Chapter 6 – In which I stood my ground
It would be easy for you to call me neglectful or inconsiderate. From a distance, things appear to be so much clearer and simpler than they are in truth. With the wisdom of hindsight, things that were tremendously difficult at a time seem all but elementary. And yet, for me, nothing was easy.
To say that the time after my return to court had been strenuous and taxing would be a serious understatement. Suddenly, everyone seemed to be out to get me. Half the court wanted to gain my favor and push my position as a Catholic heir to the crown, while the other half schemed and weaseled their way to my destruction in favor of a more reformed succession. Evading the dangers lurking behind every corner may appear easy now because I managed to succeed, but it certainly cost much time and effort. So you may forgive me that I forgot some (unfortunately important) things. Like Chapuys.
Of course I knew the ambassador who had been a true friend and supporter of both Catherine and Mary, and in the beginning I had spared a thought or two on how to treat him. But after returning to court and having to fight my way through, I simply forgot to ask him to walk with me or any of the sort. I forgot. But he did not forget me, as it seems, and on Christmas, he saw his chance to confront me about the matter that was obviously troubling his soul.
"Your Highness," he addressed me submissively and with a warm smile.
"A very happy Christmas to you, Excellency," I replied joyfully, still forgetful about the fact that I should have come to him long ago. "I hope you are looking forward to the New Year?"
"I am curious indeed, Your Highness. I trust you must be looking forward to visit with your saintly mother, Queen Catherine, for your birthday in February?"
I frowned. How could he know what I had planned? Did the man have spies in my household?
"I most certainly am. His Majesty has graciously allowed me leave from court before his wedding in March," I returned.
Chapuys sighed and sat down in a corner, all but urging me to do the same. He waited to be sure that no one was listening to us.
"Your Highness, in all faith, I must ask you about this matter. My master has been troubled by the news of his aunt's retirement, and he is none too happy about her sudden replacement. With the King elevating his concubine to marquess, he may want to appeal to foreign monarchs, but the Emperor will not be deceived. He knows how painful the situation must be for you, his cherished cousin, and will do whatever is necessary to ease your mind."
In that moment, I realized I had neglected the Spanish matter for too long. There were people who cared for Mary, or at least her claim to the crown, and they had gone unchecked for months. How could I have forgotten?
"I pray you tell my cousin, the Emperor, that I am forever grateful to be in his thoughts and high esteem," I carefully replied, smiling all the time. "Yet I also ask you to tell him that no intervention will be necessary. My parents have come to a compromise. The King must do as he will in his realm, while I shall obey his will."
Chapuys seemed surprised to say the least, so to drive home the point, I added:
"And my beloved mother is now a bride of Christ and no longer Queen. You would do well to remember that and not to refer to her as such, for some might consider it treason."
"Your Highness, you do not have to feel threatened by anyone. I am your loyal servant and would never betray your trust. You may speak freely with me. And as your friend, I can assure you that certain people at court, certain important people, have expressed their utmost displeasure at the King's nuptial plans. Do not fear your cause is lost, for there are those willing to support it. That would strengthen your claim to the crown."
I understood that he meant well, and that most likely, he only wanted the best for me. But his good will was threatening the course of history, and thus, me. I had to stop him.
"Excellency," I began, softly putting a hand on his. "I know that you are my most loyal friend. My mother and I are and shall always be grateful for your support. But I can assure you in all honesty that those certain important people you have mentioned should reconsider their stance. My father, the King, will wed the Marquess of Pembroke come the New Year. Their son will inherit the crown. It is God's will."
"But, Princess Mary, surely he wills you to be Queen. He must will it, for how else will this country ever return to obedience and sanity? To the true religion?"
I drew a little closer. Obviously, I would not deter him by assuring him that I was alright with the royal marriage, so I had to try another option.
"Please, Excellency. I urge you to silence those who would speak against the royal marriage, for they would endanger me and my position. I am where I am because my mother sacrificed her marriage. This sacrifice must not be undone by anyone, even if they mean well." My tone had become extremely serious by now. "I ask, no, I beg of you to swear this to me: that neither you nor any of our friends will act against my father's upcoming marriage. Know that I am forever grateful for your support, but in this cause, I must act alone and as my conscience dictates. God shall see to the rest."
He stared at me in disbelief while I spoke, but after I had ended, he gave me a warm, paternal smile.
"As you wish, sweet lady. If it be your will, I should never act against it," he promised. His voice sounded sincere, but I felt I could not trust his promise with regard to other people. He would perhaps abstain from encouraging plots against Anne, but he would most likely not speak against them either. His love for my cause was too great, even if I myself tried to dissuade him. What else could I do but urge him not to interfere? I was helpless.
