“I must speak to you of some unpleasant news,” he said.
“Oh, dearest, let us not hear of it now—let us savor this last meeting before we must part,” said Madge, kissing his hands.
“This I must tell you—it is of great import. I was in the privy chamber and overheard Master Cromwell telling Ambassador Chapuys that the queen was much angered with him—he did not say why. She told him she would separate his head from his shoulders if she so desired. But Cromwell said to the ambassador that, ‘I trust so much on my master, I think she cannot do me any harm.’ I fear Cromwell is turning further from the queen,” said Arthur.
“Mayhap ’twas just an argument—the queen has a temper as well I know. Master Cromwell has been her man all along, except regarding the monasteries—why should he wish to turn from her now?” said Madge.
“I am not sure but I have heard much talk about the emperor coming to the aid of his aunt, the dowager princess. Master Cromwell would befriend Charles the Fifth if he could, but because of the queen, such a friendship is not possible. I have also heard scuttlebutt about the king’s need of more money and Master Cromwell’s plan to dissolve all the monasteries, not just the ones found guilty of abuses. The queen wishes to save those which are pious and which do not fool the people with relics and such other falsities,” said Arthur.
“I do not believe such things can touch Her Majesty—she is but a woman! She is the king’s wife and only wishes to bear His Majesty a son,” said Madge.
“You do not understand—everyone wants power—to touch it, feel it, hold it like a flame in their own hand. And these cursed knaves will do what they must for just a moment of such power. Tell the queen to beware—her troubles are not yet over,” said Arthur.
“You put too much credence on these gossips—the king has been coming to her bed with great regularity. We shall have a prince soon enough!” said Madge. “Now, come kiss me again—our time is short!”
* * *
On the night before they were to leave on Progress, Madge and the queen retired early. Madge had told the queen of His Majesty’s decision to “spend himself” with the queen only and since that time, Madge had been invited to return as the queen’s woman of the bedchamber. She slept again on a pallet beside the queen’s enormous bed. The preparations for the Progress had tired both women and soon, Madge was sleeping soundly.
A strange sound awakened her. She thought she had heard a door scraping against the stone floor but such a thing was impossible—no one could enter the queen’s bedchamber without permission.
Then, she heard whispers. She froze, fearful that some murderer had somehow made his way to the queen. She readied herself to call out for the guards and pounce upon the varlet.
“Harry? Dearest?” said the queen.
Madge could hear the rustle of the bedclothes and the sound of someone joining Her Majesty.
“’Tis I, my love,” said the king.
Madge remained still and tried to calm her heart, which beat against her ribs like a wild bird in a cage. She kept her breathing steady to simulate sleep.
“You have not used the secret passage since before Elizabeth was born,” said the queen.
“I wanted no fanfare—I desired only to be an Englishman bedding his wife this eve,” said the king.
“’Tis late. But I do find it pleasant to be so taken by surprise,” said the queen.
“I could not sleep, Anne. My mind was troubled,” said the king.
“What troubles you, dearest? Perhaps I can ease you in some way,” said the queen.
“I have been coming to your bed for near two month and still there is no babe. I fear my seed has grown weak and old, as am I,” said the king, his voice dull.
“Oh dearest, take heart—we do not know the ways of God, nor what His plans may be for us. Such things are in God’s hands, not ours. Our duty is to do as He commands, which is to be fruitful and multiply. We are doing our best, my love,” said the queen. Madge could hear her move on the bed and imagined she was moving closer to the king. She heard them kissing.
“But I am no longer young—you know that better than anyone. Often, I cannot…”said the king.
“My sweetheart, such things are only to be expected. We cannot retain our youth forever. I grow sad when I think of my beauty fading but then I realize that though the hot passion of youth will dissipate, something gentler and stronger will take its place. As we grow old together, my love, we shall grow in kindness and true affection, rather than be driven by our lesser nature. I have seen such in my own parents, their tenderness toward each other,” said the queen in a low, soft voice.
