The Tudor Conspiracy

by C. W. Gortner

  I couldn’t move as he swiveled to me, looking at me with his one eye, which could no longer shed tears, though his entire countenance bore testament to his grief. “I returned to court when the duke came back from France. Mistress Boleyn announced she was with child; her coronation was planned in haste. I left your mother at Westhorpe, not knowing she, too, had conceived. She didn’t tell a soul except her herbalist, Mistress Alice, letting out that she had a swelling sickness. I never saw her again.”

  “She died because of me.” I sank to my haunches, my head in my hands.

  He knelt beside me. “No. Not because of you. She loved her children; she would have loved you, too.” He cupped my chin, turning my face to him. “You have her eyes, the same pale gray that can turn blue or sea green depending on your mood.”

  “How did you find me?” I whispered. “How did you know where I’d been taken?”

  “That damn artichoke again,” he said, “the one Anne Boleyn had coveted. Your mother stated in her will that it was to be broken apart, a leaf given to each of the women she named. The duke didn’t care. Anne Boleyn had given birth to a daughter, and Brandon had to contend with the king. Your mother was scarcely in her grave before Brandon wed his ward, a girl of fifteen. He wouldn’t have troubled himself with his late duchess’s request had I not offered to distribute the leaves in her honor.”

  “But you didn’t know about me? You did not suspect?”

  “Not at first. Then I learned that one of the women named in your mother’s will was the herbalist, and it sparked my suspicion. Alice vanished after your mother’s death; no one knew where she’d gone. I believed the bequeathing of those leaves was a sign, a message meant for me. So I did my duty. I delivered one leaf to Princess Mary and returned to court to serve the duke, to watch and wait. I had the leaf for Lady Dudley as well, but there was something about her I mistrusted; I didn’t approach her yet. By the time the duke died,” he added, “I’d discovered that Mistress Alice lived in the Dudley home in Warwickshire. When I went to Lady Dudley for a post, she hired me as her steward because of my service to the duke. Alice couldn’t believe it when I walked into her kitchen. Neither could I. When I saw you sitting there with her, the spitting image of your mother, I almost wished you didn’t exist. I feared for the life you’d face, a secret son with royal blood in your veins.”

  I knew the rest of the story; I had lived it. I’d barely survived it. Even so, the final question had to be asked, though it seemed unnecessary now, almost irrelevant.

  “Are you my father?”

  He did not answer at once. The wind rustled through the branches above us, a flock of birds scattered overhead. Our mounts stamped their hooves, ears upright to the sounds of awakening nature. Urian trotted back to us, panting and covered in mud.

  “Yes,” he finally said. “I suppose I must be.” He rubbed his chin, as though the thought perturbed him. “I should never have kept the truth from you. I suspected you had returned the night you were eavesdropping on the earl and the princess, but I wasn’t sure. Then you appeared in the brothel, and I recognized you immediately. I thought, here he is. Here is my second chance. But I’d never expected to see you again, and you thought I was dead. I’d changed so much; I didn’t want to do what I knew I must.”

  “So instead you followed me,” I said. “You still tried to protect me.”

  He chuckled. “Didn’t do a very good job of it, did I? I’d seen the earl exchanging missives with couriers; I knew he’d become involved in something dangerous, helping Robert Dudley in the Tower. I figured, whatever had brought you back to court, you’d soon be in over your head. Old habits never die: I wanted to keep you safe.” He reached into his jerkin and extracted a small silk-cloth packet, tied with a frayed ribbon. “This belongs to you.” He put it in my palm. “I’ve kept it all these years.”

  I closed my fingers over it. I didn’t need to open it to know what the packet contained: the jeweled leaf meant for Lady Dudley, which he never gave her.

  “Thank you,” I said softly. I shifted nearer to him. He stayed immobile as I slowly put my arms around him. I held him close; though I didn’t look up, I heard him choke back a sob.

  “Ah, lad,” he murmured, and his hand came up to caress my hair.

  I finally had my past.

  Now I could look to my future.

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Like The Tudor Secret, my first book in the Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles, this story is first and foremost a work of fiction. While I’ve endeavored to stay true to factual events, in order to facilitate the plot I admit to taking liberties, particularly with the historical timeline, which I have compressed. Likewise, while each historical character has been carefully researched, I present them with fictional motivations and traits, while keeping at the forefront what we do know about their personalities.

  This book is based on events leading to a pivotal and often overlooked event in Tudor history: the Wyatt Revolt. Had it succeeded, the future of England might have been quite different. Carefully planned yet betrayed at the last moment, the revolt failed. For centuries since, historians have debated Elizabeth’s knowledge of, and possible involvement in, this conspiracy against her sister, Queen Mary I.

