by June Francis
She wondered what they were discussing. Obviously they did not wish to involve her and that hurt. So much had happened in the last week of an upsetting nature and she had keyed herself up to seeing Nicholas and providing him with her support, even if he might not welcome it. She felt weary and depressed, even thought it seemed that the constable no longer suspected her husband of being responsible for the Spaniard Vives’s death. But who was? Could it be Tomas Vives?
Suddenly Nicholas turned to her. ‘On the morrow, I have to accompany Pip to the palace. The king has requested my company.’
‘Can you tell me why?’
‘His Grace visited the shipyard earlier and there was no time to speak of what was on his mind then about what he thought of my latest book. No need for you to worry, Jane,’ said Nicholas lightly. ‘I suggest after you finish eating that you retire to my bedchamber. You’ve had an anxious few days and must be tired after the journey.’
‘It is true, I am weary,’ she responded, wondering if he wanted her out of the way because he did not trust her enough to listen in on what else he might have to say about the king and the death of the other Vives to Philip and the constable. At least he seemed to want her to share his bedchamber so surely that bode well for the future? Unless he was behaving how he deemed his brother would expect him to do as a new husband who had made a love match?
Within minutes she was alone in Nicholas’s bedchamber washing the grime of the journey from her face and hands. She loosened her hair and began to comb it. Despite Nicholas’s assurance that she was not to worry about his being summoned to court, she could not help doing so. She, too, had heard about Buckingham’s execution and the reason behind it and could only hope that if the king was aware of the Hursts’ link to the Tudors that he knew without a doubt that the family were as utterly loyal to him as they had been to his father when he had sat on the throne of England.
* * *
Nicholas entered the bedchamber, expecting his wife to be asleep. He stopped short when he saw her lying on top of the bed, still dressed. She had a book open before her and in the candlelight he could make out that her finger was following a line on the page and that her lips were moving as she read the words. It could only be the book he had given her and he was touched that she was making an effort to read it for herself. It was obvious to him from the speed with which her finger was moving that reading did not come easy to her. When he spoke, she jumped and swiftly closed the book. Bending over the side of the bed, she placed it on the stool there and then looked at him.
‘You are finding the book absorbing?’ he asked. ‘So much so it seems that you haven’t had time to undress. I’m flattered that you appear to be enjoying it so much.’
She slanted him a challenging look. ‘There is no need to be. I wanted to discover for myself that a certain tale was exactly as Rebecca told it to us because—to be honest—how you were saved seemed like a miracle to me.’
Nicholas’s smile faded and he picked up the book before sitting on the bed. ‘I can’t believe, Jane, that you still doubt that what I wrote about my travels actually happened. It is as if you are saying I deliberately set out to deceive my brother.’
‘You misunderstand me,’ she said swiftly, shifting over on the bed to give him more room. ‘The part of the book I was reading is about when you were a boy and fell into the River Severn and were swept along by the great wave. You were terrified, but you still had the wits to seize the broken branch when it was swept along, climb on to it and paddle to the bank with your hands.’
Nicholas blinked. ‘Is that what it says here?’ He flicked over the pages until he came to where she had placed a marker and read what was printed there. He grimaced. ‘Pip has made me out to be braver than I was. Little as I like to admit it, I didn’t save myself alone. My godfather played his part. He ran like the wind along the bank, looking for a way to rescue me. He saw the broken branch on the grass and, seizing it, waded into the water and waited until I drew level with him. I managed to grab the end of the branch and he pulled me towards him. It took some strength on his part and mine to get me to shore.’
Jane smiled. ‘So that was the way of it. Anyway, whatever the truth of the matter, your actions impressed James. He is proud of his new papa and said it didn’t prevent you from having the courage to sail across the great ocean.’
‘Foolhardy, that’s what my father called me when I set off on what I called my first big venture,’ said Nicholas wryly. ‘And that was despite my godfather never having told him that I’d disobeyed his orders not to get too close to the edge of the river.’ He closed the book.
