Chapter 29

December 1551

Six months later, it was the Christmas season again; my fifth as Queen of England. I always enjoyed Christmas, but this year it was doubly special, for not only was it Christmas, but we were celebrating the double marriage of my younger twin sisters, Eleanor and Jessica Culpepper, as well.

Their sisters, Katy and Annie Stafford were to act as their bridesmaids, since, due to the fact that they lacked royal blood, I couldn't allow them to have royal bridesmaids the way Mary had had in our sister Blanche. Nevertheless, I did my level best to show them marks of favour despite their bastard status.

I ennobled their surrogate father, Sir William Stafford, creating him Earl of Lancaster, which meant, although they weren't Lady Eleanor and Lady Jessica, the way their sisters were Lady Katherine and Lady Anne and their brother Henry was Lord Stafford, their dowries were now able to be fully worthy of future Countesses. Edward also convinced me to bestow another manor upon each of their prospective husbands, so Henry Percy formally gained Callay Castle, situated deep within his own county and John Dudley, the future Earl of Warwick, was granted Syon House for his own use, so that he and Nora could have a home of their own in London, as well as Maxstoke Castle for the same purpose in Warwickshire.

For the girls themselves, I commissioned silver tiaras set with tiny garnet chips carved into the shape of roses. The roses were my own private way of honouring Jess and Nora; of hinting to the world that I viewed them as my sisters; as being every inch as much daughters of England's Rose Without A Thorn as I was myself.

On the day of their wedding, I was shaken awake by Lady Lucy, as I had asked her to do.

"Madam! Madam! Come, you must awaken. Or would you have Nora and Jess going to their weddings without even a blessing from their older sister?"

At that, I was awake instantly.

Waving away the Court gown Lady Lucy was pressing on me, I beckoned instead for a wrap of saffron yellow velvet and flung it around my shoulders as I headed for the door.

I would have to change later, but right now, I just wanted to see my sisters.

Knocking briefly, but refusing any other kind of announcement, I slipped into the small chamber where they were being prepared for their weddings. Lady Lucy and Lady Susanna had come with me, but they politely waited unobtrusively in the next room, for they knew that I would want to be alone with my sisters.

Nora was already bathed and in her shift when I entered, but Jess was still being rubbed down with pumice stones and cream of rose oil. Leaving her in peace, I went over to Nora, bending to brush my lips against her brow in a silent greeting, before dismissing her maid with a look and taking over the task of brushing out her dark hair over the fire myself.

The tension was radiating off her young body, so I said nothing, only swept the bristles of the brush through her hair in soft soothing strokes, feeling her begin to relax as I did so.

"Good girl," I whispered at last, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her eyes. "You're going to be beautiful today. As beautiful as any Queen."

"As beautiful as Mama?" she asked, her young voice barely audible even in this small a room. Pulling her into my arms briefly, I nodded, "Prettier."

Blanche came in just then, so I gestured to her to brush out Jess's hair as I helped the maids lay out my little sisters' wedding dresses.

They were both to be gowned in pale blue silk; pale blue silk with ruby red trimmings. Their veils were made of the finest blue wire; a blue so pale that, in a certain light, it could almost have been mistaken for ivory.

Once we were done, I called in Lady Susanna and Lady Lucy, dismissing all the other maids and the four of us went to work, transforming Jess and Nora into the visions of beauty appropriate for the day.

Jess wore sapphire earrings and the locket I had given her when she was just a child hung around her neck. I would have given her the tiara that I had had commissioned for her, but she looked such a picture in her sapphires that I couldn't bring myself to spoil it. Turning to Lady Susanna, I sent her running back to my apartment for my sapphire-studded clip instead, fixing it in place over the top of the veil and whispering, "Keep it, Jess. Think of it as another wedding present," as I did so.

Then, turning to Nora, I presented her with the garnet tiara, saying "I had it made especially, My Lady Sudeley."

She was too breathless with delight to thank me, but the light in her eyes was thanks enough. I beamed at her and squeezed her hand, while Blanche, taking the tiara from me, Blanche fitted it over Nora's hair, securing her veil in place.

I stepped back, admiring the picture the two of them made, standing there side by side with their hands clasped.

"You look beautiful, girls."

Leaning down, I kissed each of them in turn, before saying "Right. I'd better go and get changed myself. I'll see you in the chapel."

Jess nodded silently, reaching for Blanche's hand to reassure herself, but Nora, face suddenly white, picked up her skirts and ran after me as I began to exit the room.