And then I heard her laugh. Hers was a charming laughter that easily soared high above the heads of the mingling crowd. I saw Anne standing in between courtiers, acting like the perfect schemer that she was. So I thought: why not use her?
"Excellency, if you will excuse me for a moment?" I said, not waiting for a response to be given.
I strode through the room, courteously nodding here and there to the nobles bowing before me. Chapuys of course would not let me out of sight, I hoped. For a brief glance, I managed to turn around and even see him staring at me while speaking to a court servant in a very low voice. Good, I thought. Let him see me.
My arrival interrupted Anne's cheerful conversation as both she and her three male companions sank to their knees.
"Your Highness," they said in unison.
"Lady Anne," I replied smiling. "Forgive my intrusion, but I simply had to compliment you on your dress. It looks absolutely lovely. You must let me know where you had it made. Is it French fashion?"
She smiled, and if she wasn't an absolutely consummate actress, that smile was genuine. I remembered she was reported to be fond of fashion and the French both.
"Indeed it is, Your Highness. Although my seamstress is an Englishwoman, she knows quite well the tastes of the French court."
"Then I can only imagine what your wedding dress will look like," I said cheerfully, but loud enough for bystanders to hear. Hopefully, one of them would tell Chapuys instantly, if he did not even hear it himself. "I wonder if your seamstress would be too busy to prepare a dress for me also. Do you think that, given enough time for preparation, she could make my dress for the wedding to match? I would not want to seem inappropriately dressed."
Anne's conversational partners had become eerily silent, but by now, even she seemed stunned for a moment. She scrutinized me with her dark orbs as if she tried to figure out which game I was playing.
"I shall ask her about it. Surely she can make space for the Princess of Wales," she finally retorted.
Suddenly, one of the men seemed to have woken up. He cleared his throat and said: "Perhaps Your Highness would like to accompany my sisters on their next visit to the seamstress?"
Anne seemed annoyed for the briefest of moments before putting on another smile and turning to him. "Ah, Your Highness, I believe you may not have met my brother George yet."
He bowed once more while I could not hide a smile caused by their sibling squabbles. It reminded me so much of me and my real life brother.
"No, I am afraid I have not had the pleasure. And thank you for your suggestion, Lord George. It would be a most welcome occasion for me to get to know you better, Lady Anne. We are to be family, after all."
Anne gave me a honeyed smile. "Yes, we are. What a lovely idea, George. I shall arrange for it come the New Year. Would that suit Your Highness?"
"It would," I nodded, turning over my head to see what Chapuys was doing. He was quickly talking to a different courtier than before; one that I could swear had been in my vicinity not moments ago. "Then I shall leave you to enjoy the feast. Lady Anne, my lords, I wish you a happy Christmas."
I could hear them talk about me as I left. In the days that would follow, many should whisper about the exchange between Anne and me, and what it meant. Was it an offer of peace? Was it a silent declaration of war? Was it just petty pleasantries? Even the King must have heard the rumors, for he chose to dine with me a few days later and mention the topic.
"And why would I not?" I replied as he asked me the question everyone was silently asking. "The Lady Anne is to be your wife and thus my stepmother. As your loving and obedient daughter, I consider it my duty to befriend her. If I caused her or you any grief, I am beyond sorry. Was I wrong in accepting Lord George's proposal?"
"No, no," Henry assured me smiling. "Not at all, darling. I am very satisfied with you behaving just as any duteous daughter would. Of course I want you to befriend the Lady Anne. After all, the two of you are most dear to my heart in all the world. Nothing would please me more than for you to love her, and her to love you."
I smiled dutifully. "Then I shall strive for nothing but to please her and be a kind and obedient stepdaughter. And I shall pray to our Lord that she will be blessed with sons and daughters to fill the royal cradle."
"Wonderful." Henry smiled even more broadly and returned to eating his meat, but after he had cut down a slice, he put away the knife once more. "Do you really mean it?"
"Of course," I assured him, this time absolutely honestly. "I know that Your Majesty has been denied sons for too long through no fault of your own. And most certainly you know that I have no wish for the crown. I can only hope the Lady Anne bears you sons to inherit the kingdom, and I do long for little brothers and sisters. Little Edwards and Elizabeths. To have them is my greatest wish in all this world… apart from pleasing Your Majesty, of course."
"Edward, huh?" It was not the answer I had expected, but I liked the way he laughed after saying it.
"Is something wrong with the name?" I said in feigned confusion.
"No, nothing, sweetheart," he said and wolfed down his slice of meat. "Edward it shall be then."
I nodded submissively and added under my breath: "And Elizabeth."