The queen had said nothing of this matter to her. But then, why should she? Of late, Madge had been sent out of the queen’s bedchamber and had slept with the other attendants. Only the queen and, upon occasion, the princess Elizabeth slept in the bedchamber. And Her Majesty had complained of the peacocks screeching about in the gardens, so the king had instructed Sir Norris to house them at his manor some five miles away. There had been the tears shed for Elizabeth and then tears for other events. It all made sense—the queen was again with child.
“Wonderful, wonderful news!” said Madge. She could not help but think of ridding herself of Sir Norris.
In her enthusiasm, she clung to Arthur so tightly that he swept her away from the other dancers into a corner. There, he kissed her once again. This time, she kissed him back with a fervor that surprised her. Who knew what the new year would bring?
II
1534
Vertuous Demeanor and Godly Conversation
QUEEN ANNE’S INSTRUCTIONS TO HER LADIES
Eighteen
Though the new year started off well enough for the king and his queen, old troubles soon reared up like angry stallions. The dowager princess Catherine wrote her nephew, Charles V, the emperor, of her continuing trials and suggested he take whatever action he deemed necessary to help her. If this meant launching an attack against the king, so be it. Her daughter, the lady Mary, was settled at Hatfield with the princess Elizabeth, yet failed to acknowledge her half-sister’s place and refused to give up her own title as princess. That his own child refused to obey him infuriated the king. That his subjects also refused to accept his will in the matter of his marriage and his church, raised his ire to the boiling point. He forced several more closings of monasteries, though the queen wanted them to be reformed rather than confiscated as royal property. Madge watched as the tensions of the court made their way to the queen’s own heart. Once again, Madge was required to serve the queen as her intimate lady of the bedchamber.
“Majesty, how long until we depart for Eltham? Shall I pack your green gown? Will the yellow silk be needed as well?” said Madge as she took out the dresses and laid them on the queen’s large bed to sprinkle them with rosewater and lavender.
“The king hath told me ’twould be five days hence. Yes, take the yellow—it has a loose skirt which will suit me well as time goes on. Lady Margaret, know you that Master Brandon will accompany us?” said the queen.
Madge felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she sorted through the silks and satins, checking them for stains and odors.
“No, Your Grace,” said Madge.
“I asked for him especially as I needed a strong man to handle my horses and Sir Carew advised me he could use the help. Sir Nicholas is not young, as you know, though he still serves His Majesty well as Master of the Horse,” said the queen.
Madge said nothing, though she could not keep her heart from pounding to think Arthur would be going with them to Eltham, and then on to Easthampstead Park in Windsor Forest.
“Have you nothing to say of this?” said the queen.
“I am sure Master Brandon will be a fine choice, madame,” said Madge, keeping her face turned from the queen, pretending to study of the queen’s wardrobe.
“Come, come, Mistress Margaret. I expected a better thanks than this!” said the Queen.
“Thanks, Your Grace?” said Madge.
“Hmm. Mayhap I have misjudged. Would Sir Wyatt have suited you better?” said the queen.
“Whatever suits Your Grace suits me, Majesty,” said Madge, “though I do count Thomas Wyatt as a dear friend.”
“Yes, as do I. Come here, Lady Margaret. Look at me. I have wagered much on my wisdom, my woman’s wisdom, and thus far, such inklings as I have had have not failed me. I cannot believe I have so misconstrued what is before my very eyes. Do you not love Master Brandon?” said the queen.
Madge had not thought of love, though her heartbeat quickened each time she glimpsed Arthur and she could feel her cheeks begin to burn when he was near. She had returned his kisses at their last meeting and had felt sad yet relieved to be joining the queen on the modest Progress for which they were now preparing. The Progress had been the queen’s idea and the princess Elizabeth was to meet them in Eltham. The queen intended to take her daughter along for the rest of the journey, then bring her back to London for a long stay. Given her condition, the king had agreed.
“I … I do not know, Majesty,” said Madge.
“Have you not kissed him? Nor he you?” said the queen.
