“Aye. My news is not for the king,” said Arthur.
* * *
By midafternoon, the king had left the queen’s apartments and Madge felt it was safe to bring Arthur to her. She entered the outer rooms and Madge was disturbed at the way Anne Zouch and Bessie Holland smiled and curtsied to Arthur. Even the cold Jane Parker seemed to warm to him. She was almost afraid to leave him with the ladies while she went in to the queen, but she had no choice. When she returned, all the ladies circled Arthur like a pack of wolves around a lamb. Madge cleared her voice.
“The queen will see you now, Master Brandon,” she said.
Arthur bowed to the ladies and took his leave. He entered the queen’s bedchamber and Madge closed the door behind him. He bowed low to the queen, who was resting in her bed.
“Welcome Master Brandon and happy Easter!” said the queen.
“Thank you, Your Grace. I wish you the same,” he said. Before the queen could say anything else, Arthur fell to one knee at her side and looked at her.
“Majesty, I have news. I have already heard of the uproar Almoner Skip has caused and that you and Master Cromwell have argued. What you need to know is that the lady Jane Seymour is housed in Master Cromwell’s home. There is a direct tunnel from there to the king’s inner apartments. His Majesty has been visiting her every night and Cromwell has joined forces with Chapuys, the emperor’s ambassador, to convince Henry to make an alliance with Charles the Fifth. However, the emperor will not agree until the lady Mary is promised the succession over Elizabeth. Thus far, the king has refused this adamantly, but there has been much talk about the king putting you away to marry that curd-faced Seymour,” said Arthur.
The queen said nothing. Arthur did not move and Madge seemed frozen, too. After a few minutes of silence, the queen spoke.
“Thank you, Master Brandon. You have done me a great service. I have tried to fight Cromwell, as you heard in church this day. I shall fight him still. As for the king, I have failed him twice—Catherine failed him many more times than that. Perhaps he will not be so quick to put me to shame,” said the queen. She looked very tired.
“Majesty, I know you are exhausted and this is not a good time to ask it, but I must know if you still plan to help Arthur and me,” said Madge.
“I am not sure I can help myself, much less two lovebirds. Methinks you should not count on me. Perhaps another way will appear for you,” said the queen. She looked at Madge’s downcast face. “I am sorry, cousin. I truly am.”
Madge knelt beside Arthur, reached for the queen’s hand, and kissed it.
“Leave me,” said the queen.
Arthur and Madge rose to go, but the queen then changed her mind and commanded Madge to stay a while. Madge returned to her pallet and waited for the queen’s instructions.
“If Harry does put me away, methinks he will allow me to go to a nunnery. That is what he offered Catherine at first, but she refused. I should like such a life, I believe. I could read and study, sew for the poor, and I would still have a few ladies to attend me—do not worry, Margaret, I will not ask for you! I know you wish to be wed soon enough! I have had all I would ever want of married life—to be married to Christ would be a welcome relief,” said the queen.
“Would you not miss life at court? A nunnery would seem quite dull after such as this,” said Madge, indicating all the fine things in the queen’s room.
“I am glad to have had my time here. I have enjoyed the love of several good men and I have held onto a mighty king for ten years. I bore a beautiful daughter and still count a few good friends who are loyal and true. I believe I would find the peace of a nunnery soothing to my spirit,” said the queen.
“I will pray with all my being that it will not be thus. I will pray that the king comes to his senses and returns to you, Your Grace. And, God forgive me, I will pray that the strumpet, Mistress Seymour, gets the pox!” said Madge.
“My, my, my! I do believe it will be impossible for Mistress Jane to get the pox—her virtue, dearest—her precious virtue!” said the queen. They both laughed but then the queen gave way to crying. Madge sat with her until she fell to sleep.
* * *
“Dearest Margaret, you must listen! I beg of you, come away with me. We can ride out today as if we were going on a picnic—then, we can just keep going. I shall take you to Guildford Palace and we shall marry. We can live happily there in one of my father’s houses. Our children can run in the fields and hunt in the forests. There is bounty and goodness from the fresh earth—come, let us leave this vile place and be together in safety and peace,” said Arthur, while Madge sat upon his knee.
