The Poison Bed

by Elizabeth Fremantle

  ‘It’s an honour, the embassy,’ I said eventually. ‘An honour.’

  He exhaled deeply, like a man who has given up on life. ‘I’m frightened.’

  ‘Frightened?’ Thomas was never really afraid. He was always so sure of himself, such conviction, such confidence. ‘Of what?’

  ‘That I won’t make it to Moscow. That our party will happen upon trouble of one kind or another somewhere en route, and the English ambassador to Moscow will just happen to be killed in the skirmish. “What a terrible misfortune,” they will all say. “Sir Thomas had a great career ahead of him.” Will you weep at my funeral, Robin? You’d like to weep now. I can tell. I know you better than them all.’

  He was right. I was barely able to hold my tears, tears of guilt, and felt embroiled so deeply I’d never find a way out. ‘Don’t go,’ I blurted.

  ‘Then what?’

  ‘You will go to the Tower and I will find a way to get you out.’ Davies poured a drink for me. It was cool as it slipped down my throat. ‘But you must stop this mission to prevent my marriage. If I can assure the King of your silence – he trusts me and I trust you. I do, really.’ I tugged at his sleeve, like a beggar.

  ‘You have to promise to protect me.’ I could see he doubted I was able to. ‘You’re the only one who cares, Robin. Even my supposed friends have abandoned me. I hadn’t fully understood, until this’ – he opened his palms and shrugged with a hollow look – ‘how greatly I am disliked by everyone.’

  ‘Not by me.’ I meant it. I truly did. ‘And I promise – I promise to protect you.’

  He laughed bitterly, took my hand and held me with dead eyes. ‘I wish we could go back to the beginning. Just you and me.’

  I wanted to say that I did too, but I couldn’t: it wasn’t true. Frances was whispering in my ear: the sweetest pain.

  It was the last time I saw him alive.

  Her

  ‘Your Mistress Turner sounds like trouble to me.’ The baby is asleep and Nelly is dealing the cards. ‘I’d have sent her packing.’

  ‘I had it in mind to do that, once I was married and out of my great-uncle’s house. He governed all our lives, really.’ Frances doesn’t pick up her cards, just stares blankly at them on the table. ‘But you’re right. Anne Turner’s bad judgement compromised me greatly. It’s easy to be wise with hindsight.’

  Approaching my rooms on the upper floor of Northampton House, I became aware of a caustic reek in the air and thought I could hear an incantation that seemed to be emanating from behind the door. I opened it a crack to see Anne, her back to me, kneeling on the floor, swaying and making strange gesticulations. The chanting was coming from her. My stomach knotted. I crept in, careful not to make a sound, though she seemed entirely absorbed in whatever she was doing.

  The smell was stronger inside, making my nostrils burn. She took a pinch of powder from a small jar and trickled it into the flame of a candle. It fizzed and crackled, throwing out a halo of blue sparks.

  ‘What are you doing, Anne?’

  She turned to me with a gasp, making a fumbling attempt to hide the jar beneath her clothes. ‘I spilled the salt. It’s bad luck if you don’t throw a pinch over your shoulder for the devil.’ She was not a good liar.

  ‘Have you lost your mind? You must know how easy it is to be called a witch. A rumour starts and the next thing you know you’re on the ducking stool.’ I remembered only too well what had become of Essex’s unfortunate mistress. In spite of all the trouble Anne had caused me, she’d cared for me in childhood and I didn’t want her to face a similar fate. ‘Whatever all this is, get rid of it.’

  I wrenched the jar from her and threw it into the fire where it shattered, causing, as she shouted, ‘No!’ a small, vivid explosion, like a firework. We jumped back, stunned into silence, as the room filled with the smell of sulphur.

  ‘What is that stuff?’ Gaining my composure, I blew out the candle. ‘In fact, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.’

  ‘Listen,’ she said. ‘There’s a problem. Weston can’t find Mary Woods and she still has your ring. He says her lodgings are empty. It’s as if she was never there.’

  My own stupidity mortified me. ‘I was a fool to follow you to that place. I don’t know why I persist in our friendship – I hope I don’t regret that too.’ But even if I had tried to cast her off, I suspected Uncle would have prevented it.

