On the Altar of England (Tudor Chronicles Book 4)

by Lesley Jepson

  ‘Do you realise, Aunt Meg, that Robbie is the first of my children I have raised myself? My others were fed and weaned in your nursery while I was at court. No wonder I don’t know about ‘pobs’.’ She wrinkled her nose at that thought, then looked up as Jane and Ursula came through the door carrying a pile of bleached linen.

  ‘Ah. My torture awaits, Aunt. Do you want me to ring for the nurse to take Robbie for a nap? I shan’t be very long, and then we can have a real gossip. I have so much I want to tell you, and some things to ask you, too.’ Lettice slid her eyes pointedly at the two girls and Meg’s brows rose.

  ‘You go and get dressed, sweetheart, and I’ll make sure Lord Robbie here doesn’t get into any mischief.’ Meg nodded at the babe snuggled against her bosom, falling asleep after all the excitement of being fed and then looking out of the window.

  ‘Robin says his title will be Lord Denbigh, Aunt. It is Robin’s second benefice, to be passed to his heir.’ Lettice laughed that the small boy, nestled in Meg’s arms, was already a Lord. Meg smiled and nodded and gently rocked from side to side.

  ‘I won’t be a moment,’ whispered Lettice excitedly, as she and the girls went into her bedchamber, ‘then we can all have ale and sweetmeats.’

  Meg dropped another kiss onto the dark downy head and whispered gently, blinking back the sudden tears, ‘Oh, Cat. You would be so proud.’

  A sudden noise outside made Meg go back to the window and see Lord Robert and her son Tom, accompanied by several men at arms clatter into the yard. Meg adjusted the baby in her arms, startled to wakefulness by the hoof beats, so he might see out of the window and look at the horses, although he was more interested in chewing on his fist and trying to pull the ribbons on Meg’s collar. Meg heard the sound of footsteps in the gallery and then the door burst open and Robert strode into the room, grinning and looking round. Meg made the best curtsey she could manage with the baby on her shoulder.

  ‘Lady Sadler,’ Robert bowed in response and then held his arms out for his son, ‘how lovely to see you again. Congratulations on your husband’s new position. Will you be travelling with him?’

  ‘Thank you, my Lord. I am pleased for him, but he will only be up there for a few weeks to speak to the burghers and have things arranged. He tells me that then much of the business can be conducted from here.’ Meg smiled as she watched Robert lift his son high in the air as the baby crowed with laughter and tried to catch the feather in Robert’s hat.

  ‘I am so glad. I wondered if you could stay with us while he is away? Help Lily look after young Denbigh here. Isn’t he astonishing, my Lady?’

  ‘He is indeed, my Lord. A good strong back and neck. He is so beautiful. And he looks so much like you.’ Meg began to pinken as she realised how she had phrased what she had said, as Robert let out a loud guffaw of laughter and held his son close to his face.

  ‘Why, Lady Sadler, your remarks are too kind.’ He laughed again and saw Meg’s cheeks suffuse with colour. He leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered, ‘My enemies, and they are legion, say I have no brain in my head, and my only concern is that the diamond studs in my doublet match those in my hat.’ He twisted his mouth wryly before continuing, ‘That is not true, I assure you, but this boy,’ he kissed the baby tenderly on his cheek as the child pushed his tiny hand through Robert’s beard, ‘gets all his beauty from his mother.’

  Meg smiled at Robert as he played with his son, remembering what Ralph had told her about Robert’s assiduous attendance at every council meeting, much to Cecil, now Lord Burleigh’s and Walsingham’s irritation. Meg knew he had a fine brain behind his vanity.

  She also knew he was one of those charming men that women adored, having the happy knack of making them feel they were the only woman in the room of any consequence; an attribute that women loved, and that made most men hate him with a passion. Men that saw beyond the plumage to the kind, considerate, conscientious man underneath the façade felt a loyalty to Robert that nothing would break; men like her husband Ralph, her son Tom and Lettice’s steward Thomas.

