and when the last stragglers had come scurrying in, he stood beside her and addressed them all.
“I am to tell you that the Lord Admiral has been committed to the Tower on a charge of high treason,” he began in his reedy voice. “He has plotted to overthrow the Lord Protector, his brother; he intrigued to marry his ward, the Lady Jane Grey, to the King; and most heinous of all, he schemed to take the Lady Elizabeth here to wife, and purposed to rule the kingdom himself.”
There were gasps and murmurs of shock and disapproval. Sir Robert held up his hand. “All here will be questioned. If you know nothing of these high matters, you have nothing to fear. But there are some among you who have acted rashly. Mrs. Astley and Master Parry have been arrested and taken to London by Sir Anthony Denny for interrogation.” Elizabeth flinched, aghast at this news, then forced herself to look impassive, even though she was near to tears.
“In their absence,” Tyrwhit continued, “the council has deputed me, Sir Robert Tyrwhit, to take charge of the Lady Elizabeth’s household. You will take your orders from me now. That is all. You may disperse to your tasks.”
As the servants scattered in their several directions, murmuring fearfully of what they had heard, Sir Robert turned to Elizabeth.
“I regret to inform you, madam, that Mrs. Astley and Master Parry are being committed to the Tower,” he told her in a low voice. Elizabeth found she could not speak. She buried her face in her hands and let the tears run through her fingers, staying there weeping silently for a long time, with Sir Robert standing impassively by.
“I beg of you, set them free, they are as innocent as I am,” she sobbed at length.
“I’m afraid I cannot do that,” he replied. “And their innocence, like yours, is yet to be proved.”
“I was under the impression that it was guilt that had to be proved,” Elizabeth said sharply, dabbing at her eyes. “Have they confessed anything?”
“I think you should rest, madam,” Tyrwhit said, ignoring her question. “I will talk with you again when you have composed yourself.”
Reluctantly, Elizabeth rose.
“Attend to your mistress,” he instructed Blanche Parry, who was hovering at the edge of the dais.
“I go now,” said Lord Paulet, pulling on his gloves. “Are you content to remain here in charge of this investigation?”
“Yes, my lord.” Tyrwhit nodded.
“Do your best to obtain more evidence of treason; I make no doubt you will find it here. The Protector wants a watertight case before he sees his brother executed.”
“How far am I to press my Lady Elizabeth?” Tyrwhit wanted to know.
“As far as you like. Let her stew for a while,” Paulet advised. “Leave her be for a day or so, give her time to consider. I am sure she has much to tell us.”
“And if she incriminates herself? She is His Majesty’s sister, after all.”
“That will depend. If she admits to the alleged immorality, or even to compassing marriage, then persuade her to lay the blame on her servants, Astley and Parry. But if you uncover evidence that she was a party to the Admiral’s treason, then the law must take its course. The council would have no alternative but to enforce it, if justice is to be served.”
Sir Robert pulled at his beard, frowning. “And the penalty?”
“Death by beheading or burning,” replied Paulet with a grim look.
Elizabeth tried desperately to concentrate on her books, but she was aware that not far off, her people were being interrogated, one by one. Those servants who attended her were subdued, nervous, and clearly frightened to enter into conversation with her. Only Blanche Parry, dear, faithful Blanche, seemed happy to keep her company. Blanche had stayed with her throughout the past two days, sleeping on a pallet in her chamber, serving her meals and acting as her tire-woman. Of course, Blanche was not Kat—no one could ever replace Kat, whom she was missing and fretting about dreadfully—but her presence was a calming one.
It was strange that Sir Robert had not summoned her back for questioning. Since they had spoken in the great hall, she had not seen him. She had remained in her apartments, going through the motions of daily life and expecting any minute to be called to his presence, but he had sent no word. That worried her. Only by talking to him could she divine any sense of what people were saying about her—and this she