At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn (16 page)

“He is notorious for such—I have heard it said that he forces his way with any kitchen wench that claims his fancy. Though he dare nothing of that kind with the queen’s cousin, I’ll warrant,” said Wyatt.

“What of you, Sir Thomas? Tell me all,” said Madge.

“I have written many a verse whilst in France and have read much, especially the evangelism books of which our queen is so fond. I am proud that England has shaken off the shackles of the pope and all the bishops, the foul priests and carnal cardinals! Our Henry and Anne have shown the world the corruption of the old religion and now must lead us into the ways of the new. Shall I show you some of my verse?” Wyatt said.

“Nothing will please me more. And I shall show you some of mine so you will not think me idle in your absence,” said Madge. “Shall we meet after matins?”

“I shall be here, dear friend. And now, I will make my way to Their Majesties. I have a token of a poem for their pleasure. Adieu, dear Margaret,” said Wyatt.

*   *   *

The twelve days of Christmas passed in revelry and pleasure, yet the birth of the Savior was in no way overlooked. Daily masses were said with all in attendance, alms and shirts were distributed to the poor, with special attention paid to women with small children who were in distress. Queen Anne herself saw to the needs of the poor and with her own hands gave generously. Madge had grown to admire the way the queen practiced the Lord’s charity among her lesser brethren. When the queen went among her people, though they did not love her as they had Queen Catherine, she was ever kind to them.

“Oh, what a lovely little girl you have, madame! What is her name?” said the queen as she held a dirty street urchin by the hand.

“Catherine, Your Grace. After the former queen,” said a woman whose clothes were tattered and covered in filth.

The queen ignored the slight and Madge watched as she took a small bag of gold coins from her girdle and handed it to the woman.

“Buy food and warmth for your child, mother. Keep her safe and yourself as well,” said the queen with a smile.

On New Year’s Day, gifts were exchanged. Madge and Cate had embroidered a delicate cap for the queen with a matching one for Elizabeth. The queen was well pleased with the gift and, in turn, handed Madge a new dress and a strand of pearls. Her Majesty gave Cate a set of cards for the many hours she spent alone. The king gave each a silver goblet with the Shelton coat of arms on Madge’s cup while Cate’s was plain. Madge and Cate gave the king a silken shirt, roses stitched in silver and gold thread. He was greatly pleased.

Finally, the queen presented Henry with a magnificent table fountain of gold, which held three naked women from whose breasts issued water. Studded with rubies, diamonds, and pearls, the fountain was a symbol of fertility. Nothing pleased the king more and he rewarded his wife with several caches of jewels as well as much gold plate. As he led her onto the floor for the last dance of the evening, Madge wished she could find a man to look at her in such an adoring way.

“Lady Margaret, may I have this dance?” said a man near her. She turned to see Arthur dressed in his finest clothes. His brown eyes seemed full of laughter, as if he found her endlessly amusing. Somehow, this infuriated her.

“I care not to dance, sir. I … I was going to retire anon,” she said until she saw Sir Norris approaching her. “But, one more dance will not harm me, to be sure.”

Arthur took her hand and smiled.

“You will even dance with the likes of me to avoid your intended, Margaret. I am not at all flattered,” he said.

“Sometimes I feel as if you are laughing at me. It brings on my fury,” she said.

“I do not laugh, milady. Indeed, where you are concerned, I am most serious. What think you of the queen’s gift to His Majesty?” said Arthur.

“It is not like anything I have set my eyes upon. Master Holbein designed it, I am sure,” said Madge.

“Yes—his hand is on it. Do you sift out its meaning?” said Arthur.

“Of course. The ladies in the fountain represent the king’s beneficence. His bounty,” said Madge.

“Mistress Margaret, surely even you are not that innocent! The queen is with child again! The women are flowing with milk—the only time this can happen is after the birth of a babe. Her Majesty has just announced to the court and the king that she is once again carrying the royal issue,” said Arthur.

The queen had said nothing of this matter to her. But then, why should she? Of late, Madge had been sent out of the queen’s bedchamber and had slept with the other attendants. Only the queen and, upon occasion, the princess Elizabeth slept in the bedchamber. And Her Majesty had complained of the peacocks screeching about in the gardens, so the king had instructed Sir Norris to house them at his manor some five miles away. There had been the tears shed for Elizabeth and then tears for other events. It all made sense—the queen was again with child.

