Chapter One

 

I watched in horror as the guards led Sir James Aubrey away. That most feared word "treason", was murmured by some of the elegantly clad courtiers, even as they pretended to be occupied by other matters. I was new to the court of our great and sovereign King, Henry VIII, but I understood enough to know that my sponsor, Sir James, had fallen afoul of the powerful Cardinal Wolsey, and now he was banished from court, leaving one Lady Rose Greville alone and without a sponsor at court. My own family had little but my father's title to recommend it.

Naturally, no one was sufficiently ill mannered as to immediately suggest that I depart. In fact, just about everyone understood that I had but two options open to me since my family lacked influence, money or contacts, and I was now without a sponsor. I would never be accepted as a lady in waiting by the Queen or any titled lady of the court. Therefore, I must either get married or become someone's mistress. Schooling my features to calmness, I cast my glance around the large and crowded room to assess my prospects. The King was not present in the great hall and his courtiers were doing what they did best, which was to scheme and flirt, often simultaneously.

I was at court with the sole objective of rescuing my family's financial fortunes, so marriage to one of the many musicians, poets and artisans that the King had welcomed to court was out of the question. Some might say that I displayed an unattractive degree of mercenary calculation with regard to my future. My only reply would be that I had shed my tears, and mourned the conversion of a young girl's innocence into a commodity to be sold for the highest price well before I left my family and home for London. I lacked either the title or inheritance required to make me an attractive mate to any of the young, unmarried noblemen that strutted about the court like fighting cocks, or the older ones who glowered around the great hall like lions guarding their pride. I was thus left with the sole recourse that has been fate of countless women throughout history, which was to find a suitably rich and powerful man who would be tempted by the wares that god had chosen to grant me, and then to sell them at the best price possible. Given that my desperate situation was likely known to everyone in court including the boys who emptied the chamber pots, I was in a lamentably weak bargaining position.

As I racked my poor mind to discover any way in which I could increase my value, I spotted Sir Francis Bryan who, with an eye patch on his left eye and the large chain of elaborate fashion about his shoulders, was easily noticed amidst the crowd. He was talking to another, younger man. It was rumoured that Sir Francis was a rake, with a well developed taste for the company of beautiful women. I had been introduced to him, and in my desperation I thought that I detected a hint of sympathy in his glance. I fluttered my way across the hall and approached Sir Francis by what seemed to be mere chance. This way he would not be embarrassed should he choose to ignore me. My problems were already great enough without adding the enmity of such an influential man. Much to my relief and joy, he deigned to turn and bow in my direction as I neared. I curtsied and took the opportunity to say, "I would have a word with you in private if it pleases you Sir Francis."

There was a speculative gleam in his single eye as he studied me, and then he nodded and softly named a more private spot in the palace. He laughed as if he had made a jest, and I followed suit, before making my excuses and slowly making my way out of the great hall. Once again, I took pains not to appear as if I was headed for an assignation, but strolled casually through and down the corridors and halls of the palace. However, I did at last arrive at my destination. I had expected to have to wait, but to my surprise, it was but minutes before I saw the elegant figure of Sir Francis approaching.

He wasted little time in pleasantries and merely said, "Follow me."

Filled with curiosity, I pursued his straight, elegant back, all the while hoping that I had not become an inconvenience at court and thus something to be disposed of with a minimum of fuss. He stopped at a doorway, glanced to either side, opened the door and ushered me inside. It appeared to be to office of a clerk, with a large writing desk and quills. There was also a more normal table and several chairs. On the table was a tray, bearing a jug a wine and two cups. From Sir Francis's air of familiarity, he had used this room before. He held out a chair for me, and I seated myself, somewhat unnerved by his continued silence.

He poured and offered me a cup of wine and then stared at me over the rim of his own cup. Finally he said, "If I am not wrong, you could use a friend in court, Mistress Greville."

I sallied a small smile and said, "You are not wrong, Sir Francis. I find myself in a most uncomfortable situation, and I would be extremely grateful to someone generous enough to extend his favour to me in a difficult time."

Sir Francis smiled and said, "Your patron, Sir James Aubrey was brought down through the offices of a certain influential person. I find that for various reasons, I am also at odds with this person. While he is himself beyond reproach, he has supporters who are not, let us say, so securely perched."

