At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn (39 page)

“I hope to find faith, though I have had only an inkling of God’s presence,” said Madge, suddenly shy.

“You will find it, dear cousin. And I shall pray daily that faith will come soon,” said the queen. “Come, I have much to do.”

*   *   *

On Easter morning, the queen and her ladies went to chapel dressed in fine clothes, ready for the noonday meal, which would boast many delicacies. They desired rich food since they had dined simply during Lent. The queen and king sat together in the royal closet where they could listen and participate in the Mass in comfort. Madge sat in the general area on a simple bench with several other ladies. When the time came for the homily, Almoner John Skip rose with great solemnity. He admonished those in the congregation, especially the royal counselors, to quit advising the king in the direction His Majesty was inclined to go. He instructed them, instead, to give the king wise counsel that would lead to the good of the country. He said, pointedly, that “nowadays many men … rebuke the clergy … because they would have from the clergy their possessions.” Skip could not have aimed his arrows more directly at Master Cromwell if Cromwell had been pinned to a target bushel. He then told the story of Esther, who countermanded King Ahasuerus’s head counselor, Haman, and saved the Jewish people. The point could not be missed as he said, “there was a good woman (which this gentle King Ahasuerus loved very much and put his trust in because he knew she was ever his friend) and she gave unto the king contrary counsel (from Haman’s).”

By the end of the Mass, the entire court knew of the break between the queen and Master Cromwell because the almoner would never have preached such a controversial sermon without the queen’s explicit permission. Madge took note of the talk and the astounded looks of many of the courtiers as they walked out into the fresh air. She watched as the king and queen left their closet. Madge searched the crowd for Cate so they could eat together in the Great Hall, but did not find her. She decided to go by herself to sup and was hurrying along, when she saw Arthur rushing to her.

She moved toward him as best she could and finally they stood facing each other.

“You came! I worried you had been delayed with some problem or other. I would I could kiss you right here,” said Madge. She had to clasp her hands together to keep from hugging him. His face looked haggard and Madge knew immediately something was very wrong.

“I would speak with the queen,” said Arthur in a whisper.

“Now?” said Madge.

“As soon as possible—I have important news,” he said.

“Tell it to me then,” said Madge.

“Nay, ’tis for the queen’s ears first. Take me to her,” he said.

“She and the king are dining. They cannot be disturbed. Shall we eat first and then see to them?” said Madge.

“Aye. My news is
not
for the king,” said Arthur.

*   *   *

By midafternoon, the king had left the queen’s apartments and Madge felt it was safe to bring Arthur to her. She entered the outer rooms and Madge was disturbed at the way Anne Zouch and Bessie Holland smiled and curtsied to Arthur. Even the cold Jane Parker seemed to warm to him. She was almost afraid to leave him with the ladies while she went in to the queen, but she had no choice. When she returned, all the ladies circled Arthur like a pack of wolves around a lamb. Madge cleared her voice.

“The queen will see you now, Master Brandon,” she said.

Arthur bowed to the ladies and took his leave. He entered the queen’s bedchamber and Madge closed the door behind him. He bowed low to the queen, who was resting in her bed.

“Welcome Master Brandon and happy Easter!” said the queen.

“Thank you, Your Grace. I wish you the same,” he said. Before the queen could say anything else, Arthur fell to one knee at her side and looked at her.

“Majesty, I have news. I have already heard of the uproar Almoner Skip has caused and that you and Master Cromwell have argued. What you need to know is that the lady Jane Seymour is housed in Master Cromwell’s home. There is a direct tunnel from there to the king’s inner apartments. His Majesty has been visiting her every night and Cromwell has joined forces with Chapuys, the emperor’s ambassador, to convince Henry to make an alliance with Charles the Fifth. However, the emperor will not agree until the lady Mary is promised the succession over Elizabeth. Thus far, the king has refused this adamantly, but there has been much talk about the king putting you away to marry that curd-faced Seymour,” said Arthur.

The queen said nothing. Arthur did not move and Madge seemed frozen, too. After a few minutes of silence, the queen spoke.