“How can I leave the queen now? When her future is not clear? This is the time she needs her friends—and I have noticed how they have become fewer and fewer. She is my cousin and, more importantly, she is my friend. I will not leave her,” said Madge.
“Foolish, foolish woman! I tell you, as long as you stay at court, you are in danger! Have you not seen the burnings and the hangings this king of ours has wrought? He and Master Cromwell? These are treacherous times, my love. You must come with me,” said Arthur. He turned her face to him and kissed her.
“Such kisses will not change my mind,” said Madge and playfully chucked him under the chin.
“Then how about this?” he said as he put his hand beneath her skirts and began to stroke her thigh.
“Nay, sir. I will not be swayed. But I must ask you, will you be returning to Guildford or will you stay on a while?” she said, her breath coming more quickly now as he touched her.
“I will leave a week from this day. My father has sent word I am to return to help build a new barn. I wish I could stay, but I must do as he bids me,” said Arthur.
“I suppose that in a week’s time, you expect to win me to your way of thinking. You think I must go with you after having loved you for one full week,” said Madge.
“I think if you love me at all, yes, you will go with me,” he said.
“You know that I love you with all my heart—but I will not change my mind. I am determined to help the queen—it is the right thing for me to do,” said Madge. “I will not run away from this unpleasantness like a dog with its tail tucked. I will face whatever is to come.”
“Then face my kisses for they are here at this instant,” said Arthur.
Thirty-six
Madge was worried. Since sitting together in church on Easter Sunday, the king had not been to see the queen, nor had anyone heard what events were happening. Mistress Seymour had left the queen’s service abruptly, claiming that her father needed her at Wulfhall. She declared he was very ill. The queen had no choice but to allow Mistress Seymour to leave, though she knew Jane was living in Cromwell’s house under the supervision of her parents and enjoying nightly visits from His Majesty. The queen tried to remain lighthearted, chattering about this and that. She busied herself by planning for Elizabeth’s education and continuing to buy the child expensive clothes. She also purchased tassels of gold for the draperies of her bed and bolts of expensive silks and velvets for new gowns. Madge thought to herself that for a woman who was content to go to a nunnery, the queen certainly intended to live sumptuously now.
Madge and the queen were concerned that her brother, Viscount Rochford, had not been selected for the Order of the Garter, an honor that he coveted and that the queen believed should have been his. Instead, Sir Nicholas Carew received the Order, though he had been a strong supporter of Catherine and continued to defend the interests of the lady Mary as best he could.
“’Tis a slap at me,” said the queen, after they had heard the news from Master Smeaton, who was one of the few people who still came when the queen requested it. Many of the others claimed illness or “the king’s business” in order not to be seen entering the queen’s apartments.
“If it be a slap, let it be. You are still queen and, though the king is enthralled with dough-faced Jane, they cannot harm you more than this,” said Madge. She s
aid it with great enthusiasm but in her body, she felt fear begin to take hold.
“You are right, Margaret. If the king is intent on making Jane his wife, I shall go to a nunnery without any argument. I have learned from my predecessor that obstinacy against His Majesty is not the answer. I shall agree to whatever the king might wish—I know I have lost his love, but perhaps I can retain his friendship,” said the queen.
A couple of days after they had heard the news regarding the appointment of Sir Carew, Madge and the queen, along with a few of her ladies, were diverting themselves with cards and dice. There was a loud knock on the outer chamber door and one of the guards announced that a Master Brandon wished to speak with the queen. Madge stood up and started to the door but the queen spoke quickly.
“Please show Master Brandon to us—Margaret, will you set up refreshments for the gentleman? The rest of you may leave us,” said the queen.
Madge did as she was instructed, pouring a large mug of ale for Arthur and cutting some chicken from the bone. She placed the meat on a plate and tore off a chunk of bread to accompany the fowl.
