by Georgina Lee
“Are you not the sly one? Getting married whilst everyone is gone from Court. I said to my friends, who can blame you, after having waited so many years. First with Queen Elizabeth and now with King James, neither wanted you to marry.”
“I...I think you are mistaken.”
She laughed and before I could stop her, she reached across to uncover my left hand and reveal my ring.
“What have we here? You cannot deny it any longer and you are blushing most profusely!”
The look of triumph on her face made me feel sick and I pushed her away, standing up quickly to disguise my discomfort and wishing William was here beside me.
“It is true, I am a married woman now.”
“Congratulations are in order then, well, well. And who is the lucky man?”
“You do not know?” I was genuinely surprised.
“You must tell all to me; I can put in a good word for you with the king.”
I doubted this very much and my silence only seemed to encourage her.
“Oh! Do let me guess then. It is not a foreign prince, you favour none of them. It must be an English gentleman, I suspect he is younger than you. Am I right?”
Reluctantly I told her what she wanted to hear and her eyes widened in salacious expectation as she stared at me.
“Is he in love with you?”
“Of course, why else would we marry?”
“Come, marriages of the nobility are rarely based on love, as you know. What a romantic little creature you are! Of course he has much more to gain from the union than you. By marrying a Stuart, his status and respectability will rise. Many still remember the disgrace of his grandfather...”
“That is quite irrelevant!”
“Oh, I mean no disrespect, but surely you are not naive enough to think that he has married you for love, do you? If it makes you feel better, by all means delude yourself, no doubt he has persuaded you of his sincere ways and apparent devotion. I would say it is highly likely that he had quite a different motive for taking you as his wife.”
“How dare you speak to me in that manner! You know nothing of it.“
“But I do, everyone does, or they will do very soon. Where is your husband now? He has left you alone to face the consequences, that is not very noble of him.”
She finished her drink and I could only watch helplessly as she put her gloves on and stood up.
“You have my pity. You have been duped by a man who has used you for his own ends. The Seymours are all ambitious, always trying to claw their way up the ladder to power. I wonder at your judgement to undertake such an association with that family, given their past history. Your William has claimed the top prize,” she gave a brittle laugh from the doorway.
“Have you not paused to think how it looks? Someone as young as William Seymour getting wed to a middle aged woman, past her prime and desperate for husband to share her bed. But your last foolish plan to marry his brother did not succeed, did it? Your grandmother must have been fit to burst with the scandal. How we all chuckled at Court when we heard, that diversion kept us amused for days.”
I was shaking with humiliation and anger. When I spoke, my words were said through gritted teeth.
“Leave my house at once or I will call my servant to have you removed.”
“I am going, my dear; I have done what I came to do. Mark you well, the king will not be pleased when he hears of this marriage, I do not envy both of you, I wonder if you really realise exactly what you have done.”
Her voice was silky smooth as she took a few steps closer to me.
“If you want my advice, you will run to the king and beg his forgiveness on your knees and ask for the marriage to be annulled. What will your future be then? No respectable man will have anything to do with you; a nunnery will be your only option. Good day to you.”
She turned and left, a satisfied smile on her face. There was a resounding slam as Dodderidge closed the door behind her and Master Crompton appeared from his study, his face full of concern.
“Are you all right m’lady?”
I could not look at him, but held up my hand in a gesture of weary acknowledgement before sitting down. He made a tactful exit, and I was left alone with her words echoing in my head. Surely there was no truth in what she said? Hateful woman! She had tried to cast the most serious of doubts in my mind over William, but I was determined not to allow her evil intent to take hold. I knew my husband loved me and that was all that mattered. It was no business of anyone else’s and it merely enforced my viewpoint that most of the courtiers were shallow, jealous individuals who have nothing better to do than gossip and make trouble for others. Let them talk and speculate, we were married and that was an end to it. I did not believe the king would be angry for long, he would see that we meant no harm to him and we were so much in love.
The remainder of the day passed uneventfully and I busied myself with sewing and reading. In the evening, the weather cleared and we were treated to a beautiful sunset. I sat by an open back window and inhaled the smell of recent rain on the earth, everything seemed that much more beautiful now that I was married to William. Only six more days until I would see my husband again, tomorrow I would start to supervise my packing. I climbed the stairs to bed before settling down to a sound sleep in our comfortable bed; I was full of happiness to think that I would soon be with him.
The whole household was woken at dawn by loud banging on our front door, disturbing not only us, but also our neighbours. A baby in the house next door immediately started to cry, and several dogs set up a loud barking. Crompton was first out of his bedchamber as I reached my door. His nightshirt creased and with bare feet, he hurried downstairs to answer it, while the rest of us stood at the top of the stairs, our candlelight flickering on the walls. I heard an exchange of voices and he turned to look up at me; my first thoughts were for William and his well-being.
“What is it? What has happened?”
