In Defense of the Queen by Michelle Diener

Author:Michelle Diener
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Michelle Diener
Published: 2013-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-two

They think it is an evidence of true wisdom for a man to pursue his own advantage as far as the laws allow it, they account it piety to prefer the public good to one’s private concerns, but they think it unjust for a man to seek for pleasure by snatching another man’s pleasures from him;

Utopia by Thomas More (translated by H. Morley)

“Gertrude Courtenay and Will Somers have been here today?” Parker knew his mouth was agape, but he could not help it.

“We have been quite popular.” Harry slid another log on the fire, and then came to sit at the table with them.

Susanna held Parker’s hand in a vice grip, and Parker drummed the fingers of the other on the table. “I saw Somers follow Wolsey today. They had both vanished by the time I was able to go after them.”

“Do you think Somers speaks true? That Wolsey plans to force Kilburne to hand Susanna over for questioning?” Harry lifted a cup of mead to his lips and set it down beside his plate. Neither he, nor Parker, had eaten, and he had uncovered the tray of dishes he’d gathered earlier for dinner; game pie, bread, cheese and apples.

“I don’t know why Somers has involved himself in this. Or why he weaselled his way in here when he could have come to me.” Parker tore at a piece of bread with his teeth. Its earthy yeast flavour filled his nose, and he breathed it in deep, savoured the chewy texture.

Since Susanna had been taken to the Tower, he had barely eaten, and every mouthful he had taken had been flat and tasteless as gruel.

“Perhaps you aren’t easy to find. Whereas I do not go anywhere.” Susanna paused. “Except to Durham House.”

“That damn portrait.” Parker swore softly. “Henry’s obsessed with it. There must be something special about Fitzroy’s official induction into the Order of the Garter. The King is planning something. Some change of significance.”

“He is going to put Fitzroy forward as his heir apparent.” Susanna stood abruptly. Angrily. “The Queen feels he is going to abandon her. He has certainly abandoned all hope of her producing another child, let alone a boy.”

“He needs a son.” Parker thought of all the noblemen, carefully working their family lines back to the throne, waiting for their chance. “The nobility will not easily accept a daughter. And, after all, he has a son.”

“I have nothing against the boy. I like him.” Susanna hugged herself close. “The Queen has spent years falling pregnant and losing child after child. She has prayed and fasted and begged God for a son. She is old before her time because of all the energy and dedication she has given to trying to producing one. And now that she is used up, even though she has a beautiful daughter, she will be cast aside. Her daughter cast aside with her. His own child.” She spoke the last sentence in a whisper.

“He is a hard, cold man.” Parker chose his words with care.

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