The Heretic Wind: The Life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England by Judith Arnopp (best ereader for students TXT) 📕

I beckon himto the privacy of an alcove.

“It seems thata small group of disaffected men –”

“Such as? Youhave names?”

“Erm...” Heclears his throat, swiveling his gaze toward the upper corner of the room as hereels off a list. “Wyatt, Carew … Croft … and Suffolk is also involved, or sowe believe.”

“Suffolk? JaneGrey’s father? Is he an utter fool?”

“I believe hemust be, Your Majesty.”

I spinsharply, stride the length of the chamber and pause at the window. He follows,his footsteps soft on the floor behind me. Reluctantly, and sick at heart, Iturn and face him again.

“Hereticsall.”

“So it wouldseem, Your Majesty.”

“What must Ido to please these people, Gardiner? My only wish is to set them on thetruthful path. Why will they not see the error of their ways?”

“I know not,”he says, raising his hands and letting them drop again. “I must inform YourMajesty that Courtenay is also believed to be in the thick of it.”

Courtenay; myerstwhile suitor. This would not have happened had I settled for him. These menthat have taken up arms are not just against my church but against my unionwith Spain. The dogs think to rule me and tell me where I must wed. I swear toGod they never dared to instruct my father. Like a cork from a casket, mytemper suddenly explodes.

“By God, theman must be missing his Tower cell! Bring him here to me! I would speak withCourtenay myself and hear first-hand what he has to say.”

Gardinercringes, bowing several times as he backs toward the door. I yell after him, “Andensure he is found quickly!”

I turn fromthe door to find my women grouped at the table, slack-faced with surprise. Ilaugh without humour.

“You look likea gaggle of drooling fools,” I frown. Susan is the only one courageous enoughto brave my wrath.

“What didGardiner want, Your Majesty? I thought I heard him mention the word rebellion.”

“You heardright.”

I slump into achair and strike the table with my fist. Pain shoots up my arm. I cradle it tomy bosom, rocking back and forth. “A party has risen against my rule and plansto put Elizabeth in my place … or Jane. I should have had her head, as mycouncil advised.”

A shudder runsthrough Susan as she makes a soothing sound that riles me further.

“It is mymarriage they dislike! They seek to force me to their will. Should it not bethe other way round? Are they not the ones who should do my bidding?”

“Men willalways seek to rule us, no matter what our station.”

Our eyes meet.Hers are sad; mine are no doubt furious. I clench my lips and run my tonguearound my dry teeth.

“Perhaps Ishould not marry at all. I’d sooner have my council fuming about my virginity thanbe at the beck and call of a man … any man. There is not one male on this earthwho can be trusted.”

“But, YourMajesty, you have given your consent. Surely it is too late now to change yourmind.”

I stand upagain.

“Yes, becauseI am a woman. It was not too late for my father to annul his union with Anne ofCleves even after they’d shared a bed. He found a way to be rid of her, or his henchmendid. I cannot envisage my council ever being as careful of my wishes as theywere of my father’s. God’s teeth! It makes me mad.”

“Do not fret, YourMajesty. Come, sit by the hearth and I will ask Margery to fetch her lute andplay for us.”

Reluctantly, Iallow myself to be guided to a favourite chair, while the women gather round me,their faces tense and unhappy.

“What willhappen now, Your Majesty?” Jane Dormer asks, and Susan scowls at her to bequiet. I turn to look at her and something about their quiet presence calms me… just a little.

“I have sentfor Norfolk. He and the council will send out an army to quell the rebels.”

Poor Norfolkmust be tired of rebellion. His service to my family has been peppered with revoltand unrest yet … I know the people love me and desire peace as much as I. It isthe nobles who are full of disquiet.

“Will there bea battle?”

I sigh andaccept a drink that Susan offers.

“I hope notbut it is possible.”

I think backover the last few weeks. While I’ve been enjoying the Christmas festivities andplanning my wedding, members of my court have been plotting against me,arranging my downfall. There is no one I can trust. I narrow my eyes.

Elizabeth mustsurely be involved in this. Why else would she choose to spend the Christmasseason at Ashridge rather than with me at court? All those promises to study herBible and learn to be a good Catholic were a deception. How was I ever takenin? She is a traitor of the highest degree. How could she do this to me?

I can find nojoy in the sweet music that Margery plays. I am restless, unable to settle. Gulpingmy wine, I bang the cup on the table, get up and begin to pace the floor. When willI ever know peace? How can I ever feel secure with half my realm up in armsagainst me?

Courtney isbrought before Stephen Gardiner. I conceal myself behind a screen and listenwith growing rage to his cringing remorse. There is no need to resort to thethumbscrew to get his full confession, for his former arrogance has beenentirely quashed by terror. Gardiner does not speak at first, but waits andwatches while Courtenay squirms in his chair like a worm on a hook. Through agap in the curtain, I see him lace his fingers together as if in prayer.

“Edward,” Gardinersays, his voice neutral. “Do you understand why I have summoned you heretoday?”

Courtenayshakes his head.

“No, no, mylord. I had thought perhaps t-to arrange a pageant to – to entertain the queen on herforthcoming…”

“No. There isno pageant, but there is another matter … isn’t there?”

He sweats,wipes a hand over his face. Shaking his head, he swallows.

“I am at aloss then, sir.”

Gardinersettles deeper in his chair.

“I am informedthat you and certain of your friends have spent the dark days of Yuleconcocting a revolt; a revolt in which you