Page 103 of Love, Remember Me

"I wish to make candles," Catherine told Lord Baynton. "We cannot have a proper Christmas without candles aplenty. I will need the best beeswax, molds of all sizes, cotton wicks, rose oil, lavender oil, and bayberries, my lord. Tomorrow will be soon enough."

Lady Baynton swallowed her amazement when her husband replied calmly, "Of course, madame. I shall see to it myself."

"Are you mad?" she demanded of her husband as they lay abed that night. "Where will you obtain such items?"

"That, my dear," he said with a small smile, "you will leave to me. Catherine Howard will have what she needs to make her candles. Have you told Lady de Winter of her husband's fate yet?"

"I must find the right moment," she answered him.

The following day they made candles in all sizes and shapes, scenting them with rose and lavender oils, and with the bayberries they had been given. The candles cooled on a table set out in the kitchen gardens. Within a very few hours they were hardened and ready. In that time Cat Howard and her ladies decorated the three rooms assigned to the former queen with sweet-smelling pine branches and garlands of holly, boxwood, laurel, and bay that they had made up the evening before. The freshly made candles were then brought in and set about on every flat surface that could be found. When lit, the candles represented the Star of Bethlehem.

There were other customs that could not be observed. There could be no Lord of Misrule. Even Cat saw the inappropriateness of asking Lord Baynton to fulfill such a role. There would be no hunt for wild boar to be served at the Christmas feast. On Christmas Eve day, however, Lord Baynton suggested an excursion into the wood to find their Yule log. Lady Baynton feigned a minor complaint and requested that Nyssa remain with her.

When they were alone, she said to her companion, "My husband has had word from London, Nyssa. It seems the king has been rounding up all the Howards that he can find and clapping them in the Tower."

"Varian?" Nyssa asked, knowing instantly what the good woman was trying to tell her. Her heart beat a quick tattoo at the reply.

"Aye. I am sorry, my dear. Lord Baynton and I know that he does not deserve to be there. He is not even a Howard."

"Who else was arrested?" Nyssa asked. Oh, God! Why had they not fled without the royal permission when they had the opportunity?

Lady Baynton told her.

"But not Duke Thomas?" Nyssa observed, and there was humor in her tone, to Lady Baynton's surprise. "How did he escape the royal wrath? And what of Surrey?"

"Both fled from London," Lady Baynton replied.

"Of course," Nyssa answered. "I am not surprised. I warned Varian that his grandfather would bolt, given the chance. He is a master at his own survival."

"Lord Baynton does not think the king will harm any of the Howards. He is simply very angry and heartsore right now. Eventually his sense of fair play will get the better of him."

"I pray that you are correct, Lady Baynton," Nyssa said. She did not know whether to believe the older woman or not. Perhaps she was just trying to be kind. If I think about it, Nyssa thought to herself, I will go mad. I must be strong for Varian, and for our children. Looking up at Lady Baynton, she said, "Do you know how to make frumenty?"

"Gracious!" the good woman replied. "You are a country woman, aren't you? Well, so am I! Indeed I do know how to make it! Let us go to the kitchens and see if we have all the ingredients."

Christmas frumenty was a very special treat. Made from finely hulled wheat, it was boiled in milk until it was soft, and then sweetened with a sugar loaf, a rarity which made it a delicious holiday dish. It was not served at any other time of the year. Finding what they needed, the two women made the dish, and then set it aside in a warm spot by the fire.

The small paneled room that served as their hall was prettily decorated, its candles burning brightly when the Yule log was dragged in by Cat, her ladies, and the servants. At Christmas most class distinctions were eased considerably. Cat sat impishly atop the log as it was pulled along, singing at the top of her lungs the traditional song used to ward off any evil spirits from the log, and from the fire it would give.

"Wash your hands or else the fire

"Will not tend to your desire:

"Unwash'd hands, ye maidens know,

"Dead the fire though ye blow."

Everyone in the household wanted to touch the Yule log for luck. Finally it was pushed into its place within the fireplace, and Catherine Howard lit the great log, her face bright with childlike excitement. It was oak, and well-dried, and sprang to bright, flaming life almost immediately.

A special supper was served to them. There was fish caught that very day in the river, broiled, and laid upon silver platters dressed with watercress. There was a fine country ham, and a leg of lamb; a fat capon stuffed with fruit and nuts; and a duck in a sauce of dried plums and sweet wine flavored with cinnamon. There was turnip with butter and nutmeg, carrots, and braised lettuce. The bread had been newly baked that morning, the butter freshly churned, and the cheese brought from a nearby farmstead. Wine and ale were served. Everyone ate heartily, their appetites increased by the time spent in the open air. Nyssa, however, picked delicately, for her appetite had deserted her.

They had no musicians, but Cat had her lute. As the Yule log blazed merrily in the fireplace, she played and sang traditional Christmas songs for them. Those who did not know her well found it hard to imagine that such a sweet-voiced girl possessing Cat Howard's pretty face could be so wicked and unchaste. Yet the servants knew, if the former queen did not, that two men had already died for their fornications with Catherine Howard.

After a time the Christmas ale, the cakes, and the frumenty were brought in and served to the little assembly. Cat Howard clapped her hands in delight.

"I have not had frumenty since my days at Horsham," she said. "Who made it? Ohh, I always loved it as a child!" She greedily spooned the treat into her mouth. "Ummmm, it's good!"

"Lady Baynton and I made it," Nyssa said. "While you were out this afternoon seeking the Yule log. We thought you would enjoy it."

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