The Virgin's Daughter (Tudor Legacy #1)(52)

But it did mean that Spain was in a delicate position at the moment. As Anne was Elizabeth’s only child, so was she Philip’s. In another place and time, she might thus have risen to join two kingdoms, as her own great-grandmother, Isabella of Castile, had when wedding Ferdinand of Aragon. But in the modern world there was no chance of Spain and England combining into a single empire. Not only was there the impediment of religion, but Europe itself would never permit that degree of unity between two powers. There needed to be balance.

Which, after all, was the point of this divorce. If they’d had another child, then perhaps she and Philip could have split them to rule in different countries. But there was only Anne, and Philip needed to look to his own succession. Elizabeth knew there were wagers flying around court as to how quickly he would remarry. She herself was certain it would be before year’s end. To a young and fertile lady, no doubt.

But that didn’t mean he would cut all ties with England. Philip was, if nothing else, a loving father. He would want his daughter well cared for. He might have lost the bid to make Anne Catholic, but he could press for her marriage to someone Spain approved of.

The question was, how far would that pressure go?

This first encounter was conducted almost entirely between Lord Burghley and Cardinal Granvelle. The two men were nearly of an age, both in their early sixties, and practiced similar wily approaches to state business. Elizabeth and Philip themselves sat silently watchful, and she could almost feel her husband’s amusement and intensity of purpose. It was possible to feel both at once. She often did.

Burghley pointed out that Anne, by English law, was Princess of Wales and her mother’s direct heir. The Spanish advisor pointed out that laws can be changed. Burghley replied that English laws were not susceptible to change merely for Spanish benefit.

At which point Granvelle changed tactics. “We do not dispute Princess Anne’s right to the English throne. However, it is a source of great pain to her father, the king, that she has never seen his country. May we not negotiate a visit from the serene princess?”

Absolutely not, Elizabeth thought loudly, but she kept her expression neutral. Burghley handled it smoothly. “Our first and most pressing need is to discuss the possible marriage settlement of the princess. We have several possibilities in mind. No doubt His Majesty”—Burghley nodded to Philip—“has his choices as well.”

“He has.”

“I propose we each submit to the other a list in writing, with the possible suitors and their advantages to Princess Anne. We can reconvene in a day or two, while King Philip enjoys his daughter’s company.”

All very scripted and deliberate. Elizabeth wagered she could write the Spanish list as well as they could write the English one. But formalities were what made it possible to rule. As both a lady and queen in her own country, she rose first.

“Thank you, gentlemen. Please enjoy our English hospitality until we convene once more.”

Once, Philip might have followed her out, but today he merely rose and bowed to her as she left the council chamber. She imagined he would be on his way to Anne, presumably to present a personal plea to his daughter to consider his choice in matches. Or to raise a fuss and press her for a visit to Spain.

Good luck to him, Elizabeth thought. Anne would be polite and friendly, and only afterward would Philip realize she had given away nothing. It cheered her to think her daughter had gotten that impenetrable facade from her.

As for Anne leaving England…never in her lifetime would it be considered.





THIRTEEN




19 June 1580

Hampton Court

Lucie,

We leave tomorrow for Portsmouth to receive the Spanish. Anabel is nervous but will not admit it, even to herself. Is it condescending to admit that there are times I feel sorry for her? Well, I do. At least we have been allowed to grow up together as a family, difficult as that may sometimes be. I wonder if King Philip has any idea of the daughter he and the queen have created.

Kit is furious that Brandon Dudley has been invested with the earldom of Leicester. But like Anabel, he is not fully aware of how he feels…or why. I shall have quite the task keeping the two of them in line this summer.

And how are your Frenchmen, Lucie? Do you know, even when I was six years old, I did not think Nicolas LeClerc was all that attractive. Handsome, perhaps, but attraction has more to it than looks. Not that my opinion matters. But I offer it, because I am your sister and irritating you with unwanted opinions is part of my raison dêtre!

Keep your eyes open, sister, as well as your heart.

Love,

Pippa

—

19 June 1580

Hampton Court

Pippa says I must write. How are you? Everyone here is as normal—Pippa is bossy, Stephen is absent and important, Mother and Father are watchful. And Anabel is uncertain, but covering her uncertainty with imperiousness. All we need is you to look at us disdainfully as a reminder that you are so much more adult than we are.

Kit

—

21 June 1580

Tutbury

Lucie,

I find when perusing your latest letter that I cannot decide if you are enjoying yourself highly or simply enduring a trial you would rather have finished. I need to be able to read your eyes rather than your words to gain a true perspective. You do know that you are not as hard to read as you think yourself. Your eyes always give you away.