“But we must get a prince—the stability of the country depends upon it. If my seed has become weak, what then? What if I can no longer father a child?” said the king in a whisper.
“I have heard of men of great age still fathering children, Harry. Methinks you worry overmuch. Give us time, beloved. Give us time and a relief from the burdens of the state. We shall be together on Progress, hunting and sporting day and night. You will see—a babe will come,” said the queen.
“I wonder if God is again displeased with me—for we have lost a son, just as Catherine and I did. Could we have offended the Lord with our marriage? Breaking from the church? All those who I have burned—could this be God’s judgment against us?” said the king.
“No, dearest. We have a healthy daughter who is smart and full of promise. God is obviously pleased that you are no longer living in sin with your brother’s wife. If you will but love me true, Harry, I will give you your long-awaited son,” said the queen.
Madge turned away from the bed and put her pillow over her ears, for she did not wish to hear the sounds of their lovemaking. But the flow of the king’s mind disturbed her—was he thinking of putting away his queen?
Thirty-two
The Progress was one of great happiness for the king and queen. They traveled west from Windsor to Reading, Ewelme, Abingdon, Woodstock, Langley, and Sudeley Castle. They lodged at Painswick Manor to take advantage of the excellent hunting and then moved on to Berkeley Castle. In September, the progress returned to the Seymours’ Wulfhall, where the king and queen hunted and made merry. However, they were not at Wulfhall long before a messenger came from London with news for the king.
The emperor had defeated the infidels at Tunis, which was happy news for all of Christendom, though such news did not find a welcome from Their Majesties. With Charles V no longer engaged in war, he was now free to come to the aid of his aunt and bring England back into the church at Rome. Suddenly, as Madge listened to the queen’s explanation of the situation, she understood the great danger the dowager princess Catherine posed to the entire country. After receiving this message, the king and queen stayed only a few days at Wulfhall and quickly left for the parliament at Winchester. Again, Madge observed how merry Their Royal Majesties seemed, especially when Anne discovered she was once again with child. Surely, this would be the prince for which the entire country longed.
“Lady Margaret, we must make sure this babe arrives alive and well—I fear my life, and maybe your own, will depend upon it. I shall rest and take good care, even more so than last time. We will to bed early each night and rise early, eat healthy foods. Dame Brooke has told me of some herbs that will help the babe to grow and give me strength as well. We shall get hold of her once we return,” said the queen as the two women lay upon the bed set up for them on their last afternoon at Wulfhall.
“We shall take the greatest care, Your Grace. And the babe will be full of life,” said Madge.
“I fear for us if things do not go well. Henry is capable of ridding himself of me and bringing great ruin to all my family—I have seen such coldness in him before, though I never dreamed I would have to fear it. But fear it I do,” whispered the queen.
“He seems quite merry these days and is evermore kind to Your Grace. Surely, you are safe,” said Madge with what she hoped was conviction.
“He is happy, yes. But I
stand in his way for friendship with the emperor and he blames me for his excommunication and the break with Rome that tears our land asunder. Much could be solved if he puts me away. We must tread with great care,” said the queen.
“That we shall do, Majesty. But now, you need rest and so does the babe. Let us get a nap while we can for we travel on the morrow,” said Madge as she yawned and felt her eyes grow heavy.
* * *
Upon their return to London, the queen began preparing for her son. She and her ladies sewed tiny gowns embroidered with golden thread. Booties for little feet were crocheted and soft warm blankets cut and sewn. The king took all his evening meals with the queen in her chambers and Madge thought His Majesty looked tired on many of their evenings together. As was his custom, the king stayed away from the queen’s bed because she was with child. Though he did not come to her at night, the king spoke with her often about the goings-on in the realm. Madge overheard him say that the dowager princess was quite ill, though she continued to write to her nephew, urging him to take the English matter into his own hands.
