On the Altar of England (Tudor Chronicles Book 4)
Page 6
‘No, I don’t have a title, Ursula. The ‘Lady’ is a jest from my father when I was small. I used to order the nursemaids in quite a lofty manner, or so I’m told. And I used to make Dickon do whatever I wanted, and Ed and Tom, when they came to visit. My father said I was his ‘proper little lady’, so everyone called me Lady Jane.’ She shrugged and laughed at the foolishness, ‘And they used to call Dickon ‘Sir Richard’, which he hated, and he made them call him Dickon.’
Ursula sighed heavily, ‘You have so many brothers and sisters, it seems. I lose track of who are your real family and who belongs to the Countess.’
‘My older brothers Richard and Ned are both in the service of Burleigh and Walsingham, with my father,’ said Jane with a smile, ‘and Henry is at Oxford studying. My sister Anne is married to Sir George Horsley, and my sister Mary, who is Henry’s twin, lives with Anne to help her with her children. When Letty has had her child, Mother is going to stay with Anne while we go to Kenilworth. And I am the youngest.’ Jane shrugged as she finished her tale.
‘So all the others that come and go, they are all brothers and sisters of the Countess?’ asked Ursula in an incredulous tone, which made Jane laugh so hard she needed to stop stitching for a time.
‘Oh, Ursula. It is plain that you are an only child.’ Jane dabbed her eyes with her kerchief before continuing. ‘Lady Cat, who was my mother’s best friend, was in service to the Queen. That is why we all grew up together, because she was at court. The eldest is Tommy, who is the Governor of Ostend, in Belgium. His wife is called Odelia. Don’t you think that is a lovely name? Odelia.’ Jane rolled the name round her tongue and then looked up and smiled at Ursula, who was completely neglecting her sewing in her fascination at Jane’s words.
‘Then comes Letty, then Hal, who used to be a soldier but who is now a Member of the Queen’s Parliament. Maisie, Beth and Bella all serve the Queen at court, Franc works with his father, Sir Francis, Ed is a pirate, and Dickon is here.’ Jane smiled at Ursula and then shrugged. ‘Quite easy really, although we all feel like one huge family most of the time. And of course, there are Letty’s children from her first marriage. And Lord Robert’s sisters and brothers-in-law. Lots and lots of people I suppose.’
‘Dickon will look like Ed when he grows up, I think,’ mused Ursula aloud, ‘and the Countess bears an uncanny resemblance to the pictures I have seen of the Queen when she was young, but ….’ Ursula shrugged and looked at Jane quizzically. Jane sighed and made her needle safe before leaning across and taking Ursula’s hands.
‘It is never spoken about out loud, Ursula. I will tell you, but then we don’t ever talk about it?’ Ursula nodded swiftly, watching Jane’s face intently as she spoke again.
‘You know Lady Cat was the daughter of Mary Boleyn?’ Ursula nodded her head silently. ‘Well, she was rumoured to also be the daughter of King Henry, the Queen’s father.’ Ursula gasped as Jane continued, ‘Lady Cat never ever spoke about it, or claimed it was true, but you couldn’t look at her and doubt the truth. And when you see some of her children, Letty, Beth, Ed and Dickon particularly show their heritage. Tommy is large and fair too, like Maisie, but Hal and Franc and Bella all favour their father, slender and dark.’
Ursula was silent for a while as she thought about what Jane had said, and Jane picked up her needle and quietly began stitching again. Ursula looked up.
‘I shan’t say anything, Jane. I appreciate the Countess allowing me into her household, and I wouldn’t do anything to upset her. But, can I ask you? Is her resemblance to the Queen the reason why she isn’t at court?’
Jane pressed her mouth into a line and wondered how to answer that question truthfully, without too much detail that might change the way Ursula felt about the household in which she lived.
‘Lord Robert was the favourite of the Queen, Ursula. When he fell in love with Letty, the Queen was upset, but as she didn’t want to lose his companionship, she banished Letty instead and allowed Lord Robert to stay at court.’
‘That hardly seems fair, Jane. If they were in love, the Queen should have let them marry and stay at court. Husbands and wives both serve at court, I know.’
