Secrets of the Tudor Court Boxed Set

11

In mid-December, with Yuletide fast approaching, the king and queen moved to Hampton Court. There the queen’s apartments were located on the east side of the inner court. The queen’s privy kitchen and her wardrobe were on the ground floor, linked by a small spiral stairway to the chambers above. Heat from the kitchen helped warm the upper rooms. Unfortunately, cooking odors also made their way in. The sweet-smelling herbs Queen Kathryn ordered strewn on the floors did not quite mask the smells of roasting meat and, on occasion, burnt sauces.

Alys, Mary, and I sat and wrought in the presence chamber. I had nearly finished embroidering the collar of a linen shirt with silver thread, my New Year’s gift for the king. For the queen I had used my modest winnings at cards to purchase a pair of white stockings embossed in gold. “I wonder what Queen Kathryn intends to give His Grace,” I said.

“I’ve no idea,” Alys said. “Do you know what Lord Parr plans as a gift for the queen’s grace?”

“A crossbow case and a dozen crossbow strings,” I replied without thinking. The queen was an excellent shot with a crossbow. Will had mentioned it the previous day. I looked up to find both Mary and Alys grinning at me. “What?”

“It is no secret that he pursues you, Bess.”

“Catching me is another matter entirely! He has a wife, Alys. He cannot offer me an honorable marriage.”

I told myself so daily. We had seen each other often since the hunt, but always in company, and I’d taken pains since our arrival at Hampton Court to spend as much time with Harry Dudley as I did with Will. Harry had been happy to oblige me. We’d danced together, been partners at cards, and gone for long walks in the gardens . . . during which I’d spent far too much time comparing Harry to Will, to Harry’s detriment.

Alys lowered her voice. “Why not enjoy him for your pleasure, then? Is there any man more charming or better to look at in all of the court?”

“A dozen at least,” I lied. “Your cousins the Dudleys, and Ned Brydges, not to mention Davy Seymour. And if you prefer older gentlemen, there are many to choose from, too.” I rattled off a half dozen names at random.

Alys laughed and launched into a wickedly accurate, slightly ribald analysis of each of those gentlemen’s attractions. Mary and I laughed so hard that Lady Hertford temporarily banished us from the presence chamber for making too much noise.

That same evening, as Lord Lisle was leaving his wife’s lodgings, he paused to send a piercing stare my way. I had little to do with the viscount, although he often visited Lady Lisle in the evening. Harry took after his father for looks, although Lord Lisle had a more prominent nose and wore a forked beard that called attention to his heavy underlip. I shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny and was glad when he continued on his way without speaking to me.

A short time later, Lady Lisle bade me sit beside her by the fire. “My lord tells me that Lord Parr has spoken to him about you, Bess. He hopes to make you his wife.”

I sighed. “He says he is in love with me.”

“Has he spoken to your father?”

“I doubt it.”

“No, I do not suppose he has. I feel sorry for the man, Bess, but he’s not for you.”

I bristled at her tone but I nodded. “I know. He is already married.”

“And you have more suitable prospects near at hand. My own son, for example.”

“I . . . I enjoy Harry’s company. And Jack’s, too.”

“But Harry is his father’s heir.” Lady Lisle pursed her lips. I was certain she was about to say that he could look higher than a baron’s daughter for a wife. She surprised me. “I would be pleased to have you as my daughter, should matters fall out that way. I hope you already count me as a second mother.”

“I do, my lady. And if I am not too bold, I would like to count you as my friend as well.”

My parents, I knew, would be delighted if I made a match with either of the Dudley sons, but how could I agree to marry either one when I had such strong feelings for Will Parr?

“I have four more boys at home,” Lady Lisle continued, “Ambrose, Robert, Guildford, and our second Henry. They are all younger than you are, but that is of little importance when it comes to making alliances.”

“I do not believe I would care to be married to a child.”

“And I am certain you are in no hurry to wed. There are many unmarried girls your age and older here at court.”

The transition was so smooth it slid past me without causing a ripple of disquiet. Only later did I realize that she’d warned me against rushing into any alliance.