Hey guys, here is chapter 30 for you. Just a quick note about what would usually be next weeks update; I'm off to Morocco for the next two weeks, I might be able to get internet access for my usual update time but if not I will do a double when I get back to England. Hope you all enjoy this one though :D
The ulcer on his Majesty's leg had become infected again and it seemed as if there was a chance that Henry may even die as a result of it. His physicians drained the fluid that had built up in his leg and this seemed to stave off the infection. During the time of His Majesty's indisposition Queen Katherine was going mad with worry that she had not been told of what was happening to him and was not allowed to see him (especially considering that even Isabella had been granted the opportunity to see him while he was ill).
Culpepper came to visit Her Majesty during this time to convey to her what little news he knew. After one of his visits Lady Rochford commented on the fact that Mr Culpepper was very handsome (something that had not escaped the Queen's notice, even though she had not thought about it in great detail). Lady Rochford also said that the young man was in love with Her Majesty and would like to have a private audience with her. Katherine knew that this would not be allowed by His Majesty but Lady Rochford assured her that everything would be kept just their little secret and she agreed.
"His Majesty the King has asked you to come back to court." Lord Suffolk told Isabella one afternoon while the two of them were out on one of their usual walks together.
"Why?" Isabella asked, suddenly shocked. "Does His Majesty not think I am doing a good job in the house of his son?" If that was the case she could not believe what she was hearing – Henry had never told her that he was unhappy with the way she cared for his children, in fact he had spent years praising her for it.
"No, no, no, nothing like that at all." His Grace replied. "His Majesty just misses your company that is all." Isabella gave the Duke of Suffolk a knowing smirk.
"I believe that His Majesty may be in need of some adult company rather than the young girls that make up Her Majesty's court." she stated.
"Her Majesty is a great deal younger than His Majesty." Suffolk hedged.
"That, Your Grace, is the understatement of the century." she replied, grinning. Suffolk did not reply but merely smiled back at her.
"His Majesty will be visiting the Lady Anne of Cleaves in a few days and he would like you to accompany him back to court after that." he told her.
"I will be happy to oblige His Majesty then." she replied. "As long as I do not have to spend a great deal of time with Her Majesty – I am too old to be surrounded by adolescents."
"Too old, My Lady?" Suffolk asked. "You are too old for nothing."
"You flatter me Your Grace," she replied. "but alas we are both getting older."
"Please do not remind me." Suffolk laughed.
Isabella visited Anne of Cleaves at the same time as Henry so that she could accompany him back to London after his visit. She dinned with Anne and His Majesty and the three of them laughed as if they did not have a care in the world. Isabella watched Henry; the way that he was looking at the Lady Anne made her wonder if he regretted ever divorcing her. When she graciously gave him back the wedding ring that Henry had given her, he looked incredibly sad. Anne was one of the most sweet, gracious and humane Queens that England ever had (and, thanks to the Duke of Suffolk's coaching she played cards almost as well as the King).
Maybe a part of him was sorry that he had ended their marriage in the way that he had. Anne had been much more gracious than some of Henry's previous wives when he had tried to end their marriages. She had given him much less trouble in the subject of divorce than Catherine of Aragon had and she had a great deal more dignity than Anne Boleyn. It seemed that now Henry was no longer married to Anne he desired her more than he had ever done and even visited her bedchamber while he stayed with her.
Upon their return back to London Katherine had some very exciting news for her husband. She ran to him in the middle of council (something that would have greatly angered Henry normally) and told him that she had missed her monthly bleeding. She believed that she was with child and Henry was overjoyed with the news – he may yet have another son (especially as some were questioning the claim to the throne of Edward as his mother had never officially had a proper coronation). Unfortunately it turned out that Katherine was mistaken – she was not with child.
Henry was greatly displeased but he did not let it bother him as much as he would normally have done. He had more important things to think of right now and Katherine was young – she would easily fall pregnant with child sooner or later. For now Henry was content to focus on their trip to the North to visit his cousin, the King of Scotland.
