‘Because I like children. I even have one of my own. With you, if you recall. And I happen to have made the acquaintance of this charming boy, but that too has no doubt slipped your discriminatory memory.’ His fingers worked gently into the cat’s fur, and the creature was delirious with pleasure. His glance moved slowly over his wife’s simple clothes. ‘Meekness suits you,’ he observed caustically.
Bess’s eyes flashed as a savage retort burned on her tongue, but she managed to hold it back.
He looked at Cicely, with a light in his eyes that was gone in a moment because he spoke to Bess again. ‘Your absence has been noticed, and the restrictions of churching mentioned, so when you return to Westminster, you will confine yourself to your apartments and follow the usual practice.’
‘So, our brief truce is at an end.’ Bess spoke as if she were the injured party.
‘It was a rather one-sided truce, madam, because you certainly did not observe it.’
Without a word, Bess swept regally from the room, having to step around Henry, because he did not move. The swish of her skirts down the stairs was like the annoyance of a dozen vipers, and there was loathing for Henry in the sound.
Still in Tom’s arms, Leo gazed after Bess. ‘Lady cwoss,’ he observed.
‘Lady always cwoss,’ Henry remarked dryly, putting the cat down. It immediately jumped up onto a shelf and gazed at him, clearly entranced. He waved away everyone but Cicely and Leo, and instructed Tom to tell the guards and escorts that they were to detain the queen until he, Henry, left.
On the floor yet again, Leo watched them all leave. ‘Bye,’ he declared clearly.
Cicely went to pick him up, and he beamed at her. ‘Cissy,’ he said, because he could not pronounce her name. It was also how Bess had come to call her that.
Henry came closer. ‘Leo?’
The little boy’s expression told of a lingering memory.
Henry thought so too. ‘Surely he does not recall me from Friskney?’ he said, addressing Cicely, without catching her eye.
‘You are fairly memorable.’
‘The personification of male perfection, mm? Especially without clothes.’
Leo was still listening. ‘No close,’ he declared.
Henry smiled. ‘Not a single stitch, Master Kymbe,’ he said.
‘Stish,’ Leo replied solemnly.
Cicely smiled too, both because of Leo, and because she was inordinately relieved Henry had made light-hearted remarks. It shortened the distance he had placed between them.
‘Naked is a state in which my wife has never seen me,’ he murmured. ‘For which she is no doubt eternally grateful.’
‘I have often told her what she is missing.’
He laughed wryly. ‘Oh, I think she knows all right.’
‘I am told you are to have a monkey.’
He smiled. ‘I wondered how long it would take her to tell you. Yes, and yes, I mean to name it Crumplin. And yes, I do so simply to slight your dear uncle. Why? Because it makes me feel better. There, does that answer your unspoken questions?’
‘Richard would only laugh. You do know that?’
‘The point is, do I care? No, I do not.’
She gazed at him. ‘Oh, Henry, you are such a trial to me. And now I also understand you have been suffering from gout?’
‘What it is to have a chatterbox for a wife.’
Leo squirmed, wanting to play with some wooden bricks that Tom had sawn and painted for him. Cicely put him down, and it was soon clear he was more interested in the cat, which, no fool, had placed itself beyond reach.
Henry watched him. ‘My queen and I are invited to dine—well, a minor feast—at Pasmer’s Place after Easter, by which time she will have been properly churched. I wish it to be an agreeable occasion, but have to point out that my wife would rather drink the poison meant for me, than sit at my side through ten courses, or however many there will be. The invitation is courtesy of my uncle, of course. A spur-of-the-moment decision, no doubt regretted within moments of utterance. And I see by your face that you know nothing of it.’
‘No, I do not.’
‘So, are you and he reunited?’
‘In a manner of speaking. It is just that. Speaking.’
‘He will not be able to endure that for long.’ He went to the window. ‘Now you have seen my marriage. I trust you are impressed?’
‘I am so sorry, Henry. I know how sad you have been to lose the baby, and how you have tried to mend things with her.’
