‘Thank you Geoffrey,’ Mary inclined her head at the aged steward as he bowed and retreated out of the door.
‘Ooh, sweetmeats!’ Cat jumped up and made her selection quickly, pouring three cups of ale as she munched her way through the first treat, selecting another before she went back to her stool. Mary laughed.
‘We shall be letting out the laces on the bodice of your wedding gown if you eat too many, my lovely.’ She passed the plate to Meg and settled back in her own chair to enjoy the sweetmeat she had chosen for herself.
‘And what is your news, Mistress Cat? You were very excited to tell me outside,’ Meg smiled at the girl as she washed the sweetness down with a gulp of ale.
‘After my marriage, Meg, I am going to serve in the household of Princess Elizabeth. Francis will have a position there too, so we will be together. And Mother is pleased I’m not going back to court.’ Cat looked at her mother and grinned.
‘Well, that’s just wonderful, Mistress Cat. I’m sure your cousin the Princess will be glad to have you with her.’ Meg looked across at Mary and nodded slightly. Mary nodded back, acknowledging that her daughter and the Princess, in actuality half-sisters, were regarded by the world as cousins.
‘And that has me wondering, Meg,’ Mary’s voice from across the room, ‘would you be willing to go with Cat and serve as her lady in waiting at Hatfield House?’
Meg looked at Mary in surprise, then at Cat who was twisting her fingers together, waiting for Meg’s answer.
‘My Lady! It would be an honour.’ Cat began to squeak with pleasure; Meg held up her hand, ‘But I would have to ask Ralph. I don’t know what he plans for after we are wed.’ Meg smiled at Cat, deflated from Meg’s pronouncement. ‘If I can, my Lady, I would love to.’ Cat began to bounce again on the low stool.
Mary smiled at Meg, and at her daughter. ‘I completely understand, Meg. When you are married you have to do your husband’s bidding. But I do hope he will allow you to go to Hatfield with Cat. She will have need of you there, and I cannot think you have any great desire to serve Jane Rochford at court.’
‘No, my Lady. And the Queen has many other ladies in waiting and maids of honour. Lady Rochford runs the Queen’s household with an iron rod. I had not thought to return to court in any case. I was going to ask to come home to Hever, if there was a position available.’
‘There is always a home for you here, Meg. You know that. But Hatfield House is nearer to court than Hever, so you would be with Ralph more. I presume Ralph is still going to stay?’
‘Yes, my Lady. He and Richard are more in demand than ever. Master Wriothesley hasn’t the same drive and energy as Master Cromwell, so more and more is passed down.’
‘Hmph! Tom Wriothesley will never be another Thomas Cromwell,’ grumbled Mary. ‘As much as I didn’t particularly care for Cromwell as a person, he was certainly good at his job!’
‘He was always kind to me, my Lady. And Ralph loved him as a father. He is still suffering his loss.’
Mary didn’t respond to that. She couldn’t forgive Cromwell his part in the trials of her siblings, even though she fully understood Cromwell had been doing Henry’s bidding. And now there was so much more she couldn’t forgive Henry for!
‘How is the Queen?’ Mary asked quietly
‘She is well, my Lady. But not with child.’ Meg shrugged. ‘The King suffers with his leg, and they don’t share a chamber. I know he summons her sometimes, but not often, and not for very long.’
‘God keep her safe,’ whispered Mary, and both Cat and Meg looked at her curiously.
‘Meg, come and see my gown!’ Cat jumped up from her stool and went to grasp Meg’s hands, pulling her from her chair. Mary also stood.
‘All right, my lovely. We’ll take Meg and show her all your beautiful clothes that you are to take to Hatfield after your wedding. Perhaps there may be a gown that Meg might like to choose for her own marriage?’ Mary smiled at the surprise on Meg’s face.
‘Oh yes, Mother. I have so many gowns, Meg can choose one that really suits her, and that can be my wedding gift to her – and a shift and petticoats too. Whatever she needs to be a beautiful bride for Ralph!’ Cat was bouncing with excitement again.
‘My Lady, that is so kind of you,’ Meg was breathless with gratitude.