The trip was to be taken by His Majesty, the Queen and the Lady Mary, Isabella was also too accompany them on behalf of the Lady Elizabeth and the Prince Edward. Katherine was not happy that Mary was accompanying them – she did not like Mary after Mary had stated that she would never show her the respect she desired her to. She was also not happy that Isabella was with their either – she had been informed by Lady Rochford of Isabella's past relationship with the King and Katherine believed that there may still be something going on between them.
Katherine also believed that Isabella shared the same views about her as Mary did considering that the two of them were so close. She was certain that Mary had poisoned Isabella's mind about her. Both Isabella and Mary knew that this was ridiculous – Isabella's opinion of Her Majesty had nothing to do with the thoughts of the Lady Mary; she disliked the girl equally in her own right, although she would never voice her opinions on the subject. As she had told both Mary and Suffolk on a number of occasions it was not her place to speak ill of the Queen.
During their visit to the North Katherine continued to pursue her affair with Thomas Culpepper. The only ones who know of the affair were Lady Rochford and the Queen's childhood friend Lady Joan Bulmer. The trio of ladies thought that they were being discreet but they were not as discreet as they would have hoped. Isabella had noticed Lady Rochford's strange behaviour and had also noticed that both Lady Bulmer and Her Majesty were also acting rather strangely and there was just something about Mr Culpepper that she did not trust. However she knew not why they were all acting this way but she was determined to find out.
The visit to the North was turning out to be a very great success; the King, the Queen and the Lady Mary were all very well received. Their progress had been joyful especially now that the rebellion had ended – many of those who once wore the badge of rebellion came to apologise for their crimes against His Majesty. They also commented on His Majesty's new lease on life which Suffolk stated was all due to the young Queen Katherine.
While on their trip Isabella continued to notice strange things about Katherine's behaviour, she did not seem as inclined to be around Henry as she had once been and she did not seem as giddy and happy as she was when the two had first married. She seemed more disposed to not be the centre of his attentions as she once had done. Even Henry commented on the matter.
"She said 'Your Majesty should not wish to see me, you have more important matters to attend to'. Can you believe that?" he asked Isabella on an afternoon walk around the grounds of Pontefract Castle.
"Can I believe what, Your Majesty?" Isabella asked, not sure what it was that Henry was talking about.
"Katherine saying that I had more important matters to attend to than her." he replied. "Can you believe that?" he asked again.
"Surely the prospect of an invasion from the Scots is a very important matter Your Majesty," Isabella replied, treading incredibly carefully. Henry was not prone to such fits of rage as he had once been but she still wanted to remain on his good side. "Her Majesty probably did not want to bother you while you were busy." Henry sighed, Isabella was probably right as usual – she had never steered him wrong or given him bad advice in the past.
"Did you know that she has appointed herself a new usher and chamberlain?" he asked, changing the subject.
"I did, yes." Isabella replied. "Sir Francis Durham, I believe." Henry shrugged.
"I know not, she may appoint whom she likes – it makes her feel important and it makes her happy." he stated. Isabella was not so sure; she had overheard Durham talking to Her Majesty when he first arrived in the North. She had, unfortunately for her, lost her way in an unfamiliar Castle and found herself in the small room behind the Queen's chambers.
Durham had been speaking of gaining a place in the Queen's services. When Her Majesty said no he said that she had appointed Joan Bulmer into her household and 'she knows what I know' whatever that meant, Isabella was not sure. All she knew was that Durham was blackmailing Katherine and she did not seem happy about it. However Isabella did not think this was a matter to bother the King with...not yet anyway. If Durham started to threaten Katherine's safety, then they would have a problem.
"Majesty may I speak plainly with you?" Isabella asked after a few moments silence.
"Always my dear." Henry replied giving her hand a soft kiss. "You council is always greatly appreciated.
"I am worried about His Grace the Duke of Suffolk." she stated.
"Charles?" Henry asked. Isabella nodded.
"I feel being back in the North is not agreeing with His Grace as much as it is with Your Majesty." she told him.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"It must be difficult for him, reliving the ghosts of the past after the rebellion." she stated. "Last night I heard him in his chamber, conversing with someone who was not there." Henry pondered what she had said for a moment.
"I will keep an eye on him." he replied. "We must hope that he will regain his health upon our return to London."
"Yes we must." she replied.
"For now, though," Henry continued. "we must turn our thoughts to the treaty and the meeting with the Scottish King."