Like my own, she thought painfully.
“She is called Anne,” William added.
To keep from showing that any of this had shaken her, Elizabeth said, “Presumptuous of Eleanor, giving her child that name.”
“Mychild. She is mine, Elizabeth. I am taking steps to recognize her formally. And Eleanor will return to Lady Rochford’s household at court. It was her only request.”
Because of that red-gold hair, she thought. Being invited to court is Eleanor’s reward for having living proof of my brother’s virility.
“Be careful, Will. I’m not sure who will be less pleased—Dominic or Minuette.”
He laughed, clearly relieved that she didn’t intend to lecture. “Minuette, no doubt about it. But she will have to learn to trust me. Now, tell me about this new man you’ve retained. Walton something?”
“Walsingham.”
“Another scholar, like John Dee?”
“Walsingham knows Dee, but his talents are…varied. Lord Burghley also knows him; it was his letter of introduction that got him to me in France. He is an intelligent man with a wide acquaintance. I shall certainly find him something useful to do.” Like keep an eye on you, she decided. For some reason, she didn’t want to tell William that Walsingham had tracked Dominic for her to the Spanish ambassador. Better if she had her own sources of intelligence and kept them private. Even she never knew everything that William might think of.
But some secrets she could not in good conscience keep. “He had a letter from John Dee while we were in France. It seems Dee is concerned about the Duke of Northumberland. The duke has been receiving guests while he has remained away from court—men of radical disposition and the will to enforce it with arms.”
“So I’ve heard,” William replied, snatching away her momentary triumph. “Rochford’s keeping an eye on them. He thinks it’s mostly Northumberland busying himself while waiting to see what I do about Guildford.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Wait for the child to be born. If Guildford is lucky, it will be a girl, and if he is wise, he will accept an annulment of the marriage, humble himself to the dust, and vow never to lay eyes on Margaret Clifford again.”
“And if he is neither lucky nor wise?”
“Then we shall see.” He gave her a look that spoke of confidences kept, of so many things he knew and never told.
It made her feel less guilty about keeping her own counsel. Two could play this game, and no one better than Henry’s children.
The nearer they drew to Nonsuch, the more Dominic felt Minuette closing herself off. He couldn’t fault her, for he was withdrawing, too. Their honest—if angry—passion at his mother’s house could not last, and already they were barricaded behind their secrets. How can it be otherwise? he thought miserably. As long as we are lying, we will never have peace. But he did not regret what he had said to her. Between breaking his heart and breaking his loyalty, it would have to be his heart that suffered. He realized wretchedly that part of him was already preparing to say goodbye to Minuette.
That resignation strengthened when they reached the court. The royal banners streamed from the walls and towers of Nonsuch Palace, and William himself stood waiting in the courtyard. He greeted Dominic first, warmly, but with all his being yearning for Minuette. It was obvious to Dominic—he worried how obvious it might be to the others. Elizabeth was quick to take possession of her lady, but not before William had swept Minuette into an embrace that lasted too long to be merely friendly. Dominic saw Rochford watching them and almost rejoiced. From his expression, the Lord Chancellor clearly knew about William’s intentions, and just as clearly was dead set against it. Good—Rochford had long practice in enforcing his will on a kingdom. William would be hard pressed to oppose his uncle. And though it stung Dominic to speak about Minuette at all with William, he knew he would have to begin persuading him. Put aside his own reticence and argue for England’s sake. Right before he asked to leave court.
He began as soon as he was alone with William. When the women withdrew from the courtyard, he and the king walked in Nonsuch Great Park with only four guards ahead and behind for privacy.
“Tell me about Simon Renard,” William said.
“Like all ambassadors,” Dominic answered. “He speaks in maybes and perhapses and what-ifs.”
“Must have driven you crazy.”
Dominic shrugged. “Only when I have to play the same game. I didn’t bother with Renard. When I told him you wished to approach Prince Philip, he grasped at once that you intend to set aside the French.”
“Did he grasp why?”
“I don’t think so. He didn’t mention any particular woman, at least. I would say that he suspects you of wishing to solidify your position with a Protestant marriage. Jane Grey, probably.” Dominic slid lightly over her name, hoping William would not renew their earlier conversation about her.
“Good.” William sounded satisfied. “What will Renard do next?”
“He promised to approach his prince, and intimated he would prefer to return you an answer in person.”
“If he brings me the right answer, he is welcome at my court as long as he wishes. Did he seem amenable?”
“He didn’t seem displeased. But when it comes to a decision—I don’t know. Elizabeth is a prize, no doubt of it, but an alliance means more than just a marriage. Will it be to Spain’s benefit to ally themselves militarily with us? That likely depends on circumstances at the time of any alliance.”