‘Nonsense, Meg. We as a family owe you so much for all your help and kindness, a gown seems hardly enough thanks. Come along, both of you. We have gowns to choose!’ and Mary opened the door and followed Cat and Mary upstairs.
***
The Royal Progress carried the court northwards, from Kent to Norfolk and came to rest at Norwich Castle.
Thomas Wriothesley stayed long enough to make sure everything was in order for the King’s comfort then, leaving Richard Rich to keep an eye on the continuing rivalry between Norfolk and the Seymour brothers, left to return to London.
‘God’s blood, Ralph, I am needed more here than in Norwich, watching the King show off his child-wife to the country and seeing the Seymours and Norfolk squabble over who goes in first to supper!’
Ralph looked up from his papers and smiled at his friend.
‘We’re not at war, Tom. You could have stayed,’ then he ducked, laughing, as Tom threw a quill at him. ‘But as you’re here, could I have some time away from the office? Only a few days, but I would be grateful. You see, I am to be married.’
Wriothesley shook Ralph’s hand vigorously, slapping him on the back, pleased beyond words at his friend’s good news.
‘Married, you say? Who is the unfortunate lady, throwing herself away on you?’ He laughed as his friend blushed and kept his eyes lowered as he answered.
‘Mistress Margaret Barre, Tom.’ Receiving no response, he looked up at his friend, who gazed blankly back, not knowing of whom Ralph spoke.
‘Meg, Tom. Who used to bring messages to Master Cromwell for Norfolk.’
‘The pretty little maid who always looked so terrified? Heart shaped face, light brown curls, nice teeth?’ Tom raised his eyes in appreciation of his friend’s good fortune. Meg was very pretty.
‘Yes, Tom. Nice teeth!’ he laughed. ‘Meg is so much more than that. She is kind, and modest and loyal, and I have loved her for a long time. But it has taken me a while to gather enough courage to ask her.’ Ralph smiled at the memory.
‘She obviously said yes, my friend. But does she have a good dowry?’ Tom was an accountant at heart, well taught by Cromwell.
‘No, Tom, no dowry. But I have more than enough money for us to live. Master Cromwell was very clever with his investments and he taught us all well.’
‘Does she know you’re wealthy, Ralph? That you might work as a clerk but that you could afford to live as a gentleman?’
Ralph laughed and looked back up from his desk. ‘She has no idea, Tom. She thinks I am as she sees me here, ink stained and industrious. She offered to sell her necklace to bring me a marriage portion. When we are married, I will show her who I really am. If I do that before, she may take fright and I couldn’t bear to lose her, Tom. She has my heart.’
‘Then take your time away from here, Ralph, and marry your Meg. Soon, before the court returns to London and the madness comes back. Will you marry here in London?’
‘No. Lady Stafford has offered to let us wed in the chapel at Hever. Catherine Carey is marrying Francis Knollys soon, and Meg says Lady Mary would be happy if we married there, and shared in their celebrations. Not a double wedding, you understand,’ he widened his eyes in horror at that thought, ‘just a small ceremony the evening before the main event, so Meg can help Cat the following morning.’
‘Then send a message to your Meg, my friend, and tell
her you are on your way to be wed.’ Tom threw another quill at Ralph and, laughing, Ralph threw it back, thrilled beyond measure.
Chapter 14 - 1540
eg stood trembling in Cat’s chamber as they dressed her for the wedding. She was so happy that Ralph had agreed to marry at Hever, so she could stay and help with Cat’s wedding on the morrow. She was also pleased that he had agreed that she should accompany Cat to Hatfield House.
‘I would rather you safe at Hatfield with Cat and Princess Elizabeth than in service to Jane Rochford, my Meg,’ he had said softly when they walked on the terrace after supper the previous evening.
‘I think Lady Jane is so obsessed with looking after Kitty, I mean Queen Catherine,’ Meg smiled at Ralph, knowing he understood how difficult she found remembering the title, ‘that she doesn’t need me there. Queen Catherine has Lady Jane, as well as Lady Tylney and Lady Morton and all those other ladies and girls. I would rather be with Cat, and help Lady Mary keep her safe.’