“Wonderful, wonderful news!” said Madge. She could not help but think of ridding herself of Sir Norris.

In her enthusiasm, she clung to Arthur so tightly that he swept her away from the other dancers into a corner. There, he kissed her once again. This time, she kissed him back with a fervor that surprised her. Who knew what the new year would bring?

II

1534

Vertuous Demeanor and Godly Conversation

QUEEN ANNE’S INSTRUCTIONS TO HER LADIES

Eighteen

Though the new year started off well enough for the king and his queen, old troubles soon reared up like angry stallions. The dowager princess Catherine wrote her nephew, Charles V, the emperor, of her continuing trials and suggested he take whatever action he deemed necessary to help her. If this meant launching an attack against the king, so be it. Her daughter, the lady Mary, was settled at Hatfield with the princess Elizabeth, yet failed to acknowledge her half-sister’s place and refused to give up her own title as princess. That his own child refused to obey him infuriated the king. That his subjects also refused to accept his will in the matter of his marriage and his church, raised his ire to the boiling point. He forced several more closings of monasteries, though the queen wanted them to be reformed rather than confiscated as royal property. Madge watched as the tensions of the court made their way to the queen’s own heart. Once again, Madge was required to serve the queen as her intimate lady of the bedchamber.

“Majesty, how long until we depart for Eltham? Shall I pack your green gown? Will the yellow silk be needed as well?” said Madge as she took out the dresses and laid them on the queen’s large bed to sprinkle them with rosewater and lavender.

“The king hath told me ’twould be five days hence. Yes, take the yellow—it has a loose skirt which will suit me well as time goes on. Lady Margaret, know you that Master Brandon will accompany us?” said the queen.

Madge felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she sorted through the silks and satins, checking them for stains and odors.

“No, Your Grace,” said Madge.

“I asked for him especially as I needed a strong man to handle my horses and Sir Carew advised me he could use the help. Sir Nicholas is not young, as you know, though he still serves His Majesty well as Master of the Horse,” said the queen.

Madge said nothing, though she could not keep her heart from pounding to think Arthur would be going with them to Eltham, and then on to Easthampstead Park in Windsor Forest.

“Have you nothing to say of this?” said the queen.

“I am sure Master Brandon will be a fine choice, madame,” said Madge, keeping her face turned from the queen, pretending to study of the queen’s wardrobe.

“Come, come, Mistress Margaret. I expected a better thanks than this!” said the Queen.

“Thanks, Your Grace?” said Madge.

“Hmm. Mayhap I have misjudged. Would Sir Wyatt have suited you better?” said the queen.

“Whatever suits Your Grace suits me, Majesty,” said Madge, “though I do count Thomas Wyatt as a dear friend.”

“Yes, as do I. Come here, Lady Margaret. Look at me. I have wagered much on my wisdom, my woman’s wisdom, and thus far, such inklings as I have had have not failed me. I cannot believe I have so misconstrued what is before my very eyes. Do you not love Master Brandon?” said the queen.

Madge had not thought of love, though her heartbeat quickened each time she glimpsed Arthur and she could feel her cheeks begin to burn when he was near. She had returned his kisses at their last meeting and had felt sad yet relieved to be joining the queen on the modest Progress for which they were now preparing. The Progress had been the queen’s idea and the princess Elizabeth was to meet them in Eltham. The queen intended to take her daughter along for the rest of the journey, then bring her back to London for a long stay. Given her condition, the king had agreed.

“I … I do not know, Majesty,” said Madge.

“Have you not kissed him? Nor he you?” said the queen.

“Well … yes. We have kissed—once on May Day, once in your apartments before you were churched, and then again at the New Year,” Madge said. She had not told anyone about Master Brandon, not even Cate.

“Your Majesty, how did you know about Master Brandon? We have not been indiscreet as I have taken your instructions to my very heart. My virtue has not been broached, I swear by the Blood of the Savior,” said Madge.

