William had been left out of the group of men who would rescue the ladies "imprisoned" In Chateau Vert. Mary wondered if this had been done on purpose to keep William away from her, leaving her free and available for the king.
An imposing wooden structure, painted green, had been built with three turrets where the ladies would be imprisoned, waiting for the gentlemen to rescue them. The ladies, the gentlemen, and the pages would attack each other with sweetmeats and rosewater, and had Mary reason to look forward to it, the masque would have proven entertaining to both participants and audience.
After supper was finished, the ladies excused themselves to change into their costumes. The hall was cleared and the heavy wooden structure that would serve as the chateau was wheeled into the room.
Anne and Mary helped lace each other into their costumes. Anne was cruel and laced Mary too tightly, saying, "The king will be the one to rescue you in the masque, you are to let him. If he expresses interest in you, you are to be receptive."
"Are these your words or Father's, and loosen my laces, they are too tight."
"Father told me to instruct you. You noticed that your husband was not included in the performers? That was on purpose."
"Anne, do you think I do not know this? And William noticed that he was deliberately not included. He is losing his wife to the king, how do you think he is treating me now?"
"How do you think he will treat you when the king grants him more estates and titles? Maybe he will even be granted that knighthood he has desired for so long."
Mary winced. It had long been a sore point for William that Henry had not granted him the same favor possessed by so many members of the circle surrounding the king. William was still "Master Carey" and she "Mistress Carey" instead of Sir William and Lady Mary Carey.
He was related, albeit distantly, to the king. He was high in Henry's favor, served him faithfully only now he had discovered that the king had designs on his wife. What kind of king did that to someone who had served him so faithfully?
"You have a poison tongue, Anne, you're no better than an adder. William's turn for a knighthood will come, it's just a matter of time. You seem as eager to destroy my marriage as father and uncle. What will happen to me when Henry tires of me? Do you think William will take me back willingly? Being the king's mistress will destroy my marriage and my reputation. None of you seem to have any concern for that."
"I care about advancing the family, and you should too. This is a great honor that is being bestowed on you, and you are acting like a petulant child. Think: the queen may no longer be fertile, what if you are able to provide the children that she can't? He acknowledged Bessie Blount's son and name him Henry Fitz Roy. He's his only living son, do you think he'll put Princess Mary on the throne?"
"Bessie Blount had no husband at the time, Anne, or did you forget that? I have a husband, any children I give Henry will have my husband's name. By law they will be considered legitimate, not bastards. Have you forgotten that he had to get a dispensation to marry Queen Catherine? Does father and uncle think he will set aside the queen and marry me? He couldn't have his marriage, or mine, undone, even if he wanted to. Who have you been listening to?"
She received no answer from Anne because at that moment the dancers were called to take their places, the women and pages on the wooden structure that served as "Chateau Vert". The men stood discreetly outside of the room, waiting for the moment when they would be called upon to attack the castle to rescue the women who were being held captive on its towers.
Ordinarily, she would have enjoyed this romp. There was a moment of silence before the men rushed in, clad in their cloth of gold hats and blue satin capes. Then the fun began in earnest as the rescuers came in and using ladders overcame the "Indians" that held the ladies captive.
One was taller than the rest with red gold curls falling over the collar of his cape. "I am here to rescue you, madame," he said in the king's voice—who else stood taller and prouder amongst the men? He lifted her carefully from the tower and whispered in her ear, "Soon, madame, soon, I intend to have you."
She looked, seeing her father and her uncle watching her intently. Meekly, appearing to be grateful, Mary let him carry her from the tower, his words, "soon, madame", burning in her ear.
The participants in the masque were having fun, splashing each other with rosewater and throwing fruit and sweetmeats. When it ended, the dancing began, and Henry claimed Mary not only for the first dance but several that followed.
This night should have been pleasant fun, but Mary could not enjoy it. She could not bear William's looks of reproach any more than watching Anne observing the way the king held her too tightly as they danced. She should have been dancing with her husband, he should have been the one who rescued her from Chateau Vert, but she was being maneuvered into the king's embraces by her family and she resented it.
William claimed Mary for a dance and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. Normally he held his drink well, but tonight his eyes were red and bloodshot, he was doing little to hide his resentment.
Still, he managed to guide her gratefully around the floor, until the dance was ended. He guided her to a little room then twisted her arm around her back, hurting her, causing her to beg him to let her go.
"Shall I madame? Shall I let you go? You are my wife, my wedded wife and your perfidious family is taking you away and throwing you to the king. Shall I tell you what they told me? We are to have no congress now, your favors are only for the king from now on."
"I have no part in this, William," she started crying, tears falling from her hazel eyes, "They are throwing me at the king, I do not go willingly. No one listens to me, no one cares what I want. I was happy with our marriage, I wanted nothing more than to be your wife."
"Well, we shall see, they have not removed you from my chamber yet." He dragged her down the corridor and to their rooms. He threw her down on the great bed, not even bothering to remove gown.
When Mary perceived his intentions, she objected. "No, William, you mustn't, no don't hurt me please!"
But it was no use. William removed his breeches and unlaced his tights. Mary could see that in spite of being intoxicated, he was erect and hard—and that he intended to have her and there was nothing she could do about it.
He plunged into her and took her roughly, hurting her. She cried out at the pain and he put his hand over her mouth, saying, "Be quiet, I do not want anyone to hear us. I hope I am able to plant a little Carey in you for it will be a long time before I have you again in my bed, wife." His voice was cruel as he emphasized the word "wife".
She lay there, helpless, and waited for him to finish. Her family would wonder where she was but what could she tell them, that her husband who had all rights to her had decided that he would have her one last time and they could do nothing about it?
At last, he pulled out, and turned over, not bothering to change into his night clothes. Rose had been listening at her mistress's door and came in to help Mary out of her gown and into her night dress.
"What did he do to you?" Rose asked but Mary shook her head. She could not bring her lips to for the words, "William raped me" for what good would it do? Soon she would be removed from the married quarters they shared and would find herself lodging with the queen's ladies, providing closer access to Henry, even though they must be discreet.
Had she the temperament she would join a convent, but she didn't. She had enjoyed being married, having the affection of her husband and looked forward one day to children. Now, if she had them, who would they belong to? Would Henry acknowledge any children she bore him or would they take the name "Carey" instead?
She did not want to share Henry's bed, did not want to grant him access to her body. She would be like a woman who found herself married against her wishes and forced to share a bed with a man she did not want. Why her? There were women who would share his bed gladly. Why had she been chosen when there were plenty of beautiful women of rank who would gladly fulfill that position.
She cried herself to sleep, resenting the position her family had put her in and mourning the end of the love that William had felt for her.
In the morning William sobered up, and ashamed of his behavior he apologized.
"I am so sorry," he told her, "I know this is none of your doing, I know you go to the king's bed unwilling, but there is naught I can do about it. This viper's nest you call your family thinks nothing of throwing you to the wolves if they expect that there is some advantage for them. You are as helpless as I, I know you had not part in this. I am ashamed of my behavior, Mary, you did not deserve it."
"You are right, William, I did not deserve what you did to me. I cannot control what my family does," she said, feeling lost and helpless, "I have no idea how I came to the king's attention, but I would undo it if I knew how. This is a curse that has been put on both of us and all we can do is see it to the end. All I can hope is that after he tires of me you will take me back."
"I would not let you come to harm, Mary, or leave you destitute. I will take care of you as long as I live. And when the king at last sets you free we will go to Norfolk, or maybe your parents will let us live in your castle at Hebert." He choked up and began to weep but Mary made no move to comfort him.
