Chapter Thirty-six

 

The hardest point of all is, what to do with England; a treaty of peace is to be set on foot, and, if their alliance is not to be depended on, yet it is to be made as firm as possible, and they are to be called friends, but suspected as enemies

Utopia by Thomas More (translated by H. Morley)

 

Parker held his arms out to Susanna, catching her as she dismounted. She slid down his chest, breathing in his scent of horse and leather, and came to rest in his arms. She did not want to move.

They stood in the courtyard at Bridewell Palace, though, and she moved back at last.

Harry and Eric had dismounted as well, and were grabbing the horses by their bridles and leading them to the stables.

Fitzroy stood, uncertain and lost in the massive space. “Where do we go now, sir?”

“Within. I need guards around us, until I can find your father.” Parker stepped close to him, and knelt on one knee. “We will make sure you are safe, my lord.”

The courtyard was almost completely empty at this late hour, but somewhere outside the palace walls Susanna could hear the thunder of hooves. Not just one or two horses, but a cavalcade.

Parker rose, sword drawn, and Harry and Eric came running out of the stables, followed by some of the stablehands.

She braced as the noise became a roar of iron-clad hooves on cobbles, and what looked like the King’s hunt came bursting into the yard.

The King was in the lead, his face set white, his eyes dark pools of fear and fatigue.

“Your Majesty.” Parker bowed in relief, and Susanna saw he had blocked Fitzroy completely with his body. The boy stood behind him, unnoticed.

“Parker. I went from my hunt to Greenwich for the night, and Master Croke was there. He told me—” Henry swallowed convulsively. “I have sent a guard to the Tower. Croke told me you were taking Fitzroy there.”

“They wouldn’t let us in there, Father.” Fitzroy stepped from behind Parker. “But I am safe.”

“Wouldn’t let you in?” Henry leapt from his horse and scooped the boy in his arms. “You are well?”

“Aye. Master Parker and his lady and pages risked their lives for me today. Many times over.”

Henry looked over the boy’s head, and caught Susanna’s eye. She hastily lowered her gaze.

“I would like to hear the story.” He swung Fitzroy up in his arms and moved towards the doors. “Parker, bring your lady and your pages. I would know who threatens my son.”

Parker sheathed his sword again, and held his arm to Susanna and she took it, glancing back to make sure Harry and Eric followed.

The rest of the King’s party began to dismount, and the courtyard echoed with noise behind them. It was a relief to step into the quiet hall of the palace.

“My chambers, just us.” Henry led the way, his servants scurrying ahead to light the sconces and open doors.

At last they were in Henry’s private quarters, and he sank into a chair near the fire in his study, and drew Fitzroy onto his lap.

“What is this, Parker?” Henry shook his head. “This comes from nowhere.”

Parker rubbed his chin and nodded in acknowledgement. “I was given the information this afternoon, and went straight to Durham House. Just in time, too. The attempt was made no more than a half hour after I arrived.”

“Croke told me. He told me you acted with great courage and that one of the Tower guards was severely injured.”

“Captain Kilburne. He was there to escort my lady to her appointment, to paint his lordship. He was struck by a bolt while blocking Master Fitzroy with his body.”

“Croke also told me you carried my boy yourself, mistress, covering his body with your own as you ran.” Henry was watching her, his eyes unreadable. Given their last conversation, the way he had deliberately hurt her, threatened her, she could not know what he was thinking now. She merely bowed her head and murmured assent.

“She held me on the horse, she drew a knife to protect us.” Fitzroy’s words were muffled, exhaustion seeping into his voice. “And Master Parker.” The eyes he lifted to Parker were full of hero-worship. “He drew them off, using himself as bait, and then he came for us at the Tower, like a dark knight from a story.”

“What is this about denying you entrance there?” Henry’s voice shook a little, and Susanna realized it was not relief at having his boy, but rage.

“The Cardinal had no proof of Susanna’s treason by nightfall, and Susanna was no longer a prisoner in the Tower. They refused her entry and did not believe her when she said they were pursued by assassins and that she had Master Fitzroy with her.” Parker crossed his arms over his chest.

“Did they not call for Wolsey? I am told he is still at the Tower.”

“He was dining with the Constable and would not be disturbed.” Eric spoke, daring and cheeky in the circumstances.

“Who was behind this, Parker?” Henry frowned at Eric as he spoke, and if trying to remember why he was there.

Susanna wondered how much Parker would say. How much would be dangerous to Lucas. “Some foreign spies, sir. Turned loose by their master and without funds. They were approached by someone at this court. Took the job for want of the money.”

“Who at court?” Henry was very still.

Parker shook his head. “I do not know. And the spies are all dead, or disappeared now. I deemed Fitzroy’s safety more important than running them down.”

“Aye.” Henry rubbed a hand through Fitzroy’s hair. “You chose wisely.” He set Fitzroy off his lap and stood. “You are all commended for your help. Parker, will you take Fitzroy to a bedchamber, and make sure he has an appropriate guard? Master Croke was only just behind me, and should be arriving soon.”

Parker nodded, and stood back for Susanna to leave the room before him.

Henry shook his head. “I would speak with Mistress Horenbout alone.”

Parker bowed and caught her eye. She shared a look with him, and he took Fitzroy by the hand, led him out followed by Eric and Harry.

Susanna waited, head bowed, until the door swung shut behind them.

“You have me at a disadvantage, mistress.” The King sat again beside the fire. “I recall our last meeting was not amicable. And yet, I am now deeply in your debt.”

She said nothing.

“What have you to say?”

“You owe me nothing for helping to save Fitzroy. As it is, I bought the information on the plans for his assassination with something of yours. And what I risked of my life for him, I did freely, for him alone. Not to create a debt of obligation from you.” Her voice shook as she spoke. She did not know when she’d decided to tell Henry about the Mirror. But now was the time, if there ever was to be a time. Now, while the flush of happiness at his son’s safety was strongest.

“It was you who discovered the plan to kill Fitzroy?”

“Aye.” She drew out the letter Jean had given her and past it to him. “The French assassin who tried to steal the Mirror of Naples in March tracked me down to the Tower. Offered what he knew of the plan in exchange for the whereabouts of the Mirror.”

“And you told him.” Henry’s voice was flat as he read the short missive.

“I thought you would gladly exchange the Mirror for information that could help to save your son, Your Majesty.” She had never been so daring.

There was a startled silence. “You are right. Fitzroy is my male heir. He is beyond the price of diamonds.”

“If it would make it easier for you to accept, the Frenchman told me he does not plan to return the Mirror to King Francis. He plans to have it cut down and sold, for his personal purse.”

She watched Henry from the corner of her eye, saw him absently drum his fingers on the arm of his chair. “That does make it easier. I need not inform anyone of its disappearance. The French will not officially have it back. There is no loss of face.”

She stood quietly, waiting for her dismissal, her hands curled into fists. She could feel the gem of the King’s ring pressing into her palm.

Henry stood. “Take your leave, knowing I will not speak against your betrothal again. And there will be no more slurs against your loyalty. From Wolsey or anyone else.”

She dipped in curtsy and made to go.

“One last thing.”

She turned with her hand on the door.

“I bade the Queen show me the likeness you made of my daughter. Make sure you finish that painting of Fitzroy in time for his acceptance into the Order of the Garter. And make sure it is just as good.”

She nodded. Opened the door.

“No.”

She paused again.

“Make sure it is better.”