  Robert’s loud chuckles made the door to Lettice’s bedchamber open and she came into the room clad in a deep turquoise silk gown, figured with golden embroidery and a pointed vee neckline that rose into a snowy white lace collar that framed the back of her neck beautifully. Her copper curls were piled high and secured with pearl and turquoise hair combs, and she had a delicate rope of tiny pearls round her throat. Lettice beamed in excitement at her husband and stepped forward, hands outstretched.

  ‘Hello Robin.’

  Chapter 26

  ily, I came as soon as Thomas brought me your message, but I only have an hour, my love.’

  Lettice’s smile was unwavering as she gazed at her husband, ‘Robin, an hour is an unexpected treat. I didn’t think to see you until supper, or even later.’

  Meg took a hesitant step towards Robert, saying softly, ‘Would you like me to take the baby to his nurse, my Lord?’

  ‘Not at all, Lady Meg,’ Robert’s eyebrow raised at his informality and Meg smiled broadly, ‘I would spend the hour with my son as well as my wife. Tom is downstairs if you would like to go and see him?’ Meg smiled and nodded at the opportunity to speak to her son after not seeing him for so long.

  ‘Girls, would you like to accompany Aunt Meg? We can enjoy our ale and sweetmeats later.’ Lettice subtly dismissed her ladies so she and Robert could have time alone, and Meg led the way through the huge doorway, closing it quietly behind her.

  Robert sat on the huge chair in front of the hearth, pulling Lettice by the hand. She took the baby from him while he settled himself and then sat on his lap, cuddling into the crook of his shoulder and placing their son, drowsy again now, in the crook of his other arm. Robert dropped a kiss on her temple and she lifted her face for a proper kiss as their son dozed.

  ‘I have longed for you to be back in my arms, Lily. Two weeks has been an age, and I have much to tell you.’ Her brows rose at the unexpected excitement in his voice.

  ‘I would hold a small supper party tomorrow night, or the next if it is too short notice?’ Lettice shook her head.

  ‘Tomorrow will be quite alright, Robin. Whom shall we be hosting?’

  ‘The Dutch ambassador, my love. He has asked me if, when the conflict is resolved in the Low Countries, I would consider the governorship.’ Lettice gasped in astonishment.

  ‘You, Robin? Why you?’ She twisted her mouth wryly, ‘I didn’t mean that how it sounded. Why would they choose you, though? And what will happen to us?’ She nodded at the baby, sleeping peacefully and making quiet sucking noises with slightly milky lips as he slept.

  ‘You would both come with me. We would stay in the Low Countries as envoys from England to keep the peace and make sure the Spanish didn’t attempt yet another invasion. I would be a soldier again, Lettice.’ She smiled and nodded at the pleasure in his voice.

  ‘The ambassador wishes to discuss details and I would have that discussion away from court. A simple meal, my love. Beef and pork for the ambassador to choose from, but I would ask you to have chicken for me. I still seem to have some problem with my digestion, so plain chicken and plain vegetables, with perhaps sugared fruit and a lemon syllabub?’

  ‘Of course, Robin. Whatever you wish. I will speak to Thomas and he will arrange it with the kitchen.’

  ‘And you, Lily. How have you fared while we have been apart? I confess, the twelve weeks of the Progress we were away from one another didn’t drag like the two weeks it took for you to arrive back here. Being with you every night for three weeks has spoiled me, my love.’ He kissed her neck and claimed her lips again, careful not to disturb the sleeping babe. Lettice squirmed on his lap and he growled at her in his throat.

  �
��Lily, you know I have to return. And I have to face your Aunt Meg. I beg you not to make that event embarrassing. I have made her blush once today, I wouldn’t do it again; that would be too unkind.’ Lettice’s brows rose in surprise.

  ‘How on earth did you make Aunt Meg blush, Robin?’

  ‘She told me my son was beautiful, and then said he took after me. I confess I deliberately misunderstood, and I shouldn’t have. I think I smoothed it over with her, though. I would not have her upset at me; she is too precious to you for that.’ Lettice smiled and then began to worm her hand into his doublet and shirt, her old habit from the days before they were married.

  ‘While I have your attention Robin, I would ask you something.’ His brows rose to invite her to continue. ‘Do you think my father would agree to Dickon being betrothed to Jane Sadler? I know Uncle Ralph has been his friend for many years, since they were clerks together under Cromwell. But do you think it would be an acceptable match? Could Uncle Ralph afford a sufficiently large dowry to please my father?’