As the queen’s belly grew, she became irritable and difficult. Rumors flew about the king and his revived interest in Mistress Seymour. One afternoon, the queen rounded on the king in her apartments.
“What have you to say, Henry? What have you to say?” the queen shouted after she had accused His Majesty of infidelity. Madge could not believe her ears as the queen continued to heap abuse on the king. She noted his face was red and his nostrils flared but he said nothing in return.
Then the queen moved to stand in front of Mistress Seymour.
“How dare you dally with my husband the king! I shall box your ears, you harlot!” said the queen as she beat Mistress Seymour about the head.
“Anne! Anne! Get hold of yourself. Do not forget our son! For if you are upset, he will be, too!” shouted the king, holding her arms to her sides and indicating with a nod of his head for Mistress Seymour to leave.
The queen collapsed in tears against the king’s broad chest and sobbed uncontrollably.
“I cannot bear it, Harry, I cannot bear for you to be with another,” cried the queen.
“Believe me sweetheart, I have not been with another. I merely walked in the garden with Mistress Seymour. Her family is one of old greatness and I have promised her father to look after her. Be of good cheer, Anne. You are my queen and you are the one to give me a son! Now, try to tame your wild fancies. And take care of my boy,” said the king in a soft voice. Though he spoke tenderly to the queen, Madge saw the flinty look in his eyes. The queen then told His Majesty he should be bound to her above all women because she had delivered him from living in sin with his brother’s wife. The king drew his mouth in a tight line.
Not only did the queen upbraid the king, she also lost patience with her father, Lord Wiltshire, Master Cromwell, the duke of Norfolk, and a host of others. To Madge, it seemed that daily the queen grew more and more irascible. By All Hallows’ Eve, the king had not supped with the queen for three days. Madge gathered her courage to speak to the queen about her behavior.
That evening, the queen had arranged for music and dancing, as she had before. Though several of those invited showed up, a few did not. Lady Jane Rochford and Lady Seymour were not in attendance, nor was Sir Brereton. Wyatt sent a note saying he was ill and could not come. Though not all her favorites were present, the queen played the hostess well and made merry with great gusto. At midnight, the queen sent them away.
“I am so very tired, Margaret. Will you get a bowl of water for my feet? They feel hot and I fear they will swell,” said the queen as Madge and another lady of the bedchamber, Bessie Holland, removed the Queen’s outer garments.
“Yes, Your Grace. If you like, I will rub them with scented oil when you are abed,” said Madge.
“That would be a blessing from the angels,” said the queen.
By the time Madge had found the proper sized bowl and poured the water, she and the queen were alone. Madge helped Her Majesty onto the bed and put the basin on the floor. The queen placed her narrow feet in and sighed.
“I must soon stop my dancing—I no longer have the strength for it, Margaret. Being enceinte is no easy thing. I fear it makes me quick to anger and slow to forgive,” said the queen.
“Your Majesty … dearest cousin … I am filled with concern that the king has not supped with you these past three nights. There are tales once again about him and Mistress Seymour,” said Madge.
“I have heard these stories and think they are true enough. The king seeks to go where he will and he has chosen one who will not argue with him as I have done. Nor will she do any of the things I have done to please him,” said the queen with a strange look. “He will tire of her quickly, I’ll warrant. You are much more beautiful than she and you have a mind and charm. She is as dull as dishwater. Yet, the king tired of you quickly enough.”
Madge did not speak her anger at the queen’s words.
“Jane has no beauty, that is certain. Yet, those who tell the tales say it is her virtue the king admires and her quiet serenity,” said Madge.
“Virtue? Ha, he has played that game before! He will come back to me—I know it. I shall win him as I did before—my apartments will be filled with gaiety and laughter and music. He will want to be here, mark me,” said the queen.
“Of this I have no doubt … but dearest Anne,” said Madge in a whisper, “mayhap you should guard your temper with him just a little. Be sweet to him and win him with your kindness.”