‘Hatfield is nearer to London than Hever, my Meg. I will be able to see you more easily than if you were here. I would not want you back at court. There is too much rivalry between the Howards and the Seymours. I know not where it will end.’ Ralph squeezed her hand and brought his lips to hers, kissing her gently. ‘And after tomorrow, I shall not have to take my leave of you and go to my lonely bed, my Meg.’
Her stomach fluttered at that thought, and she kissed him back enthusiastically.
‘Until tomorrow then, my Lord,’ and she grinned at him, swept him a playful curtsey, and went to her chamber, excited that on the morrow she would become Mistress Ralph Sadler.
Meg dragged her mind back to listen to Cat, chattering about her own wedding and how exciting it would be to go to Hatfield with a new husband and with Meg.
‘Oh, Meg! You look so lovely’, Cat breathed, arranging the fresh wreath of flowers in Meg’s curls. ‘I hope I look as beautiful tomorrow.’
‘Of course you will, my lovely,’ said Mary, biting off the thread as she knelt and finished the hem of Meg’s gown. ‘There, Meg. All done. You shouldn’t fall over on your way to the altar now.’ Mary stood, laughing at the fright in Meg’s eyes. ‘I’m jesting, Meg. The hem at the front is a good way above your slippers now, and the gown looks lovely trailing behind.’
Meg looked at herself in the tall looking glass in the corner of the chamber, and was astonished at her reflection. She had chosen one of Cat’s gowns as they had insisted, a dark pink bodice and skirt, with the palest green sleeve linings and matching under gown. It was one of the few that hadn’t been trimmed with jewels, but had embroidered roses round the neck and sleeve edges, in paler pink and darker green. Instead of a hood, a wreath of pink roses from the famous garden, with gypsophila and ivy held a diaphanous veil away from her face. Her hair was a tumble of loose curls down her back, as became a bride, and her matching pink slippers peeked from the bottom of her skirt. Cat was taller than Meg, and lovely Mary had taken up the front of the gown for her so she wouldn’t stumble.
A knock came at the door, which opened to reveal Cat’s brother Henry, ready to escort her to her groom. Henry was a tall thirteen year old, with a dark burgundy doublet and matching breeches to complement her pink gown, and he drew himself up to his full height at the honour of escorting the bride. Sir William Stafford would be escorting Cat in the morning, so Meg had asked Henry to give her away.
‘My Lady,’ he grinned, holding out his arm.
‘My Lord,’ Meg smiled, marvelling at how much the boy she had met almost five years ago had grown and changed into the wonderful young man in front of her.
Henry led Meg along the upstairs gallery which linked to the private chapel, illuminated by dozens of expensive beeswax candles, and helped her to carefully descend the stairs so she could walk down the short aisle to Ralph, who was waiting at the altar with the priest.
Meg looked at her future husband, and could hardly believe her eyes. She had only ever seen Ralph in the clothes he wore to work in his office. Even in their private moments, he would be clad in his black doublet and breeches, with his ink-stained clerk’s robe round his shoulders, or spread on the grass to protect her skirts if they were sharing a meal outdoors
To Meg’s eyes, he looked astonishing. He wore a rich blue doublet, with silver studs fastening the front, and matching blue breeches also studded with silver down the sides. His cloak was a darker blue, lined with pale blue watered silk and embroidered with silver thread, and he clutched a blue velvet bonnet in his hand, with a large silver feather sweeping to the ground. He watched her come towards him on Henry’s arm and smiled his beautiful smile.
‘My Meg,’ he whispered, ‘you look absolutely beautiful’. He bent over her hands that he clasped in his own and gently brushed her knuckles with his lips. ‘I feel truly blessed that you consented to be my wife.’ Then they turned to the priest and heard the words of the marriage ceremony begin. They gave the required responses, knelt and prayed, then stood to take their vows. Meg’s world suddenly narrowed to Ralph’s eyes and a roaring in her ears as the priest solemnly intoned the words.
‘Do you, Sir Ralph Sadler take Margaret Ellen Barre for your wedded wife ……’
Meg’s head spun. SIR Ralph Sadler? Her Ralph? A knight? She suddenly couldn’t breathe, and it took all her willpower to hear Ralph’s response as he held her fingers tightly.
