The King's Secret Matter Read Online Free PDF Page A

presence of Wolsey at Court seemed an affront.
    Norfolk’s warnings had only succeeded in intensifying his recklessness, and when Knyvet came to his apartment to ask his advice about some matter of his stewardship, the Duke said: ‘His Grace of Norfolk has been talking to me of the affair of William Bulmer.’
    â€˜Ah, Your Grace,’ said Knyvet, ‘that man is now back in the King’s service. Some say he had a lucky escape.’
    â€˜Oh yes, he went back like a whipped cur. He would have done better to have remained with me. I shall not forget that he deserted me . . . when the time comes.’
    Knyvet looked startled. ‘It is not easy to disobey the King’s command.’
    Buckingham lifted his shoulders. ‘At one time I believed the King was preparing to have
me
sent to the Tower for my part in that affair.’
    â€˜Your Grace to the Tower!’
    Buckingham nodded. ‘Kings do not last for ever,’ he mused. ‘My father learned that. He was in conflict with Richard III. But my father was no coward. He planned that when he was brought to the King he would have his dagger ready and plunge it into that false heart. I do assure you, cousin, that had an indignity been forced upon me, I should have been as ready to avenge the honour of my family as my father was.’
    Knyvet murmured: ‘Your Grace cannot mean . . .’
    â€˜And,’ interrupted Buckingham fiercely, ‘if the King were to die and the Princess were to die, I should take over the crown of this Kingdom, and none should say me nay.’
    Knyvet recoiled, which amused Buckingham. How terrified everyone was of being drawn into a conspiracy! Such fear in others spurred the Duke on to further recklessness. He said: ‘Is Hopkins, the monk, in the Palace today?’
    â€˜Yes, Your Grace.’
    â€˜Then send him to me. I have heard that he can see into the future. I want him to look into mine.’
    â€˜I will have him brought to Your Grace.’
    â€˜With all speed,’ cried Buckingham.
    He paced excitedly up and down his apartment while waiting for the monk; and when the man was brought to him he shouted so that several of his servants could not fail to hear him: ‘So, Hopkins, you are here. I want you to tell me what the future holds for me. I want you to tell me what chance I have of attaining the throne.’
    The monk shut the door and put his fingers to his lips. The face which peered out of his hood was shrewd. He took in the details of the apartment; the love of luxury was apparent. Herewas a noble Duke who could do him much good in exchange for the prophecy he wanted. Hopkins knew that if he told the Duke that he would be more likely to end his days on a scaffold than on a throne (and one did not have to be a soothsayer to suspect that) he would be dismissed without reward. But such as this Duke would be ready to pay well for what he wanted to hear.
    Hopkins looked long into that arrogant face, half closed his eyes and murmured: ‘I see greatness ahead for Your Grace.’
    â€˜What sort of greatness?’
    â€˜All that you desire will be yours. I see a crown . . .’
    A slow, satisfied smile spread across the Duke’s face. This fellow has great and unusual powers, he told himself. It
shall
come to pass. Has he not prophesied that it shall?
    So he presented the monk with a heavy purse; and from that moment his manner grew a shade more arrogant.

    In one of the privy gardens of the Palace a young man and woman sat on a wicker seat, their arms about each other. In the distance the shouts from the arena could be heard but both were oblivious of everything but the ardour of their passion.
    The woman was plump and dark-haired; her body voluptuously curved; and the expression of her face, soft and sensuous, betrayed her nature. One glance was enough to see that she was one who had been endowed by nature with a deep appreciation and knowledge of fleshly