  Not surprisingly, as with much concerning Elizabeth, the verdict is divided. I’ve chosen to depict one possible scenario. While it may be challenging in retrospect to believe Elizabeth ever took such a risk—she is famous for her caution as much as for the brilliance of her reign—we tend to forget that at the time, her coronation was hardly assured. Most Catholics believed she was illegitimate; certainly her own sister had cause to wonder if Elizabeth was their father’s child, given the trauma Mary had endured during her parents’ acrimonious separation and her hatred of Anne Boleyn, who was beheaded for treason and adultery. Ludicrous as it may seem to us, Mary must have certainly believed in Anne’s guilt.

  Mary’s determination to wed Philip of Spain proved a fatal mistake; it nearly cost her the realm and contributed to her death. She ascended her throne to popular acclaim; within two years she’d earned the sobriquet of “Bloody Mary” because of the marriage. In her zeal to please Philip and restore England from heresy she ordered the deaths of hundreds of Protestants. Elizabeth became a beacon of hope in these dark days, and a focal point for intrigue. Yet bizarrely, it was Philip of Spain—hardly a tolerant man by any standard, especially in matters of religion—who interceded on Elizabeth’s behalf with Mary. It is also known that upon her accession, Philip paid suit for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage. These few facts were the inspiration for my fictional character Sybilla Darrier.

  Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon, was implicated in the Wyatt Revolt. History is unclear as to how exactly he was made to confess, derailing what could have been a far graver threat. The accepted version is that he broke down under interrogation by his ally and mentor Bishop Gardiner, who’d championed Courtenay as a consort for Mary. Many on the queen’s council would have preferred the handsome, if sybaritic, Courtenay to the Catholic foreigner, Prince Philip. Some even espoused a union between the earl and Elizabeth herself.

  Courtenay survived the ordeal. In 1555, he was released from the Tower and exiled. Though he kept his title and estate, he was forbidden to return to England, and both Mary and Elizabeth refused to have anything more to do with him. He died in Italy at the age of thirty-nine, unwed and childless.

  Simon Renard exercised significant influence over Mary and was a trusted confidant of Charles V. Historians agree that he also became Elizabeth’s most fervent foe, repeatedly urging Mary to execute her before and after the Wyatt Revolt. He died in 1573, after a long and distinguished career in service to the Hapsburgs.

  The executions of Jane Grey, Guilford Dudley, and Jane’s father, the Duke of Suffolk, as well as approximately one hundred rebels and Wyatt himself, marked the tragic end of the uprising—a blood offering to the emperor, thus securing Philip’s marriage to Mary.

  Brendan’s adventures will
continue …

  * * *

  I’m indebted as always to my fabulous, hardworking agent, Jennifer Weltz, whose unflagging enthusiasm and guidance are my lodestone. Her colleagues at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency are my cheering squad, never wavering in their encouragement. My editor Charlie Spicer not only helped shape a stronger book but left me alone to do it, a supreme vote of confidence. My assistant editor April Osborn, copy editor, India Cooper, and the entire creative team at St. Martin’s Press support me with vigor and expertise. In the United Kingdom, my editor Suzie Dooré and her team at Hodder & Stoughton continue to champion me and I’m so appreciative. I also wish to give special thanks to my friend Sarah Johnson, who took time out of her schedule to read a draft of this book and provide invaluable suggestions for improvement.

  At home, my partner constantly adjusts to the demands of living with a working writer, taking trips with me, nurturing my obsession for research, and promoting my books to everyone he meets. Writing can be compulsive and lonely; I am blessed to have him in my life. Our late dog, Paris, was my loyal daily companion, always reminding me that it was unacceptable to skip meals or walks. She is deeply missed. The addition of two new cats to our household has brought additional love and mirth to my life, as well as much-needed solace.

  Independent bookstores are my heroes; in this complex time of digital revolution and myriad entertainment choices, they continue to promote the importance of the printed word. I especially wish to thank Bookshop West Portal and Orinda Books for hand selling my books, recommending me to their book groups, and supporting local authors.

  In that vein, I am also grateful to all the bloggers who participate in my tours, as well as those who discover my books and take the time and effort to review or mention them. Bloggers are authors’ unsung partners; though most have busy lives and cares of their own, their dedication to raising awareness of books is unswerving.

  Friends are a joy and respite. My author friends, in particular, are always there to help me off various ledges of vacillation or panic, and those not in the business remind me that nonbook-related talk can never be overestimated. To all of you who share this journey with me and have not yet fled for the hills, thank you.

  Lastly, I owe everything to you, my readers. Your e-mails, social media messages, comments on book-related sites, and ongoing support are why I keep writing. Without readers, a writer is mute. You are my voice. I hope to continue to entertain you for many years to come.

  To learn more about me and my work, and to schedule book group chats with me, please visit www.cwgortner.com.