‘I do,’ a whisper, as he gazed into her eyes and squeezed her fingers gently with his own.
‘Do you, Margaret Ellen Barre take Sir Ralph Sadler for your wedded husband ….’
There, Meg thought, the priest had said it again. Was he mistaken? Was it because they were at Hever, he thought he was marrying nobility on both days?
Ralph pressed her fingers again and she looked into his beautiful eyes and gave the only possible response
‘I do.’
She heard the priest’s voice again, declaring them husband and wife, then Ralph threw his arms about her, lifting her off her feet as he kissed her and swung her round and round.
Everyone laughed and clapped, and Ralph bent his head, whispering in her ear, ‘I love you, Lady Sadler. Thank you for becoming my wife,’ and he kissed her again.
***
They were finally alone in the bedchamber Mary had had prepared for their wedding night. They had laughed and danced at the small supper, but everyone knew Cat’s wedding the next day would be exhausting so the gathering broke up early. Mary had taken them to the door of the chamber, but she hadn’t allowed any of the raucous ‘bedding of the couple’ jokes, as she knew how shy Meg was, and how reserved Ralph could be.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ asked Meg. They were both in bed, both a little shy of the other, and Ralph had stretched his arm out for Meg to cuddle into him.
‘It didn’t matter.’ He shrugged, ‘Tom and Richard and I were given knighthoods by Master Cromwell years ago, but it didn’t stop us from doing our work for him. People know, but don’t care, and somehow, my Meg, I thought if I told you, you would run away from me. And I couldn’t let that happen.’ He began to kiss her hair, and moved slightly so he could reach her neck with his lips. Meg sighed delightedly, then turned to capture his lips with her own.
‘I won’t run, Ralph,’ she whispered, as his hand ghosted up her nightgown over the flesh of her leg and she shivered in delight. ‘But does it stop me going to Hatfield with Cat?’
Ralph moved over her carefully, parting her thighs and making sure she was moist and ready for him.
‘We will talk later, my Meg. After we have loved, we will talk,’ he whispered, and then with love and care and tenderness he took her gently at first, knowing she was a virgin, and then with more vigour transported them both to the oblivion of the
ir climax.
Chapter 15 - 1540
any weeks passed as the Royal Progress continued north, and after Norwich came Lincoln, and then on to York which was the last destination before they returned to London for the winter. Kitty had been happy to take Sir Francis Dereham into her service as her secretary; after all, a Queen should be able to send notes to her friends at court.
At Lincoln, while they were guests at a tournament held in the King’s honour, Kitty was walking and laughing with her ladies. She was hurrying to see the King before he went hawking with Tom Seymour and Tom Culpeper and his other gentleman. She knew it was a pastime he enjoyed, as even if his leg prevented him sitting his horse, he could be taken in a litter to see his hawk fly. Suddenly a man appeared before her, falling to his knees in supplication. Kitty looked at him curiously.
‘My Queen,’ he said, sweeping his bonnet from his head as he knelt. Kitty looked about her in astonishment. Her ladies were grouped together, wondering what this man could want, but just as the King’s Guard came up to see if she needed any protection, he raised his eyes and she recognised him.
‘Henry Mannox! My music teacher.’ Kitty was astounded that he had come to see her.
‘Yes, my Queen. I have come to throw myself on your generosity.’ He looked up again at her, ‘I have found finding another position difficult in the years since you last saw me,’ another glance, more calculating this time as she was still listening to his plea, ‘and I wondered if you had a position available for a musician at your court?’
‘Oh!’ Kitty was nonplussed at his request. She had musicians at court, of course, but she didn’t know if she wanted Henry Mannox to join them.
‘You do remember Horsham, my Queen. How I taught you?’ Kitty remembered sitting on his knee, and him telling her how special she was.
‘Oh, yes, Master Mannox. I remember. Of course, I shall see if there is a possibility of you joining us at court.’ She turned to Lady Margery Morton with a smile.
In The Midst of Madness: Tudor Chronicles Book Two Page 9
