Page 74 of A Woman of Passion

TWENTY

London, September 10, 1548

Dear Mother and Marcella:

I know you will have heard rumors about the explosive situation at Court, so I will bring you up to date. Protector Edward Seymour refused to hand over to Catherine Parr the jewels that King Henry left her, claiming they belonged to the new king. As a result Thomas Seymour made threats against his brother and suggested thathe should be lord protector. As lord high admiral, Thomas has hired ten thousand men into the navy, and Edward Seymour is so fearful, he put Tom under surveillance.

Bess paused. She could not bring herself to tell them of the scandal that had exploded at Chelsea when Catherine Parr had caught her husband, Thomas Seymour, and Princess Elizabeth in the act, on the floor of Elizabeth's bedchamber!

Bess continued her letter on a sad note. I am so sorry to tell you that four days after Catherine Parr was delivered of a baby girl, she died of childbed fever. Bess lifted her pen once more, as her thoughts flew about like wild birds trapped in a cage. Had Seymour had a hand in his wife's death? Would the ambitious devil find a way to make Elizabeth his next wife?

It is rumored that the admiral is abusing his position by extorting bribes from vessels sailing to Ireland and that he condones piracy for a share of the loot.Though Bess dare not put it in her letter, she knew Marcella would conclude that Seymour needed cash to mount a rebellion.

Princess Elizabeth has moved her household to her own palace of Hatfield, and Frances Grey has reclaimed Chelsea Palace as her daughter Lady Jane's official residence, since Jane will be queen when she marries young King Edward.

We will celebrate Christmas at Northaw and only wish you could be with us. I miss you sorely and promise to come for a visit in late spring when the weather permits.

All my love, Bess.

Events at Court moved forward so rapidly that Bess wrote home often, informing them of the political intrigue as it unfolded.

London, March 21, 1549

Dear Mother and Marcella:

By now you will know that in January Thomas Seymour was arrested. There was evidence that he obtained ten thousand pounds from the mint by corrupt means. As well, the protector swore that Thomas had plotted a secret marriage with Elizabeth and attempted to seize the king's majesty and dispose of the privy council.

Within days Mistress Cat Ashley and Master Parry, Elizabeth's cofferer, were taken to the Tower for questioning, and the princess was placed under house arrest at Hatfield, where she was relentlessly interrogated for over two months. In theend Elizabeth could save only herself and her loyal servants. The protector persuaded the king to sign a bill of attainder against the admiral, and yesterday Thomas Seymour was sent to the block.

Bess paused, remembering the horrendous quarrel she and William had had. Because he was a member of the privy council, he knew that the protector was just waiting for his brother Thomas Seymour to lift one finger toward the king or his royal sister so he could arrest him for treason. Bess had promised William she would not breathe a word of what he told her, then had ridden hell-for-leather to Hatfield to warn Elizabeth. Cavendish had been livid that she had betrayed his trust, but when she begged him to forgive her, their reunion was so fierce, Bess conceived again.

Bess continued her letter. On a happier note, I am delighted to tell you that I am going to have another child. William and I are both hoping for a son, and after he is born we will come north for a visit.

All my love, Bess

There were those on the council and at Court who found what Edward Seymour had done to his brother abhorrent. Discontent over the protector's rule spread into the populace of England, and by autumn there was outright rebellion. John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, rode into Norfolk at the head of the army to subdue the revolt. He quelled the uprisings with little bloodshed, and when he returned to London, the council switched their allegiance to him. Edward Seymour was arrested, stripped of his power, and taken to the Tower.

The Cavendishes went to Northaw for the autumn hunting, where they entertained all their friends from Court. Bess learned that the young king did not enjoy robust health but was delicate and often sickly since his bout with smallpox. When she learned that Elizabeth had fallen into a decline over the death of Thomas Seymour, Bess resolved to try to pull her out of it.

When Bess arrived she was amazed to see that Hatfield was still shrouded in deepest mourning. When she saw Elizabeth lying silent in her bed, waxy as a corpse, Bess realized she was ill in her heart and soul. Fury rose up in Bess.

“This is an act that has gotten out of hand. You meant to punish everyone for taking the admiral, but you've gone too far and are punishing only yourself!”

Elizabeth leaned forward and put her head in her hands hopelessly. “Go away.”

“He wasn't worth it!” Bess said vehemently. “Tom Seymour was Catherine Parr's lover, long before she ever wed your father. He urged her to the royal marriage.”

“Liar,” Elizabeth whispered.

“He wanted the power that a royal female could give him—any royal female would do. He asked the council for permission to wed you or your sister Mary. Ask anyone on the council.” Bess let her cloak fall open to reveal that she was blooming with a child. “I am fulfilling my destiny, but you are throwing yours away! Someday you will be Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England.”

“It can never be. They called me bastard and, now, whore.”

“Go to Court and prove them wrong! John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, is in charge now. He will see that your brother welcomes you, and all will accord you the title, honor, and respect your position demands.”

Elizabeth arose from her bed to pace the chamber. When she flung a book across the room, Bess knew Elizabeth had taken the first steps toward fulfilling her destiny.

Bess presented her husband with a son and heir, whom they named Henry. Their friends the Earl and Countess of Warwick were his godparents. In the spring William bought a bigger house on the river for his growing family, and while it was being made ready, they went to Derbyshire to show off the children to Bess's family.

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