He did not answer, but turned to run up the stairs ahead of the half a dozen soldiers that were making their way inside the hall. When he reached me, his face was creased in anxiety as he barred their way, albeit only for a few seconds.
“It is the king’s men, my lady; I am afraid they are here to arrest you,” he said and gave me the warrant carrying the royal seal. I scanned it hastily, my heart pounding and my stomach churning. The king’s sprawling signature was at the bottom of the page
“Arrest me?” I cried, “Is my husband well?”
His face was grim as he nodded. “You must go with them, there is nothing else for it. I will do all I can to help...”
He was roughly pushed out of the way by a man whom I assumed to be the senior guard. He looked hard, his cold eyes quickly assessing the situation and he gave a brief bow.
“ My lady, forgive this unsocial hour. I act on orders from His Majesty King James, who wishes you to leave this house at once. You are to be taken to a place of safety.”
“Why? What has happened? Is there another plot to murder the king?”
“I think you know why, m’lady.”
“I demand you tell me the reason at once.”
“The king has heard news of your recent marriage without his consent.”
My knees buckled under me and Mrs B’s arms caught me before I fell. Everything went black and I was half aware of being carried back to bed and given a drink. I begged to be allowed more time to prepare, but we were merely allowed to pack a few essential items and ushered quickly out of the house. I just had time to write a short letter to William, with a promise from Dodderidge that he would take it to him at first light, before we left with the guards. Within minutes, Mrs B. and I were under armed escort as we drove through the streets. I did not know William’s whereabouts, or if he was also under arrest. I was told nothing; it was the most frightening experience of my life.
All through that nightmare journey Mrs B. tried to calm me, but I felt only fear and dread of what would happen. The city was dark and
quiet, most God fearing people were still abed. The street corners were meeting points for ne’er do wells who peered into the king’s coach as we rode past, causing us to shrink back in fear. Two guards sat opposite us, lest we should try and make a run for it. Eventually the horses pulled up outside a house and the guards dismounted, opening the door and helping us to descend. Gathering my skirts I looked up at the starless sky as dawn was breaking, the chilly air made me shiver.
“Whose house is this?” I asked one of the guards.
“ You are in Lambeth at the house of Sir William Parry, who is to be your jailor for the present, m’lady.”
There were lights blazing through the windows and the open door revealed Sir William waiting in the hall to introduce himself. He was a stout man of about fifty, with grey hair, a long beard and kind eyes. He bowed, before telling me that I was to remain under his care until the king decreed otherwise, and he regretted that he was not able to answer any questions about my future. We followed him upstairs to the chambers that apparently had been hastily prepared for us. Fires had been lit to air the place, but it was obviously an area of his house that was rarely used, for it smelt fusty and damp.
“These are my finest guest chambers; you will have your meals here, Lady Arbella.” He indicated the table by a window. “When it is properly light, you will see that you have a view of my garden.”
We stood in a large, square shaped chamber with a low ceiling and panelled walls. There were two window alcoves that had cushions for our comfort, a desk, table and two chairs. It was not unpleasant, but tears came to my eyes when I thought about my own home, which now stood without me. I tried to sound strong as I answered him.
“I doubt I shall be here for long; I assume I may I take the air each day?”
“Of course, but you may not leave the grounds, there will be guards by day and night. You have the use of all these chambers on the north side of the house. You may write to family and friends and have some visitors, at my discretion.”
I blinked back tears. “And my books?”
“ Let me know your wishes and I will endeavour to fulfil them.”
“You must forgive me, Sir William, this arrest has come as a great shock to me.”
“Indeed, to us all, my lady. I advise you to rest now and your breakfast will be brought up in due course.”
He hesitated, then with a bow, he left and the door was shut firmly. Mrs B. told me she was sure I would not be here for long. I wrote to the king at once requesting an audience with him, to explain and beg his forgiveness if I had in any way offended him.
We unpacked our scanty possessions and tried to make ourselves at home as best we could. Then I wrote a long list detailing my requirement for more clothes, books and my favourite items. The likeness of William had never left my side and I placed it carefully beside the bed, with his dear face looking at me. The next person we saw was Mrs Lambert, the housekeeper. She was a tiny, wizened little person who darted about like a sparrow from one task to another.
“We shall try to make you as comfortable as possible under the circumstances m’lady,” she told me after breakfast as she cleared away our plates. “My master is due at Court this morning, no doubt to see the king and tell him you are here. I will ensure your letter is delivered.”
I must have looked at her pathetically, for she added in a low voice,“ I know it is not my place, but I am sure all will be well in the end and you will be reunited with your husband very soon.”
Her sympathy towards me, a stranger, was enough to set off my tears again and Mrs B. put a comforting arm around me.
“Thank you,” I managed to blurt out.
“If you hear any news, please let us know,” Mrs B. asked her quietly.
Mrs Lambert bobbed a curtsey and disappeared with the tray.
