‘Love is the best remedy for grief,’ he said, halting her apology, and as they left the shadowy mews, he smiled down at her, his blue eyes hopeful for the first time since the death of his wife.
14
SHERIFF HUTTON, YORKSHIRE – JUNE 1497
‘There is rebellion in Cornwall,’ said Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, to his four eldest children, Thomas the Younger, Edward, Edmund and Elizabeth. ‘The king has requested my presence on the battlefield to quell the rebels.’
They were gathered in a small room off the great hall, enjoying being together after several weeks apart due to other commitments. Thomas Howard had invited his children to attend a midsummer banquet, and several days of merriment, more muted than in other years, had taken place. Elizabeth had ensured they followed her mother’s usual plans, including the giving of alms to the surrounding villagers. Soon, they would all once again depart as their busy lives absorbed them again.
‘Of course, Father,’ said Younger. ‘There is no one better than you for this prestigious position.’
‘Your confidence is appreciated,’ the earl said. ‘However, in order to ease my concerns about the well-being and the running of my household during my absence, I have made a decision.’
‘The household will be safe under my care,’ said Elizabeth, bristling slightly. Ever since her mother had died, she had beenrunning the house. ‘Have you not been satisfied with the way Mama trained me?’
‘My dearest Lizzie, your management skills are exemplary, but for peace of mind while I am away, I’ve arranged for you to temporarily join the court of the queen. This means there will be no one to manage my affairs.’
‘I’m happy to await your return—’ Elizabeth began, but her father cut across her.
‘It’s kind of you to offer, but it’s time you were at court learning the duties of a lady of your position. There will also be other women who can help you to hone the skills you will require for your new life.’
‘I don’t understand,’ she said, perplexed.
‘I intend to begin negotiations with Sir William Boleyn for your marriage portion to Thomas Boleyn,’ the earl said. ‘But only if this would please you, Lizzie?’
Elizabeth felt heat travel through her body and for a moment the room swam before her eyes. Ever since her brother Edward had introduced her to Thomas Boleyn, he had been in her thoughts. During the time they had spent together hawking, she had been impressed by his kind and thoughtful nature, as well as his gentleness with the birds.
‘They are wise beings with souls of great age,’ he had said as the white merlin had rested on her arm, released from the perch, known as a cadge, which had been carried out by the bird handlers: the cadgers.
These were the older men who no longer had the stamina to train the birds outside in all weathers and to hunt beside the lords and ladies. Thomas had been respectful and considerate to all members of the Howard staff, as well as to the members of the family, and Elizabeth had been impressed.
When Younger had praised him as a talented linguist and up-and-coming diplomat in Henry VII’s court, Elizabeth’s interestand attraction in Boleyn had heightened. However, she had curbed herself to realism. She was the daughter of an earl and she assumed her father would wish her to marry a man with a title. The Boleyns were known to be wealthy, but they were not noble, Thomas had no title, and she had not allowed herself to raise her hopes.
‘But he is not titled,’ she said, as she stared at her father, unable to believe he would be satisfied with a mere diplomat for a son-in-law.
‘Actually, Lizzie, that’s incorrect,’ said the earl. ‘It’s possible he will inherit a title. His father, William, is the son of Geoffrey Boleyn, who served as Lord Mayor of London, but his son has risen higher, he holds the position of Sheriff of Norfolk and Suffolk – he has also held the same office in Kent. He’s a very powerful landowner in our part of the country. However, it’s his mother, Lady Margaret Butler, who provides the noble blood. She’s daughter and co-heiress of the Irish nobleman Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormond. The belief is Thomas, as her eldest son, will inherit the Ormond title. There is another claimant, but these things can usually be managed.’
Elizabeth stared up at her father in delight.
‘Would a betrothal to Thomas be acceptable, my Lizzie-kins?’ he asked, a name he had used ever since she was a child.
‘Yes, Papa, yes,’ she exclaimed.
‘Good, then I shall approach his father, William Boleyn, and we will negotiate your marriage portion,’ he said.
Elizabeth looked at her brothers, who beamed. ‘You knew?’
‘Father asked our views,’ said Edmund.
‘We all agreed Boleyn would be a good addition to the family,’ added Edward.
‘Younger?’ she asked, turning to her eldest brother.
‘He has excellent prospects, I approve,’ said Younger.
‘This is a propitious moment,’ said the earl, ‘and it will ease my mind while I’m away, especially with all the unrest caused by that man, the pretender Perkin Warbeck. A few days ago, we received word that King James IV of Scotland has provided Warbeck with a ship namedCuckooand the pretender is preparing to sail to Cornwall. This is another reason why King Henry wishes to have experienced men in the area.’
The Howard brothers scowled at the mention of the man who had been causing havoc for the king. Warbeck had first made his claim to be the younger of the sons of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville in 1490. At the court of Burgundy, he declared himself to be Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, to his alleged aunt, Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy. She had greeted him as a member of the royal family, offering him financial and military support to restore him to the English throne.
