A Tudor Love Affair

By Jean Wyld

Jean Wyld’s latest novel is set during turbulent Tudor period when allegiance to the wrong religion can mean death regardless of a person’s station in life

Susan Hatherton is the beautiful young daughter of the steward of the Meyrick Estates. When Sir Richard Meyrick arrives with his young son to take possession of his inheritance, he is captivated by her beauty and grace, and their love for each other quietly grows.

When Queen Mary Tudor announces her intention to marry Philip of Spain, this is the signal for a rebellion led by Sir Thomas Wyatt who wants Mary’s half-sister, Princess Elizabeth, to be Queen of England in her place. Sir Richard is targeted by his enemies who plot to see him executed so that they can claim his huge estate and fortune.

In this dramatic historical novel, despite the dangerous twists and turns of fate, the love between Sir Richard and the young Susan prevails.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hornbeam Press
• Release date: Feb 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9780993289118

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Copyright

Copyright © 2016 by Jean Wyld

ISBN 978-0-9932891-1-8

Published by Hornbeam Press, London

Jacket design by Geoffrey Waring

Chapter One

September 1553

Susan Hatherton waited with the rest of the household for the arrival of Sir Richard Meyrick who had recently inherited the estate from his grandfather old Sir Ambrose.

She could not remember the large, oak-panelled great hall of Meyrick House looking more beautiful. Rays from dozens of perfumed candles shone with a mellow glow on the gold wine goblets and dinner plates placed on the top table now covered with a richly embroidered crimson- and green-fringed cloth with long golden tassels. Other tables were also laid ready for the household to take part in the feast her father, the estate's steward, had ordered to be prepared to celebrate Sir Richard's return to his ancestral home.

Logs of juniper wood had been brought in to stoke up the fire now roaring in the huge open stone fireplace. Sweet-smelling herbs mingled with freshly strewn rushes on the floor. Green garlands decorated the minstrels' gallery where musicians had their instruments tuned ready to strike up a welcoming fanfare.

Master Hatherton looked with growing anxiety at the howling gale now sweeping through the trees near the house, causing their branches to toss and gyrate in a wild, uncaring frenzy as the weakest broke off to be hurled about like pieces of matchwood before crashing noisily to the ground below. As he continued to strain his eyes he saw a horse and rider cantering towards the front door.

Susan, this must be Sir Richard coming now, he called. Send word to the cooks to be ready to serve the food.

As she gave these instructions and then went to stand by his side, Susan began to feel her heart beating rapidly in her breast. Within minutes she would be going to meet Sir Richard face to face - the handsome, dark-haired young man whom she had heard her fellow needlewomen describe as the best-looking man now at court.

Since she had joined the service of Mary Tudor, Queen of England, she had often seen his tall, athletic figure striding through the vast, opulent rooms at Hampton Court as he made his way to the queen's apartments. Whenever she could she had watched him, wearing full tilt armour, taking part in the regular jousts held at the Palace of Westminster so that courtiers could show off their battle skills. To encouraging cheers from the crowd, she had seen him controlling the reins of his warhorse with a strong left-hand grip as he urged it forward towards his opponent to ride at the gallop to meet him. In his right hand his heavy lance would be levelled straight at the body armour of the other courtier who more often than not found himself unseated at the first bruising encounter.

Although she knew these jousts were mainly for entertainment, accidents did occur and she would stand with clenched hands as she saw the combatants then draw their swords to continue the fight on foot. She soon realised that Richard Meyrick was a skilled and determined swordsman and one who was always ready to take a risk should the opportunity arise, so it was not until he had actually fought the other man into submission that she was able to relax and thrill to the sight of him walking to the royal dais to receive his prize as the victor.

Then there came a time when he was no longer to be seen either taking part in tournaments or joining the royal entourage as they set off for a day's hunting. When Susan had first asked where he was she had been told that he had been sent abroad on a diplomatic mission for the king.

Remember, his father often went to Spain on behalf of King Henry's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, another informant had said. No doubt young Meyrick is following in his footsteps. I hear he has a gift for languages.

A blast of cold air from the now open front door brought Susan back to the present. She touched her velvet and pearl headdress to make sure it was in place. She knew it suited her, as did the russet velvet gown she had sewn and embroidered for the occasion.

Her father nervously fingered his gold chain of office as he saw his new master dismount and hand the reins of his horse to Eli Coates, the head groom, who had run out from the shelter of the porch to take them and lead the animal to the stables.

Susan curtseyed as Richard Meyrick then walked quickly into the warmth of the Great Hall carrying a small hooded figure in his arms.

My son Harry, he said by way of explanation as he laid the little boy on a nearby wooden settle. He has been asleep these last two hours and not likely to wake until the morning.

Welcome to Meyrick, Sir Richard, William said, bowing deferentially and then gave the musicians in the minstrel's gallery a sign to start their fanfare.