  Cast of Characters

  IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

  1. Brendan Prescott: Spy in service to Elizabeth; works under the alias Daniel Beecham

  2. Kate Stafford: Lady-in-waiting to Elizabeth

  3. Peregrine: Brendan’s squire, former stable groom at Whitehall

  4. William Cecil: Former court secretary, adviser, and spymaster

  5. Katherine Ashley: Princess Elizabeth’s governess and household matron

  6. Robert Rochester: Comptroller to Queen Mary

  7. Mary Tudor: Queen of England

  8. Jane Dormer: One of the queen’s wards and attendants

  9. Susan Clarencieux: Queen Mary’s favorite lady

  10. Sybilla Darrier: One of the queen’s ladies

  11. Simon Renard: Ambassador of the Hapsburg emperor, Charles V

  12. Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox: Cousin to Mary and Elizabeth

  13. Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon: Cousin to Mary and Elizabeth

  14. Elizabeth Tudor: The queen’s sister and heir to the throne

  15. Scarcliff: Courtenay’s body servant

  16. John, Ambrose, Henry, and Guilford Dudley: Robert’s brothers

  17. Jane Grey: Daughter of the duke of Suffolk, a prisoner in the Tower

  18. Robert Dudley: Elizabeth’s close friend, a prisoner in the Tower

  19. Nan: A tavern maid

  20. William Howard: Lord Admiral

  Discussion Questions

  1. The Tudor Conspiracy takes place in the winter leading up to the Wyatt Revolt of 1554. What did you discover about this event? Who were the major players and what were their motivations? Did you agree with the rebel’s goals? If so, why? If not, why not?

  2. Religion plays a crucial role in this story’s conflicts. How do Mary and Elizabeth Tudor embody their faiths’ aspirations? Were their conflicts based on actual religious differences or on a larger power struggle? Do you see any parallels in today’s religious divides?

  3. Brendan Prescott is a fictional character with a secret. He comes to Mary’s court to safeguard Elizabeth by becoming a double agent. What were some of the challenges he faced in his dual role? Do you think he acted as he should have?

  4. Illicit correspondence is a method of communication in the book, based on actual ways that prisoners in the Tower communicated with the outside. Why do you think Edward Courtney became involved with the schemes? Do you think he was a pawn or did he act out of choice? What are your impressions of Edward versus Robert Dudley? Which of them did you like or dislike more?

  5. Sybilla is an enigmatic character who carries secrets of her own. Did you understand her reasons for doing what she did? What does her character tell us about the role of religious exiles and survivors of treason in the Tudor world?

  6. Brendan sacrifices his secret and puts himself at risk for it. Why do you think he felt he had to confess? What were your impressions of his relationship with the queen? Do you think he liked her? What are some of his conflicts in terms of his service to Elizabeth and his own faith?

  7. Whitehall, London Bridge, the Tower, taverns and brothels feature in the novel. What did you learn about these areas of Tudor London? What are some of the differences in how people lived? If you had to choose, where would you prefer to live and how would you make a living?

  8. Elizabeth Tudor is one of history’s most enduring figures but in this novel we see a different side of her. Did you agree with the author’s depiction of her? Did you find her sympathetic? Would you have behaved as she had, given the choice?

  9. Shocking revelations and events happen in the course of this story. Which did you find most unexpected? How do you think you would have reacted if you faced similar situations?

  10. Who was your favorite character in the book, and why?

  For more reading group suggestions, visit www.readinggroupgold.com.

  Also by C. W. Gortner

  The Tudor Secret

  The Last Queen

  The Confessions of Catherine de Medici

  The Queen’s Vow

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  C. W. GORTNER holds an MFA in Writing with an emphasis on Renaissance Studies from the New College of California. He travels extensively to research his books, and has experienced life in a medieval Spanish castle and danced a galliard in a Tudor great hall. A contributor to the magazines Historical Novels Review and Solander as well as an advocate for animal rights and environmental issues, he currently lives in Northern California.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  THE TUDOR CONSPIRACY. Copyright © 2013 by C. W. Gortner. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.stmartins.com

  Cover design by Kerri Resnick

  Cover photo illustration by Steve Gardner

  The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

  Gortner, C. W.

  The Tudor conspiracy / C. W. Gortner.—First edition.

  p. cm

  ISBN 978-0-312-65849-6 (trade pbk.)

  ISBN 978-1-250-04277-4 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-250-01095-7 (e-book)

  1. Mary, Queen of Scots, 1542–1587—Fiction. 2. Scotland—History—Mary Stuart, 1542–1567—Fi
ction. 3. Espionage—England—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3607.O78T83 2013

  813’.6—dc23

  2013004023

  e-ISBN 9781250010957

  First Edition: July 2013