  Robert could no longer contain his amusement, and burst into laughter, trying to stifle it so he didn’t waken his son, while Lettice looked at him curiously and continued.

  ‘Jane and Dickon have been in love since they were children, Robin. And I would have at least one of my family married to someone they love.’ Lettice wrinkled her nose at Robert and he tried to bring his laughter under control so he could answer her.

  ‘I think your father will agree, Lily. And I think Jane’s dowry won’t be a concern for Sir Ralph. You do know what they call him at court, behind his back?’ Lettice shook her head, and Robert whispered, ‘“The richest commoner in England”.’ Her brows rose in surprise.

  ‘Cromwell taught Sir Ralph and your father well, Lily. They both make prudent investments in land and property, and neither of them squander their wealth on jewels or gambling. And that brings me to something else I need to tell you, something less pleasant than a betrothal.’

  ‘Oh, Robin. What bad news is this?’ Lettice’s eyes widened as she waited, and he dropped his head to press a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  ‘That your father has been asked by the Queen to have a word with Essex about his gambling debts. I don’t know who brought it to the Queen’s attention. Probably that bastard de Vere, but Essex is gambling away his inheritance, and your father isn’t happy with him.’ He felt Lettice’s shoulders drop in a gesture of dejection, and he kissed her hair again tenderly.

  ‘Don’t worry about it too much, my love. Your father is still formidable, and Essex seems to take heed of his words. Other good news is that Tom and Kytt seem to be becoming friends, which is a good thing. They are much in one another’s company when Essex and I are with the Queen. And the other thing I must ask, before I have to leave you and go back to the madness, is do you think young Rob and Dickon are ready to come to court?’

  Lettice gave him a reluctant smile as she sat up properly, moving her hand from tickling her fingers through the dusting of hair on his chest and fastening first the ties on his shirt and then the clasps on his doublet. She stood up and shook out her huge skirt while she waited for Robert to kiss his sleeping son’s forehead gently, then she took the baby in her own arms so Robert could rise from the chair.

  ‘Young Rob could definitely come to court, Robin, although I would advise you to keep him away from Essex if at all possible,’ Robert’s brows rose in surprise at her words, ‘but I think Dickon would benefit from staying with Thomas. He needs to learn some……. self-defence skills, I think you would say, before he goes to court.’

  Robert nodded and then took Lettice carefully in his arms, kissing her lips and then down her throat to her collar before capturing her lips with passion, breaking the kiss with a frustrated groan.

  ‘I must go, Lily, or I shall stay. I will be back after supper at court, but that shouldn’t be too late. I will eat there, so have your supper with the girls and I will come to you later.’ Lettice beamed at him excitedly and raised an arched eyebrow.

  ‘I will look forward to it, Robin. I shall have a gift for you to unwrap.’

  Robert, hand already on the latch to the door, shook his head and looked at her curiously.

  ‘A gift for me, Lily?’ She nodded excitedly. ‘I can’t wait.’ He chuckled softly and then strode down the gallery in search of Tom and the men at arms to return to the palace.

  ‘Come back soon,’ whispered Lettice, kissing her sleeping son’s hair.

  Chapter 27

  ooking across at the group of young people, Meg sank gratefully onto the stone bench in the stable yard, hiding her amusement. Tom was busy teasing his sister Jane affectionately, while Dickon rose to her defence. Meg watched Ursula gazing wide-eyed at her son, and thought she might know what Lettice wished to discuss with her. The girl was obviously captivated by Tom, and in Meg’s mind, the swift glances and quick half-smiles Tom was giving Ursula meant she was not alone in her admiration. Meg was startled by a lean figure dropping to the bench beside her.

  ‘Lady Sadler, it is good to see you again.’ Meg turned in surprise to the young man at her side, and then smiled.

  ‘Master Robert, isn’t it?’ she asked, smiling at the boy as he stretched his long legs in front of him on the low bench. He returned her smile and picked up her hand to brush his lips across the knuckles.