The queen removed her feet from the basin and Madge dried them on a nearby cloth. Then Madge cupped her hands and poured in the scented oil. She began to rub the queen’s feet.
“Sweetness is not the only way to the king’s heart. I know a secret way,” said the queen in a whisper. She looked at Madge and spoke again, “Will you swear on your prayer book never to breathe a word of what I am about to tell you?”
“Yes, Majesty—I do swear never to tell, if they draw and quarter me,” said Madge.
“Even so, perhaps I should not spill this news—I scarce know what to think of it myself,” said the queen, her eyes staring into the firelight.
“Please, dearest cousin, do not tell me anything untoward,” said Madge.
“No—I shall share it with you, for I know not what to make of it,” said the queen. Her Majesty took a deep breath and continued. “Do you remember when last the king came to my bed while we were on Progress? We were at Sudeley Castle and had the entire second floor to ourselves,” said the queen.
“Aye, I recall it well—you sent me down to the kitchens several times in the early evening to fetch food and drink. I remember traversing those steep stairs!” said Madge.
“After I sent you to sleep with the rest of the ladies, the king and I began to kiss and fondle each other as in days of old. He was breathing hard, panting really, and was eager to begin the act. I, too, was ready for him. We crawled into our bed and he then had his usual trouble—the same trouble he had with you,” said the queen, her cheeks red.
Madge continued rubbing the queen’s feet and her delicate ankles. She did not wish to hear any more about the private acts of Their Majesties.
“But I was not willing to give up this chance for my son, so I employed one final trick I learned in France,” said the queen.
“How could there be any more devices for love than those Your Grace has already shared with me?” said Madge.
“I had heard this long ago while I was at the French court, but I never dreamed I would use such means to get a babe,” said the queen. “As you know, Francis the First is a lecherous, pox-ridden man but he has a terrible secret vice. I learned of this from Madame Beauforte, one of Queen Claude’s ladies.”
“I knew you served the virtuous queen Claude, Majesty. What did you learn from her woman?” said Madge, whose curiosity was now alive.
“Madame Beauforte knew Francis’s mistress, Mme. Anne de Pisseleu d’Heilly. She has kep
t the king’s interest for almost twenty years. He made her the wealthiest, most powerful woman at the French court,” said the queen, turning over to lie on her side while Madge continued to rub her feet. “It is said that men would sell their souls to have a night with her, such are her skills at lovemaking.” The queen smiled at Madge.
“I suppose having that kind of talent is something one is born with—like the gift of music or beauty,” said Madge, feeling suddenly inadequate.
“Do you not wish to know what her secret is, cousin?” said the queen.
“Only if Your Majesty wishes to tell me,” said Madge, half-afraid.
“I do wish to tell you. There may come a time for you to use this hidden knowledge,” said the queen.
“Majesty, I can only hope my charms will be enough for my husband,” said Madge. The queen gave her an evil look and Madge realized that for some men, no matter how well-endowed their wives with wit and beauty, they would always need perversity in the act of love.
The queen yawned and then continued her story, “Mme. d’Heilly has a silken cord with nine silken tails at one end. When she meets with the king in one of his houses arranged for such a purpose, she takes the reins of power from him. Now, it is she who must be obeyed on pain of, well, a lashing with the silken whip. She commands the king and he obeys her every wish. It is said he parades on all fours like a horse, with nary a stitch of clothing upon his back. Around and around the room she drives him. If he does not gallop fast enough to please her, she flails him. She is rumored to have forced him to please himself in front of her, and to eat gruel from a dish set upon the floor. Some say she even places a strand of pearls in his nether regions and slowly pulls them out, to his great delight. Such treatment builds a wild frenzy in him until he can bear it no longer. Finally, she allows him to satisfy himself with her, often telling him to take her the way a stallion takes a mare,” said the queen.
“I have never heard such…” said Madge with her mouth slightly open. She thought of the miniature she had seen of Francis I and could not smother a laugh.
At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn Page 27