‘But none of them are the Queen’s favourite, Ursula. Lord Robert needs the income he gets from his duties at court as the Earl of Leicester to maintain his households. He would rather be here, or wherever Letty is, but he has little choice. He comes here as often as he can.’
‘I have heard him riding into the yard late at night, Jane, but he is always gone when we rise in the morning, and I have been here almost three weeks now.’
‘He will be here when Letty has her babe, Ursula. My mother will come and help deliver her, as will we, and Lord Robert will be here waiting. Then when she is recovered, we will go to Kenilworth and await the court. Then you will see the rest of the family.’
***
Ed’s boots crunched reassuringly on the gravel as he made his way down to the stable block and training yard. After so many months at sea, it was taking him some time to accustom himself to dry land, and he was grateful that the paths were flat and wide.
He saw Thomas’ rangy figure leaning on the fence, watching two of the youths spar with short swords and he walked up to join him.
‘My Lord.’ Thomas dipped his head towards Ed, and Ed returned the greeting, then gestured to the combatants, ‘Are they any good?’
‘Aye, my Lord. The tall thin one is the Countess’ son Robert Devereux. Your nephew, I believe? And the tow-headed one is my nephew Kytt. He has just joined us, and I thought I’d see what he could do.’
‘Good God, I’ve been away longer than I thought, if that’s young Essex grown like a weed.’ Ed was astonished at how tall his nephew had grown in his absence.
‘Your nephew seems to be able to hold his own, Thomas. Making a good show of skill and ….’ No sooner had Ed spoken the words than Kytt’s sword flew out of his hand with a shout of triumph from Essex.
Kytt grinned and bowed. ‘Thank you, my Lord. Your skill is immense, and I would have you show me how to be your equal.’ Essex seemed to grow taller as Kytt spoke, and he sheathed his sword quickly as Kytt retrieved his own blade from the dust.
‘I will be happy to show you how to improve, Kytt. But you will never be my equal.’
A flush crept up Kytt’s neck, and Ed heard Thomas hiss a breath through his teeth.
‘I meant with the weapons, my Lord,’ Kytt bowed again, ‘you have an amazing skill with weapons and I would learn from you.’
Essex laughed and punched Kytt gently on the arm. ‘It was a jest, Kytt. I would be happy for you to be my pupil. I would enjoy the chance to teach someone.’
Ed watched this discourse in silence, conscious of Thomas standing like a statue at his side. As Essex draped his arm round Kytt’s neck and they both turned towards their audience with smiles on their faces, Ed was aware of Thomas relaxing his tense muscles and moving his fingers away from the hilt of the dagger at his belt.
‘Ed,’ shouted Essex in genuine pleasure, leaving Kytt behind as he recognised the observer and ran to the fence to greet his uncle. ‘When did you dock? Did you capture any prisoners? Have you brought any treasure for me?’
He climbed over the fence and dropped at his uncle’s side. Although slender and delicate of frame, Essex was quite tall for his age, and easily came past Ed’s shoulder. Ed’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘Good God, Nephew but you’ve sprouted up. I imagined you still to be the mewling whelp I left behind, but you are almost a man grown.’
‘I am, Uncle.’
Ed heard a loud crunching sound behind him of boots running heavily over the gravel, then a huge cry as someone jumped on his back and knocked the wind from his lungs.
‘God’s blood but you’re heavy! By my soul, Dickon! It is you, is it not?’ Ed finally prised the youth from his back, dropping him in the dust.
The boy grinned up at his brother, then jumped to his feet and brushed himself down. Essex moved further away so the dust didn’t settle on his own clothes, but he smiled at Dickon’s enthusiasm.
‘Greetings, Ed,’ bowed Dickon formally, eyes dancing with pleasure at the sight of his favourite older brother. Ed reached out his arm and grabbed Dickon round the neck, hugging him close.
‘God’s blood, Dickon. I am so pleased to see you.’ Ed’s tone grew louder at the delight of his welcome. Then a huge wave of noise assailed their ears as half a dozen horses clattered into the yard, pennants flying. In the centre of the squad of men at arms rode Lord Robert, with Tom Sadler at his shoulder.
