Robert’s expression was unhappy. Northampton laid his hand on his arm.
“Think about it,” he said. “But do not delay too long.”
Robert could not reconcile himself to the plot to get Overbury imprisoned in the Tower. He could not forget their friendship and was certain that Overbury would eventually give up this ridiculous plan to prevent the divorce.
An idea came to him when James was sending new ambassadors to the Low Countries and France. Why not send Tom? It would be good experience for him; he was fully qualified to make a success of the mission; and it would remove him from the scene while the divorce was being arranged.
When Robert suggested this to Northampton he thought it an excellent idea and lost no time in putting it before the King.
James had never greatly liked Overbury. He felt he had too much influence with Robert and was overbearing; Robert had found him a useful secretary, but James had heard how the man boasted of his own importance.
“We shall appoint Sir Thomas Overbury to the Low Countries,” said James. “Or if he would prefer it, to France. I think he should do well in the post.”
As a result Overbury was summoned by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Ellesmere and the Earl of Pembroke to come to them to hear the King’s wishes.
Overbury, rather startled by the order, was unprepared for the suggestion which was offered.
“Ambassador to the Low Countries or France!” he cried. “No thank you! I prefer to remain in my own country.”
The eyebrows of the Lord Chancellor were raised in astonishment. “But it is the King’s wish that you should undertake this office.”
“My health is not good enough for me to undertake it.”
“I am surprised,” said the Chancellor, “for I thought that you were in excellent health.”
“I should not be for long if I went abroad.”
Pembroke said: “Sir Thomas, you would be ill advised to refuse this offer. I do believe it to be a prelude to a post in the royal household, perhaps Treasurer. The King wishes to satisfy himself that you would serve him well.”
“The King knows I would serve a master well.”
“Then why do you not give him this further assurance?”
“Because I have no desire to leave England at this time.”
“Is that your final word?”
“You may take it as that.”
When an account of this interview was taken back to the King, he was annoyed.
“I like not the stiff carriage of his fortune,” grumbled James. “This is an arrogant man. He boasts that he rules the Court and country. He has boasted too often. This is a matter of contempt and punishable by imprisonment. He should not think that I shall allow this to pass.”
Overbury was writing at his table when he heard the tramp of feet outside his door.
He looked up surprised when the door was flung open and he saw the guards there.
“Sir Thomas Overbury,” said the leader. “I come on the King’s command to arrest you.”
Overbury was on his feet spluttering his indignation. “On what charge?”
“Contempt of the King’s royal person” was the answer.
“I protest. You cannot do this. Call Viscount Rochester.”
The answer was to show the warrant for his arrest.
There was nothing to be done. He could only follow them, out of the palace, down to the waiting barge.
Along the river they went to the grim gray fortress.
Overbury’s heart was heavy with foreboding as he entered the precincts of the Tower of London.
“Overbury is in the Tower!”
The news spread through the Court.
And could not Rochester save him? Did this mean that Rochester was losing his place? Who would step into his shoes?
Robert was dismayed. It had happened so quickly. He wished that he could have saved Overbury from that. It seemed strange because it was exactly what Northampton had wanted to happen. But it was disconcerting to think of poor old Tom in a cell.
He would speak to the King. James had surely acted in a moment of anger, for Tom was too arrogant; he did have too high an opinion of his importance; he really should have taken the post in the Low Countries. He could have come home after a reasonable time.
Robert would have spoken to the King but Northampton who made a point of seeing him at once, advised him not to.
“Why, Robert,” he said, “this is the best thing that could have happened. Let him cool his heels against a stout stone wall for a while. It’ll do him good. We’ll go ahead with the divorce and when that little matter is done with, Tom Overbury shall come from prison, a wiser man, I’ll promise you.”
Robert could see the reason in that; so he did not speak to the King of Sir Thomas Overbury.
Frances called on Anne Turner at Hammersmith. She looked radiantly beautiful as she embraced her friend.
“Good news, Anne,” she cried. “Overbury is exactly where we wanted him to be. In the Tower.”
Anne clapped her hands with pleasure. “That’s the best news I’ve heard for a long time.”
“And not before it was necessary,” went on Frances. “The man was becoming a menace, I can tell you.”
“That scum of men!”
“Yes, he was determined to make trouble. He had his spies. He was ready to malign me. Anything to turn Robert from me. And that is something I should not endure.”
“I should think not—after all you have done to win his love and keep it!”
Frances sighed. “I must have more charms, for he is ready to be deterred at the slightest trouble.”
“My poor sweet lady! What trials are yours! Yes, you must continue to hold him.”
“I fear that Robert may visit him there. I fear that he may bring about his release. I also fear what he has discovered. I suspect him of bribing the secrets from people who are willing to sell them. He could stop the divorce. He intends to. Why, if he brought to the King’s notice—”
Anne shivered. “He must be prevented.”
“The King hates and fears witchcraft.”
Anne nodded.
“If he thought that I—”
“My sweet lady, you are over-wrought. He shall never know.”
“How can we be sure?”
“By keeping Overbury in the Tower until he dies.”
“Until he dies,” repeated Frances.
She was staring with wide eyes at her friend. She had made up her mind then. Overbury must not leave the Tower alive.
MURDER IN THE TOWER
The Earl of Essex was astonished—not that his wife desired a divorce, but by the reason she gave for wanting it. She accused him of impotence! He was angry. How dared she make such a statement when she had never given him an opportunity of proving whether he was or not!
If there was any justice in the land she would soon be discovered to be a liar.
Arthur Wilson, who had become his confidant, was not displeased by the news. He believed that he had, by his vigilance, prevented the Earl’s being poisoned at his wife’s order. If Essex were divorced—no matter by what means—he would escape forever from the evil influence of that woman; he could marry and live a normal life, and that, Wilson believed, would be a very desirable state of affairs.
“My lord,” he said, “consider this: To be free of the Countess would be the best thing that could happen to you.”
“You are right.”
“Well then, if you stand in the way of this divorce, you will be bound to her for the rest of your life; and while this is so, I am convinced that you are in danger.”
Essex said: “You have heard the complaint against me?”
Wilson shrugged his shoulders. “When you are free of her, when you marry again, your children will prove the woman a liar. It will be too late then for them to act upon the discovery. You will be free from her.”