But she did not forget that it was a Queen’s duty to show herself to her people, and so she set out on a progress through Essex and Suffolk, staying at various houses which belonged to those ladies and gentlemen who were wealthy enough and worthy enough to entertain her.
While they were staying at Ipswich, Lady Catharine Grey attracted the Queen’s attention.
It was during the robing—always an important ceremony, for there were so many dresses from which to choose, so many jewels which must be tried on only to be discarded. Eventually Elizabeth decided on a gown of black velvet and a caul that went with it set with pearls and emeralds; there was a black velvet hat spangled with gold and adorned with a drooping feather which hung over the shoulder.
While the Lady Catharine was adjusting the jeweled girdle she fell into a faint at her mistress’s feet.
For a few seconds Elizabeth stood still, looking down at the girl, who was very beautiful and in that moment astonishingly like her sister, the tragic Lady Jane.
“See to the girl,” said Elizabeth.
It was Kat who came forward and unlaced Lady Catharine’s gown.
“It is but a faint, Your Majesty.”
“Lift her up,” said the Queen. “Get her to a couch. She looks a little better now. She is too tightly laced, I doubt not.”
While the women were putting Lady Catharine on a couch, Elizabeth drew Kat aside.
“What do you think, Kat?”
Kat’s eyes were alert. When a young lady fainted, one could always suspect a certain reason.
Elizabeth’s eyes were steely. “I know what you are thinking, you evil-minded creature.”
“Your Majesty, I may be wrong, but I have wondered about the lady of late.”
“You have wondered?”
“It is a look in the eyes, Madam. I just cannot explain.”
“You said nothing to me.”
“Madam, how could I be sure, and how could I voice such suspicions unless I was sure?”
“It would seem you have learned discretion in your old age. This is a matter of some moment. She is not a mere serving wench, you must know. I have a duty toward my kinsfolk and those in my personal service. If your suspicions are justified …”
“My dearest lady, do not be harsh with her. She is young and so pretty, and Your Majesty knows how easy it is for these things to happen.”
“Easy!” cried the Queen. Had she not fought her temptations? Had she not almost succumbed? Did she not long to be in the condition which might well have overtaken Lady Catharine? “Easy for harlots it may well be!” she snapped. “But this is Lady Catharine Grey—one of three sisters of whose virtue we hear so much.”
She could not control her wrath and jealousy. She thought of the pleasure she might have enjoyed; and being Elizabeth Tudor she was whipping her indignation to fury because the sly Catharine Grey was a possible rival for the throne.
She strode over to the group of women who were clustered about the couch.
“Well?” she demanded. “Well? Well? What is the meaning of this? Why does the girl faint in my presence? Have you discovered yet?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
“Then why not?” She bent over the Lady Catharine, who looked at her with frightened eyes. “Your Ladyship has often absented herself from duty,” went on the Queen. “Why? Answer me, girl. Have you been meeting a lover? Why do you lie there looking so frightened? What have you to fear if your conduct has been above reproach? But has it been above reproach? Come … let us see for ourselves!” Elizabeth pulled at the gold thread which laced Catharine’s bodice; she seized Catharine’s skirts.
Catharine scrambled up and fell on her knees crying: “Your Majesty, it is true that I am to have a child.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks were scarlet, her eyes blazing. “You … you harlot! You dare tell me that!”
“Your Majesty, it is not as you think. We were married before Christmas and …”
“Married! So your crime is even greater than I thought. What right have you to marry without our consent?”
“Your Majesty, we feared that it might not be granted and we could not endure to be parted … without …”
“Stop! Who is this man?”
“It is Lord Hertford. He is in France, as Your Majesty knows; but he is my lawful husband.”
“We will bring him back from France to answer for his sins. As for you, you will go to your apartment and there you will stay … my prisoner.”
“Your Majesty …” The girl had flung her arms about the Queen’s knees. “I beg of you, have pity on me. Do not blame him. It was not our fault …”
“So you were forced to marry against your wills, I suppose?”
“We acted so, Your Majesty, because we truly loved.”
“Take her away,” said Elizabeth. “I am covered with shame that this should happen in my Court. I do not believe there was a marriage. The girl’s a slut, and she talks thus to throw dust in our eyes. Take her away at once. She offends us.”
She gave Catharine a push with her foot, and the girl fell backward. Two ladies-in-waiting came and helped her to her feet; they led her away weeping.
“See that she is well guarded,” said Elizabeth.
And as she turned away, she was smiling. The Lady Catharine Grey had put herself into the Queen’s power, and Elizabeth was too shrewd a statesman to miss the opportunity which was offered.
Lord Robert came to the apartment of the Lady Catharine Grey. He was uneasy, for there would be trouble if the Queen heard of this visit; yet he could not ignore such an appeal as he had received.
She had sent a note to him, imploring him to come and see her. Robert was ruthless; he was self-seeking; but, beneath the shell which had been made by ambition, he had a kind heart. He was generous by nature, and it was his pleasure to help those who begged favors of him. He did not wish to bring trouble to any except those people who stood in his way or had slighted him. The Lady Catharine had never done him any harm; she was a beautiful young woman and he liked beautiful young women. Therefore, at the risk of Elizabeth’s displeasure, he could not ignore Catharine’s plea.
With great secrecy he was let into her apartment where he found her melancholy in her distress.
“My lord, it is good of you to come,” she cried.
“I am distressed on account of your plight.”
“Could you not speak for my husband with the Queen? It is for that reason I begged you to come. I so fear what will happen to him when he returns.”
Robert was silent. The young fool Hertford could lose his head for marrying a lady of royal blood without the sovereign’s consent, and he should have known it.
“The Queen is incensed that you should have married in secret.”
“I know, but what harm will it do her?”
What harm indeed! thought Robert. You who have a claim to the throne, some think, and about to produce an heir! Poor foolish girl! But so charming, so helpless, and looking to the powerful Lord Robert with such appealing and most beautiful eyes.
But he had not come to talk politics with the girl.
“You may rest assured that I will speak to the Queen on your behalf.”
She seized his hand and kissed it.
“But,” he went on, “this is a serious offense for a lady of your rank to have committed.”
“I ask nothing … only to live quietly with my husband and child. We will go away from the Court. We will live in the country. It is what we both wish.”
Poor innocent young woman! Would the Queen allow her to go from Court into the country where she might plot against the Crown, where she might ferment trouble? What an unfortunate family the Greys were! Would Catharine suffer as had her sister Jane?