An enthusiastic blast of discordant notes filled the air and Susan wondered despairingly how her father could ever have imagined that Richard Meyrick would be impressed by such an amateur rendering. He who was well used to the masques and musical entertainments at Hampton Court Palace performed by well-trained professional musicians. Yet she saw him, fatigued as he obviously was, stand and listen with a polite courtesy until the cacophony had come to an end and then raise his hand in the players' direction and give them a slight bow.

Give them my thanks, Master Hatherton, he said. And double whatever it was that you intended to pay them for their efforts. A faint smile touched his lips. Tell them I have never heard the like in any palace in England nor abroad come to that!

So Sir Richard Meyrick was not without a sense of humour, Susan thought, and generous, too, it seemed.

She saw that his dark eyes were now looking at her somewhat questioningly. Surely I have seen you before, he said. At Hampton Court and Westminster.

Susan found herself blushing under his close scrutiny. I have worked in both places, Sir Richard, she began, but William, unable to conceal his pride, broke in. My daughter is so skilled a needlewoman she has been given the honour of embroidering the gowns that the Queen and Princess Elizabeth are to wear at the Coronation.

An honour indeed, Mistress Hatherton, Richard replied quietly and would have continued but his son moved in his sleep and Susan saw the head of a small dog poke out from under his cloak.

A mongrel dog of no known breed, Richard said wryly seeing her look of surprise. My son would not be parted from him so I have brought him with us.

He threw off his long winter cloak and Susan saw that the rain had soaked through to his doublet. To be so wet he had obviously ignored the storm and continued his journey without stopping for shelter in some wayside inn. He must have been determined to arrive today whatever inconvenience it caused him, she thought.

There is food ready to serve, William said but Richard Meyrick shook his head.

I am too tired to eat, he said. All I want is sleep for I have had little enough of it these past few days. He caught up his son and, giving the dog a rueful look, carried him as well.

Lead the way to a bedchamber, Master Hatherton, he said and turned towards the elaborately carved oak staircase. Then stopped and looked at the trestle tables around the hall laid with pewter plates ready to be piled with the food the cooks had been preparing all day in the kitchen.

Although I am myself beyond eating I am sure my household are not! Have wine served to all of them so that they may drink to the memory of Sir Ambrose and to the future prosperity of Meyrick, he said and looked again at Susan. I am only sorry I am too weary to lead you out in a measure or two when the dancing begins and that, indeed, is the truth.

It was at that moment that William Hatherton resolved to find a husband for his daughter and remove her as quickly as possible from Sir Richard. Meyrick's presence! He had seen the admiring way the young man had looked at his daughter and heard how he had noticed her at Hampton Court. Yes, although the idea saddened him, Susan would have to leave before dawn tomorrow, long before Sir Richard Meyrick was awake and able to invent some excuse to keep her near to hand.

William took up a candle and led Richard up the stairs and along a warren of dark passages before finally opening a bedchamber door.

This is the room I had as a boy, Richard remarked. It is a lot smaller than I remembered.

He laid Harry on the four-poster bed and walking to the fireside began to take off his doublet. Carts will be arriving from Staffordshire tomorrow, he said. One cart in particular will have armed guards as it will contain money chests. Have them brought here to my room. I have the keys to unlock them and will attend to them myself.

William accepted this order without question. Richard then gave further commands as to what he wanted doing with the rest of his possessions that would be arriving at the same time. William realised how little he was actually bringing with him and was well able to find places for the ceremonial suits of armour and tapestries Sir Richard seemed to find important to him.

He would not have listened with such calm if he had known the final destination of some of the money chests. The gold ducats they contained were intended to help finance the rising Sir Thomas Wyatt was now planning to depose the Roman Catholic Mary Tudor and replace her with the Protestant Princes Elizabeth. Everything depended on whom Mary intended to marry, for marry she must, and soon, if she was to keep the throne safe from others who thought they had a better right. Already Jane Grey was in the Tower because of her father's ambitions but there were others with equal claims. An Englishman would be acceptable, Roman Catholic or not, but if she chose a foreigner, the rising would begin.

William bit his lip nervously as he worked his way to asking the question the household waiting below wanted answering. Will your Staffordshire household also be arriving tomorrow? he asked.

A look of surprise crossed Richard's face. There are no men following me, he said, then, seeing further elaboration was necessary he looked somewhat apologetically at his steward. It seems I have been remiss, he said quietly. Believe me, it never occurred to me that you would think I would dismiss the present household here at Meyrick and replace them with other men. Remember I am a Meyrick man myself and once knew all the families in the area. As a boy I took my turn on the butts with those of my age. If I remember rightly the man who took my horse to the stables was one of them.

You recognised Eli Coates! William exclaimed. After all these years!

Twenty, Richard replied. And your daughter had not yet been born. You married late in life, Master Hatherton.

How quickly he had turned the conversation to Susan her father thought with some anxiety. What good fortune Sir Richard had never chosen to seek her out at Hampton Court. Once he had found out she was the daughter of his steward, he could have made life extremely unpleasant if she had refused his advances.