I sipped my wine and allowed the liquid to redden and moisten my lips, which I am told makes a woman's face more appealing to men. This seemed to amuse Sir Francis, and I felt myself blush with embarrassment. I said, "I admit that I bear no great love for that person, but I fear that I have little knowledge of these high matters and even less ability to influence them."

Sir Francis said, "It is your very innocence of our little games of power and influence that might make you useful to me. Dedicated players of the game such as my cousin Mistress Anne Boleyn and her father would be immediately suspect, but you are new to court and without the natural alignments of family and title." His eyes pinned me like the tip of a rapier. "The simple course of becoming a lady-in-waiting is no longer open to you, without suitable connections. Would you then commit yourself to my cause? The rewards can be greater than you have dreamed, but equally so the risk and the difficulty of your duties."

I stood at the edge of a dark abyss. I could turn around and abandon all hope, or leap out and pray that Sir Francis would not just let me fall once I had served his purposes. I set down my cup and tried to calm my breathing. My corset felt like a band of steel around my ribs, and my heart beat fair to burst free from its cage. Wishing that I was back in my little room in my father's house, I nodded. "I place my fortunes in your hands Sir Francis, and I pray to god that you do not throw me aside when I have served your purposes."

Sir Francis smiled. "A lord who values his followers lightly will soon find that he does not have any. You have my word that I shall guard your interests as best I am able." His face turned serious once more. "But allow me to describe the task that I would set for you, and then I shall give you one more chance to change your mind."

I said, "Your words make my weak woman's heart quail, but speak on and I shall listen."

Sir Francis nodded. "A certain nobleman is an important supporter of Cardinal Wolsey, and enjoys the Cardinal's confidence. He is not very outspoken at court but he has a significant following that Wolsey finds useful when he wishes to spread his word. He is careful and prudent, never speaking rashly. He drinks but in moderation and does not gamble beyond his means. He is a widower, and as yet has not sought out a new wife. Neither does he womanise, and until recently it was believed that this was due solely to his upright character and morals. However, at a banquet thrown by the King a few days ago, he was made to drink more than his wont, and in his drunkenness he carelessly confided his thoughts on women to one who then passed this information on to me for a reward."

I was about to say, "Is he then a lover of men?" However, before I spoke, I realised that if this unknown nobleman had a taste for buggery, Sir Francis would have little difficulty in destroying him given the common hatred for men who lay with other men or boys.

Sir Francis seemed to follow my thoughts and smiled approvingly when I did not speak my first foolish thoughts. He said, "No, he is not a sodomite. However, his tastes with regard to women are such that none of the ladies-in-waiting desire to make his acquaintance."

When he paused to observe my reaction I said, "I have spent much time in France, following my father, who in previous years had some dealings there. During the many hours when the men discussed business, drink, horses and women, as their wont, I spent talking to the female companions of these men, a goodly number of whom were mistresses and courtesans of varying quality. I am not unfamiliar with the varied desires of men, so you may speak without fear of having me swoon."

Sir Francis grinned. "Very well. I shall be direct. This nobleman enjoys toying with women as others would toy with their dogs or horses. Any mistress of his would have to be willing to show her body so openly such as usual only in a tavern bawd, and to play every kind of sexual game that his imagination may devise. But there is worse. He enjoys the infliction of pain on women. He would employ the rod, the lash, and all manner of other devices as suits his fancy, and his mistress would necessarily endure such inflictions with grace and good temper. One must assume that he would not deliberately cause his lover permanent harm, but I must admit that I cannot be certain even of this."

So now I knew the price that I would have to pay, and the reason why Sir Francis had been so hesitant to accept my service. I had sworn to myself that I would do anything to rescue the fortunes of my family, and now I was facing the true test of that oath. Sir Francis had not mentioned the looks and sly laughter of the other women at court that I would have to face. Perhaps he was not even aware of the razor sharp edge of a woman's tongue when dealing with her own kind. Be as it may, he had been honest with me. Could I jump into the water now that I had been shown the sharks? Did I have any choice? The men made a great show of their courage and honour, but a woman's heart was just as strong when the cause was important to her. "Give me your word that even should I not survive, you will settle my father's debts either in cash or through the use of your influence, and I vow that I shall serve your cause, no matter what the cost."

Sir Francis bowed and said, "You have my oath. Serve me faithfully in this and your family shall ever find me their friend." He raised his cup. "Then let us drink to our bargain."