‘Well, I do not intend to make an effort in future, you may be sure of that.’
‘Bess is difficult, but then, so are you.’
‘Me?’ He was all innocence.
‘Yes. One word. Garlic.’
‘Ah.’ He smiled around at her.
‘So, garlic and perfunctory attention. Please tell me you at least remove your boots for her.’
‘You have not always wanted me to remove my boots.’
‘Thigh boots only. You may certainly toss aside those new round-toed shoes that make your feet look blunt. And I have wanted you in all your royal finery as well, to really be sure I am being bedded by the King of England.’
‘The usurper,’ he said quietly.
‘That is another matter, which I do not intend to discuss, Your Majesty. I would rather smile with you than … well, I think you know.’
‘I am sorry about that.’
‘You were not well.’
‘That is no excuse,’ he answered quickly.
‘And then you cast me off.’
He turned, regret in his eyes. ‘No, I gave you up with more reluctance and misery than I dreamed possible.’ He came back to her. ‘Who is he? Your new lover?’
‘There is no one.’
‘Hmm. There is someone else. I can feel it.’
Jack de la Pole, if you did but know it. She held his gaze. ‘But it is no longer any concern of yours whether or not I have a lover.’
‘It is certainly my concern when the king’s sister-in-law ventures outside her marriage vows.’
‘You hypocrite.’
‘Another royal prerogative.’ Harri Tudur smiled at her as he reached in his purse and drew out the emerald ring. ‘Will you take this back? I fear that when I had it made small enough for you, I certainly made it infinitely too small for me.’
‘‘It … did not seem appropriate to keep it.’
‘When I make a gift, Cicely, I do not expect to receive it back. I am hurt you should think to do so.’
‘I was the one who was hurt, Henry.’
He caught her hand and pressed the ring into her palm. ‘It is St Valentine’s Day, and I wish with all my heart that you would be my Valentine again. So, please, wear it once more, as proof that you forgive me for my latest transgressions, and all my other myriad failings. Please, cariad.’
She gazed at him. ‘Do not be like this with me,’ she whispered.
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Like this? Like what?’
‘Charming and endearing, because …’ From absolutely nowhere, and with total incongruousness, she suddenly knew she was going to tell him about Annie. It was nonsensical to choose now, but she had to do it.
‘Yes?’ he prompted gently.
‘I must broach something very delicate, Henry, but I care too much for you not to mention it. Has your lady mother spoken to you of my sister Annie?’ She had sent word to Margaret, who may not yet have found an opportunity to speak to him alone.
He was taken aback. ‘Annie? The Lady Ann, you mean? Why in God’s own name would my mother speak of her to me? Unless it is something to do with restoring the Howards to favour! For which they will have to yearn.’
Cicely gazed at him. ‘It is not the Howards. Oh, I really do not wish to say this, Henry. You will not like it.’
‘Oh, I already realize that. So, what is it?’
‘Take more care when you encounter Annie.’
‘More care? I hardly know her.’ He was genuinely puzzled
.
She held his eyes. ‘Be careful,’ she repeated slowly, deliberately.
Realization began to dawn, just as it once had upon Richard about Bess. ‘Sweet God, Cicely, she is a child!’
‘Not enough of one to be as sweet and innocent as she looks. She will pursue whatever she desires, and if she thinks you can grant it, she is still naïve enough—and therefore dangerous enough—to flatter and fawn upon you to have her way. You know how that will look to gossip-mongers. She has been warned, but I do not think she is taking any notice.’
He was nonplussed. ‘But, I encountered her once, when I was with my secretary.’
‘That is all you know, Henry. She lies in wait for you, but has so far been foiled by circumstances. You are her “dear king”. She speaks as if she is on intimate terms with you, and—’
‘Intimate terms?’ He was aghast, turning away to snatch off his hat and run his hand through his hair.
‘Please avoid her, Henry. Do not give her any encouragement, nor any opportunity, and never speak to her alone.’
‘I was merely being amiable to my wife’s young sister! Who else knows of this?’
