Rob. And after all, he is Father’s heir.’ Ambrose couldn’t contain his glee that his oldest brother had done what they had all wanted to, and clapped Robert heartily on the shoulder.
‘Guildford deserved it though, Rob. He was squealing and crying and saying he wouldn’t stand up and walk, that if we wanted to marry him to “that horrible girl”, then we would have to drag him down the aisle.’ Henry could hardly speak without laughing as he told Robert the tale.
‘Father wasn’t there to impose his authority, so John did what we all wanted to do. He dragged Guildford to his feet by his shirt, told him he would do as he was told, for the sake of the family, and when Guildford started to shake his head and squeal “No, no, no” again, well….’
‘John lamped him one, Rob. Only one, mind. But he made it count. And Guildford was duly married.’ Ambrose gestured a toast across the room to Guildford with his wine goblet, but Guildford turned his head and wouldn’t return the toast. The brothers had to hold onto each other while they laughed at this petty sulk from the reluctant groom.
The music came to an end, and Robert hastily made his way across the hall floor so when Elizabeth rose from her curtsey of thanks to Sir Francis, he would be by her side.
‘May I claim the next dance, Princess?’ He looked at her and bowed.
‘I would be honoured, Lord Robert.’ Elizabeth smiled and dropped into another curtsey.
The musicians struck up again, and Robert led Elizabeth onto the floor to dance a merry galliard.
***
‘You would weep if you saw her, Meg.’ Cat helped herself to some sliced fruit on Meg’s side table and passed it to her baby son to suck.
‘Ralph tells me that the Duke and Cecil are worried that the King might die before he names his heir.’ Meg poured a mug of ale for them both and sat down heavily by the window. Cat looked across at her friend and smiled.
‘Are you feeling heavy with this one, Meg?’
Meg laughed and rubbed her swollen belly. ‘I’m bigger with this one at six months than I have been at nine with some of the others, Cat. Ralph keeps teasing me and describing my feet; he says I haven’t seen them for so long, he wants me to know they are still there.’
Cat snorted a laugh. ‘Have you any preference what you might have this time?’
Meg smilingly shook her head. ‘No preference, Cat. A safe delivery is all we ask, and a healthy child. If it’s a girl, I would like to name her for your Lady Mother, if you don’t mind?’ Cat smiled happily at her friend, and nodded. ‘And if a boy, for your brother.’
‘That would be an honour, Meg. For both of them. I know my mother would be pleased, and Henry is very fond of you. I remember how proud he was to escort you at your wedding.’
‘And I was so grateful to both of them, Cat. I would like to honour them if I can. So, does Francis have anything else to say about poor Jane and her marriage?’
‘Well, Francis was at the ‘bedding’ of them, while I looked after the Princess. He said Jane sat in bed as she had at the banquet, bolt upright and stone-faced, and Guildford sobbed, much to the amusement of his brothers.’
‘I would have thought it should be the other way round, Cat. The bride sobbing and the groom stern and implacable.’
Cat looked at Meg and raised her eyebrows. ‘Has Ralph not said….about Guildford?’
‘Said what, Cat? That he is unhappy in his marriage, yes. What else should he have said?’
‘That Guildford is ..’ Cat took a breath and wondered how to put it delicately to her friend, ‘that he is in love with the music master, and didn’t
want a wife. He would rather have a husband.’
Meg gasped, knowing that Guildford risked death for his preferences, should the church be able to prove anything.
‘Does the Duke know this, Cat?’
‘If he knows, Meg, he is ignoring the fact. Guildford’s preferences have no bearing on the Duke’s plans, and as a son of Dudley, Guildford will do as he is told.’ Cat picked up baby Francis and sat him on her lap before continuing. ‘I think he would have married Jane to Robert if he’d been free. And I don’t think the Duke has forgiven that transgression yet. When he finds out that Robert has installed his wife with one of his friends, I think the Duke’s anger will be extraordinary.’
‘Does the Princess know this?’ breathed Meg, rubbing her hand over her belly as her child moved and squirmed inside her.
‘Dear God, Meg! She has no idea, and I shall do all I can to ensure she doesn’t find out.’
Chapter 11
dward’s health deteriorated rapidly and the court remained at Greenwich for the summer. Elizabeth and Jane took turns to sit with him, reading to him if he was well enough to listen, or sewing by his bedside if he was asleep. The Duke continued to visit every day after Edward had been coaxed into breaking his fast, and Edward continued to sign whatever document the Duke requested.
Early in July, Elizabeth was making her way through the vast warren of corridors to Edward’s room when Robert appeared beside her and took her arm.
‘Robbie! You startled me.’ Elizabeth smiled up at Robert, who was trying to draw her to the side of the gallery.
‘Bess, you must come riding with me.’ Robert’s voice was low and urgent. Elizabeth smiled and shook her head.
‘I cannot, Robbie. I am on my way to sit with Edward. It is my morning to read to him, and Jane will come after the noon meal.’
‘My father is with him at the moment, Bess. And Jane with him. I need you to come riding with me, now. Just us two alone. Can you do that?’
The Last Howard Girl (Tudor Chronicles Book 3) Page 6