Minuette stilled and so did Dominic, not daring to hope, as she said to William, “France? Do you mean—”
“Do you think I would send my most precious treasure to France without an appropriate guard? Of course Dom must go with you.”
Dominic swallowed, trying to gain control before speaking. “Nothing like leaving things to the last minute.”
“I like to keep my kingdom guessing. It keeps plotting to a minimum.” William stretched contentedly and looked around the hall. “This is a very pleasant house, Minuette. I approve.”
“Thank you. I must speak to Mistress Holly about dinner and an appropriate guest chamber. She will be a little overwrought and need soothing. Your men will mostly have to sleep in the outbuildings, I’m afraid. It won’t be elaborate, I hope you don’t mind.”
The king caught her hand and raised it to his lips. “I would be content to dine with you in a stable, sweetling.”
William could not remember ever being so happy as he was that night, eating simple food in a simple room with only Dominic and Minuette for company. He should remember this feeling, he decided—perhaps when he married Minuette they could make this house their retreat. Of course it would need to be expanded and modernized. New kitchens and bedchambers for those who would need to attend him. Perhaps a tennis court or a maze or both. He would speak to someone about it and then he could present the plans to Minuette later. For Christmas?
He was so content, that it was a pity Dominic insisted on discussing court matters. Although Dominic was now, rankwise, the equal of Rochford, he had not lost his habit of corresponding with his former guardian, and thus he knew all about the competing sermons that had been preached in London the first Sunday of the French visit.
“I hear Latimer greatly offended the French with his opinions of marriage,” Dominic remarked. “Namely, that you should not marry in respect of alliance.”
“Oh, yes, Latimer was quite eloquent on that matter.” William tore off a piece of bread with restless hands. “Truly, it was as though he spoke straight to my own wishes: ‘for God’s love beware where you marry; choose your wife in a faithful stock.’ I cannot quarrel with that.” He grinned at Minuette, then went on, “Though I’ll admit his timing could have been better.”
“And Bonner spoke in favour of the French marriage.”
“Rather more than that,” William replied wryly. “As no doubt my uncle wrote you. Bonner was careful in his wording, but the bishop left little doubt that he hopes a Catholic wife will lead to Catholic children and thus England might be returned to the so-called true faith.”
“Why do you let Bishop Bonner continue preaching?” Minuette wanted to know. “He’s going to get himself into trouble.”
William shot a glance at Dominic and read there his knowledge of the trouble that had already come. “He has,” Dominic answered tersely. “Bonner was arrested the day after that sermon.”
Minuette looked to William. “What will happen to him?”
William caressed her cheek. “You need not worry about it, sweetling. Politics and religion are not only troublesome but boring. We will speak of other things.”
Dominic did not miss the mutinous expression that briefly crossed Minuette’s face, but she did not argue. For the duration of dinner they spoke of Minuette’s farms and of the visiting Frenchman who had passed out, dead drunk, in the middle of a state dinner and other trivia until she at last excused herself.
Left alone with Dominic, William stretched out his legs and contemplated his friend. After a long moment, right when expected, Dominic asked, “Why are you sending me to France?” He raised a hand when William opened his mouth. “And don’t tell me it’s solely for Minuette. I know what Bonner really preached. You have need of me here.”
It was true that Bishop Bonner had finally crossed the line from religious disagreement to state treason. His sermon had centered on Mary, still confined at Syon House (for her own protection, William thought of it, keeping her away from those who would use her), but Bonner had inflamed sentiment in favour of his half sister, and with the French marriage not precisely what Catholics hoped for…
“I could easily have Bonner tried for heresy for comparing Mary to the Virgin, but as he’s given us so many other ways to attack?” William shook his head. “He’ll end up executed, Dominic. Latimer intends no mercy. And why should he? Bonner was quick enough to torture and burn Anne Askew at the end of my father’s reign.”
It was true that Bonner had plenty of crimes to account for, but Dominic approached the issue practically. “Can you afford to antagonize the Catholics so openly? They might start imagining that they themselves are not safe in their beliefs.”
“As long as the French betrothal holds, the Catholics will bite their tongues. It means no hope of getting out of it this year, but I never really expected to marry Minuette for at least another two years. Also, I have Northumberland’s son in prison and the duke himself banished from court at the moment, so there’s some measure of balance.”
“But to see to the future balance—that is why I’m going to France.”
“I have an assignment for you while there. Besides Minuette, I mean. I need you to speak with the Spanish ambassador in Paris.” There wasn’t currently one in England, the last having been expelled during the Norfolk debacle.
He could have bet Dominic would figure it out. “Elizabeth,” his friend said simply.
“Elizabeth,” William agreed.
“A marriage to Prince Philip.”
“Right.”
“To appease the Catholics when you spurn the French and marry Minuette.”
“Can we quit stating the obvious and talk about how you need to approach this?”