The hours dragged by. Later that morning, I walked round the garden, which apparently was Sir William’s pride and joy, although I was in no mood to notice the array of colours and scents. There were guards stationed outside all the doors of the house. The garden was not large and they were able to observe us easily. My thoughts turned to escaping, but it did not take me long to realise it would be futile to attempt it. I had nowhere to go, nobody would want to help me and suffer the wrath of the king, I would soon be discovered and brought back. Such a course would only make matters worse.
On the third day a letter arrived at last from William. To my utter dismay, he had also been arrested and placed in custody in the Tower. He wrote that Crompton and Edward Reeves were in Marshalsea Prison and the poor parson who married us had been taken to the gatehouse in Westminster.
William’s letter was short, but he wrote that he was well and in good spirits, and I was not to worry, as he was very hopeful that we would shortly be released. I immediately ordered furniture, plate and bedding to be conveyed from the house in Blackfriars for his comfort, and thought myself fortunate indeed that I was in a private house. Our daily letters to each other were conveyed by his brother Francis, who was quickly becoming indispensable.
There were many other letters that I wrote every day, which helped to occupy me. I was most concerned for my servants, and asked uncle Gilbert to pay them what was owed and for him to take my horses for his own use, or they would be without exercise. I also wrote long and pleading letters almost every day to the king and the Privy Council, but to my great disappointment and frustration they were left unanswered. I assumed that all my family and friends knew of my marriage by now and the reason I was here; it was rather hurtful to discover that many of them did not support me, as I would have wished.
But Aunt Mary came down to see me from Derbyshire and my cousin Jane Drummond also visited me, both have promised to help in any way they can, but for the rest, they have been silent. It was not hard to surmise their disapproval of my actions. William wrote that his grandfather was appalled at our secret marriage, so similar to his own in 1560 to Catherine Grey. We both knew the old earl would not do anything now to incur royal displeasure, and there was no chance that he would intercede on our behalf. However, he did not stop William’s allowance and neither has my own been withdrawn by the king, and for this we were both grateful.
I heard that the king has been ill these last few months and was not himself. It was hard to gain any details of what ailed him, but I thought this was the reason that he was not responding to me. William and I clung to the hope that when he felt better, he would release us.
But on the anniversary of my first month here, I received some wonderful news. William wrote that it might be possible to visit me! I had been praying daily for this to happen and I was overjoyed when he eventually appeared one moonlit night, cloaked in a dark outfit and with a fine growth of beard about which I mercilessly teased him. Mrs B. returned to her bedchamber after the initial greetings and we were alone at last after so many weeks.
I wanted to hold him close and never let him go. He looked pale and had lost some weight, but he dismissed my concerns, being far more interested in my own health.
“You must eat properly, my love,” he told me as he stroked my shoulder as we lay in bed together. “You never know when you may need the energy to flee quickly.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“Let me just say that a way out for us is being thought about very carefully. I shall tell you more when the time is right.”
This sounded very hopeful and I had every faith in him to find a solution to our captivity.
“Has Lady Anne made any further contact with you?” he asked.
“No, I do not think she will show her face here after last time.” I hesitated before continuing. “I was very upset by her insinuations that you only married me for the status it would give you.”
He laughed and sat up to take a swig of wine from the bedside table.
“Do you think it is funny?” I asked him crossly.
“You are a silly goose; pay no attention.”
“But it is not true, is it?”
“What do you think?”
“I do not know.”
“Yes, you do know.”
“I wish you to tell me.”
He pulled me towards him and stroked my cheek.
“Of course I did not marry you for the status. You know you are my heart’s desire, you always have been. How could you think otherwise? Have I not just shown you how much I love you?”
He silenced my reply by planting kisses on my face and neck before murmuring mischievously,“ of course the enhanced status is an added bonus.”
I pushed him away playfully before picking up the pillow to hit him and we rolled over onto the floor, giggling helplessly. Then suddenly serious, I asked him a question that had been on my mind for some time.
“Have you thought what would happen if I got with child?”
He did not respond and I wondered if had heard me.
“Do you not want it too?” I persisted, sitting up on my elbow to look at him in the flickering candlelight.
“Of course, but any child of ours will be seen as a threat to the king. We both know it, Arbella. This is why he is so furious, although I must admit I did not expect his reaction to be so severe.”
“Neither did I.”
“Have you not even heard from Lord Salisbury?”
“All my letters and petitions are unanswered.”
“There is something not right about this wall of silence. The king has heirs, as everyone knows. Our marriage cannot possibly be seen as a threat to him in any way.”
“I just cannot understand why he is so angry. We are both loyal subjects and neither of us are interested in his crown.”
“There are rumours that he is more unwell than he has ever been.”
“There are always rumours, it was the same with Queen Elizabeth.”
“This is different.”
“In what way?”
“I do not know.” He became impatient. “Do not keep asking me questions. He was well enough to go hunting at Royston last week, so I assume it cannot be so bad.”