“Well … yes. We have kissed—once on May Day, once in your apartments before you were churched, and then again at the New Year,” Madge said. She had not told anyone about Master Brandon, not even Cate.
“Your Majesty, how did you know about Master Brandon? We have not been indiscreet as I have taken your instructions to my very heart. My virtue has not been broached, I swear by the Blood of the Savior,” said Madge.
“Please, Lady Margaret, make no such pledges to me. I know because I have a woman’s heart. I see how your eyes brighten when they light upon Master Brandon. And how your cheeks grow rosy. I know much of love, lady. Though I am now married, ’twas not always so. But have a care. If I have discovered your secret, there are others who may know it as well. Cromwell has spies everywhere, though I cannot imagine that he would find your little love affair of interest. But believe me, if he roots out your case, he may find a use for it. I trust him not. The king himself would be angered if he knew you and Master Brandon were stealing away together like thieves in the night—His Majesty would control the lives of all his subjects and you know what happens when he is not obeyed,” said the queen as she looked through her wardrobe closet, selecting other gowns she would take on Progress.
“We shall take more care, Your Grace. Are you not going to chastise me about loving another though I am betrothed to Sir Norris?” Madge asked.
“Tut, tut. I hope in a few months to relieve you of that promise. Of course, Master Brandon will not be a suitable husband. You are, after all, my own blood and will need a superior person to wed. But surely we can find one more to your liking than Norris. In the meantime, enjoy your Arthur as well as you can. I do caution you to guard your virtue for it is a rare jewel. Be that gem guaranteed, I will make you a fine match indeed. It was I who placed our cousin, Mary Howard, with Henry Fitzroy, the king’s own son. I can do almost as well for you, dear cousin,” said the queen.
“Your heart is kind, Your Grace. I shall follow your wise words,” said Madge.
* * *
“How far now, Master Brandon?” said Madge as she rode beside him. He looked handsome wearing the king’s livery. They rode splendid horses and were placed close behind the queen’s litter, which was used at the king’s insistence. He was not happy with this small Progress taken in the dead of winter. There would be no hunting for him and the weather was disagreeable. Madge had heard him plead with the queen to return to Hampton Court, but Her Majesty was determined to see Elizabeth and bring her back to London. Madge could see that His Majesty wanted to please the queen, but also feared for the queen’s health and that of the new babe.
“We should arrive in time to sup, I’ll wager. This cold brings out the roses in your cheeks, milady. Would that I could warm you,” he said. She smiled at him.
“Sir, you do warm me. You have made this cold and cloudy journey most pleasant,” she said. She looked at the countryside, which seemed wild and dismal. The trees were covered with a thin film of snow and the sky was the color of pewter. Madge wondered what dangers might be hiding in the wood. She had heard of bandits and madmen haunting the forest.
“Think you, Arthur, we be safe traveling at such a time of year?” she said.
“Milady, I would die to preserve you. You must know that,” he said.
“I would prefer you live, sir,” she said.
“Do you not see all the king’s men, armed with swords and spears? Who would dare attack His Majesty? You
fret for nothing,” he said.
“Yet, I have heard it said that many outside of London hate the queen and wish Catherine yet wore the crown. And I have heard that some would see Her Majesty dead,” whispered Madge.
“There are those who dislike her, to be sure. Yet, to strike against the king would be certain death. Few will relish that, I’ll warrant. Let your heart be at ease,” he said.
On they rode until Sir Nicholas motioned for the entire caravan to stop. As the guards let down the queen’s litter, Madge dismounted her own horse, ready to assist Anne should the need arise. She watched as Lady Jane Seymour brought the chamber pot into the litter and was glad it was Jane and not herself who performed that duty while they traveled. Arthur hopped down beside her and soon, most of those on horseback had dismounted and were scattering in the woods. Arthur took her hand and led her into the darkness of the forest. He excused himself for a moment and stepped behind a large oak tree. She was happy she had no need to relieve herself and waited for him, slapping her arms to warm them.
