In the Shadow of the Crown - By Jean Plaidy Page 0,40

of scholars.

It must have been difficult for Reginald, whose sympathies were with my mother and me, to choose his words carefully, for I was sure if my father thought he did not agree with him he would be very angry. Sometimes I trembled for Reginald during those encounters, but he was clever; he had a way with words and he did learn a great deal of what was in the King's mind during these interviews. But I knew my father's temper and I was uneasy.

My father was, in some ways, a simple man. He made much of Reginald, calling him cousin and when they walked along the gallery putting his arm round Reginald's shoulders. At the back of his mind would be the memory of what his father had done to the Earl of Warwick because he feared people might think that Plantagenet Warwick had had a greater claim to the throne than Henry Tudor. Later, when I began to understand my father's character more I could believe that he wanted to make much of Reginald because he was placating Heaven in a way for the murder of Reginald's uncle.

What uneasy days they were when we never knew what momentous event was going to erupt.

So my consolation was Reginald.

He it was who told me that the Pope had now been released and was at this time in Orvieto trying to build up a Court there.

“He is in a dilemma,” said Reginald. “The King is demanding judgement in his favor, and he is too powerful to be flouted. But how can he defy the Emperor?”

“He should do what he considers right.”

“You ask too much of him,” said Reginald with a wry smile.

“But surely as a Christian…”

Reginald shook his head. “He is still in the hands of the Emperor. But, who knows, next week everything could be different. He is in too weak a position to defy anyone.”

“Then what will he do?”

“My guess is that he will prevaricate. It is always the wise action.”

“Can he?”

“We shall see.”

And we did. It was Reginald who told me, “The Pope is sending Cardinal Campeggio to England.”

“Is that a good thing?” I asked.

Reginald lifted his shoulders. “We shall have to wait and see. He will try the case with Cardinal Wolsey.”

“Wolsey! But he will be for the King.”

“It should not be a case of either being for one or the other. It should be a matter of justice.”

“I fear this will make more anxiety for my mother. I worry so much about her, and I think she worries too much about me. I think she is fighting for me rather than herself.”

“She is a saint, and it is true that she fights for you. But you are her greatest hope. The people love you. You strengthen her case. The people cheer you. They call you their Princess, which means they regard you as heir to the throne. They will not accept another.”

“I never thought anything like this could happen.”

“None of us can see ahead. None of us knows what the future holds for us.”

“Reginald,” I said, “you won't go away yet?”

He looked at me tenderly. “As long as I am allowed to remain here, I will.”

He took my hand and kissed it.

“I hope you will never go away,” I told him. He pressed my hand firmly then released it and turned away.

I knew there was some special feeling between us, and I was glad that there had been no marriage with the Emperor Charles. My betrothal to the little Prince of France I did not consider. I was certain that it would come to nothing.

It must… because of Reginald.

IT IS AN OLD story now. Everyone knows that Cardinal Campeggio did not arrive in England until October, although he had left Rome three months before. He was so old, so full of gout, that he had to take the journey in very slow stages, resting for weeks when the attacks brought on by discomfort were prolonged.

Reginald, who was very far-sighted in all matters, confided in me that he believed Campeggio had no intention of making a decision. How could he when the Emperor would be watching the outcome with such interest? He dared not give the verdict the King wanted, because it would displease the Emperor, and to go against the King would arouse his wrath.

“What a position for a poor sick old man to be in!” he said. “It is my belief tht the Pope sent Campeggio because of his infirmity. Why should he have not