The Virgin's War (Tudor Legacy #3)(16)

“The pleasure is mine, Lord Scrope. I believe you’ve met Matthew Harrington, household treasurer for the Princess of Wales?”

The men shook hands, then Scrope suggested, “Let us escape the weather and take refreshment in the upper solar.”

In the solar awaited Scrope’s quiet visitor, who had taken the trouble to travel north with only a handful of men and with neither banners nor livery: Philip Howard, son of the late fourth Duke of Norfolk, himself now the twentieth Earl of Arundel. Where Scrope was of an age with Philippa’s parents, the Earl of Arundel was just five years older than herself. Slim and handsome, he greeted Philippa with courtesy.

“My lady, thank you for taking the trouble to ride to Bolton.”

“I believe all the thanks are due to you, my lord. The burden of travel has been yours.”

After five minutes of general courtesies and arranging seating with trays of delicacies laid to hand, they began their negotiations in earnest.

Pippa led the way. “Princess Anne respects your faith, as you know. She is aware of the burden imposed on the recusants and desires to meet with as many as possible to share their concerns.”

“To what end, my lady?”

“Discussion is not an end in itself?”

“Discussion is nothing but a sop used to distract from the lack of real reform.”

Scrope intervened. “They are serious, Arundel. Listen to what they offer.”

“So there is something on offer?”

Matthew stepped in, for it was true that Arundel would take a man more seriously. In his calm, resonant voice, he said, “Her Highness is offering two seats on her privy council to those of the Catholic faith.”

Stunned silence. Pippa had never seen the elegant Philip Howard so ruffled. He huffed a laugh, as though waiting for the joke to be revealed, but the rest of them merely looked steadily at him.

“You must be mad. Does the princess know what rash promises you are making in her name?”

“Listen to them, Philip,” Scrope counseled. “What have you to lose?”

From his widow’s peak of brown hair above a wide brow to the narrowing of his chin, Arundel looked darkly affronted. “My father lost his life to the present queen for his faith—why should I trust what her daughter’s servants say?”

Matthew said sharply, “The Duke of Norfolk lost his life for attempting to kill Queen Elizabeth and put Mary Stuart on her throne. With himself as her husband.”

“None of that is relevant,” Pippa interposed, since Arundel looked ready to stalk out in offended pride. “Her Highness is entirely serious about this, Lord Arundel. She will be in York this spring for the Council of the North. From amongst those Catholic lords who attend her at that time, she will name two to her council.”

“Why?”

“Because you need representation. If you do not have it, England will continue to split along religious lines. The Princess of Wales does not intend to come to her throne many years from now to rule only part of this people.”

Arundel’s expression remained wary. “The queen will never allow it.”

“The queen is not here.”

“Does Her Highness have men in mind?”

“Why do you think we are meeting with you?”

There was a long, considering silence before Arundel shook his head. “I am afraid I must refuse. I do not intend to be in the North this spring.”

And now came their trump card. Very gently, Pippa said, “Because you intend to sail from England in April.”

A slight flicker of the eyes, but the answer came pat. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You need to take better care with your servants, Lord Arundel. One of them is not as loyal as you think. We are aware that you plan to flee to the Continent in the spring and leave England behind for good.”

Arundel admitted to nothing. “Would not the queen be glad to see the Catholics gone?”

“Others may be able to flee unnoticed, but not Philip Howard. The queen will stop you; you must know that. If you try to leave England, you will be arrested and taken to the Tower. Would you not rather have the chance to counsel Her Highness on the condition of Catholics in the realm?”

“You must consider it, man,” Scrope intervened. “This offer will never come from London. But Princess Anne is the daughter of His Most Catholic Majesty, King Philip. One of her chief ladies is a Spanish Catholic. The princess is the best chance we have of bringing a peaceful end to this religious conflict.”

“Does Princess Anne intend to turn Catholic?”

“Princess Anne intends to heal the divide amongst her subjects.”

“That is sophistry.”

Pippa leaned forward and replied with all the intensity of which she was capable. It was a great deal. “Then I shall speak plainly. England will never return to Rome. It is far too late. Even were a Catholic monarch able to obtain England’s throne, they would not be able to hold it. The sentiments of the people are too strongly opposed. That does not mean there cannot be a great deal done to ease the suffering of English Catholics.”

“How?”

“That is what the princess’s privy council is meant to decide.”

At long last Arundel gave a begrudging smile. “You present an interesting proposition, Lady Philippa. You will not object to my taking time to consider it?”