Keeping hold of his young brother, Ed raised his hand in greeting, then bowed low as Robert dismounted and came towards them. Dickon bowed with his brother, and Robert reached out to grasp Ed by the shoulders, raising him up and into an unexpected embrace.
‘Welcome back, Ed. Have you seen your sister?’
‘Yes, my Lord. She has told me of my mother’s last hours. I regret not being here.’ Robert nodded solemnly, glancing at Dickon who was struggling to control himself as he remembered his sorrow.
‘A sad time for all of us who knew her, Ed. She is missed.’ Ed and Dickon both nodded at Robert’s words, and Ed drew a deep shuddering breath.
‘I am home until Drake sails again, my Lord. I look forward to speaking with you about my voyages.’
‘You must stay with us, Ed. It is too far for Lily to travel to see you if you stay anywhere else, and she will love having you here.’ Robert began to remove his gloves and stride towards the house.
‘Thank you, my Lord. I shall be happy to.’ Ed smiled his thanks towards Robert, then felt a punch on his arm and turned swiftly.
‘Call that a punch, Tom Sadler? You’ve grown soft while I’ve been gone.’ Ed grinned at Tom and they both enveloped the other in a bear hug, slapping each other on the back in delight and Dickon almost dancing with pleasure round them. Essex lounged gracefully against the house wall, murmuring to Kytt and watching the friends enjoy their reunion.
***
Lettice walked back into the solar, seeing both girls at the window looking out and smiling broadly.
‘I’m sorry I was gone so long, girls. I wanted to speak to your mother about some things, Jane, and then I had to see Cook. I had a message that Lord Robert was hoping to be here in time for dinner and I wanted to make sure his favourites would be available.’ Lettice stopped speaking and listened carefully, walking to the window. ‘What a commotion down there. Is that what you are looking at?’ She moved her bulk between the girls and gazed out of the window down into the stable yard. Her face broke into a delighted smile and she let out a brief laugh. Ursula looked at her, and then down again.
‘My Lady, who is that?’
‘Why, Lord Robert of course. Come home for dinner.’ Both pleasure and excitement were evident in Lettice’s voice.
‘Yes, my Lady, of course. The grand gentleman in blue brocade is Lord Robert. Who else could it be? But that man, there by his shoulder, in the leather and grey. Who is that?’ Lettice smiled at the breathless quality in Ursula’s voice, but Jane’s clear tones broke in quickly.
‘That would be Tom, Ursula. My brother Tom.’
***
Lettice sat in her robe at her dresser, slowly removing the jewelled pins from her hair and allowing each tress to uncurl itself down her back. She knew Robert loved her hair, and she enjoyed taking care of it so it still shone in a waterfall of copper down to her waist. She looked at the reflection of her husband in the glass, pleased that he had been able to have dinner with their guests and be the host in his own home for once. Lettice heard a sigh from Robert’s chair and turned to see his forehead creased in a frown as he read the letter in his hand.
‘What is wrong, Robin?’ The letter had been delivered that morning by a messenger. Robert gazed across at his wife, expression softening as he drank in her beauty, made glowing with the expectation of his child. He smiled and rose, padding softly across the floor to enfold her in his arms and drop a kiss on the crown of her head. She leaned back into his chest and looked up, raising her brows for an answer.
‘The letter is from Lissey, my love. Did you know?’ Lettice shook her head. She hadn’t recognised the seal on the letter, and had waited for Robert to open it.
‘Lissey has asked if young Rob can come here, into this household. She has found herself a husband and he has been assigned to the ambassador’s staff in Paris. She would like me to train Rob with Robert and Kytt and Dickon here.’ He bent his head and kissed her hair again, tightening his hold. Lettice beamed at him and shook her head in bewilderment.
‘And is that a problem, Robin?’ Her eyes widened at the question, and Robert shook his head at her reflection in the glass.
‘Not for me, my love. I am happy to help them. Tom enjoys passing on his skills with a sword and knife, and I can teach him about horseflesh. I was thinking more about you and how you must feel.’ His mouth quirked downwards and Lettice gave a low chuckle at his discomfiture about his illegitimate son, born before their own marriage.