“Come here, dearest, let me keep you toasty,” said Arthur, embracing her. He leaned to kiss her and for many minutes, they continued. She could hear his breathing become shorter until he was panting in her ear, his lips nibbling the lobe and then her neck. He placed his hand on her breast and she gasped with surprise.
“It is unseemly for us to be so long in the woods. Someone will take note of it. And if Norris searches for me and finds me not—what then? Arthur, we must take great care—we do not wish to offend the king,” said Madge.
“No one is paying us any mind—they are all busy. Come, let us kiss while we have a chance. Who knows when we will be alone again?” said Arthur.
“No. I am returning to my horse,” said Madge.
“Will you not declare your love for me? Will you not give me my heart’s ease by letting me know that I mean something to you—that what I feel is in some small way given back to me?” he said, his breath still short and hurried.
“I do not know what love is—so I cannot say that I love you. Besides, I am betrothed. Until the queen bears a son, I belong to Norris. Then she will make me a better match,” said Madge.
“A better match, eh? So, I am good enough for you to kiss but not fine enough for you to marry. I am, after all, only the bastard son of Lord Suffolk,” he said as he released her. “You should remount your horse, Lady Margaret. I am certain I can find Sir Norris to ride beside you.”
“Wait! Arthur, I didn’t mean … wait!” She hurried after him but when she located her horse, his mount was no longer beside it. She saw Sir Norris making his way to her.
“Ah, my Lady Margaret. Master Brandon told me you longed for me. I would have joined you earlier but Her Majesty insisted I ride with Countess Rochford. I have never met a more disagreeable woman! I heard her complaints until I thought I should go mad or wring her scrawny neck!” said Norris. “Thankfully, I now have entered heaven.”
“My lord, you are too kind. How like you this Progress?” Madge said.
“I like it not, mistress. A foolish thing to make such a journey in winter. I know the queen wishes to see her daughter, but surely there must have been another way,” he said.
“Her Majesty is with child, sir. The king conforms his wishes to her own. Such is seemly when love is involved. I would hope my own husband would do the same for me,” said Madge.
“I shall tell you what your husband will do for you, lady. He shall get babes upon you, one each year, until our house is full of sons and daughters. He shall not play the fool for a mere woman, as does our king. I shall rule my own house, mistress. Any other notions should be shaken out of your pretty head,” Norris said.
“If such is the case, though your house be full of children, you shall not know my love,” said Madge, her voice as cold as the wind that blew around them. She turned her face away from him and took secret delight in Arthur’s kisses.
* * *
At dusk, Madge could see the outline of Eltham Palace against the evening sky. Though not as large as Richmond Palace or Hampton Court, the castle was commodious enough to house those on Progress, boasting carefully tended grounds now covered with a light blanket of snow. She watched as birds flew over the towers and onto the gardens to pick seeds and suet left there for them by the kitchen scullions.
When they arrived in the courtyard, the queen’s litter was placed on the ground and the queen emerged, her hair tucked beneath her snood. She clapped her hands together twice and Nicholas Carew went to her immediately. She whispered to him and he headed toward Madge.
“Lady Shelton, Her Majesty would have you join her,” said Sir Nicholas with a short bow.
“Yes, Your Grace,” replied Madge with a brief curtsy. She knew this member of the privy chamber was no friend of the queen’s, thus no friend of hers, either. Carew continued to support the dowager princess Catherine and her daughter, Mary, though he had signed the Act of Succession along with most of the king’s men.
Madge took her leave of Norris and hurried to the queen, her skirts growing damp and cold with snow as they skimmed across the yard.
“Will you walk with me to the Great Hall? I have much to ask of you,” said the queen. The king joined them.
“Of course, Your Grace,” said Madge.
“Lady Margaret, well met,” said the king, smiling, his red beard flecked with snow and his blue eyes taking her measure.
“Your Majesty,” she whispered.
“Come, come, lady. Stand and let us walk together. My dearest queen hath a favor to beg of you,” he said.
