Secrets of the Tudor Court Boxed Set

13

For months after that evening, I was never alone with Will for more than a few moments at a time. Frequent moves from one royal palace to another—fifteen of them between January and May—put some of the barriers in our path. But my greatest rival was war with France. King Henry was determined upon invasion and Will was deeply involved in the preparations.

On the twentieth day of March, Lord Lisle visited his wife’s lodgings to bid her farewell. “I leave in the morning for Harwich,” he announced. He was King Henry’s lord admiral, and his flagship, together with most of the fleet, waited there to embark. The first expedition would be against Scotland, since the Scots always attacked England when England invaded France. Lord Lisle’s orders were to take the ships north to join the Earl of Hertford’s land forces. They intended to make a preemptive strike.

Lady Lisle received the news in her usual placid manner. “Is all in readiness, my dear? Have you everything you need?”

His full lips twitched. “This is not my first campaign, Jane.”

“Nor will it be the last. What of Harry? War is new to him.”

My hand stilled in the middle of embroidering a rose and I glanced up in time to see Lord Lisle frown. Lady Lisle’s gaze had returned to her stitches but, like mine, her fingers were no longer moving. Lord Lisle placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Harry has been trained for war. He is eager for the opportunity to prove his mettle.”

“To risk his life, you mean.” Abruptly, Lady Lisle’s calm shattered. “I am surprised you do not take Jack, as well.”

“Next time,” Lisle said in all seriousness.

His wife burst into tears.

“Jane?” Lisle backed up a step. “What is the matter?”

Jane Lisle bolted for the inner room, closely followed by her bewildered spouse. I started to go after them, but Bridget caught my arm.

“Let them be,” she said. “My lady has something of importance to tell her lord.”

I sat down again, braced for an emotional scene. No wife who cared for her husband and son could fail to be upset when they went off to war. I was worried myself about Will, and for that matter about Harry and Davy and my father. Men died in battle, but they never seemed to be concerned about that possibility beforehand. They actually looked forward to risking their lives in combat.

I took up my needle again, but Bridget and I could hear every word Lady Lisle said to her husband.

“I am going to have another child,” she announced. “It is due in September.”

“Excellent news!”

To judge by the soft rustling sounds that followed, Lord Lisle took his wife in his arms and she nestled against him. I felt heat creep into my cheeks as I continued to stitch. It should not surprise me that they shared intimacies. Lady Lisle had conceived eleven children in the last eighteen years. But the thought of them going to their naked bed made me uncomfortable. They were so old! Was it truly possible they could derive as much excitement and pleasure from kissing and coupling as did people my own age?

When low moans and hushed whispers issued from the inner chamber, I had my answer. I sighed, longing for Will, dreaming of the day when he could carry me off to bed and show me the delights of wedded bliss.