‘Bess, Jon and your lady mother.’
He was agitated and had to pace. In the process he inadvertently went close to Leo, who knew something was wrong and tugged his hem anxiously. It was a moment when Henry could easily have been impatient, but instead he crouched to quickly bestow a reassuring hand on the top of the boy’s head. He said something in Welsh, and his gentle tone banished Leo’s anxiety. Nothing could have demonstrated to Cicely more why she was shackled to Henry Tudor, whose charm and consideration could be utterly captivating.
‘Promise to be more guarded with Annie, Henry, because I think you understand full well what form the gossip will take if you, your father’s son, are believed to be too close to a twelve-year-old girl.’
He straightened, anger flashing into his eyes. ‘Oh, now you trespass greatly, cariad,’ he warned, keeping his voice level for Leo’s sake.
‘I trespass because I am fearful you will not understand the danger she poses. I want to make you really listen to me.’
‘Why do you concern yourself? Have I not cast you off, ignored you and—’
‘I care for you, Henry. You are my king and have been my lover. I do not wish to see you subjected to unwelcome scandal.’
‘As Richard was?’ he asked quietly. ‘But then, he was guilty, with the niece no one suspected.’
‘He was linked incorrectly, which you might well be too if you do not listen to me now. Please, Henry, do not attempt to contort my words, because I am truly concerned for you. I always will be, just as I know you will always be for me. It will never quite be over between us, will it?’
‘No.’
‘Another thing about Annie …’
‘Sweet God, Cicely, are you determined to upset my equilibrium?’
‘It will be upset far more if I do not tell you this. You see, to her you are the means to one of two, possibly three, ends.’
‘Which are?’
‘Firstly, the Howards are of concern to her. She wishes to be Duchess of Norfolk, wife of England’s premier duke and Earl Marshal, and will beg you to reverse the attainder on them.’
‘And, failing that…?’
‘I do not think she would mind becoming Duchess of Suffolk.’
He gazed at her. ‘Edmund de la Pole?’
‘So I understand, from your lady mother.’
‘Jesu. And the third?’
‘Roland de Vielleville.’
Henry closed his eyes. ‘That would be all I need.’
‘I believe she has read things into his presence in your household.’
‘Things?’
‘That he is destined for some great favour. No more than that. I do not think she suspects he is your son, for I do not think Roland himself realizes it. I also think she is physically drawn to him, and maybe to Edmund, but certainly not to Thomas Howard. He appears to be solely a means to an end.’ Then she added vengefully. ‘You could send Edmund away, of course, and the others too.’ She owed Edmund de la Pole an ill turn.
‘If I do that, I believe your sister will only find another object of attention. Better the ones of whom we know. I will keep them here,’ Henry replied shrewdly, and then added, ‘Howard will not be a good husband.’
‘You have heard about him too?’
‘Beating his whores? Yes. I have spoken of it with Jon, and am concerned that if it is true, he would not be a suitable choice for my queen’s sister. I do not doubt that if Richard had known, he would not have agreed either, but Howard’s disagreeable ways had not surfaced then. He was too young.’
‘A good word for Richard? You must still be a little unwell.’
He smiled.
Cicely looked at him. ‘Well, as things are at the moment, with Annie and Roland at Pasmer’s Place, you may find yourself having to arrange a match between them. Which I doubt very much is what you wish for.’
‘I have already been apprised of Roland’s carnal activities, and have to think I have sired a damned buck rabbit. But, as I have said to Jon, the boy is your responsibility.’
‘Ours?’ She so wanted to remind him that he was Roland’s father! ‘Please remove him, Henry.’
‘Why do you not remove your sister?’ he asked reasonably.
‘Because Bess wishes her to be with me for a while, so the daughters of Edward IV can be in harmony again.’
‘My wife understands harmony?’ he answered acidly. ‘What was the disharmony?’
‘Annie insulted me, and Jon.’
Henry was cold. ‘If she does that again, I will see to it that she is banished from court, once and for all. Make that piercingly clear to her. It should cure her of any further insults or “dear kings”. In fact, banishing her anyway seems an excellent notion.’
