Queen of This Realm by Jean Plaidy Page A

account of these matters,” I said coldly.
    “He does indeed, my lady, and he is pleased that you are to have three thousand pounds a year as arranged in your father's estate. He asked so many questions about your lands and whether they were on lease or whether you had them for the term of your life that he must indeed be serious. I told him that these were matters beyond my knowledge.”
    I was silent. The Admiral is a rogue, I thought. But I had always known that. Had I not seen him with my stepmother? And I knew what his plans were for me.
    I would be wise to have nothing to do with the man.
    “There is one other matter, my lady,” went on Parry. “The Admiral has asked me to suggest to you that you write a letter to his brother's wife. She has a great influence with her husband, and the Admiral thinks it would be an excellent idea if you sought her friendship. He has it in mind that you might be successful in persuading her—and through her, her husband—that you have a great eagerness for a marriage with the Admiral.”
    “I do not believe he said that, Parry,” I said angrily.
    “By my faith he did, Madam.”
    “Then,” I retorted with indignation, “you may tell him that I will do no such thing.”
    I dismissed him, feeling very uneasy. I wondered how much he knew of what had happened. That Kat Ashley was very well informed I had no doubt, and of course she could never stop her tongue wagging.

    I SENT FOR HER.
    “What have you told Parry?” I demanded. “Do you often speak of me?”
    “My lady, he was in the household. He would have seen much for himself.”
    I gripped her arm so hard that she winced. “But you have tattled,” I said. “You have told him, have you not, why we left the Queen's household so hurriedly?”
    “Well, my lady, he asked so many questions…”
    “And you told him! That was traitorous to me.”
    “My lady, he would never tell. I made him swear secrecy and he said that if he were torn asunder by wild horses, he would never tell a soul.”
    I dropped her arm, but my fear deepened. “There are times,” I said, “when I am uneasy about the Admiral. And all to do with him.”
    “No need to be, my lady. He is a lovely gentleman. Parry and I agree that there is no other man in the world we would want for you.”
    I was very unsure. The handsome gentleman did not have the same charm for me when he was absent. Then I could see all manner of dangers arising from my association with him. And as he seemed as equally interested in my possessions as in myself, I had no doubt that these possessions included a possible crown of England. I knew I had to tread very warily.
    DURING THE NEXT WEEKS I was to realize as I never had before how many awesome dangers lie in wait for those who have a claim, however slim, to the crown.
    It was a cold day in January when I was at Hatfield that I heard Thomas Seymour had been arrested. I retired to my room; I could not stop shivering and my head was aching so violently that I had to lie down. Kat came to me and lay on the bed with me and we talked of the Admiral.
    Kat said: “It is that brother of his. He was always jealous because the Admiral is so much more handsome and popular.”
    I answered: “Methinks the Admiral is not without envy of his brother either. But watch your tattle, Kat. It can be dangerous now… more so than ever.”
    I think even Kat realized that.
    We learned what charges had been brought against him. Indeed he had played a very reckless game. I knew he had always wanted to get command of the King and to marry him to Jane Grey, who would be as meek as young Edward; they would have been perfect puppets in the hands of Thomas Seymour who longed to govern the realm.
    But one does not govern a country with good looks, fair words andjaunty manners. One needs subtlety and judgment, and it seemed to me that Thomas had neither of these very necessary qualities.
    He had made an enemy of his own brother who, as Protector of the Realm,