But there was something else which angered him.
I could not concentrate on the joust. I was wondering about Mark … and I wished I knew what Henry was thinking.
George performed with skill. So did Norris. They looked extremely handsome, both of them. The King watched them sourly. I was suddenly overwhelmed by the heat and the desire to get away. It was more than the rays of the sun; I was filled with a premonition that evil was hovering very near me.
I took out my handkerchief to wipe my brow. My hand trembled and it fluttered to the ground. Norris happened to be just below. He picked up the handkerchief on the point of his lance and held it out to me. I took it, smiling while Norris bowed.
The King was watching us. I turned to him. He looked as though he were about to choke.
I said: “Are you unwell?”
He did not answer. He stood up. There seemed to be a long silence, but it could have lasted for only a few seconds. Then abruptly he left the loge.
It was the signal for the jousting to end.
There was a certain amount of confusion—a kind of stunned silence. Then the voices broke out. No one knew what was wrong.
There was nothing for me to do but leave.
I went back to my apartments in Greenwich Palace.
The brooding silence continued…a silence full of meaning. The storm was about to break and I knew that I was at the heart of it.
Norris did not appear.
I sent for Madge. “Madge,” I said, “where is Norris?”
“I have not seen him since the joust.”
“It ended so suddenly.”
“The King was tired of it, they said.”
“He was irritated because he can no longer compete with men like Norris and my brother.”
Madge did not answer. I guessed she was thinking that I said the most dangerous things.
“And there is Mark. What can have happened to Mark?”
Madge shook her head.
“There are wild rumors,” she said.
“What rumors?”
“That Norris was arrested and taken to the Tower.”
“Norris! For what reason?”
“He had offended the King.”
“Surely not? The King is very fond of Norris. He was very close to him.”
“Perhaps it is merely rumors,” said Madge.
“How could such rumors come about?”
“They say it was when he was leaving the tiltyard. Norris was with the King. They were riding side by side. The King accused him of something… and then he called for his arrest.”
“I don't believe it. On what charge?”
Madge shook her head.
“But they say he is in the Tower.”
“What is going on?” I demanded. “Norris arrested! Mark missing! What does it mean?”
No one could be sure. Or perhaps they were afraid to tell me. Was there something they were holding back?
I wanted to talk to someone. Where was George? I sent someone to find him, but he was not to be found.
I dreaded the night. I knew I should not sleep.
How right I was! I lay in bed, turning from one side to the other, constantly asking myself: What does all this mean?
At length the long night was over. I rose. There seemed to be a silence everywhere. I fancied my attendants did not want to meet my eyes. They were all afraid of something.
In the early morning I had visitors. I was surprised to see members of the Council led by the Duke of Norfolk.
I rose as they entered my apartment, for they came unbidden and should have asked for an audience.
I demanded: “What are you doing here?”
“We are here on the King's business,” replied Norfolk.
“What business?”
“Your music man is a prisoner in the Tower.”
“Mark, a prisoner! He is only a simple boy. On what charge?”
“Of adultery.”
“Adultery! With whom?”
Norfolk looked at me, smiling. “With you, Madam.”
“Mark! A humble musician! What nonsense is this?”
“He has admitted it.”
“Oh, my God!” I cried. And I thought: Dining with Cromwell. For what purpose would Cromwell invite a mere musician to his house? To bribe him? No, Mark would never take bribes. If it were true that he had said that, they must have tortured him to make him do so. What implacable enemies I was up against. Poor Mark! His slender body… those delicate hands… What had happened to Mark? What would happen to me?
“How dare you make such vile accusations?” I demanded.
Norfolk used that favorite expression of his which had always irritated me. “Tut, tut, tut,” he said, as though I were a willful child. He added: “Norris is in the Tower… another of your lovers.”
“What wicked lies.”
“And now, Madam, we are come to conduct you to the Tower.”
“I will not go.”
“It is the order of the King.”
“I must see the King. I must speak to him.”
“His Grace does not wish to see you. It is his order that you are to be taken to the Tower.”
I felt suddenly calm. The blow had fallen. Perhaps I had been waiting for it for so long that it was almost a relief that it had come at last.
I was in the hands of ruthless men who would stop at nothing to get what they wanted… and the most ruthless of them all was my husband, the King.
Lies were being told about me. Had Smeaton spoken against me? If he had, his “confession” must have been wrung from him with the greatest cruelty. And Norris? Norris was an honorable gentleman. But could he withstand the rack?
I entered the barge, and I felt doom all about me. It seemed such a short time ago that I had come down the river in glory.
Norfolk sat opposite me. There was a smile of triumph on his face. He had never liked me. In spite of the fact that he was a kinsman, I really believed he was delighted to see me thus. I realized I had been proud and overbearing. I had been haughty, thoughtless, quick to anger. I had not exactly endeared people to me. But I had a few faithful friends and on them I could rely completely.
He said to me almost complacently: “Your paramours have confessed their guilt.”
“My paramours?”
“Norris, Brereton, Weston… and of course the music boy.”
“I do not believe it.”
He lifted his shoulders to imply that what I believed was of no importance.
They were taking me to the Traitor's Gate.
In my wildest nightmares I had not thought of this. That he might be seeking means of getting rid of me, yes, but not this way.
I was told roughly to get out of the barge. I did so. I suddenly felt the need for prayer. I sank to my knees and prayed aloud. “Oh Lord God, help me. Thou knowest I am guiltless of that whereof I am accused.”
Sir William Kingston, the Lieutenant of the Tower, came out to receive me.
“Master Kingston,” I said, “do I go to a dungeon?”
“No, Madam,” he answered kindly. “To your lodging where you lay at your coronation.”
The irony of the situation came upon me afresh. Was it only three years ago? I thought of myself sitting proudly in my barge with my device of the white falcon and the red and white roses of York and Lancaster. I was then pregnant…never dreaming that I should not have boys. I laughed wildly and there were tears on my cheeks.
“Wherefore am I here, Master Kingston?” I asked.
He did not reply but there was compassion in his face, and that brought me a shred of comfort.
As I was taken to my chamber, I heard the clock striking five, and each stroke was like a funeral knell.
Norfolk with his company came with me into the chamber and, having seen me installed there, were ready to depart.
“I am innocent,” I said to them again. “I entreat you to beseech the King to be a good lord unto me.”