Intractable Heart: A story of Katheryn Parr by Arnopp Judith

Author:Arnopp, Judith [Arnopp, Judith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-05-12T23:00:00+00:00

It is late and I am just getting ready for bed when Anne hurries into my chamber. She jerks her head and, after I affirm her silent command, my attendants curtsey and leave us alone.

“What is it Anne?” I ask. She hurries to my side and kneels at my feet. The flames of the fire throw shadows about her face, making her gaunt and pretty in turns. For the first time I notice she has a sheet of paper crumpled in her fist.

“You are in danger,” she whispers, smoothing the letter out on my red velvet kirtle. Her hands are shaking as I take it from her and scan the words of the hastily scrawled message. There are a few words only; words that immediately impress themselves like a brand against my soul. I can almost smell burning.

Your Majesty is in peril. A warrant has been issued for your arrest. Gardiner has been instructed to discover the extent of your heresy.

Alarm rings somewhere in the far reaches of my mind. I turn the paper over and back again. It is unsigned but it appears to be written by the hand of a friend.

“Where did you get this, Anne?” My voice does not shake. It does not betray the utter terror that is shrieking in my breast.

“A servant dropped it as he was passing my door, as if by chance. I think it was George Blagge’s man but I cannot be certain. It was dark.”

Lately a law was passed forbidding the possession of heretical books. Henry knows I have some in my possession. There is little time to do anything about that now.

I look at the note again as if the content may have altered in the short time I have looked away. The pen strokes stand out starkly against the white page.

The extent of your heresy.

My inner calm begins to slip. My hand shakes. I drop the letter, and begin to whimper. Homer and Rig look up from their basket. Anne grips my wrist.

“Don’t Kate. You must be strong.” Her eyes glitter intently in the firelight. “If you are to survive this you must keep a clear head. You can reason your way out of it; you are the cleverest woman I know, far cleverer than the king and all his minions.”

But I cannot stop it. It is as if someone has removed a bung from a barrel. Panic surges forth in an unstoppable flow. Strength abandons me and I drop suddenly to my knees.

“I must burn this.” Anne shoves the note into the fire and vigorously stirs the embers. Slowly I turn my head, watch the edges blacken and curl. The paper grows dark, the letters shrivelling like a heretic as the flames take it.

I am sobbing now.

My ladies come running. “What is it? What is it?” I hear them murmur. “What is it that ails the queen?”

They bear me to my bed chamber, strip away my gown, and pull off my cap. My hair cascades, covering my upper torso like silk against my naked skin.

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