‘It was yours and your godfather’s secret,’ said Jane softly.
‘Aye, I never told my father because he wouldn’t have allowed me to visit my godfather again if he’d known. They were very different men. I admired and respected both men but there were times, like when my father took a strap to me, that I wished I could have changed them round.’
‘So you believe that some matters are best not discussed due to a fear of the consequences?’ asked Jane.
Their eyes met and held. ‘What are you trying to say?’ asked Nicholas.
‘I think you know, but perhaps now is not the time to discuss it,’ said Jane abruptly. ‘I’m weary and must be going.’
To his surprise, she rose from the bed and, before he could put out a hand to stop her, made for the door. Then to his further amazement, she appeared to change her mind and moved over to the window. ‘What are you doing?’ he asked.
She did not immediately reply, but waited for her eyes to adjust. She caught the gleam of the Thames beyond the garden. ‘Thinking. It must feel strange to you coming back here and remembering those times you sailed away on your travels. Tell me honestly, will you miss doing so?’
He came over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘Aye, but those days are over. I must tell you that Constable Treadwell believes there is no connection between the break-in at my brother’s shipyard and the latest attack on me. Which means that I don’t have to feel responsible for Christopher’s injuries. Otherwise, I might have been tempted into staying here longer because of the guilt I felt.’
‘So how long will you stay? How long before we can travel to Bristol? I—I suppose if I’d brought the children with us, then we—we could have sailed right round the southern coast and on up to Bristol?’ she murmured.
‘The view of the land is extremely attractive in places from the sea, but the Cornish coast in particular is rocky and it can be dangerous there. One needs an experienced master mariner and fair weather to navigate,’ said Nicholas. ‘But maybe it can be arranged.’ He paused. ‘Tell me, Jane, why have you not undressed and climbed into bed? I knew you were tired and thought to find you asleep, so I would have understood if you had not stayed awake, waiting for me to come. Why do you feel you must go? Go where? I order you to stay.’
A shiver went through her and she closed her eyes and leaned against him, thinking how much she would have enjoyed him making love to her. ‘I have the curse on me. Perhaps I would not have if you had not withdrawn from me on our wedding night. Why did you? Is it that you believe I am not fit to be a mother to your children because of one mistake I made in the past?’
He was disappointed in more ways than one. ‘How could you believe that of me, Jane?’ His fingers tightened on her shoulders.
‘Because I can think of no other reason why you should do so.’
‘Well, there is one, but perhaps you would not believe that either?’ he said, releasing her. ‘I’ll leave you to rest and will speak with you in the morning.’
Before she could prevent him, he strode from the bedchamber. She would have gone after him but there was that in his expression that stopped her in her tracks. She could only fall to her knees and pray that soon all would be well between them.
Chapter Fourteen
Nicholas spent the night in Philip’s bedchamber and they talked far into the night. Amongst other thin
gs, he discussed with his brother the possibility of Jane accompanying them to the palace to view the new disguising hall and watch his brother’s troupe of players rehearse.
‘I don’t see why not,’ said Philip, shrugging. ‘But it will mean us going to the palace earlier in the day.’ He paused. ‘Remember when we enter the palace to keep your head down and the brim of your hat well over your eyes—and adopt a seafaring gait. I will introduce you as my brother, an explorer of famed repute, but the fewer people who see your face full-on the better.’
Nicholas raised his eyebrows, but decided that his brother knew what he was about. ‘Has the king given you leave yet to go to Oxford?’
‘Aye, but only for a few days.’ Philip sighed.
‘Then I would have you do a favour for me.’ Nicholas wasted no time explaining exactly what he wanted his brother to do for him.
* * *
Nicholas was up very early the following morning, wanting to have a word with the constable before he left for Kent. After doing so he went up to the bedchamber where he found Jane gazing out of the window.
He felt a rush of love for her, but knew there was no time to discuss all those things that needed to be said between them now. ‘Did you sleep well?’ he asked politely.