I raised my cup and drank, although in my heart I wondered whether it would have been better for me if the wine had contained deadly poison.

Sir Francis set down his cup and said, "Now that we are joined in our purpose, I can tell you that our target is Lord William Bexley. I shall arrange for you to be introduced to him and for him to learn of your urgent desire to further your family's fortunes. The rest I shall leave to you. Once in his confidence, you must observe his actions and communications, especially with Wolsey. You will report anything that might be used against Bexley, whether it be a sexual indiscretion or plots of treason against the King. Succeed in this and you shall be richly rewarded."

 

***

 

Secure once more at court as lady-in-waiting to a Lady Mary Talbot, I dived into the mad swirl that was life at the court of England's powerful young King. I myself was young and not unattractive, so I naturally caught the eye of many men, high and low, but I modestly and chastely refused all invitations to private parties and morning rides. Finally, I was introduced to Lord Bexley, who immediately eyed me with much interest, as one would examine a prize mare.

He bowed and said, "I have admired your beauty from afar Lady Rose, and have been driven to learn more about you."

I curtseyed and said, "You do me too much honour my Lord. The court is filled with many great and beautiful ladies, and I do but peep out from under their shade." I was surprised and relieved to discover that Lord Bexley showed no outward signs of being the ogre that he was reputed to be. In fact, he was quite charming and fair of face. So much so, that I saw my task to get close to him in a much more pleasing light.

 

***

 

I contrived to meet Lord Bexley several more times over the following days. I did my inexperienced best to make plain my attraction to him without going so far as to wave my bosom in his face. Finally, he invited me to dance with him, and for the first time he touched my hand. It was not long before we moved closer to each other than simple conversion would dictate and I was able to give him a closer look at my charms. As a woman, it was not difficult for me to sense that he desired me, yet I also felt some hesitation. By my smiles and the pressure of my fingers I tried to convey my approval. Since he was a man, he was just as likely to assume that I was suffering from a distress of the bowels. However, by some miracle, he felt sufficiently emboldened as to speak to me more directly as the dance ended.

He said, "I shall be bold, Lady Rose, and admit that your charms have struck me deep. Yet I must express some confusion as to your feelings towards me. I am sure that you have observed that the other Ladies of the court do not precisely flock to my side, and I do not doubt that you have discovered the reason for my solitude. And yet, if this is so, I must ask myself why you do not imitate your sisters in the avoiding me."

At this point I decided that directness would serve me better that mystery. We stood alone beside a window, and I gazed out at the marvellously groomed garden as he continued to hold my hand, allowing him to study my profile without an embarrassing meeting of our gazes. "Indeed, several ladies have urged caution upon me, warning of desires beyond those of most men, although it would be indelicate of me to mention the details in this public place."

"Then again I must ask why you are here with me," he said.

I nodded. "Very well. I shall be plain and risk your disdain. Many of the ladies seek to become the mistresses of rich and influential patrons, hoping that such liaisons shall in due course bring the obvious benefits to them and their families. However, the needs of my family are great and immediate, and in turn I must offer that which is similarly beyond the ordinary." Having said that, I turned to look into his eyes. If I had judged wrongly, he would call me a whore and walk away. Instead, he met my gaze with a smile and then I felt his fingers close firmly about mine. I realised that this was but a warning, and then his sword-calloused hand squeezed my fingers with such force as to produce surprising but unmistakable pain.

He maintained the pressure, fairly making my bones creak, and he waited for my response, all the while with a slight smile upon his face.

Calmly I said, "I see that the rumours had some basis in fact. However, if my Lord persists in holding on to my hand in that manner, others may assume that you are proposing to me. Besides, I am certain that my Lord can think of more interesting parts upon which to demonstrate the strength of his grip." I raised an eyebrow. "Provided we can arrive at a mutual accommodation." He released my hand, and I allowed him so see an expression of pain and relief pass over my features. I pressed my injured hand against the front of my skirt to support it, as the pain made me question whether it would function normally.

Lord Bexley gave me a gracious nod of his head and glanced at my hand. A curious smile spread over his face, like that of a child anticipating the receipt of a gift, a mixture of greed and excitement. "I am certain that both of our desires can be accommodated my dear. Perhaps we can best discuss this over a meal. I shall send a servant to bring you to my rooms for dinner." I smiled and curtseyed.