Cor Rotto: A novel of Catherine Carey Read Online Free PDF

demanding as the other Queen Anne.”
    My smile faded. It took a moment for Nan to realise what she had said. Her hand flew to her lips. “Oh Catherine, I am so sorry, I forgot she was ... I did not mean ...”
    I raised my hand and stopped her.
    “It is fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “I realise that my aunt did not always show her best side when she was under pressure, but I could hardly blame her given the situation in which she found herself.” Seeing the stricken look on her face I softened. “I am sure she will be a wonderful mistress. I am certain your mother has told Master Hussee all about her stop in Calais in her letters.”
    At the mention of Lady Lisle’s numerous missives to poor John Hussee, Nan and I fell into a fit of laughter. That woman was always writing to demand something from him.
    A few weeks after Christmas, we arrived at Greenwich, and the disastrous meeting between the king and his betrothed was the talk of the court. Nan had all of the details and delighted in spreading the gossip. It seemed that the king, in a fit of passion, had taken his men with him and ridden hard to Rochester. He had wanted to strike the Lady of Cleves with, as he said, the ‘dart of love’. In his usual fashion, he had burst into her chamber in disguise, hoping that she would fall madly in love upon his arrival. Instead, she had been more interested in the bear baiting taking place outside her window than some outrageously dressed stranger who claimed to serve her husband. Incensed, the king had left her rooms and returned in his regal finery to present her with a gift of sables. She had tried to be gracious once she realised her error, but the damage had already been done. Shortly, after some uncomfortable small talk, Henry had taken to his horse and headed to Gravesend where his barge had been waiting to take him on to Greenwich where the queen was to be formally received.
    Nan’s face flushed in the telling. I could see her delight in the queen’s misfortune and I knew it was not out of cruelty, but jealousy. Rumours had been circulating since Queen Jane’s death that Nan would be the king’s next consort, but they turned out to be unfounded and Nan had been bitterly disappointed. I don’t think she truly loved the king, but she thrived on the attention. Nan would have bloomed like a rose on the throne, but it was not meant to be. She would have to be content with catching the eye of another man at Court, but she was not above taking joy in seeing her replacement’s discomfort.
    I did not want the Queen’s maids-of-honour coming to her giddy on gossip over her troubles so I changed the subject.
    “Katherine, what are you wearing to the banquet tonight? I saw the looks that Tom Culpeper was giving you at the last one. It seems you two dance very well together.”
    Katherine Howard let a small giggle escape and a blush overcame her cheeks. “Whatever do you mean, lady cousin?” she asked her eyes wide.
    We all began to laugh. Katherine might seem innocent, but she never hid her emotions. We knew of her affections for the king’s groom of the stool, but we were content to let her think us in the dark. Soon, the queen’s sad tale was forgotten and we were happily pulling out gowns for Katherine.
    The reception for the new queen was a sight to behold. The great ladies of the court and the maids-of-honour waited in the pavilion for the king to make his arrival. Trumpets sounded announcing his arrival as he processed through the park on horseback, dressed in cloth of gold and royal purple. His crown glinted in the bright winter sunlight. John Dudley, Nan’s step-brother, was Queen Anne’s master of the horse. He stepped forward, dressed in his best, and offered his hand to the queen. She smiled awkwardly and he helped her onto her horse. Dudley led them out to meet the king upon his arrival. The Duchesses of Somerset and Richmond led the way with Marchioness of Dorset, Countess of Rutland and Lady