“Thank you, Master Brandon. You have done me a great service. I have tried to fight Cromwell, as you heard in church this day. I shall fight him still. As for the king, I have failed him twice—Catherine failed him many more times than that. Perhaps he will not be so quick to put me to shame,” said the queen. She looked very tired.

“Majesty, I know you are exhausted and this is not a good time to ask it, but I must know if you still plan to help Arthur and me,” said Madge.

“I am not sure I can help myself, much less two lovebirds. Methinks you should not count on me. Perhaps another way will appear for you,” said the queen. She looked at Madge’s downcast face. “I am sorry, cousin. I truly am.”

Madge knelt beside Arthur, reached for the queen’s hand, and kissed it.

“Leave me,” said the queen.

Arthur and Madge rose to go, but the queen then changed her mind and commanded Madge to stay a while. Madge returned to her pallet and waited for the queen’s instructions.

“If Harry does put me away, methinks he will allow me to go to a nunnery. That is what he offered Catherine at first, but she refused. I should like such a life, I believe. I could read and study, sew for the poor, and I would still have a few ladies to attend me—do not worry, Margaret, I will not ask for you! I know you wish to be wed soon enough! I have had all I would ever want of married life—to be married to Christ would be a welcome relief,” said the queen.

“Would you not miss life at court? A nunnery would seem quite dull after such as this,” said Madge, indicating all the fine things in the queen’s room.

“I am glad to have had my time here. I have enjoyed the love of several good men and I have held onto a mighty king for ten years. I bore a beautiful daughter and still count a few good friends who are loyal and true. I believe I would find the peace of a nunnery soothing to my spirit,” said the queen.

“I will pray with all my being that it will not be thus. I will pray that the king comes to his senses and returns to you, Your Grace. And, God forgive me, I will pray that the strumpet, Mistress Seymour, gets the pox!” said Madge.

“My, my, my! I do believe it will be impossible for Mistress Jane to get the pox—her virtue, dearest—her precious virtue!” said the queen. They both laughed but then the queen gave way to crying. Madge sat with her until she fell to sleep.

*   *   *

“Dearest Margaret, you must listen! I beg of you, come away with me. We can ride out today as if we were going on a picnic—then, we can just keep going. I shall take you to Guildford Palace and we shall marry. We can live happily there in one of my father’s houses. Our children can run in the fields and hunt in the forests. There is bounty and goodness from the fresh earth—come, let us leave this vile place and be together in safety and peace,” said Arthur, while Madge sat upon his knee.

“How can I leave the queen now? When her future is not clear? This is the time she needs her friends—and I have noticed how they have become fewer and fewer. She is my cousin and, more importantly, she is my friend. I will not leave her,” said Madge.

“Foolish, foolish woman! I tell you, as long as you stay at court, you are in danger! Have you not seen the burnings and the hangings this king of ours has wrought? He and Master Cromwell? These are treacherous times, my love. You must come with me,” said Arthur. He turned her face to him and kissed her.

“Such kisses will not change my mind,” said Madge and playfully chucked him under the chin.

“Then how about this?” he said as he put his hand beneath her skirts and began to stroke her thigh.

“Nay, sir. I will not be swayed. But I must ask you, will you be returning to Guildford or will you stay on a while?” she said, her breath coming more quickly now as he touched her.

“I will leave a week from this day. My father has sent word I am to return to help build a new barn. I wish I could stay, but I must do as he bids me,” said Arthur.

“I suppose that in a week’s time, you expect to win me to your way of thinking. You think I must go with you after having loved you for one full week,” said Madge.

“I think if you love me at all, yes, you will go with me,” he said.

“You know that I love you with all my heart—but I will not change my mind. I am determined to help the queen—it is the right thing for me to do,” said Madge. “I will not run away from this unpleasantness like a dog with its tail tucked. I will face whatever is to come.”

“Then face my kisses for they are here at this instant,” said Arthur.

