Katharine of Aragon Read Online Free PDF Page B

young boy, a little nervous, pink and white and golden-haired. He is half a head shorter than you are. He will be your slave.”
    “Is it true that he does not enjoy good health?”
    “It is. But he will grow out of that. And he seems the weaker because he is compared with robust young Henry.”
    Katharine was relieved; she was delighted with the idea of a gentle young husband. She had already begun to think of him as her brother Juan, who had been as fair as an angel and gentle in his manner.
    “You said I must beware of the King.”
    “The King is quiet and ruthless. If he does not like you he will have no compunction in sending you back to Spain.”
    “That would not greatly distress me.”
    “It would distress your royal parents. And think of the disgrace to Your Highness and the House of Spain.”
    “Is the King very formidable?”
    “He will be gracious to you but he will never cease to watch. Do not be deceived by his mild manners. He fears all the time that some claimant to the throne will appear, and that there will be supporters to say such a claimant has a greater right. It is not always comfortable to wear the crown.”
    Katharine nodded; she thought of the strife which had marred the earlier years of her parents' life together, when Isabella had been engaged in the bitter War of the Succession.
    “There is a mystery surrounding the death of the Queen's two young brothers, the elder of whom was King Edward V and the younger the Duke of York. Many say they were murdered in the Tower of London by their wicked uncle, the crook-backed Richard, but their bodies were never discovered and there are many rumors concerning those deaths of which it would be unwise even to think, Highness.”
    Katharine shivered. “Poor children,” she murmured.
    “They are now past all earthly pain, and there is a wise King sitting on the throne of England. He married the Princes' sister, and so joined the two warring factions. It might be wise not to dwell on the past, Highness. There have been two pretenders to the throne: Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel. Simnel, who pretended he was Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick and nephew of Richard III, is now serving as a scullion in the King's household. He was obviously an impostor; therefore the King sent him to the kitchens— a sign of the King's contempt—but Warbeck was hanged at Tyburn. This King is fond of showing examples to his people, because he lives in perpetual terror that someone will try to overthrow him.”
    “I hope I shall find favor in his sight.”
    “Your dowry has already found favor with him, Highness. As for yourself, you will please him too.”
    “And the Queen?”
    “Have no fear of the Queen. She will receive you kindly. She has no influence with the King, who is eager to show her that he owes no part of the throne to her. He is a man who takes counsel of none, but if he could be said to be under the influence of any, that one is his mother. You must please Margaret Beaufort Countess of Richmond if you will please the King—and all you need do is to provide the royal house with heirs, and all will go merrily.”
    “I pray that God will make me fruitful. That, it seems, is the prayer of all Princes.”
    “If there is aught else Your Highness wishes to know at any time, I pray you ask of me and ignore the Jew.”
    Katharine bowed her head. And so the journey progressed.
    THE KING SET OUT from Richmond Palace. He had become impatient. He was all eagerness to see the Spanish Infanta who had taken so long in reaching his country.
    Arthur had been on pilgrimage to Wales—as Prince of Wales he was warmly greeted there and the King wished his son to show himself now and then in the Principality. Arthur had received word from his father that he was to come with all speed to East Hampstead, where he would greet his bride.
    Henry disliked journeys, for he was not a man of action and they seemed to him an unnecessary expense.
    “But on the occasion of my