  She looked distraught and began to wring her hands, apologizing profusely, making me feel unkind as she’d only been trying, in her misguided way, to help me.

  ‘I told Weston he must find her.’

  I curbed my exasperation. My starched collar was pressing at my throat. I unpinned it, throwing it to the floor. ‘Let’s put it behind us. After all, everything is turning our way.’

  I sounded light and optimistic but, much as I wanted to believe Mary Woods a fraud, I couldn’t shake her words from my head: Beware. Danger runs close to you. Very close.

  Him

  ‘Goodness, dear boy, you really are in a terrible state.’ I was shaking like a drunk when I arrived at Northampton House.

  ‘What have we done?’ My tone was desperate. Thomas had been locked away for three weeks. All I’d had was a brief note, smuggled out, describing his cell, and scrawled below, this: ‘A tear dries quickly when it is shed for the woes of others.’

  I’d gone to Northampton because I didn’t know to whom else I could turn. I’d realized that, for the host of acquaintances I had, Thomas was my only true friend. James wouldn’t even have his name mentioned. It was as if he was dead. Of anyone, James held a grudge the longest.

  ‘I know you’re fond of the man,’ Northampton was saying. He stood behind me and began to rub my shoulders, pressing into my painfully knotted muscles. ‘We’ll make sure he’s well looked after. I’ve been laying plans, arranged for someone trustworthy to stand as his gaoler. A Master Weston – he’s well known to Mistress Turner, worked for her for many years, and he’s run errands for me in the past too, so we can trust him implicitly. Weston will look after your Thomas Overbury.’

  ‘I need to be sure he’s well treated.’ I tried to sound authoritative but it wasn’t convincing. It had all seemed to make so much sense in theory – Thomas in the Tower for a while until the annulment was resolved – but once the wheels had begun to turn I saw how little influence I would have on how he was treated in there. ‘He’s not a nobleman so he won’t have any privileges.’

  ‘I’ve made arrangements for him to be housed in the room above the Watergate. It’s one of the best there is.’

  ‘Thomas didn’t mention such a room, far from it. He said he was in a damp chamber half below ground, with only a grille a few inches wide to let the light in. You must arrange for him to be moved.’ I was insistent.

  Northampton stopped kneading, pulling up a chair to sit beside me, and my mind filled unexpectedly with all the things his detractors said of him – his ruthlessness, his cunning, his cruelty. I was unravelling, wondering if I could trust the man I’d followed so blindly.

  ‘He’ll be moved – as soon as he cooperates.’ He paused and I studied him closely. Suspicion continued to press at me. ‘You’re still shaking. You really must stop worrying.’ He got up and crossed the room to pour a measure of something, then stood over me, like a nurse administering a tonic, as I gulped back the liquid. ‘That’ll sort you out.’

  It was pungent and made my throat smart.

  ‘Better?’ he asked, with a smile. I nodded. ‘Now, what can I do to allay your worries? What if we made sure someone we trust is installed as lieutenant at the Tower? Someone like Gervase Elwes – he owes me several favours. I think he’d be the man.’

  He seemed benign now, not the monster I’d feared him to be. ‘But how?’

  ‘I don’t think you understand quite how much influence you have. If you petition the council they’ll be sure to do your bidding. I’ve heard the present lieutenant has been rather lax with security. You could mention that
.’

  ‘This is all a mistake. We must have him released.’

  ‘But he’s there on the King’s order. You could try to convince the King, I suppose.’

  But Northampton wasn’t party to the event at Royston. Even if Thomas made his peace with the Howards and apologized to Frances, I would still have to convince James he was no longer a threat. I was tangled in it all, unable to escape and muddleheaded with drink.

  ‘Once Elwes is in place you’ll feel much better,’ he continued. ‘Elwes will make sure we can get correspondence in and out more easily. And your friend will be properly watched over.’

  ‘I’ll petition the council tomorrow.’ My head began to swim and it all seemed to matter much less.

