the long years of his imprisonment.
‘Come, my dear,’ Bacon laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, ‘we should dine – though God knows I have little appetite for it.’
CHAPTER 24
12 September
Frances looked up at her husband and smiled. Despite everything that had happened these past few weeks, she was enjoying being in his arms as they followed the steps of the dance. His hand felt warm on the small of her back and she could smell his familiar scent among the heavy perfumes with which the ladies had drenched themselves.
‘The count appears in good humour this evening.’ Thomas glanced over her shoulder to where the Spanish ambassador was supping wine with the King and Buckingham.
Frances did not turn: she had seen enough of the marquess’s fawning and simpering. The arrival of Diego Sarmiento de Acuña, Count de Gondomar, had caused a stir at court. Relations between England and Spain had been hostile for so long that even James’s councillors had been of the opinion war was pending, especially after the disaster of Raleigh’s expedition. But now all the talk was of peace and mutual accord. The ambassador had even been charged with opening negotiations for a marriage between Prince Charles and the Infanta Maria. Their new-found amity made Frances uneasy, particularly as Buckingham was going out of his way to encourage it. What game was he playing now?
‘He seems to approve of the Madeira wine. It is fortunate that the King ordered such vast quantities,’ she replied sardonically.
They had reached the end of the hall now and were obliged to change places as they began the slow procession back, keeping their steps in time with those of the other dancers. Frances’s eyes were drawn back to the dais. She stared, astonished, as Queen Anne walked slowly onto it, accompanied by her son, Charles. She was much thinner than when Frances had last seen her and was leaning heavily on the prince’s arm. Frances was as shocked by the change in her as by her sudden appearance at court. As she stared, she was jostled by the lady next to her, who gave an exasperated sigh. Quickly, Frances tried to fall back into step but stumbled over the skirts of another, who turned sharply and glared at her.
‘Forgive us,’ Thomas said, pulling Frances gently away. ‘My wife is in need of a rest.’ He steered her towards a quiet recess. ‘What is it?’ he asked.
Frances nodded towards the dais. She saw her husband’s eyes widen briefly as he noticed Anne, who was now lowering herself onto the throne next to her husband’s. It was placed there at every court gathering, but Frances had grown so accustomed to seeing it empty that she could hardly believe that the Queen was there now.
‘You did not know she was coming either?’ Frances murmured.
Thomas shook his head, still gazing at the dais. ‘I had not thought to see her here again.’
The Queen was extending her hand to the ambassador now, while Buckingham looked on approvingly. Frances thought back to the conversation they had had at Denmark House. Anne had admitted she had encouraged the King’s obsession with the young favourite, hinting that it was to serve a greater purpose than merely to satisfy her husband’s lust. Ever since Frances had puzzled over what that purpose might be.
‘Is it for Raleigh, I wonder?’ Thomas mused. ‘The Count de Gondomar has said his master expects the King to make recompense for San Thomé. Perhaps the Queen intends to soften his opinion.’
Frances hoped he was right: Sir Walter had little other chance of avoiding the fate that seemed more certain with each passing day. Bacon had confided at their last meeting that he had received instructions to prepare for a private hearing at Whitehall.
At that moment, the musicians struck up another tune and the courtiers formed themselves into two neat rows in preparation for the pavane. Frances saw Lady Kate Manners take her place among them, her eyes cast down but her face flushed with excitement. She loved to dance and would often beg to practise the steps with Frances when they were alone. Frances’s smile vanished as she saw Buckingham weave his way through the assembled throng and come to a halt directly opposite Kate, pushing two gentlemen out of the way in his eagerness to be her partner. He made an ostentatious bow, one hand clasped to his chest as if in reverence, then stepped forward and pulled her towards him as the dance began.
Frances watched