“Master Brandon,” said the queen as she rose to give Arthur her hand. He knelt and kissed it. She bade him rise.
“Madame, I come with a warning I hope you will heed. I fear Master Cromwell has hatched a plot to ensnare Your Grace. He, along with your enemies, Sir Carew, the Seymours, Exeter, and Sir Francis Bryan, have persuaded His Majesty to approve an inquiry into treasonous acts. His Majesty is unaware that you are to be one of the targets of this inquiry, along with your supporters on the privy council. No one knows what Master Cromwell is up to exactly, but I would warn Your Majesty to be circumspect in all your actions. God save Your Majesty!” said Arthur.
“Thank you for this unwelcome news, Master Brandon. Now I shall retire to my bedchamber. You must stay here with Lady Margaret and refresh yourself after your long journey,” said the queen. She then turned and walked through the rooms to her private chamber, leaving Madge and Arthur alone.
“I did not think to see you again, my dearest,” said Madge as she ran into his arms.
“Nor I you. But when my father told me all he had heard from his spies, I had to warn the queen. And, most especially, you. Sweetheart, I fear for everyone surrounding the queen; anyone who has ever been her friend is in grave danger,” he said as he held her close. “You must come away with me this night. I fear if you do not, you will be caught in Cromwell’s web.”
“How I wish I could ride away from it all. But you know I cannot. The queen believes she will go to a nunnery and when she does, I shall be free of her service. She has told me thus. Then, my love, I will send for you and you can carry me away to your peaceful haven,” said Madge, kissing him.
“Prithee, mistress, think you we can persuade Mistress Cate to abandon her room for one afternoon? For it has been long since I held you and I would once again ere I depart,” said Arthur.
“I shall command it!” said Madge.
* * *
“Soon we shall lie together on a proper bed rather than this lumpy, narrow pallet,” said Arthur as he helped Madge to the floor. “There now, better?”
“I would lie with you on a pile of rocks, my love,” said Madge as she stretched out her body.
“Let me look at you—I want to remember you as you are at this moment. I have never seen a woman so shapely or with skin so fair. How have I come to win such a prize?” he said.
“You were born under the proper star, I reckon. Now, kiss me ere our time run out,” said Madge, holding out her arms to him.
As they kissed, Madge could feel him against her, every part of him hard and strong. He touched and kissed her on her mouth, her neck, her ears, her hair, and then continued to kiss her entire body. He worked slowly, building her desire as carefully as a man would build his own house, taking diligence over every square inch. When he gauged she was ready, he began to apply his usual protection.
She caught his hand and pulled the linen sheath out of his grasp.
“No, dearest. Not this time. For soon, I believe we shall be wed. If a child should come, I will be happy!” she said.
Arthur quickly obliged her.
* * *
Later that day, Arthur took his leave with many kisses. Madge wept as he departed, promising to go to Guildford Palace with him when he returned for her in the early summer.
“I beg you one last time, my beloved—come home with me now,” said Arthur from atop his horse.
“Soon, my love, soon. Until the queen’s business is settled, I will not abandon her. But we will be together by winter, when your own duties will be lessened and we will be able to marry,” said Madge.
She watched as he turned his horse and rode out of the gates, stared at him until he was lost in the crowded London streets. Her eyes watered and she knew many months would pass before he was free to come to her again. And when he did return, she would follow him home to Guildford and become his wife.
When she returned to the queen’s quarters, Her Majesty was dressed regally in a green gown that set off her complexion. Several of her ladies were sewing and Master Smeaton entertained them with his lute.
“Lady Margaret, will you accompany me on a walk to the gardens?” said the queen.
“Of course, Majesty,” said Madge as she followed behind the queen.
They walked from the queen’s apartments through the Main Hall where the courtiers waited to be admitted into the king’s presence. Even Sir Carew bowed as the queen passed. But Madge noticed a great silence fell among those gathered as the queen approached. This quiet lasted until Madge and the queen were well down the hall. Then Madge heard the buzz of voices start up, louder than before.