  ‘Everyone calls me Rob, my Lady,’ he pulled a wry face, ‘young Rob mostly I suppose, but I would be happy if you called me Rob.’

  ‘And how is your Lady Mother, Rob? Have you heard from her lately? You are very like her, you know.’ Meg smiled her gentle smile at Rob, and it broadened at his surprise with her question.

  ‘I didn’t realise you knew my mother, Lady Sadler.’ Meg twisted her mouth and shook her head.

  ‘“Know” is a little too familiar, Rob. I saw her at court on the very few times I attended with my husband. I remember how lovely she was, cool and fair and elegant, and I was pleased for her when Ralph told me she had remarried.’

  ‘She is well, my Lady, and happy in Paris with her new husband. No doubt enjoying a freedom she couldn’t have here. But you surprise me, saying I am like her.’

  Meg looked at Rob carefully, saying, ‘You have her bone structure, Rob, and your hair has a touch of her lightness about it. That is obviously your Howard blood.’ Rob looked at her in surprise and gave a brief laugh.

  ‘No-one but you has spoken about my Howard blood, my Lady. The fact that my mother did not marry my father seems to outweigh any claim to an aristocratic heritage.’ Meg heard a slight bitterness in the boy’s voice, and unthinkingly put her hand over his.

  ‘Your mother is a Howard, Rob. Never forget that, and your father a Dudley. You can trace your heritage back to Henry II, you know.’ Rob looked at her incredulously and Meg laughed.

  ‘I am an old woman, Rob. I was fortunate to be a friend to Lady Cat, and I can remember the old Duke of Norfolk and Lady Mary Boleyn. They never forgot their heritage, and neither should you. I once heard Lady Cat, in a towering rage, tell someone she could trace the Howard lineage back to Henry II. So, no matter what people say about your birth, you come from noble stock. Remember that.’

  Rob blinked owlishly at Meg, and she laughed softly again and pressed his hand.

  ‘I will remember, Lady Sadler. I swear.’

  Rob’s attention was caught by the sound of striding boots on gravel, and both he and Meg looked across to see Robert pulling on his gloves and swinging himself into his saddle. He looked over to the pair seated on the bench and raised his hand in acknowledgement before he turned his horse to ride back to the palace, closely followed by Tom, who waved farewell to his mother with a grin.

  Meg rose and shook out her skirt as Jane an
d Ursula came to join her. She looked back at Rob and smiled, nodding her farewell.

  ‘It was lovely to renew our acquaintance, Rob. I’m sure we shall see more of each other.’ Rob stood and made a courtly bow to Meg, which made her mouth twitch; that was the Dudley charm in evidence, she thought.

  ‘Lady Sadler. I do hope so. I would enjoy speaking more with you.’ He replaced his hat on his head and then walked towards Dickon and Thomas at the tiltyard gate as the three ladies made their way back into the house for the promised ale and sweetmeats.

  ***

  ‘Girls, while we wait for Cissy to bring the refreshments, would you go into my chamber and organise my gowns, please. They need shaking out and powdering properly after being squashed in my clothes chests for so long, and I need a quiet word with Aunt Meg.’ Lettice smiled brightly at Jane and Ursula as they exchanged glances and went into the bedchamber. Meg’s brows rose in question and Lettice pulled a stool over so she could sit near Meg and not be overheard.

  ‘What is it, sweetheart? It must be important if you don’t want the girls to hear.’

  Lettice shook her head and chuckled, ‘Some of it concerns them, Aunt, so I wanted to speak quietly, and some of it concerns me. I need some counsel.’

  ‘I’d be happy to advise, if it would help. Tell me all about it.’ Lettice rested her head on Meg’s shoulder and took hold of her hand.

  ‘Happy things first, Aunt. I think Tom and Ursula are in love, and I would also like you to consider, and ask Uncle Ralph, that Jane be betrothed to Dickon.’

  Meg laughed softly and pressed Lettice’s fingers. ‘Dickon has been in love with Jane since he was twelve months old and realised she was really there. I am pleased beyond measure that they have fallen in love now they are older, and I can speak for Ralph when I say we would be delighted for them to be betrothed.’ Lettice dimpled at Meg happily.