"Beth! Beth, wait. Please."

"Nora, what is it? You look terrified," I wanted to tease her, but the horrified expression on her face put paid to that and instead, I murmured the words half-matter-of-factly, half-soothingly.

"I have to know. You and Edward…the wedding night…Did it hurt?"

A reassuring denial sprang to my lips, but I knew Nora would know I was lying. She'd never accept it. And even if she did accept it, I'd never forgive myself for lying to her, especially today and especially about this. Reaching out for her, I took her by the shoulders and made her look at me, "Nora."

She raised her head and her cheeks were flushing red. I gave her a reassuring squeeze as I answered, "The first time, yes. It does. I'm not going to lie to you about that. But John knows that and he knows how young you are. He'll be gentle with you. I promise."

"Will we…will we be expected to…you know, do it? Tonight?"

"No!" I cried, shocked beyond words that they hadn't realised that already.

"No, no, of course not! Yes, I know it's traditional to do it tonight and it is true that Edward and I did have our wedding night the night after we married, but we were sixteen, not twelve. The younger you are, the more it hurts. That's a proven fact and I don't want you hurt, either of you. So don't worry about that. You and Jess won't be consummating your marriages for a year or two, at least. You'll have time to get to know your husbands first, just like I know my Edward."

"Promise?" Nora's voice shook and I cupped her cheek in my hand as I nodded, "I promise. I'll have your husbands flayed alive if they touch you in that way before you're ready. Besides, believe me, it might seem painful at first, but if you care for your partner in the way that Edward and I care for each other, or in the way that Mary and Ruy care for each other, then it can actually be quite pleasurable. So please, darling. Let that problem go. Enjoy the wedding for what it is. A glorious ceremony and a chance for you to be the centre of attention for once."

Nora smiled obediently and, as she chuckled, "I'm not as vain as I once was, you know!" I was pleased to see some true light sparkling in her eyes once more.

Pausing for just a moment longer, I straightened her tiara and then pressed a feather-light kiss to her temple.

"I love you, Nora. You look gorgeous," I assured her, before slipping away from her to go and change for the wedding.

Edward and Katherine were already seated in the front pew when I reached the Chapel Royal. I kissed Edward's cheek and scooped Katherine into my arms.

"Hello, darling. Are you excited?"

"Yes Mama. But I wanted to be bridesmaid? Why couldn't I?"

I sighed. Explaining their status to Katherine was not how I wanted to spend Jess and Nora's wedding day. Thankfully, the wedding march struck up just then, so I was able to put a finger to my lips, "Ssh. Here they come. I'll tell you later."

Nora sailed up the aisle on William Stafford's arm, while George escorted Jess. The younger Stafford girl, Anne, was carrying Jess's train, just as her older sister, Katy, carried Nora's.

As they reached the altar, their husbands turned, one after another, to take them by the hand and kneel before the altar with them.

Matthew Parker, my mother's old chaplain, was conducting the service, and, at the appropriate moment, he turned to Nora, asking "Do you, Eleanor Culpepper, consent to this union with John Dudley, Baron Sudeley?"

Nora nodded confidently, "I do."

"Good. Then repeat after me, "I, Eleanor Culpepper, take thee John Dudley, to my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I also vow to be bonny and buxom in bed and at board. Therefore to these two promises do I plight my troth.""

Nora dutifully repeated the long speech and then Matthew Parker, having witnessed the exchange of rings between the new partners, addressed himself to my youngest sister.

"Do you, Jessica Culpepper, consent to this union with Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland?"

"I – I do," Jess's voice wavered and she sounded by no means as sure as Nora, but the words were said and that was enough. Henry Percy pledged his troth to her in a strong, steady voice and then, as she stole a glance at him, squeezed her hand gently, the way Blanche or I would do, if we wanted to reassure her. He spoke to her and, though his voice was too low for me to hear, I could read his lips, "There's no rush, Jessica. Just tell me when you're ready. We've got all the time in the world. When you're ready, my sweet."

Seeming to draw resolve from the touch of his hand on hers, Jess cleared her throat and began to speak softly, "I, Jessica Culpepper, take thee, Henry Percy, to my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

There was a beat of silence and the rest of us held our breath, praying that she, my shy little sister, would manage to finish the speech. Henry Percy's hand tightened on hers, clearly longing to reach out and reassure his young bride as her cheeks turned crimson.

Suddenly, as though she knew that there was no getting away from it, Jess gabbled, "I also vow to be bonny and buxom in bed and at board. Therefore to these two promises do I plight my troth," clearly rushing the part of the Mass that was making her uncomfortable.