She turned slowly. ‘As well as could be expected, considering all that I had on my mind. You?’
‘Pip and I were making plans.’ His eyes washed over her face and he wanted to assuage her anxiety there and then, but time was now of the essence. He smiled. ‘I have some good news for you. You are to accompany us to the palace. My brother wishes to show us the king’s new disguising hall and we can watch him and the other players rehearse his latest play. We both thought you would enjoy such a treat.’
Jane’s face lit up and there was no doubt in his mind that the plan delighted her. ‘When do we go?’
‘Soon. Have you broken your fast?’ She shook her head. ‘Then go swiftly,’ he said. ‘I have to make some preparations and will meet you downstairs.’ She thanked him and made for the door, only to hesitate. ‘What is it, Jane?’ he asked gently. ‘We have little time to delay.’
‘It can wait,’ she said, opening the door and hurrying out.
* * *
Whilst she partook of breakfast, Nicholas had his head together with Christopher, who scowled but then shrugged and sent for his sons. Soon after Philip, Nicholas and Jane set out for Greenwich Palace. They had no difficulty in entering the royal residence. Philip was well known to the guards and they had been told to expect Nicholas’s arrival. When it was explained to them that Jane was his new wife and that she had expressed a wish to see the king’s new disguising hall, they congratulated the couple and waved them through.
Philip took them both straight to the quarters set aside for him and his players. There they found Ned and the other men in his troupe. Jane was about to give Ned her news from Tabitha when he told Nicholas that he had a message for him from the king’s chancellor.
‘Cardinal Wolsey arrived last evening and apparently as soon as he heard from the king that you would be coming to the palace today, he sent a servant here. He wishes you to visit him in his apartment as soon you arrive. There is no need for you to send word, just go there immediately.’
Nicholas frowned. ‘Where is this apartment?’
‘I’ll show you,’ said Philip.
‘In the meantime, what do I do?’ asked Jane, trying not to sound overly concerned. ‘Shall I return to the house?’
‘No, I would not have you leave the palace without an escort,’ said Nicholas firmly. ‘Maybe Ned could show you the disguising hall and we will join you there as soon as we can.’
Ned agreed and Nicholas and his brother wasted no time heading for Wolsey’s apartments. They gained entry within moments and were shown into the Cardinal’s presence.
His Eminence soon came to the point. ‘I’ve had word since your return, Nicholas, concerning the defeat of the French army in Italy by the Emperor Charles’s troops. The men have still not received their wages despite the time that has elapsed since their victory, so they are set on doing what you spoke about and forcing their commander, the Duke of Bourbon, to lead them to Rome. One way or other they are determined to be recompensed for their efforts.’
Nicholas and Philip drew in their breath. ‘Have you any notion of the numbers of these mutineers?’ asked Philip.
The Cardinal’s expression was grim. ‘Apart from several thousand Spaniards, there are thousands of German infantrymen, as well as Italian cavalry and, oddly, some Protestant followers of the heretic, Martin Luther. It is said that he looks upon the advance on Rome as a Holy War. The Pope, as we know, was on the side of France in the recent conflict, along with the states of Milan, Venice and Florence. So the Protestants are taking advantage of a revolt that has broken out in Florence against the Medici family to destroy the papacy.’
Nicholas was filled with a sense of foreboding. ‘Why are you telling me this?’
‘Because you must be prepared when you have your meeting with the king. He has it in mind to order you to Rome.’
‘No!’ shouted Philip. ‘He could be sending my brother to his death.’
The cardinal turned on him. ‘That is how I see it, too, even if your brother was going as himself,’ he said ominously.
‘What do you mean, as myself?’ asked Nicholas harshly.
‘If something is not done to change the rebels’ minds, there could be an overwhelming catastrophe. The king has it in mind that he could avert such a disaster if he—or someone who looks very like him—could persuade the rebels that it would be to their advantage to turn back from the walls of Rome,’ said the cardinal in a flat voice.