“Please, Lady Margaret, make no such pledges to me. I know because I have a woman’s heart. I see how your eyes brighten when they light upon Master Brandon. And how your cheeks grow rosy. I know much of love, lady. Though I am now married, ’twas not always so. But have a care. If I have discovered your secret, there are others who may know it as well. Cromwell has spies everywhere, though I cannot imagine that he would find your little love affair of interest. But believe me, if he roots out your case, he may find a use for it. I trust him not. The king himself would be angered if he knew you and Master Brandon were stealing away together like thieves in the night—His Majesty would control the lives of all his subjects and you know what happens when he is not obeyed,” said the queen as she looked through her wardrobe closet, selecting other gowns she would take on Progress.

“We shall take more care, Your Grace. Are you not going to chastise me about loving another though I am betrothed to Sir Norris?” Madge asked.

“Tut, tut. I hope in a few months to relieve you of that promise. Of course, Master Brandon will not be a suitable husband. You are, after all, my own blood and will need a superior person to wed. But surely we can find one more to your liking than Norris. In the meantime, enjoy your Arthur as well as you can. I do caution you to guard your virtue for it is a rare jewel. Be that gem guaranteed, I will make you a fine match indeed. It was I who placed our cousin, Mary Howard, with Henry Fitzroy, the king’s own son. I can do almost as well for you, dear cousin,” said the queen.

“Your heart is kind, Your Grace. I shall follow your wise words,” said Madge.

*   *   *

“How far now, Master Brandon?” said Madge as she rode beside him. He looked handsome wearing the king’s livery. They rode splendid horses and were placed close behind the queen’s litter, which was used at the king’s insistence. He was not happy with this small Progress taken in the dead of winter. There would be no hunting for him and the weather was disagreeable. Madge had heard him plead with the queen to return to Hampton Court, but Her Majesty was determined to see Elizabeth and bring her back to London. Madge could see that His Majesty wanted to please the queen, but also feared for the queen’s health and that of the new babe.

“We should arrive in time to sup, I’ll wager. This cold brings out the roses in your cheeks, milady. Would that I could warm you,” he said. She smiled at him.

“Sir, you do warm me. You have made this cold and cloudy journey most pleasant,” she said. She looked at the countryside, which seemed wild and dismal. The trees were covered with a thin film of snow and the sky was the color of pewter. Madge wondered what dangers might be hiding in the wood. She had heard of bandits and madmen haunting the forest.

“Think you, Arthur, we be safe traveling at such a time of year?” she said.

“Milady, I would die to preserve you. You must know that,” he said.

“I would prefer you live, sir,” she said.

“Do you not see all the king’s men, armed with swords and spears? Who would dare attack His Majesty? You fret for nothing,” he said.

“Yet, I have heard it said that many outside of London hate the queen and wish Catherine yet wore the crown. And I have heard that some would see Her Majesty dead,” whispered Madge.

“There are those who dislike her, to be sure. Yet, to strike against the king would be certain death. Few will relish that, I’ll warrant. Let your heart be at ease,” he said.

On they rode until Sir Nicholas motioned for the entire caravan to stop. As the guards let down the queen’s litter, Madge dismounted her own horse, ready to assist Anne should the need arise. She watched as Lady Jane Seymour brought the chamber pot into the litter and was glad it was Jane and not herself who performed
that
duty while they traveled. Arthur hopped down beside her and soon, most of those on horseback had dismounted and were scattering in the woods. Arthur took her hand and led her into the darkness of the forest. He excused himself for a moment and stepped behind a large oak tree. She was happy she had no need to relieve herself and waited for him, slapping her arms to warm them.

“Come here, dearest, let me keep you toasty,” said Arthur, embracing her. He leaned to kiss her and for many minutes, they continued. She could hear his breathing become shorter until he was panting in her ear, his lips nibbling the lobe and then her neck. He placed his hand on her breast and she gasped with surprise.

“It is unseemly for us to be so long in the woods. Someone will take note of it. And if Norris searches for me and finds me not—what then? Arthur, we must take great care—we do not wish to offend the king,” said Madge.

“No one is paying us any mind—they are all busy. Come, let us kiss while we have a chance. Who knows when we will be alone again?” said Arthur.