Page 79 of Twin Flames
‘To your ancestor.’
There was a loud knock on the door. ‘I’ll see what they want,’ said George. ‘You finish getting dressed and let’s meet downstairs. Be quick, my darling. We must make plans to depart for Madrid as soon as possible. Let us leave before the queen has pause for thought.’
CHAPTER 24
Hampton Court Palace, 1536
The king had returned to his favourite palace with his new bride, Jane Seymour. He shifted his cumbersome weight in his seat. His swollen leg throbbed and made it difficult for him to settle. Sweat glistened on his brow, and he mopped the drops away with a silk handkerchief.
‘Cromwell. Where are you?’ he shouted. ‘Must I wait all day for you to honour me with thy presence?’
Cromwell sauntered into the room where he spent most of his waking hours, governing England behind the scenes. Officially he was supposed to assist the king, but King Henry had little patience for the minutiae of daily kingship, so he handed more and more of his affairs over to his chief minister. Cromwell hurried for no man; not even his king.
‘Yes, Your Majesty. I trust you and Queen Jane are recovered from the festivities. That was indeed the wedding of the century. You will be the envy of the whole of Christendom once word spreads.’
He stopped talking abruptly as he noticed the king’s irritation, etched into the folds of his ruddy face. He knew every mannerism and was sensitive to the ebb and flow of his master’s volatile nature. A touch of flattery typically fluffed the king’s ego and restored his good cheer, but it didn’t hit the spot today. ’What can I do for you,Sire?I see you are troubled.’
‘Ah, Thomas. You know me better than I know myself. Thank God I have you as my right hand. I have an urgent matter for you to attend to.’
‘Oh? Pray tell, Your Majesty, and I’ll take care of it post-haste.’
‘George Cavendish must be pardoned.’
Cromwell cleared his throat. ’You have had a change of heart. We agreed he would face the privy council. The evidence gathered against him is so compelling that he is undoubtedly for the hangman. May I humbly ask why you are no longer in favour of the execution, Sire?’
‘I’ve changed my mind.’
‘Yes, but is there any particular reason, Your Majesty?’
‘I can’t put my finger on it. As much as my pretty bride makes me merry, I find myself cross and melancholy this morning. I slept little last night.’
‘There, there, Sire. Does your leg pain you?’
‘Yes, Thomas, it’s like having my skin plunged into a burning cauldron. It’s so painful, at times I wonder what I have done to deserve this purgatory. I barely endure the agony.’
Cromwell made sympathetic noises and passed the king a glass of wine. He waited for the alcohol to kick in. He knew it would soothe his nerves and go some way to alleviate his pain and perhaps improve his mood.
‘It’s a beautiful day. It would appear that the beginning of summer is upon us. Would you like me to requestentertainment; perhaps a masque in the gardens? I’m sure your lady, the queen, would appreciate the merriment.’
The king tutted and shook his head. ‘I have no patience for more nonsense, Thomas. I appreciate you trying to distract me, but it is not necessary.’
Cromwell coughed. ‘I must advise against pardoning Cavendish. We will look lily-livered by reneging on the charges and taking such a weak-bellied stance.’
‘Are you calling your king, weak-bellied, Thomas? Is a king not allowed to change his mind?’
‘It is not for me to tell you what you must or must not do, Sire; but it is my duty to advise you, and I do so with great care.’
‘I know you mean well, Thomas.’ The king took another big gulp of his wine. ‘I had the most terrible nightmare about Anne. I’m convinced she will haunt me from her grave forevermore with her brazen ways. I must do right by George. They were friends, you know. George’s wife was Anne’s favourite. My conscience does not rest happily at Anne’s execution. I should have sent her to a nunnery, not have her death blemishing my poor innocent soul. I am plagued by guilt after acting in such haste.’
‘Your Majesty, she was found guilty before the council. It was out of your hands. The evidence clearly pointed to her incrimination. Treason, witchcraft, adultery and incest are no inconsequential charges for anyone, never mind the Queen of England.’
‘Yes, yes, I know all that. I know we had good reasons. But I feel a foreboding grabbing me by the throat and suffocating me like an ominous dark cloud. I am drowning in poor decision and regret at the loss of so many of my dear friends. Traitors in some way or other, all of them, but still I mourn the loss of their love and friendship. I have no wish to repeat the same error ofjudgement with my old friend, George Cavendish. He is a good man. He has been a loyal servant over the years.’
‘Very well, Your Majesty. I will see to it. But may I request a couple of days before pardoning him? It will be for the best if we notify the council and let them digest your decision. Let’s take it slowly and then release him quietly once the council has someone else in their sights.’
‘Aye, Cromwell. I do trust your judgement in these matters. If you think that best, then take as long as you deem fit. But he must be exonerated.’
‘Thank you, Your Majesty. It’s a wise decision. If he’s going free, we want him released with as little fanfare as possible. What would be best is if the people get no wind of it. Let’s bury the matter, strip him of his title and send him quietly home to York.’
