In the Shadow of the Crown - By Jean Plaidy Page 0,73

which I had lived. But there was more to come.

It was a relief to me to be able to talk to Chapuys and to learn that the Emperor's concern for me had been great and that he had always been eager to seize an opportunity to help me.

Now it seemed there was a chance.

“If you were out of this country, in Spain or Flanders … under the Emperor's care, he would be happier,” said Chapuys. “The King, your father, has shown himself to be capable of any rash act which momentarily serves his purpose. He broke with Rome so that he might marry Anne Boleyn. To take such an unprecedented step for such a reason must give us all some concern. Whether Queen Katharine was poisoned—and poisoned at his command, we cannot be sure, but it is a possibility which we must not lose sight of. The Emperor would feel happier if you were out of the country.”

“My father would never let me go.”

“Certainly he would not. It would be a great blow to him if he thought you were with the Emperor, for if he declared his marriage to Anne Boleyn nall and void, you are the heir to the throne.”

“But he has declared his marriage to my mother was no true one, and it was said by the bishop at her funeral service that she admitted it, which was a lie, I know … but it was all done at my father's command.”

“That was before he knew that Anne Boleyn had lost the child. All is different now. Her reign is over.”

“They say that he plans to put another in her place.”

He nodded. “We cannot be sure which way events will turn but you must be prepared.”

“What do you suggest?”

“This is highly secret. If it were mentioned outside these walls, it could cause trouble…great trouble. It would cost you your life and there would be little I could do to save it. I should immediately be sent back to Spain. You understand the importance of secrecy?”

“I do.”

He nodded. “My plan is to get you out of this place. There will be horses waiting to take us to the coast, and there we shall cross to Flanders.”

“I shall be taken to my cousin?”

He nodded.

“Now, we must plan. Could you get away without your women's knowledge?”

“I have few servants now, you know.”

“That is good.”

“There are some whom I can trust.”

Chapuys shook his head. “Trust no one. You must slip away unseen. No one must know that you have gone until you are on the sea.”

“They are here. They would see me leave. Unless I gave them a sleeping draught.”

“Would that be possible?”

“I think so…if I had the draught.”

“That would be an easy matter.”

“I should have to avoid Lady Shelton.”

“Would that be difficult?”

“Less so now. She is not so watchful as she once was. She no longer acts like my jailer.”

“This sounds plausible. We should have horses waiting. We could get to Gravesend easily from here… and there embark. You will be hearing more of this from me.”

After he had gone, I lay in my bed thinking of it. I should be taken to my cousin. I remembered so well that occasion—years and years ago it seemed now—when my mother had held my hand and we had stood on the steps at Greenwich while the barge came along. I could see my dazzling father and beside him the young man in black velvet with the gold chain about his neck… the young man with whom I had been told I was in love.

He had broken our engagement, but I had forgiven him that now. I understood that monarchs such as he were governed by expediency. I forgave him for that and for not coming to my rescue as a knight of chivalry and romance would have done, however difficult.

I was no longer romantic. Events had made me cynical, yet still there was a softness in me. I was capable of loving deeply, which was clear by the sorrow the loss of my mother was causing me.

SO WE PLANNED and Chapuys visited me often. Lady Shelton made no objection. Chapuys was deeply anxious that all should go well, for if it did not, there would be dire consequences.

He told me that he was making arrangements with the utmost secrecy and would bring the sleeping draught to me when it was to be administered. I had practiced what I must do. I had made a careful study of how I should go without