The Heretic Wind: The Life of Mary Tudor, Queen of England Judith Arnopp (best books to read in your 20s .txt) 📖

forming a new, and very restricted household. Where I once had threehundred people in my service, now I have just forty-two. But at least I am freeto come and go and am no longer given the lowly status of servant.

To my greatdelight, Susan Clarencius joins me and so does Margery Baynton, and it feelsgood to be among friends again. Away from the cloying grief of my father, I wishI could live the lavish life I’d once been accustomed to. Unfortunately, mypurse is short and I find it almost impossible to live within my means. I resumemy studies in Latin and music and endeavour to be content with the company ofmy household women, to practise my lute and the latest dance steps, but itisn’t easy.

Those who havemissed me during my travail come calling almost straight away, and I welcometheir friendship, realising that there was nothing they could have done toassist me when I was out of favour.

I throw awaymy old worn clothes and spend far too much of my income on replenishing mywardrobe. I have a great weakness for finery and jewels, and indulge my passionuntil my coffers are almost empty and I must apply to Father for extra coin. Itis impossible to be scrupulous in my spending but one day, I tell myself, oneday I will have all the coin I could wish for.

Fathercontinues in his search for a husband for me but I still hanker for a unionwith Spain. The king and council prefer the suit of Dom Luis of Portugal or theDuke of Orléans. But I have received so many offers of marriage in my life thatI no longer waste my time fearing, or even expecting, it to take place.

Relationsbetween Father and I are still uncertain. As my household expands and myfriends are no longer afraid to show affection for me, I come to realise that theking greatly dislikes them. I suppose he imagines we are working against him,plotting to usurp his throne and his hold on the church.

Of course, thedream of restoring Catholicism is never entirely out of my mind but I love myfather and would never work against him, or do anything that might risk hisfavour any further.

He seeks todrive a wedge between the emperor and I, and I am as torn now between Spain andmy father as I was in my youth. Chapuys continues to urge me to escape Englandand seek the safety of the emperor’s protection but … although he isunpredictable, the king is my father and I cannot let go of that fact. No matterwhat dangers I face, I am loath to quit his kingdom because I know that to doso would be to lose his love forever.

While I livein bodily comfort, ostensibly in my father’s favour once more, outside thepalace walls there are stirrings of unrest. Cromwell, in his attempt to put anend to the old ways once and for all, persuades the king to move against theold Catholic families.

Since mygrandfather’s day, those of Plantagenet blood have never wholly been trusted. Oneby one, members of the Pole family, and the Nevilles and the Courtenays whowere so supportive of my mother, are targeted. They are arrested for treason,interrogated and found guilty of conspiracy against the crown.

Fatherknows best, I tell myself. He is the king. I am powerless to stop him, butmy heart breaks for my old friends. The Poles never failed us in the past andshowed unwavering support for my mother’s plight. If I was brave I would speakout, risk my own life for theirs, but Chapuys warns me that to do so would besuicide.

“You must saynothing, Princess, say nothing that might appear to go against the king.”

I nodreluctantly, wishing I was made of sterner stuff, but when I hear that mydearest friend and cousin, Margaret Pole, has been taken, I fear my heart willcrack in two.

“He will notharm her,” I whisper to Chapuys who brings me the news. “She is his mother’scousin, her lifelong friend. Margaret Pole dandled my father on her knee whenhe was an infant. It is unthinkable that he should…”

My mind driftsto my childhood, when Mother and I walked with Margaret in the gardens. I canstill hear their merry laughter as they related tales of when Mother wasmarried to Prince Arthur … long before she ever dreamed of me. Margaret hadbeen with them at Ludlow – they shared memories of a time that the rest of thecourt had forgotten.

And later,after Mother was queen, I recall Margaret soothing my nightmares in the dead ofnight, helping me with my first crumpled attempts at embroidery, instructing mehow to shoot an arrow, how to daintily follow the steps of the dance… Father lovesMargaret just as Mother did, just as I do; she is family.

I frown atChapuys. “He just means to frighten her,” I whisper with a shudder of fear. Heshrugs his shoulders, his sad face crumpling with regret.

“I think not,my lady. The countess’s son, Geoffrey, has implicated them all quite damninglyin his confession, and as long as the exiled Reginald Pole continues to speakout against the king, he puts his entire family in peril.”

“Then you musturge him to stop. He will listen to you. Tell him I urge him to think what itmight mean…”

He splays hishands, his head sinking into his shoulders. “I have no influence, my lady. Therumour is that he plans to unseat the king and marry you.”

“But I wouldnever agree to that!”

Chapuys tiltshis head and pulls a wry expression.

“But the kingfears it and, as harsh as it sounds, these old families have plagued yourfather and his father before him for years. Once they are fallen, his position –the position of the Tudor line – will be more secure…”

“And theking’s soul will be in peril. Has he thought of that? Perhaps I should speak tohim, try to reason…”

“No!” Heforgets himself and places a restraining hand on my arm. “You must never dothat, my princess,” he says earnestly. “Promise me, you will never do that.”

“If only Janewere still alive. She could dissuade him.”

But Jane isn’there, and as my friends continue to fall