“I am always happy to serve Your Majesties,” said Madge.
The king wrapped his arm around his wife and led her into the entranceway. Servants took their dampened cloaks to set them by the roaring fires and brought them mugs of wine. The king, the queen, and Lady Margaret found a private corner and the king indicated for Madge to be seated on a cushion at the queen’s feet.
“We shall tarry a while here—the rest of you move on to your supper. The ride has been cold and long—to the tables and stuff yourselves!” shouted the king to other members of the progress. Then His Majesty turned to Madge. He continued to take stock of her until she felt her face grow quite warm.
“The Boleyn blood bakes pretty women, eh Anne? Though she cannot hold a torch to your beauty, she is a lovely girl,” said the king.
“Aye, Harry, that she is! And one we can trust for she says naught and hears everything,” said the queen. She wrapped herself in a coverlet of velvet and silk one of the servants had brought. “Lady Margaret, I have something I would like for you to do—if you succeed, you will be mightily rewarded. If you fail, well, you will not be the first—brave men have tried and failed.”
“How can I please Your Grace?” said Madge, keeping her eyes cast to the floor.
“As you know, the lady Mary is here. I would like for you to tell her if she will but accept me as her queen, she can be reunited with her father’s love. Entreat her tenderly, for I would treat her as mine own, if only she would obey the king’s command,” said the queen.
“And tell her I’ll see her head separated from her shoulders if she continues to defy me,” said the king, his face puffed up with anger. “I will tame her obstinate Spanish blood!”
“Harry, dear, have you not heard it said more flies are caught with honey than vinegar? Be gentle with her, Margaret. She has suffered much and is only a little older than you. Come to me after you have obtained her reply, even though the hour be late,” said the queen. “Dear Margaret, I regret your mother and father were unable to accompany the princess Elizabeth to Eltham. They remained at Hatfield—I know how you would like to see them,” said the queen as she patted Madge’s hand.
* * *
“Lady Mary will see you now,” said Lady Bryan, curtsying slightly to Madge as she entered the rooms of the young woman who had been a princess for most of her life. Madge made a deep curtsy to the small woman seated on the thronelike cha
ir. She thought her legs would go numb before the lady Mary bid her rise.
“Why have you come?” said the lady Mary in a voice that sounded more like a man’s than any girl Madge had heard. Madge stole a quick look at her face and saw blue eyes and thin lips pressed together as if she had eaten something sour.
“My lady, I…” Madge began.
“I am the princess Mary and you will address me as such or I will send you away immediately,” said Mary.
Madge did not know what to do.
“Your Grace, I apologize for misspeaking. If you would but hear my poor plea, you will, perhaps, have your heart’s ease,” said Madge.
“Go on. But first, tell me your name,” said Mary.
“I am Lady Margaret Shelton,” said Madge.
“A cousin to the concubine, am I correct?” said Mary.
Madge felt her humor begin to change, anger simmering in her belly.
“I am cousin, yes.” Madge tried to keep her voice warm and inviting, sweet like the honey of which the queen had spoken.
“What is your purpose with me?” said Mary.
“The queen wishes for Your Grace to accept her position as your loving stepmother by signing the Act of Succession and regaining your father’s love. She says that if you will but do this, you will find her a kind and loving mother and your father will allow you to come again to court. You will be afforded all honor due to the daughter of the dowager princess Catherine and your life will be rich with food and music and dance. Happiness is yours, if you would but accept the queen,” said Madge, as gently as she knew how.
Silence.
More silence.
Madge became troubled as the quiet grew between her and Lady Mary. She began to wonder if Mary had heard her at all.
Finally, Mary stood. She was short, not nearly up to Madge’s chin. Madge could see her neck was pulsing and quite red.
“I know of no queen except my mother, who is far away from here, so she could not possibly have sent you. As for reconciliation with my father, the king, if his mistress would intervene on my behalf, I would be most grateful. You may leave our presence now,” said Lady Mary and turned her back on Madge.
At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn Page 13
