Justice for the Cardinal by David Field

Author:David Field [Field, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781913028985
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2019-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Cromwell was still chuckling as he re-entered his offices, explained the plan to Richard, and instructed him to send the invitation to Robert Aske.

Richard looked puzzled. ‘Do you not fear that your name will become even blacker in the public estimation than it is at present?’

‘Why should I?’ Cromwell replied. ‘Who is the person who offers peace terms to the sweaty mob up north? Who will be seen to be the one who restored the King’s uneasy peace in Yorkshire? Robert Aske will know the truth of it, but Norfolk’s is the name that will be remembered.’

Richard looked hard at Cromwell. ‘There really is no end to your treachery, is there?’

‘Statecraft, Richard. As I explained to Henry, let us call it statecraft. Talking of which, it would seem that Lady Rochford is back in favour. At least, she is back at Court, and calling herself Viscountess Rochford. I am advised that her former father-in-law Wiltshire, who is now back to being merely Sir Thomas Boleyn, has allowed her one hundred pounds a year, and she has hopes of becoming a Lady to our new Queen. I promised to speak for her in Jane Seymour’s ear, when it is free from Henry’s mouth, and the Viscountess asked to be remembered fondly to you.’

‘I have fond memories of her also,’ Richard replied, ‘but now my heart is committed elsewhere.’

‘I rather imagine that Jane Rochford is more interested in where your cock will be committed,’ Cromwell smirked, ‘but if you are alluding to Bess Seymour, keep well in mind that she is now a royal sister. Others in her position in the past have been known to be traded off to foreign princes; she will be regarded as a fine catch for as long as Jane is in favour.’

‘Think you that she will ever cease to be?’ Richard asked.

Cromwell shrugged. ‘If a man buys an expensive mare that will not foal, or which whelps only puny offspring, then in my experience it is either sold off or put to death. But while Jane is Queen, Bess will exist in her reflected glow, and given her comeliness she will not be short of suitors.’

‘During the wedding feast she gave me assurance that my suit would be welcomed, were it accompanied by a good estate,’ Richard said.

‘And you no doubt look to me to procure you one?’ Cromwell asked with a quizzical stare. ‘I can put you in possession of many a fine old abbey whose rental income might feed your horse for an entire year, but any land grant of appreciable size I shall reserve for Gregory.’

‘Why would you favour your idle son over your loyal Senior Clerk?’ Richard replied, only part in jest.

Cromwell smiled that infuriating smile of his. ‘You have clearly not heard that popular expression regarding blood being thicker than water. And Gregory is not idle — he manages my several properties in and around the city with considerable skill.’

‘He does not, however, labour long and hard to deal with the

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