‘Robin, he is your son. I shall love him for that reason alone.’ Lettice shrugged carelessly before continuing. ‘Besides, I always liked Lissey; she was great fun. I’m sure her son will be pleasant, and as he has been an only child, coming here can only help him. Help him get on with others.’ A gurgle of laughter escaped as Robert began kissing her neck down to her bosom, and she had to drag a breath to finish her sentence, ‘Dickon will make sure of that.’
Chapter 8
ost in thought, Elizabeth stood in her chamber gazing out over the river as her ladies dressed her for the Council meeting. The sick headache that had laid her low the previous day was lifting, although she could still feel the effects of the sleeping draught she had taken fogging her thoughts.
‘Which gown, Majesty?’ The gentle voice of her cousin and first Lady of the Bedchamber, Lady Catherine Howard, penetrated her musings and Elizabeth gazed into Cathy’s blue eyes.
‘The light grey one, I think. With the ostrich feather fan and my pearls. And the wig with the feather up the back.’
As Elizabeth spoke, all the ladies and maids-in-waiting scurried to find the things she asked for, and the accessories to go with them.
‘And Nell Devereux will do my face today.’ Elizabeth’s commanding voice carried into the next room, and Nell Devereux appeared at the door, smoothing down her own silver court gown as she walked slowly over to the dresser and began to choose the paints and powders she would need.
Lady Anne Calthorpe and Lady Cathy Howard helped drop the gown over the farthingale hoop that Bess Throckmorton had tied into place around Elizabeth’s slender figure, and while Lady Cathy laced up the back, Lady Anne fastened the sleeves in place before holding out the chair in front of the mirror so Nell could begin her work.
Elizabeth darted a look at Lettice’s eldest daughter before gazing at her own reflection.
‘Not too heavy, Nell. I could feel my face cracking yesterday when I spoke. That’s what gave me a headache, I’d hazard.’
‘No, your Grace. I prefer to use a lighter mixture, with a touch of ground peach to make it a softer colour.’ Nell mixed the powdered white lead in a basin with the crushed peach kernels and then used a badger-hair brush to gently dust the powder over the Queen’s skin, covering the scars made by the pox.
&
nbsp; ‘You aren’t using vinegar for the mixture, Nell?’ Elizabeth closed her eyes as the brush drifted over her lids and forehead, tickling gently.
‘No, your Grace. I thought I would try this way, as you looked so uncomfortable yesterday.’ Elizabeth’s eyes flew open and she glared at Nell through the mirror. Nell coloured slightly but continued dusting the powder over the Queen’s cheeks.
‘I looked uncomfortable, Nell? You saw I looked uncomfortable?’ Elizabeth’s voice lowered and she hissed a whisper, ‘Did everyone think that, girl?’
Nell lowered her own voice as she bent to dust more of the powder lightly over the Queen’s décolleté. ‘Your Majesty always looks beautiful to the whole court. It’s just that I enjoy preparing makeup and perfumes so much, I notice things other people might not. Whoever did your maquillage yesterday, Majesty, was too heavy-handed. They should have let your natural beauty shine through, rather than try to cover it up.’
Elizabeth nodded in satisfaction at the answer and closed her eyes again.
Nell finished with the powder and proceeded to gently define the Queen’s naturally sandy eyebrows with a small piece of charcoal, carefully feathering the edges with her fingertips. Then she produced a small pot from the skirt of her gown, holding it up to show the Queen.
‘I have found a way to put a pink tint into my Aunt Meg’s salve, Majesty. I put in two drops of the pigment that Uncle Ralph uses for the sealing wax. May I?’
Elizabeth nodded and Nell, using her littlest finger, spread some of the pink salve onto the Queen’s lips. Through the mirror, Nell raised her eyebrows slightly, inviting Elizabeth to comment.
‘That is lovely, Nell. Far more natural, and it feels as light as air.’ Elizabeth smiled at the girl, who curtsied deeply.
‘I am pleased your Grace is pleased,’ she murmured, with her eyes modestly downcast now she wasn’t emboldened by doing what she loved.