Thirty-six

Madge was worried. Since sitting together in church on Easter Sunday, the king had not been to see the queen, nor had anyone heard what events were happening. Mistress Seymour had left the queen’s service abruptly, claiming that her father needed her at Wulfhall. She declared he was very ill. The queen had no choice but to allow Mistress Seymour to leave, though she knew Jane was living in Cromwell’s house under the supervision of her parents and enjoying nightly visits from His Majesty. The queen tried to remain lighthearted, chattering about this and that. She busied herself by planning for Elizabeth’s education and continuing to buy the child expensive clothes. She also purchased tassels of gold for the draperies of her bed and bolts of expensive silks and velvets for new gowns. Madge thought to herself that for a woman who was content to go to a nunnery, the queen certainly intended to live sumptuously now.

Madge and the queen were concerned that her brother, Viscount Rochford, had not been selected for the Order of the Garter, an honor that he coveted and that the queen believed should have been his. Instead, Sir Nicholas Carew received the Order, though he had been a strong supporter of Catherine and continued to defend the interests of the lady Mary as best he could.

“’Tis a slap at me,” said the queen, after they had heard the news from Master Smeaton, who was one of the few people who still came when the queen requested it. Many of the others claimed illness or “the king’s business” in order not to be seen entering the queen’s apartments.

“If it be a slap, let it be. You are still queen and, though the king is enthralled with dough-faced Jane, they cannot harm you more than this,” said Madge. She said it with great enthusiasm but in her body, she felt fear begin to take hold.

“You are right, Margaret. If the king is intent on making Jane his wife, I shall go to a nunnery without any argument. I have learned from my predecessor that obstinacy against His Majesty is not the answer. I shall agree to whatever the king might wish—I know I have lost his love, but perhaps I can retain his friendship,” said the queen.

A couple of days after they had heard the news regarding the appointment of Sir Carew, Madge and the queen, along with a few of her ladies, were diverting themselves with cards and dice. There was a loud knock on the outer chamber door and one of the guards announced that a Master Brandon wished to speak with the queen. Madge stood up and started to the door but the queen spoke quickly.

“Please show Master Brandon to us—Margaret, will you set up refreshments for the gentleman? The rest of you may leave us,” said the queen.

Madge did as she was instructed, pouring a large mug of ale for Arthur and cutting some chicken from the bone. She placed the meat on a plate and tore off a chunk of bread to accompany the fowl.

“Master Brandon,” said the queen as she rose to give Arthur her hand. He knelt and kissed it. She bade him rise.

“Madame, I come with a warning I hope you will heed. I fear Master Cromwell has hatched a plot to ensnare Your Grace. He, along with your enemies, Sir Carew, the Seymours, Exeter, and Sir Francis Bryan, have persuaded His Majesty to approve an inquiry into treasonous acts. His Majesty is unaware that you are to be one of the targets of this inquiry, along with your supporters on the privy council. No one knows what Master Cromwell is up to exactly, but I would warn Your Majesty to be circumspect in all your actions. God save Your Majesty!” said Arthur.

“Thank you for this unwelcome news, Master Brandon. Now I shall retire to my bedchamber. You must stay here with Lady Margaret and refresh yourself after your long journey,” said the queen. She then turned and walked through the rooms to her private chamber, leaving Madge and Arthur alone.

“I did not think to see you again, my dearest,” said Madge as she ran into his arms.

“Nor I you. But when my father told me all he had heard from his spies, I had to warn the queen. And, most especially, you. Sweetheart, I fear for everyone surrounding the queen; anyone who has ever been her friend is in grave danger,” he said as he held her close. “You must come away with me this night. I fear if you do not, you will be caught in Cromwell’s web.”

“How I wish I could ride away from it all. But you know I cannot. The queen believes she will go to a nunnery and when she does, I shall be free of her service. She has told me thus. Then, my love, I will send for you and you can carry me away to your peaceful haven,” said Madge, kissing him.

“Prithee, mistress, think you we can persuade Mistress Cate to abandon her room for one afternoon? For it has been long since I held you and I would once again ere I depart,” said Arthur.

“I shall command it!” said Madge.

*   *   *

“Soon we shall lie together on a proper bed rather than this lumpy, narrow pallet,” said Arthur as he helped Madge to the floor. “There now, better?”

“I would lie with you on a pile of rocks, my love,” said Madge as she stretched out her body.