Her Highness, the Traitor - By Susan Higginbotham Page 0,84
ails him. Perhaps they don’t know. But you can look at him and tell that something’s not right. He looked a little better when he moved to Greenwich, but it didn’t last long. I’m old enough to recognize the mark of death on a face. I see it on his.”
“I didn’t know,” Jane said. She swallowed hard.
“Jane, the king himself wants this match. I don’t know why. I suspect Northumberland might know, but he keeps his own counsel. All I know is that the king wants it. Unless I’m mistaken, and I hope I am, you will be thwarting the wishes of a dying boy if you do not marry Lord Guildford. Do you still refuse?”
“No, Father. I will marry him.” In a small voice, Jane asked, “But must I sleep with him immediately?”
“Yes. The king wants it consummated.” Harry glanced at the clock on the mantle. “Time I went to the council meeting. Your mother can answer any questions you might have.”
***
I had barely had time to get used to Jane’s upcoming marriage when Harry arranged the betrothals of my two younger daughters as well: Kate to William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke’s heir, and Mary to Arthur, the son of William Grey of Wilton. It only added to Jane’s annoyance that Kate could look forward to being the Countess of Pembroke when her father-in-law died, whereas Jane had no such expectation. “If Northumberland continues in favor such as he is, who knows?” I suggested. “Perhaps Guildford might gain an earldom, too.”
“In favor with whom, Mother? Father says that King Edward is worse than he was before.”
“We can only hope that he will soon improve.”
“And if he doesn’t? The lady Mary will remember all her struggles about the Mass, and that Northumberland was the head of the council that tried to stop her from hearing it. I don’t think she’ll be inclined to give Guildford anything. Or any of us.” Jane glared at the blackwork smock she was embroidering for her trousseau. “What could the king be thinking?”
We were prevented from discussing the matter further by the announcement that Guildford himself had come to call.
This was the first time I had seen my daughter’s fiancé since the marriage was arranged. Unlike his father and his brother Robert, who were swarthy, Guildford was fair, with hair the same nondescript shade of brown as his mother’s. He had inherited his father’s height, however, and he was more handsome than either of his parents. Physically, at least, I did not see where Jane had got such a bad bargain, fourth son or not.
Guildford bowed to Jane and the rest of us. “Well,” he said after a few pleasantries, “it looks as if we’ll be married soon.”
Jane gave him a withering glance. “Yes,” she said distantly.
“My father will be allowing us to stay a few days at Chelsea.”
“Chelsea? That is where I spent much time when I was living in Queen Catherine’s household. I had very happy memories of it.”
“We’ll have the place to ourselves. Well, except for our servants, of course.”
“So I assumed.”
Guildford turned his attention to the smock. “That’s very nice looking,” he ventured. He smiled. “Perhaps when we are married, you will make me shirts?”
“I am a very poor seamstress. I would not count on it.”
“Oh.”
“I prefer the pursuits of the mind. What pursuits do you prefer, Lord Guildford? Hunting, I suppose? Hawking?”
“I enjoy both, but only occasionally. I prefer tennis, actually. I hope to install a court when we have a permanent residence.”
“Really.”
“I do like music quite a bit, too, and dancing.” Guildford looked at Jane hopefully. “My mother said that she recalls seeing you dance quite well.”
“Yes, I do like music,” Jane allowed. “And dancing at an appropriate occasion.”
“Father has engaged the best musicians in London for our wedding, and two troupes of masquers, one of men and one of women. It will be quite a spectacle.”
“Indeed it will be.”
“I hope the king will be well enough to attend.”
“Yes. It would be a pity if he were not able to witness what he has brought about.”
I decided to help my future son-in-law. “Is Lady Katheryn looking forward to her marriage?”
“Oh, yes,” Guildford said. “She met her husband the other day and has spoken of nothing but him since. He brought her a puppy as an early wedding present.”
Jane, who was not fond of animals, looked warily around. Guildford said, “I didn’t think you’d like anything like that, my lady.”
“No.”
“I would like another monkey,” mused Kate. “I wish Lord