At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Anne Clinard Barnhill

Author:Anne Clinard Barnhill [Barnhill, Anne Clinard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical
ISBN: 9781429925549
Google: hxuGNFkNehUC
Amazon: 0312662130
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2012-01-02T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-five

Madge’s tussle with Norris in Savernake Forest had frightened her completely, but she told no one about it. She also begged the king to keep her secret as she would be humiliated if the news ran round the court. His Majesty gave his sacred promise and allowed her to ride behind him and the queen as they traveled back to London. Many times during the journey, the king gave her kind looks and often sent her tasty morsels from his own plate. The queen said nothing but seemed happy that the king was taking notice of one of her cousins.

As for Arthur, Madge dared not tell him about Norris—she feared he would run him through and be tossed into the Tower as a result. So, she bore her fear and her anxiety and her deep hatred of Norris in silence. And, though she was filled with fear at seeing Norris again when the Progress returned to London, she did not share her woes with anyone. Secretly, she hoped the king would relent and allow her to break her troth, after having seen what a churl Norris was.

Though the Progress had gone well after the queen had joined the king at Wulfhall, Madge took note of how often the king visited the queen’s apartments to sup with her after they had come home to London. For on those days His Majesty supped with Anne, he usually bedded her as well. Madge could only count one time when the king attended his wife since their return to court.

In the queen’s outer apartments, Madge kept watch over Lady Jane but could find no fault in her behavior, which remained haughty and circumspect. Madge began to believe that perhaps Arthur had been wrong—perhaps the lady who had briefly captured His Majesty’s attentions was someone other than Jane Seymour.

By the Feast of All Saints, Madge had started to worry in earnest that the king had not come again to the queen’s apartments. Anne spent her days sewing, debating theology with Bishop Parker, going to the Mass, and gambling at cards and dice. She brought in musicians when she wanted to dance and dance she did—with her ladies and several gentlemen who visited the queen’s apartments regularly: her brother, George; Brereton; Weston; Wyatt; Richard Pace; and, occasionally, Arthur. Norris often proved busy on the king’s business when the queen invited him to join them. Madge hoped it was his shame that kept him away.

“Lady Margaret, I would speak with you,” said Arthur, coming up behind her in the queen’s outer rooms where the ladies had gathered for games of cards and tables.

“Certainly, sir,” said Madge.

He led her to a small alcove where they could speak in some privacy. He kept his voice low.

“You should warn the queen there is another lady—one of her maids—a Mistress Eleanor of Northumberland. She is new to court and already the king has spied her and wishes to make her his own,” said Arthur.

“She is a beauty—I have played Noddy with her many times and have lost not a little.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.