his last.’
Frances tasted bile. ‘And he has had me named as an accomplice to the women’s murderous schemes?’
Her friend placed his hand over her trembling fingers. ‘No – you are not mentioned. All of the guilt is placed upon the shoulders of Joan Flower and her daughters – for the murder of both boys.’
‘But only one was dead at the time of the trial,’ Frances pointed out. ‘Surely even Buckingham cannot claim that the poor girls wreaked their vengeance on the surviving son from beyond the grave.’
Bacon shrugged. ‘People will believe anything when it comes to witchcraft.’
‘Even though the common belief is that to cure the bewitched one must put the perpetrators to death?’ Frances persisted. ‘That is why the Countess of Rutland ordered the Flower women’s arrest, after all.’
‘There is no place for reason in such cases,’ he replied. ‘With this pamphlet, Buckingham has ensured that in the eyes of the world the Flower women are guilty of both murders.’
Frances stared. What was Buckingham’s game? She had been so certain that he would have her accused of the younger boy’s death. God knew he had seemed intent upon her destruction and that of her husband since his arrival at court. Why would he surrender the opportunity? Perhaps he had further torment in mind for them.
‘I hope I have done right in showing it to you, my dear.’ Bacon interrupted her thoughts. ‘I did not do so to cause alarm, but I know how closely you are connected with Lord Rutland and his family.’
Frances nodded absently. ‘Thank you, my lord,’ she murmured. ‘We must wait for the marquess’s next move.’
CHAPTER 44
20 March
Kate set down the book and rose to look out of the window. Frances had hoped to distract her troubled thoughts with the poetry, but it was as if she had forgotten her letters entirely.
‘It pains me to see my father like this,’ she said, peering down into the courtyard. ‘Even the smallest matter vexes him since my brother’s death.’
The matter was hardly small, Frances thought. Seeing that his flattery and persuasions worked no effect upon Lord Rutland, Buckingham had successfully petitioned the King to intervene in the matter of his proposed marriage. James had summoned the earl to answer for his reluctance to allow his daughter to marry one of the foremost noblemen in the kingdom. But the earl had refused to be bowed, declaring that he would rather see Kate follow her brother to the grave than be wed to such a man. Frances could not help but admire his courage, though she feared for him, too. Buckingham was not a man to be thwarted.
‘He wants only to protect you, Kate,’ she reminded her. ‘There can be few fathers in the kingdom who would sacrifice their favour with the King for their daughter’s happiness.’ She did not say that Lord Rutland might sacrifice a great deal more besides.
Kate sank onto the window seat. Her shoulders heaved with silent grief. ‘Perhaps I should marry him without my father’s blessing.’ Her fingers worked at the seam of her black silk skirt. ‘He would still get my fortune and I would no longer live in fear of what might happen if my father continues to deny him.’
Frances moved to sit by her. ‘No, Kate. You would ruin both your lives. Your father would know nothing but grief if you were tied to such a devil, and you, well, I cannot even bear to think of it – and neither must you.’
Her friend nodded miserably. Frances hoped she had convinced her but knew that Kate’s love for her father was so strong that she would endure any suffering for his sake.
The silence that followed was broken by a sharp rapping on the door. Kate leaped to her feet. Frances tried to keep her disdain from showing when she opened the door to the Countess of Buckingham.
‘How are you, my dear?’ the older woman said, fussing over Kate as if she were a lapdog. ‘Why, you have become such a recluse that I had begun to wonder if your father had spirited you back to Belvoir! Oh, Lady Tyringham.’
Frances rose to her feet.
‘Forgive me, madam,’ Kate replied. ‘I am still in mourning for my poor brother.’
‘Dear little boy. Such a shock, of course. But you must give thanks to God that He has ended his suffering at last – and that He has already wreaked His vengeance upon those who sent him to the grave.’
If only God would punish those responsible, the