  I noticed the portraits that were half finished on my previous visit had been hung – a regiment of Howards appraising me with painted eyes, following me, moving as I moved. Each one wore the confidence in their demeanour that came from the knowledge they belonged to something powerful and unbreakable. However many times the Howards had tumbled and lost everything – an execution in each generation, sometimes two – they always rose again.

  Wed to Frances, I would belong to them. My children would wear that unassailable look. Frances’s likeness shone, the apotheosis of them all.

  Northampton refilled my cup and must have noticed me looking at her, as he said, ‘Do you want to see her?’

  ‘I thought she was in the country.’ I felt tricked. We had been exchanging letters but she hadn’t mentioned she was returning to court and I wondered why he hadn’t said anything until that moment. ‘You didn’t tell me.’

  ‘She had to come back. The church commission want to see her. You look so worried. It’s nothing she can’t cope with. I’ll call her down.’

  He rang a bell and a servant arrived, who was sent to fetch her. ‘We must be cautious about these meetings until after the hearing. But you know that, and I don’t see why it should harm anything for you to have a few moments together.’

  She came almost instantly. The portrait, which only a minute before had seemed perfection itself, diminished in the face of the real woman. In her presence everything made sense, even the scurrilous treatment of Thomas.

  ‘Look at you,’ she said, gliding towards me. ‘You’re here. I thought I would die of pining.’

  ‘He’s worried about his friend in the Tower,’ said Northampton. ‘I hoped you might reassure him.’

  ‘It must be terrible for you – I can’t imagine how terrible.’ Her velvet voice soothed me. ‘I know how devoted you are to him.’

  Northampton sidled away, saying, ‘Just a quarter-hour.’

  She leaned herself against the table and I began to undo her, exposing her sharp white clavicles and the smooth upper mounds of her breasts. I let my mouth skim over the cool, firm flesh.

  ‘I need to feel close. Touch me,’ she breathed. ‘Down there.’ Her skirts murmured as she guided my hand under them.

  My finger slid between her, into that warm place. Her breath shook. I untucked a nipple, drawing it into my mouth. I glanced up. Her mouth was open, tongue tip to her upper teeth. Her sudden exhalation was the loudest thing in the room. ‘Tell me you love me.’

  ‘You know it, my angel.’ I drew my hand out.

  There was that smile again. She grabbed my wrist and, lifting my fingers to her nose, inhaled her own scent with her eyes half shut, emitting a little moan.

  ‘You’re wicked as sin,’ I said.

  ‘A moment ago, I was an angel. Which is it?’

  ‘Both,’ I said. ‘Both.’ I undid my laces, pushing her gently to her knees. ‘But, right now, I want you wicked.’

  Her kiss was light as a moth and she slid her tongue the length of me. I looked at her portrait in disbelief that Frances Howard was on her knees with my prick in her mouth. A gargled sound escaped my throat.

  She got to her feet, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. ‘I’d do anything for you, Robert. I can’t bear to see you upset over your friend, can’t bear the thought of you suffering. I’m going to make sure I do everything I can to make him comfortable.’

  She became business-like. ‘Uncle tells me he has arranged for your friend to be well housed. And I’m going to prepare food for him, nice things, jellies and confections, and I’ll send in some good linens and a featherbed. He’ll live like an emperor. And it’ll be for just a few weeks until this awful hearing is done with.’ Her sweetness struck me, made me feel unworthy of her. Her expression clouded. ‘People are starting to say such dreadful things about me.’

  I would have torn all their tongues out, each one of those vile gossips. ‘They don’t know who you are, Frances. We’ll make them regret it, once we’re married.’

  ‘Hold me! Please.’ She riveted herself to me. ‘I need you – so much.’

  If it was possible I loved her even more then, knowing she craved my protection. I had never been needed as a protector before and it made me feel like a man.

  Eventually looking up, she asked, ‘What does he like, your friend? Crab apple? Redcurrant? Does he like tarts? Does he have a sweet tooth?’

  ‘He does have a fondness for sugar. You would do that, Frances? For someone you don’t know, who has never done anything but wish you ill?’

  ‘Of course.’ A small furrow appeared between her eyes. ‘If you care for him, then I do too. We are the same person, Robert, you and I.’

  Her words made my heart expand.