“’Tis a lovely day, Margaret. See! The tulips are budding and will soon be in bloom, the daffodils sprinkle droplets of sunlight across the lawn. His Majesty and I are to go to Calais after the May Day. It should be lovely this time of year,” said the queen as if nothing were amiss.
“Have you had a message from the king?” said Madge, hope rising in her heart.
“Nay. ’Tis a trip planned for some time,” said the queen. She stopped at a bench hidden partially by the hedge. She sat and told Madge to sit next to her.
“I have decided that remaining in my apartments is not a good idea. Henceforth, I intend to be out in full view of the court. Those who are mine enemies will still have to show me courtesy, and my presence will reassure my friends. I shall act the queen for as long as I am able. Perhaps the king will see me and be reminded of all that we have been to each other. I shall send for Elizabeth and show her to His Majesty as well. Surely, he cannot think to take a mother from her child,” said the queen.
“These are wise decisions, Your Grace. If His Majesty can be reminded of your beauty, surely he will leave the dough-faced Jane!” said Madge.
“Mistress Jane-Dough! ’Tis true enough! Yet, ’tis cruel to make such fun. I shall try to be kind, even to Mistress Seymour,” said the queen.
“I have no such kindness in me,” said Madge.
* * *
The evening before the May Day celebrations, the queen attended a dogfight. Madge, having no stomach for such diversions, invited Cate to play cards in the queen’s apartments. When she rapped on Cate’s door, she heard crying.
“What is wrong?” said Madge, going to her knees to comfort her friend.
“They have taken Shadow! Taken her clean away! They said she was banned from court and should have been removed months ago. She is to be placed with the king’s dogs and I shan’t see her again,” wailed Cate.
“How can this be? This law they spake of is well over three years old. What nonsense is this?” said Madge.
“Master Cromwell’s man came to get her. He was rough and without sympathy,” said Cate.
“Have no worries, dearest. I shall bring this matter before the queen. She will see we get our Shadow back,” said Madge. She did not tell Cate of the fear that made her hands tremble an
d her stomach sour. “But now, let us ease ourselves and gather the early flowers—we shall cheer your room with a hundred bouquets!”
“I will not be cheered until Shadow returns but I shall help you gather flowers, for our time is short, with fewer and fewer springs in which to enjoy the blooms,” said Cate.
* * *
When Madge returned to the queen’s chambers later that afternoon, she was surprised to find Her Majesty in excited spirits.
“The king has asked me to join him at the May Day jousts on the morrow! We are to sit together and I hope to use this time to bring us into accord again. After so many weeks of not seeing my Harry, I am overjoyed that he will set me before all the nobles of the realm and claim me once again as his queen,” said the queen, her face filled with joy.
“That is, indeed, most welcome news, Your Grace! How shall I help you?” said Madge.
“First, I will need to bathe and then if you will get me some rosewater and cinnamon to mix together—I would smell as the king should remember. And my hair, I shall wear down—will you pluck out the few strands of gray? And my cloth of gold dress with the long strand of pearls. Will you see if it is presentable? I shall wear flowers in my hair and you shall weave them down the entire length of it. I shall look like a girl on the morrow and so shall win back my king,” said the queen, and Madge thought she did look almost girlish once again.
Madge busied herself at once, helping the queen prepare. Later that evening, while the queen and her ladies were dancing, more troubling news came to them. When Mistress Anne Zouch returned from dining in the Great Hall, she was full of the latest gossip.
“Majesty, they say Master Smeaton has been arrested this very day!” said Mistress Zouch. “Some charge of treason is leveled against him—they have taken him to the Tower where some say they will rack him.”
“Mark? He is not guilty of anything lest it be buggery. He is a gentle soul full of kindness and sorrow,” said the queen. “I cannot believe this report—has the whole world gone mad?”
The queen’s spirits fell at the thought of Master Smeaton suffering in the Tower. Madge tried to cheer her, but Her Majesty removed to her bed, bidding the ladies to dance as long as they liked.
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