‘Do that and her life will be ruined. She will be unmarriageable, and you know it. She may as well take the veil.’ What an unlikely nun Annie would make, Cicely thought, not wishing the fate on her sister.
Henry nodded. ‘Yes, I am aware of that, cariad. I will only do it as a very last resort. You have my word.’ Then he drew a deep breath. ‘Cicely, I have complete confidence in your ability—and my uncle’s—to keep one young Breton écuyer under control.’
‘The young Breton écuyer’s cock is continually out of his hose.’
‘Then make sure he has no opportunity to do anything but pee with it.’
‘Henry, you are being unreasonable. Bess is set upon Annie being with me, and it would be so easy for you to assist me in this. Why do you force him upon Pasmer’s Place?’
‘Because I want you to influence him, Cicely. You, because you are the most exquisitely warm, feminine, caring woman I have ever known.’
She stared at him. ‘Henry—’
‘I want that stupid boy to discover what it is to know one such as you, and to respect and appreciate you. No matter what differences you and my uncle have at the moment, I know you will both be civil in front of others. And I am also sure that it will not be long before you are in the same bed again. Do you honestly imagine Roland is going to learn anything good near me? Jesu, I cannot think of anything worse for him than observing my marriage. He has been brought up with such notions of self-importance that I think he would look down on Charlemagne. He is to learn how to go on, how to recognize love and respect it. That is why he is at Pasmer’s Place, Cicely. How more can I say it? To me, you are the perfect woman. Yours is the example he must respect the most, Cicely.’
‘But I am an adulteress,’ she reminded him quietly.
‘Thank God, otherwise I, an adulterer, would never have held you.’ He smiled, but then sounds from outside reminded him that Bess awaited. ‘I think perhaps it is time to return to Westminster with my sweet consort.’
‘But you came here to see Leo, and are to leave already?’
‘I did not come to see the Kymbe boy, fascinating as he
is. I came to see you. And you know it.’
She held his gaze. ‘No, Henry, you came to see me with Leo, to feed your suspicions. You knew I would not be present if he were taken to see you, as you originally intended, so you came here, to see for yourself. I know what you are thinking, so before you ask, no, he is not mine. Nor is he Richard’s. And certainly not mine by Tom Kymbe, before you think that too. My child died not long after birth and I have not been able to give Jon another,’ she said firmly, looking him in the eyes and holding her chin up.
‘Richard had that hair too. I saw his corpse.’
‘No, Henry, you saw him living, when he bore down on you, unhorsed Sir John Cheney, and then came terrifyingly close to exterminating you. You saw him when he was dragged from his wounded horse, and his helmet and crown were jolted from his head. That is when you saw his hair. And his face.’
Henry returned her gaze. ‘Yes, I saw him, cariad. Exactly as you say. And I almost shat myself with dread. He was a man possessed, and but for chance, he would have killed me. I admit it. If I had half his courage, I would be a different man. My courage is of a different nature, and it will keep me on the throne that I usurped from him. And it will keep me in your heart, because you cannot help yourself. Nor can I. In fact, I am desolate without you. Please tell me you are desolate without me.’
She had to nod. ‘Yes, I am.’ Was it true? She only knew that he was weaving around her again. And it felt so good.
He smiled and came closer. He did not touch her, except with his lips, which brushed lovingly over hers in a long, tender kiss of such gentle beauty that she could have wept of it.
Then he turned to crouch by Leo again. ‘I will see you again, young sir. Be good.’
Leo was pleased and caught his long hair.
Henry extricated himself carefully. ‘Goodbye, Master Kymbe.’
‘’Bye.’
Henry rose to face Cicely. ‘You are no longer free of me, cariad.’
‘And you are not free of me.’
‘I know.’
She lowered her eyes, aware of the swing of his rich hem, his soft tread and the fading of the cloves. The cat leapt down and slipped through, just as the door closed.
Cicely's Sovereign Secret Page 24
