Chapter 14
A loud crying welcomed Thomas and Gregory Cromwell into their manor in Essex. The painful sound came from Anne's lodgings, so both men rushed in. When Thomas heard that his son had disappeared, his first reaction was to call for their horses and ride home as fast as the stallion could take him. He was supposed to have a Privy Council meeting with the King that afternoon, but frankly he couldn't care less. He would speak to the King and to his bloody Council later. Right now, his heart dropped to his feet when he saw his heartbroken wife sobbing uncontrollably, surrounded by the Lady Mary and her ladies-in-waiting.
- Anne – he crossed the room in two steps and knelt before her.
- Thomas – her voice was trembling, almost choked. – Es tut mir Leid… I am sorry, this was all my fault! I should have been here, I should not have left them alone!
- No, Anne, it's my fault – Mary whispered. – If I hadn't insisted for you to come with me and join me in my prayers, none of this would have happened.
Thomas lifted his gaze to the crowd of servants and attending ladies.
- Can anyone tell me how this happened? – and his voice sounded cold. He wasn't happy with them at all. How could someone have broken into his house in plain daylight and steal his son without being noticed?
Frau Krause, Anne's most trusted attending lady and also her former translator, stepped forward.
- We were all the chapel, Lord Cromwell, when all this happened. There was no one at home… - and her voice trembled.
- Yes? – Cromwell prompted her, his voice sharper.
- There was no one at home except Juliet and Gabriella, but they joined us later – the two ladies who were supposed to be in charge of the royal children paled like ghosts. Thomas turned to them, a silent demand in his cold blue eyes.
- We had nothing to do with your son's disappearance, Lord Cromwell – the oldest of them, Juliet, spoke up, her German accent thickened due to the nervous state she was in. – Gerte came in and offered to take care of them while we were at the chapel. She used to be a good and responsible young lady. We didn't expect her to… steal your poor baby.
- Where is she now? – Cromwell suppressed the urge to slap them. How could they trust his son into the hands of a girl they didn't know, a girl of no importance?
- We have searched the house from top to bottom, and she's nowhere to be seen, Lord Cromwell – interrupted Lady Susan Clarencieux, Mary's chief lady-in-waiting.
- She ran away with Stephen – sobbed Anne, covering her face in her hands. Thomas wanted to scream at the two ladies from the top of his lungs and dismiss them right away, but then when he looked once more to her broken face he didn't have the heart to do it. His screaming would scare her and make her feel even more miserable.
- Where is Ellie, by the way? – his eyes were like a burning iron darting at his household.
- Here – came a male voice from the doorway. It was Gregory, who meanwhile had gone to pick up his little sister, afraid that whoever stole Stephen would try to steal her too. His sister was peacefully sleeping in his arms. He passed the bundle to Anne, who clutched her daughter close to her heart.
- My angel, my little angel…
Thomas kissed his daughter's forehead and then took a decision.
- Here's what we're going to do. I am going to search this area with some of my men. In the meanwhile, Anne, I want you to stay inside, and you as well, Lady Mary – both nodded. Thomas leaned forward to kiss his wife's lips, still wet and salty from her tears.
- This wasn't your fault, my love. Don't ever say that – Anne could only wrap her arms around his shoulders as a response. Thomas held her tight and kissed her hair before letting go of her arms. – Nor yours, Lady Mary – caressing her hands into his. Mary tried to smile in gratitude, but she couldn't.
- Lady Susan – he called Mary's attending lady. – Please make sure they eat properly and rest as much as possible given the circumstances. And take good care of my daughter. I don't want both of them to be missing. Her cot must be removed to Anne's bedchamber and one of my servants will sleep next to the bed, just in case. My son Gregory will stay here while I search for Stephen.
Lady Susan bowed deeply.
- Richard, you come with me – Cromwell grabbed the arm of his nephew.
- What about me, father?
- You stay here, Gregory. I need someone to check on Anne and Mary.
- But my brother… - Gregory tried to protest.
- I know – Thomas put his hands on his shoulders. – Greg, please. These ladies look very distressed. They need a male presence in the house, otherwise they won't calm down. I know you want to help me, but please do as I tell you. – Gregory nodded and by impulse threw his arms around his father's neck. Thomas embraced himself firmly. They were both scared, enraged, confused, sad – all at the same time – but they were trying to hold themselves for both Anne and Mary's sake.
- We'll find him, Greg – Thomas whispered in his son's ear. – We'll find him.
Later that day, Whitehall
- What do we owe this pleasure, Bryan? – Norfolk's voice was cold as usual. Jane Parker sipped her goblet of ale with curiosity.
- Updates on our… mission – Bryan sat in front of them. Jane and Norfolk's gazes became more interested. – First, the deed is done. The baby is in a Howard estate, which one I won't reveal, of course.
- How is he? – asked Jane.
- Blond, blue-eyed, a bit tinier than most babies, but healthy. My informant said it was normal for him to be tiny, since he was born early, but all doctors said he was nevertheless as healthier as a baby of such tender age can be.
- Thank God. It would be easy to pass him for a newborn – Jane whispered.
- I just hope that your informant can keep her mouth shut – snickered Norfolk.
- Don't worry about that, she won't tell a living soul – said Bryan, amusing himself inwardly with the pun.
- Good. What was the other thing you wanted to mention, Bryan? – This time, Bryan took more time to answer, his eyes flickering from Norfolk to Jane.
- The king knows of the disappearance – Jane covered her lips with her mouth while Norfolk took a sharp intake of breath.
- What did His Majesty say?
- He seemed very distressed and he asked me and Suffolk to look for the child, and to gather some men to help us on the journey.
Norfolk laughed.
- Well, isn't that great… We can use this to our advantage.
- By fooling the King and do nothing while he expects him to search for the baby? – Jane asked venomously.
- No, you silly thing – scolded Norfolk. – We will give the King the wrong clues – and they both laughed. – Once again, His Majesty Henry the Eighth will be made a fool by his most loyal and faithful servants.
- There's still one problem: his Majesty's royal lapdog, known as Duke of Suffolk – interrupted Bryan.
- I'm sure you can take care of him – said Norfolk, rising from the seat and patting Bryan's shoulder while heading towards the door. – Just make sure he doesn't meddle with our affairs, and all shall be fine – and with that he closed the door behind him.
Bryan turned his head to Jane Parker. She blushed, feeling his eye on her. His gaze was worth a thousand words. She bit her lip nervously and rose from the chair.
- I should leave as well… - her sentence was interrupted by Bryan's hand on her wrist.
- Wait, Lady Rochford. I need to claim my reward.
- Re… reward? – she struttered. She was a bit scared of this eye-patched, scruffy man, but at the same time, a whole different sensation started to build on the bottom of her hips, something she hadn't felt in such a long time, but nevertheless took only a second to recognize. Arousal.
- Yes, reward – he said, outlining her jaw with the fingertips of his free hand.
- But… I… have no money… you should discuss that matter with His Grace – she gasped for air. He laughed and shook his head.
- Your uncle won't give me the money until the baby is "born", so to speak. He says it's not good to count the eggs before they are hatched. So, I am obliged to think of something else. Something more… immediate – and with that he brushed his lips into hers, smiling when she deepened the kiss and carrying Lady Rochford to his bedchamber.