The brothers stared at each other, not needing to say aloud that the king knew of their blood tie to him, and so apparently did the cardinal. ‘You’re serious.’ said Philip.
‘The king certainly is,’ said Wolsey. ‘He does not want the rebels capturing the Pope and ransoming him to the Emperor. Henry would rather be seen as the Pope’s deliverer and win his favour.’
‘I presume Henry’s idea is to persuade Pope Clement to annul his marriage whilst declaring the Princess Mary legitimate,’ said Philip.
‘I cannot see the rebels being persuaded by any argument Henry could offer them when all the wealth of Rome is before them,’ said Nicholas vehemently. ‘Besides, when information reaches them from England that King Henry never left his country, they will arrange for me to conveniently die as an enemy and imposter. Unless the king plans to hide himself away for a month or more?’
‘There must be a way out of this dilemma,’ said Philip.
‘Your brother can hardly refuse the king. Nicholas does have a look of him, whereas you do not.’ The cardinal paused, toying with the enormous ring on his hand. ‘I doubt word has reached you that I had to release Tomas Vives recently.’
‘How recently?’ asked Nicholas, his eyes alert.
‘Shortly after our last meeting. I had him followed as far as Oxford where he visited his uncle. After that my man grew slack, presuming he would stay in Oxford. He lost sight of him for a few days, then he suddenly turned up again and is here in the palace. He is to sing before the queen and the princess and their courtiers. Now there is a young Spaniard we know we cannot trust; no doubt if he were to hear of the king’s plans for you, then he would do his utmost to get rid of you, not simply because he still would avenge his kinsman’s death, but to foil Henry’s plan and please his Emperor.’ He sighed. ‘Anyway, I have explained the situation to you. I have faith that a man of action such as yourself, Nicholas, can come up with a plan to save yourself.’
Nicholas gave a stiff bow and thanked him.
The cardinal blessed both brothers and dismissed them.
As they strode along the passage that led away from Wolsey’s apartment, Philip said, ‘If you go, it is most likely certain death.’
‘I have no intention of going to Italy,’ murmured Nicholas. ‘One does
wonder from his Eminence’s words concerning Tomas Vives and the Emperor, whether it is Emperor Charles’s plan to incite his soldiers and for Rome to be taken and the Pope captured.’
Philip shot him a glance. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘Put into place a delaying tactic that would fool the king.’
‘You mean long enough for the rebels’ army to reach the walls of Rome and for it to be much too late to put the king’s plan into action?’ said Philip rapidly.
‘Aye, I have a cunning plan,’ said Nicholas, his eyes alight. ‘I will have need of your skills as a player, but my main concern is Jane. I gave her my word that my travelling days are over and I do not aim to break my promise to her. But, for my plan to work, she has to believe that I will soon be taking ship to Europe and I cannot see her being pleased about that.’ He took a deep breath. ‘But first we have to spread some rumours and make certain they reach Tomas Vives’s ears. I presume it has occurred to you that he could have killed his kinsman for reasons only known to himself. Now come close and listen to what I have to say.’
* * *
In the meantime Jane was doing her best to give all her attention to Master Holbein’s painting, but she was distracted by the sight of the young man the other end of the hall. She was convinced that he was Tomas Vives, as not only was he dressed like a Spaniard, but he also sang beautifully. She had suggested such to Ned, who had agreed with her before excusing himself. She felt on edge, wishing that he would return, but at least she was not alone in the hall.
As the moments passed, she was aware of another man entering and hurrying to the far end of the hall. The singing faltered and then stopped before starting again. After that, every now and again, the singer turned his head and darted a look in her direction. Just as she had recognised him, surely Nicholas’s enemy had recognised her and she felt a trickle of fear. How long before he approached her? It seemed an age since she had parted from Nicholas and Philip and she feared that perhaps Nicholas had already been put under guard or some such thing. Surely the king’s chancellor must have finished speaking to him by now?