Matthew Parker glanced at me over her head and I glared at him. Rushing a Mass might well be construed as an ill omen, but there was no way I was ever going to make my younger sister go through the ordeal of repeating those sentences.

Bowing his head before the determination in my face, he turned again so that he was including Nora and John Dudley in his gaze too as he intoned, "I now proclaim you man and wife. Those whom God hath joined in holy matrimony, let no man tear asunder. My good Sirs, you may kiss the brides."

There was laughter and applause as the two young men bent, lifted their bride's veils and pressed their lips lightly to those of my sisters'.

They came down off the altar, Jess, by virtue of her new rank as Countess of Northumberland, taking precedence over Nora for the first time in her life.

Katherine jumped to her feet in delight and, as they reached the front pew, Edward and I rose with her. Henry bowed and Jess curtsied. Locking my gaze with my youngest sister's, I sank into a brief half-curtsy, "My Lady Northumberland."

Beside me, Edward inclined his head and then Jess was proceeding down the aisle and Nora and John Dudley were standing before us instead. Again, I abased myself before my younger sister, "My Lady Sudeley."

Nora nodded in acknowledgement, "Your Majesty. Your Highnesses."

John bowed wordlessly and then they too were past us. Edward helped me up, whispering "You've done it, darling. You've done it, Elizabeth."

Nodding, I relaxed into his arms, letting him hold me as I swiped at my eyes, trying to control the tears of delighted relief that sprang to my eyes as, for the first time in my life, I paid my younger sisters public respect. Sensing that I needed a minute, Edward waved for our courtiers to follow the newly-wedded couples out of the Chapel, so that we were alone when, through the shimmering haze of tears, I suddenly saw a woman coming down from the wings of the church to stand by the altar where my sisters had stood only moments earlier. A dark-haired woman who was beckoning to me.

Gently disengaging myself from Edward's hold, I moved towards her as though I were in a dream. Edward half-called to me, but I ignored him, continuing to move forward until I could kneel before the altar as though I was getting married myself, or perhaps receiving the sacrament.

"Mama," I breathed, hardly daring to hope that her spirit wouldn't disappear.

But it didn't. This time, it didn't. Rather, she stretched out a hand, resting her palm on the crown of my head as I knelt before her, giving me her blessing as she had done so often when I was but a child.

"Elizabeth. Bessie. My Bessie. You've done so well, my darling. My Rose Princess. I'm so proud of you."

"Mama…Nora…Jessie..." I stumbled over the words. There was so much that I wanted to say to her. She nodded.

"I know. I know you love them. I know you've done the best you can by them. Thank you, my Rose. You can't know what it's meant to me; to watch you look after them as well as you have. And now they're both practically grown up. Jessie's a Countess already and Nora will be the same one day."

Her voice trailed off and I knew that she was remembering the last time she had seen them during her lifetime; her last visit to Hatfield, over ten years ago.

I tipped my head up, watching my beloved mother's face intently, straining to commit its every detail of it to memory. As if suddenly remembering that I was there, she helped me up as she continued, "And you and Blanche. You're both such wonderful young women. Blanche Lady of Ireland and you Queen of England. Queen of England and married to such a caring husband. Married with children of your own."

"I named Katherine for you," I murmured, glancing back over my shoulder to where Edward and Katherine still stood, watching me curiously. Mama smiled wistfully.

"Thank you. I only wish I could know her."

"Oh, she'll know you, Mama," I vowed forcefully, "She'll know you. All my children will. I'll tell them so many stories about you that they'll be sick of the sound of your name."

Mama put her hands on my shoulders. "You're so loyal, Elizabeth. It's one of the qualities that makes you such a good Queen. I always knew you would be. Promise me you'll always be that way. Promise me; no matter what happens, you'll always stay this loyal. You'll always put your family first. Promise me."

"I promise, Mama," I whispered. Mama smiled one last time; one last, lingering smile and then embraced me.

"Go and find your sisters. Bless them in my name, darling. Bless them in the Howard name. And God Bless you too. God Bless you and be with you, all of you. Always."

"And with you, Mama," I choked out, as she pressed a last, lingering kiss to my forehead and then turned and vanished.

I sank to my knees, whispering her name, and it was a long time before I could find the strength to rise, take Edward's arm and follow my younger sisters; follow the Lady of Ireland and the new Countess of Northumberland and the new Baroness Sudeley, out of the Chapel Royal.