  It had never occurred to me until then that all those I was fond of called me by a different name: Robert, Robbie, Robin. Perhaps I was someone different for each of them.

  There was a cough beyond the door and we hastily straightened our clothing. But Northampton seemed, thankfully, too preoccupied to notice anything much. He was talking of the whereabouts of a ring belonging to Frances, asking where it was and had she lost it.

  I saw something flash over her face – something resembling fear. But as quick as it came it was gone.

  As I was leaving Northampton said, ‘I have a letter for you.’ He pressed a fold of paper into my hand. ‘It was rather difficult to obtain. If you want to reply, it can be easily arranged through Elwes, once he is installed – so the sooner you convince the council the better. You see,’ he slapped me on the shoulder, ‘no need for you to worry so much, dear boy.’

  I opened the letter while waiting in the yard for my horse to be brought round. You must help me, he pleaded. I’m desperate. I have to get out of this hell-hole. Send me powders, an emetic to make me sicken, and then the King will take pity and let me go. He surely would not want a seriously ailing man in his custody.

  I replied immediately, with news of the comfortable rooms above the Watergate where he would be moved, once he had made amends with the Howards. I told him that Frances would send him everything he needed for his comfort. You see, I wrote, she is not what you think. She has a heart of gold. But I couldn’t agree to his request for powders. What if the dose is wrong, I asked, if it is stronger than you think? It might have an unintended effect and there would be no one to come to your aid.

  Her

  ‘Your ring, Frances,’ Uncle was saying, ‘the diamond given you by Essex. Where is it?’ I shrank under his cool glare.

  He hustled Robert out with a whispered conversation. I wanted to ask what secrets they were sharing, but as soon as the door was shut he turned the full force of his disdain on me: ‘What in Hell’s name do you think you were doing?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ I kept my voice steady. I had no intention of showing Uncle the alarm that fermented beneath my surface.

  ‘Don’t play the innocent with me.’ He slapped his fisted right hand into the palm of his left. ‘I’ve just been informed that a woman has been to the authorities saying,’ he prodded a finger at me repeatedly as he spoke, ‘you gave her your ring as payment for the murder of your husband. A slow-acting poison is what she says you requested, “that will kill a man in a matter of days rather than instantly
”.’ He was seething. ‘You’d better explain yourself.’

  ‘Uncle, what do you take me for? How could you think – of course the woman is lying.’ I was horrified – horrified that he might think me capable of such a thing. If I’d dared, I would have reminded him that I wasn’t like him. His life’s project had been to form me in his image.

  ‘So, tell me how she comes to have your ring?’

  ‘I went to Mary Woods – Anne took me there.’ I was stumbling over my words, racking my brains for a plausible story to explain the visit. I knew he wouldn’t believe the truth – that I’d been duped. It would only exacerbate his anger. ‘It – it must be at least four months ...’ I counted back in my head ‘... no, five months ago.’

  ‘God knows, Frances, if you’ve jeopardized by your stupidity all we have carefully worked for just as the hearing is beginning ...’ A threat hung unspoken.

  ‘No, of course I haven’t,’ I blathered. ‘The woman’s a laundress. Anne wanted to see her about an improved formula for yellow starch. One that would hold its colour better, not rub off on things as the other does.’ Uncle looked exasperated, rolling his eyes. ‘I gave her the ring for safekeeping, as I was going straight to the festivities for the princess’s wedding and I feared I would lose it while dancing. Young men will try to slip your rings off.’ I was tying myself in knots, barely drawing breath. I knew that a lie must be credible to be believed and the story I was telling had become increasingly far-fetched.

  ‘Do you expect me to believe that?’

  I don’t know why I didn’t come clean then but I was enmeshed in my lie. ‘It was loose. The ring was too big. I’ve become thin with worry lately.’ I held out my arms to show him how loose my cuffs were, and made a silent prayer for forgiveness of my lie.

  His brows were raised in doubt. ‘Well, the matter is being investigated and we will have to explain how your ring came to be in the possession of that woman, so you’d better get your story straight. Is that what you want me to tell them – that you gave her the ring for safekeeping?’ His tone was scathing, and I had the sudden dread that, if things went wrong, he would abandon me in an instant.