“You have seen my horoscope? Drawn up by Elyot, by Butts and a dozen different astrologers. I was born under the sign of Cancer, so I am governed by the sign of the moon, making me particularly at risk when it comes to smallpox! And I do not have my book of cures with me; it remains at Westminster. I must send for ingredients.”
“We are lucky,” attempted Compton, clumsily, “that it broke out in the laundry and kitchen, where it could be contained.”
Henry glared at him, as if he was an idiot. “Do you not wear clothes washed by the laundry, eat food prepared in the kitchens?”
“But, My Lord, you know what I mean. At least they have not been moving among us.”
“Compton is right,” said Wolsey. “That is a blessing alone.”
Henry’s temper exploded. “Blessing? Blessing?” He lurched forward as if to cuff Wolsey’s ear, but the cardinal stepped back and Henry did not pursue him. “How can there be any blessing in this situation? It is a sign of God’s displeasure in me.”
“No, My Lord, it is not,” said Catherine, gently.
“It is nothing less. I have displeased God in this marriage. He has given me no sons and now he plagues me, chases me about with these diseases.”
“You must depart at once, come back to Hampton with me,” urged Wolsey. “We can shut the gates and be safe. We can summon an apothecary.”
“There is no certainty of safety, and do not dare to tell me what I must do! Do you remember who your king is? Or do you presume to aspire to that title too?”
“Of course not, my apologies, My Lord.”
Catherine tried to approach her husband, although he was still pacing across the floor as if his feet were afire. “My Lord, if God wanted to claim you, He would simply do so. If He is displeased, He would have done so long before now. God does not play games of chase with kings. Why don’t you come, sit down and drink some wine? We can discuss our next steps.”
But Henry shook his head, enraged.
“We could pray together. That will give you comfort.”
“It will not!” he roared. “What should I pray? For Him to take away the plague that He inflicted? Or for the son that He denied us? Do you not think He is mocking me with this? Laughing at me? Why should I pray to Him?”
“Henry!”
Catherine was visibly shocked by his words. Thomasin and the others, also, felt their danger, verging almost on blasphemy.
“Come, My Lord,” attempted Compton, “you are unsettled. We should leave the ladies to their peace; they cannot resolve this problem for you, come.”
“Oh, can’t they?” asked Henry, his tone savage as he turned towards his wife. “Perhaps they can? Admit that our marriage is a false one and set me free from this torment. Then I shall be at peace.”
“Come now,” said Compton. “The queen’s position has no bearing upon the sweat or the pox.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because this is superstition, not science, My Lord. God would not forsake you thus.”
“Did he not forsake Arthur? Where is he now? Where is my brother? He lies buried at Worcester, don’t you recall?”
Catherine’s hands were trembling, but she refused to be cowed. “My Lord, I am your true wife in the eyes of God, and will always be so. He united us and set us on the path He chose. You were anointed in His name, as your brother never was. This illness is a trial, nothing more. You have escaped infection until now and will do so again. Focus your mind. Remain calm. Plan your next movements.”
For a moment, it seemed that her sensible words had stilled his tempest. But the waves were still rising in Henry.
“What if I die now? To whom should I leave my kingdom? To a girl of twelve? We would be plunged back into civil war. The country would fall. Whomever took her to wife would rule England; a French prince? The emperor? A Spaniard? Do you understand?”
“My Lord!” Wolsey raised his voice above Henry’s escalating tones. “You must stay calm. Such an outburst weakens your constitution at a time when you most need it to be strong!”
Henry immediately fell quiet.
“Now, open all the windows in here,” said Wolsey, taking charge. “There have been no instances of the sweat recorded in Greenwich, just these pox cases, which have been isolated now. If you flee, it may be into greater danger.”
Henry was nodding. “I will retire. Send the orders for the hall and corridors to be cleaned. I will dine in my room.” With that, he strode outside without a word, not looking back.
