Frances smiled. ‘His shoulder pains him in the winter months, but otherwise he is in good health. He will be as pleased to see you again as I am. May I ask why the King has summoned you here?’
The earl gave a small cough, as if embarrassed. ‘It was an honour as unexpected as it was unlooked for. I am to be appointed a Knight of the Garter, along with my former neighbour.’
Frances gazed at him in confusion.
‘Sir George Villiers.’ Frances’s smile became fixed as he went on, ‘His mother’s estate borders mine. She is exceedingly proud of his rise to favour and we never lack for news of his latest advancements.’ His voice held no trace of irony, but if what Frances had heard of Villiers’s overbearing mother was true, her frequent visits could not have been anything other than irksome to so discerning a man as the earl.
‘Then I offer you my congratulations, Lord Rutland,’ she said. ‘I can think of none so worthy.’ He smiled his thanks as Frances hesitated. ‘Does Sir George visit his mother often?’
The earl shook his head. ‘Not so often as was his custom before he took up residence here,’ he replied. ‘But he visits whenever his royal master can spare him. I have never seen a man so devoted to his mother.’
‘You know him well, then?’ she asked, taking care to keep her voice light.
‘In his youth, certainly. He loved to hunt in my parkland and often came to dine with us. My boys adored him – he was always a willing playmate. He was very kind to Katherine, too.’
Frances fell silent again. She wanted to ask more but the earl was a perceptive man and she was wary of exciting his suspicion. What was more, he had given no hint that he shared her antipathy towards his neighbour’s son. She must be patient. With luck, there would be other opportunities. The more information she was able to glean about the royal favourite, the more chance she might discover something that would help her husband.
The sun was low in the sky now and Frances heard the distant chimes of a bell.
‘We should return,’ her companion said, echoing her thoughts.
With that, they turned their footsteps back along the riverbank, towards the setting sun.
CHAPTER 18
25 May
‘Will you not be persuaded, Frances?’ Her husband watched as she tethered the horse to the mounting block, his face a mask of concern.
She kissed him firmly by way of answer.
‘If you should fall . . .’ His voice trailed off.
‘I am more likely to trip over the cobbles of the palace courtyards than to fall from this beauty,’ Frances said, patting the mare’s dark brown neck. ‘Now, are you going to saddle her or must I do that myself?’
Thomas gave a resigned shrug and set to work.
‘Lady Frances!’ The Earl of Rutland was strolling into the stable-yard, a young woman at his side. She was much smaller than her father and walked half a pace behind him, her head bowed. Katherine had the same pale skin and long nose as the earl, but her hair was much lighter and her nose somewhat bulbous.
‘It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Katherine,’ Frances said, curtsying to them both.
The girl’s heavy-lidded eyes fluttered up and her small mouth lifted in a shy smile before she lowered her gaze again. Frances studied her. She lacked the fine features that society considered beautiful, but had a wide, honest face, with large eyebrows of the same dark blond as her hair, which was tightly curled along her forehead. Her fleshy neck and sloping shoulders gave her an air of softness – so different from the sharp, bird-like features of her stepmother.
‘I am glad to see you greatly recovered, Sir Thomas,’ the earl said. ‘I expect His Majesty has found much to occupy you since you and I last met?’
Thomas smiled. ‘Indeed, my lord – I am rarely idle,’ he replied, as he tightened the girth on his wife’s horse. ‘But I know that Belvoir has allowed you no more leisure than I have here. I am sorry to hear your son still sickens.’
Frances saw Katherine’s mouth tremble.
Thomas turned to the young woman. ‘I will saddle a horse for you, my lady,’ he said gently. ‘Bracken is both fast and biddable – I think he will do very well for you.’
A blush appeared on Katherine’s cheeks as she gave a quick smile, her gaze still fixed upon the ground.
‘Kate can tame even the wildest of steeds,’ the earl said proudly, giving his daughter’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze. ‘She is the finest horsewoman in the county and leaves her old father many leagues behind when we go out together.’
The young woman’s blush deepened. ‘You exaggerate, Papa.’
‘I thought we might ride over to Greenwich,’ Frances said. ‘The palace boasts some of the best parkland in the country and the hawthorn will be in full bloom by now.’ She did not add that it offered the additional advantage of being far from Westminster, where the Somersets’ trial was being held. Bacon had predicted that the verdict would be swiftly delivered.
Her husband shot her a disapproving look – she knew that he did not wish her to ride so far – but he said nothing and strode off to fetch Lady Katherine’s horse. He had just dis appeared into the stables when the sound of brisk footsteps echoed around the yard. Frances stiffened as she saw Villiers approaching.
‘My dear sir!’ he cried, stepping forward to embrace the earl. Frances thought she saw the older man’s shoulders tense as he returned the greeting. ‘And Lady Katherine.’ He swept an elaborate bow then stooped to kiss the young woman’s hand. ‘I swear you have grown even lovelier since I saw you last.’
Katherine was now a deep crimson as she jerked her hand awkwardly away. Frances could not tell if she was more pleased or alarmed by his attentions.
‘Well now, my lord, I have looked for you every day since our honours were announced. It was remiss of you not to send word of your arrival – or that of your enchanting daughter. I would have welcomed you with a feast or a masque at the very least.’
‘You are very kind, Sir George,’ the earl replied, ‘but I did not wish to trouble you.’
Villiers affected a serious expression. ‘I cannot deny that the King has been greatly preoccupied of late – and therefore I, too,’ he added pompously. ‘This sorry business of Lord and Lady Somerset has shaken us all.’
‘I had heard that their trial was under way,’ Rutland remarked.
Villiers gave a heavy sigh. ‘I am riding over to Westminster now. His Grace is most anxious for news of the proceedings.’ He glanced around the yard. ‘Where is Tyringham?’ he muttered irritably.
At that moment, Thomas emerged from the stables with a fine dappled grey mare. He gave a tight bow to Villiers but did not quicken his pace.
‘Fetch me my horse,’ Villiers barked, as his master of the buckhounds drew level with them.
Frances was gratified when her husband did not immediately respond but took his time tethering the mare to the mounting block. She knew it was dangerous to antagonise the man but had no wish to see Thomas so demeaned.
‘Be quick about it,’ Villiers said, his voice rising with impatience. ‘The King’s business will brook no delay.’