The Virgin's Daughter (Tudor Legacy #1)(23)
Gravely, Walsingham said, “There is no doubt that the Jesuit mission has begun. Even now there are priests slipping into England with the pope’s blessing to stir up rebellion.”
Burghley played devil’s advocate. “According to their own statements, they are come only to teach, not to meddle with affairs of state or politics.”
“There is no difference.” Walsingham would not raise his voice in her presence, but Elizabeth could hear his fury. Because she knew it was prompted by concern for her, she let it pass.
“Is it true,” she asked, “that Edmund Campion is leading the Jesuit mission?”
Burghley, who had been Campion’s patron when the man was a scholar at Oxford, nodded. “With Father Robert Persons. He’s a gentler man than Campion, no doubt meant to rein him in. I doubt he’ll be successful.”
If there was one thing Elizabeth detested, it was ingratitude. “No Anglican cleric benefited more from the crown’s favour than did Campion. I was seen to publicly praise him, he was allowed to offer the Latin oration when the founder of his college died! How dare he throw such gifts back in my face?”
“He says it is for conscience’s sake,” Burghley said mildly.
“I take no issue with his conscience. If he feels he must follow Catholic doctrine, let him. I did not pursue Campion when he left our kingdom. But now he dares return to publicly oppose the religious settlement that has kept England at peace for twenty years.”
“Your Majesty,” Walsingham said, “we must consider on the wisdom of allowing King Philip to land so many Spanish with him when he arrives. How do we know he is not importing members of this mission to stir up violence against you?”
Burghley bore the first argument on her behalf. “It is a diplomatic entourage of the queen’s husband. We can hardly ask King Philip to reduce his party while coming to visit his wife.”
“Coming to divorce his wife,” Walsingham said bluntly. “If we’re lucky.”
“Oh, come now,” Elizabeth said with a casualness that was partly feigned. “Do you really expect Philip to import an assassin to do away with me when all of Europe knows our marriage is but a sheet of paper that will be ripped in half this summer? There is no need for Philip to have me killed. If nothing else, the man I married is not stupid. He would not risk such a step while he himself is on English soil to be made suspect.”
“But not all of his men are so prudent. Philip may not be fanatic enough for Rome, but many of his subjects would gladly give their lives to end yours.”
“Perhaps,” Elizabeth said sharply. “But then, that is why I employ you, to prevent fanatics from carrying out their schemes.”
“Like the Ridolfi plot or the gunman along the banks of the Thames? I need not remind you that those might as easily have ended badly. So much depends on luck.”
Elizabeth gave a bark of laughter. “Luck? And here I thought I employed you for your skills. You are not usually so modest, Walsingham.”
“I am not usually so frightened, Your Majesty. With the dissolution of your marriage to Philip, the last protection you have from Catholics will be withdrawn. Pope Gregory will undoubtedly restate the terms of your excommunication of ten years ago. Your Catholic subjects will once more be absolved by the pope of any allegiance to you; indeed, he will declare not only your reign but your life forfeit in Catholic hands. That is what the conspirators in France are waiting for. To be given absolution for murder, so they might remove you from England’s throne.”
“And do what?” Elizabeth flung it at him like a challenge. “The Catholics are divided on who should succeed me. Mary Stuart might have the purest Catholic pedigree, but her only heir has been raised by violent Protestants.”
It was Burghley who stated the other choice. “Or Princess Anne, daughter of the King of Spain and who, should she prove willing to return to Catholicism and marry appropriately, might be mooted as Philip’s heir as well as yours.”
“Which means France and Spain will never come to agreement,” Elizabeth finished. “France will not allow Spain to take charge of England, and Spain will not permit France the same. They are united only in despising me—kill me, and their unity dissolves.”
“Small comfort to England if you are dead.”
“You underestimate my daughter. Anne will never allow herself to be used by our enemies. Which is why there will be several eligible young men of England in the court party to meet Philip. Scotland may or may not be the right match for my daughter, but I will not overlook the uses of English nobles.”
“Francis Hastings, son of the Earl of Huntingdon, and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex.” Burghley supplied the names thoughtfully.
“Of course.”
“Have you considered bringing the Earl of Somerset to court as well for the duration of the Spanish visit? He is heir to the wealthiest duke in the kingdom.”
She shook her head at once. “Stephen Courtenay is needed at Tutbury.” And also, she thought, it is a bad idea to pair Minuette’s son with a Tudor royal, even in play. There is far too much of pain and history there.
Burghley understood what she did not say and accepted her refusal. Then Elizabeth added one name to his list, knowing it would raise eyebrows not only among her advisors but in England at large. “And Brandon Dudley.”