The Virgin's War (Tudor Legacy #3)(33)

She did not entirely trust the arrogant cast to Philip Howard’s face as he accepted his appointment and took his seat. It would not do to forget, even for a moment, that both his father and his grandfather had been executed for treason to the crown. It was a precarious path she was embarked upon, and she could not allow an ambitious and devout nobleman to wreck it.

There was a hush after the two Catholics were seated, and all eyes turned expectantly to the princess as her secretary also sat. No doubt they expected a word of welcome or thanks. But Anabel had one more appointment to announce, and this one she would do herself. Forget appointing Catholics to her council—this would send the rumours flying through England as thickly as bats speeding to their cave.

Anabel, at her most imperious, rose straight and tall. “It is our intention to appoint a Lieutenant General of the Marches. Too long has the post remained empty, keeping the wardens disorganized and without proper royal support. And though it is our dearest wish to be closely allied with Scotland, the protection and well-being of our people must ever be our first concern.”

This time the murmurs held a hint of excited alarm, for it was not properly her right to appoint a lieutenant general. That belonged to the queen. Thus, as planned, the Princess of Wales’s announcement could only be seen as an affront and an open challenge to her mother’s power.

“Lord Christopher Courtenay.” She spoke clearly and deliberately.

His name elicited far more than a murmur, but Anabel ignored it. She kept her eyes only on Kit, who approached with that easy grace he had always possessed, fulfilling at last his youthful promise of skill and strength. His dark gold hair and hazel eyes were set off by the chestnut silk of his doublet and hose. He had always had his mother’s beauty, though his was entirely masculine. And like his mother—and Anabel herself—he knew how to use it to his advantage.

He knelt as Anabel spoke to him. “With this charge, serve well our people. Protect our borders and ensure our prosperity. We entrust you with our dearest hopes for this beautiful North of England.”

His obeisance, like all else he did, was beautifully executed. She offered him her hand, to raise him up, but he kissed it first. Still at her feet, he looked up. Then, with the impudence she loved, Kit winked.

No turning back now. Anabel had launched her first shot in open defiance of England’s ruling queen. What followed from this might well decide the course of the coming war.





15 May 1585


York


Mother,

The Council of the North has concluded its official business. You would be proud of Anabel; she conducted the proceedings with both gravity and charm. Like her own mother. I would not say that the men over whom she presided ever forgot that she is a woman—but she turned that to her advantage. The unofficial business looks to continue for several more days. The Earl of Arundel arrived just in time to publicly accept an appointment to Her Highness’s council, thus continuing the Howard family tradition of committing oneself at the last possible moment. We shall hope the other Howard tradition of treason is not repeated.

Father Tomás Navarro cornered me in conversation at last night’s festivities. He is young and intense and rather romantic in that austere Spanish way; pity he is a priest. In any case, he did not waste time trying to flirt with me. Instead, he questioned me rather closely about you and Father and the queen. No doubt he is fully aware of my rumoured relationship to Her Majesty—he seems to think that makes me more disinterested than the others in York. And so I am. I find myself impatient with Anabel’s arrogance and Kit’s adoration and Pippa’s distraction.

No doubt you are enjoying London precisely as much as I am enjoying York.

Lucette





3 June 1585


Scarborough


Mother,

We are embarked on our Grand Tour of the North. Who knew how much landscape is encompassed in Yorkshire and Cumbria and Lancashire? I feel certain that by the end of the summer we will have seen every single rock and vista and heather bush that exists. But of course, it is not the landscape but its people who are the purpose of this royal progress. For progress it is—in fact, if not in name.

Wherever we go, Anabel is received with the kind of attention and rapture that I have previously seen commanded only by the queen. She earns it, I admit, for she works long hours receiving people and listening to their injuries and complaints. Pippa works even longer hours, for she has been to all these places multiple times in the last two years to prepare the way. Kit is only occasionally with us, as he does his work along the border and ensures nothing will mar the coming meeting of Anabel and the Scots king.

Ironic, that last, isn’t it?

Lucette





27 June 1585


Berwick


Mother,

The news of Elizabeth’s condemnation of Kit’s appointment has been received rather coldly in the North. I would prefer it to have been discussed heatedly, for that argues the passion of a moment. But this coldness? It will have to be handled carefully, or these two royal women may find themselves seriously estranged. Like Edward II and his son…though that was perhaps more rightly the fault of Edward III’s mother.

Anabel has officially continued the ban on Catholic services, but she turns a blind eye to the Masses conducted privately in her wake as we travel. Tomás Navarro conducts many of the Masses himself, and takes time to hear confessions and counsel gravely wherever we go. It certainly has engendered goodwill.