Richard sat wearily on the edge of the bed. I have sold all the land given to my father by the late king, he said. Coming to Meyrick will be a new beginning in every way for myself and my son.

William's eyes lit up at this statement. Did this young man mean he had repudiated everything his father had stood for? Was he, after all, a true believer?

He remembered the violent quarrels between Sir Ambrose and his son when Henry VIII had divorced Catherine of Aragon and then married Ann Boleyn. Matters between them had come to a head when the king had ordered the dissolution of the monasteries and confiscated all their property. Sir Richard's father had strongly supported this move and had in consequence been richly rewarded by Henry VIII for his loyalty by gifts of vast acres in Staffordshire and a seat on the Council.

Sir Ambrose followed his ancestors by way of religion, he said cautiously. The Mass has always been celebrated here at Meyrick.

I am aware of that, Richard replied. And may do so as far as I am concerned. Worship as your conscience tells you, Master Hatherton. I will not interfere. Only do not expect me to join you in your prayers.

William's disappointment showed all too clearly and Richard spoke with some feeling.

If you had seen men, women and, yes, even children being dragged to be burnt alive because of doctrinal differences you would perhaps understand more fully why I have no love for such priests who order such barbaric deaths. In Spain the Inquisition holds sway and strikes terror in people's hearts. I have seen the results during my visits there. Fanatics who use religion to achieve power should be condemned to die the death they inflict on so many innocent people. His tone hardened. Believe me, Master Hatherton, I will do everything I can to ensure priests are not allowed to bring the Inquisition to England. Let our half-Spanish queen realise I am but one of the vast majority who share my views.

She knows you are a Protestant? William faltered.

She knows, Richard replied grimly.

The first thing that William did when he had descended the stairs was to tell the men and women waiting there that their places were safe. Sir Richard has said there will be no changes, he said. And we are free as we were under Sir Ambrose to worship as we have always done.

At these words the atmosphere lightened considerably. As the evening wore on and vast quantities of ale and wine were consumed, William did his best to share in the general rejoicing but later, when he took Susan to the small parlour they had made theirs, he did nothing to disguise his apprehension for the future.

He says there will be no changes, he said. But soon, when he has learned all he can from me, he will tell me he wants a younger man as steward. Someone nearer his own age.

Father! Susan exclaimed. Surely you are wrong. He would never do such a thing to you! Not after all your years of service to Meyrick

William saw how quickly she had risen to Richard Meyrick's defence and was more convinced than ever that his plans for her were the right ones. I am thinking it would be as well if once you arrived at Hampton Court that you told them you would be willing to stay for longer than you had first promised, he said.

But why? Susan cried. You have always wanted me home the moment I have finished the work I was there to complete.

That is true, William admitted. But I have been wrong in keeping you by my side for so long. Most girls of your age have been long married and have children at their knee. It is my duty to see you well provided for, Susan. I must consider your future.

He raised his hand to halt her protestations. Susan, I am not as well as I was. My cough is harder to fight off every winter. You must know that anything I propose is only for your own good. Trust me that the man I choose will be a good husband and well able to care for you. A man of property and good prospects. There are several such men in the area who have already told me of their interest in you. You have grown into a beautiful girl and one well able to manage a household of your own.

The next morning waggons and carts from Staffordshire began to roll into the stable yard. William was kept busy as he superintended the unloading of wooden boxes that contained items that Richard Meyrick was not leaving behind in Staffordshire. There were several oil paintings of his mother and one of his father as a boy. William remembered it had once hung in the Great Hall and had it restored to its original position.

By noon everything had been unpacked and the carters and guards were on their way back to Staffordshire. William decided it was now time to see how his new master was faring and took it upon himself to open the bedroom door and look inside.

He saw that Richard had done no more than lie on the richly embroidered counterpane and clasp his son in his arms. Both were still asleep but the mongrel dog, also lying on the bed, became instantly alert and growled with the ferocity of an animal three times its size.

Richard opened his eyes drowsily. What time is it? he asked.

Past noon, William replied. Everything has been unpacked and the locked chests are now outside your room as ordered. I have also had clothes chests brought here as well and maids can unpack them when you are ready for them to enter.

Not just yet, Richard said. First have tubs of hot water brought up and plenty of soap so that I can wash off all the grime I have accumulated from my ride here. Bring in a couple of the clothes chests yourself, Master Hatherton, with a manservant to help you. I will choose what I am to wear and the clothes I have on can be burnt.

The barking dog had also awoken Harry Meyrick and William found himself being regarded by two frightened eyes. Being a kindly man, he held out both arms meaning to lift him from the bed but the little boy shrank away from him.

Go to Master Hatherton, Richard said. His voice showed irritation at his son's timidity, but then William heard a quick change of tone. Harry he means you no harm and neither does anyone else in this household, come to that.

It seemed to William that Richard Meyrick was not used to dealing with his small son who still made no move from his side and he spoke as he would to a disobedient servant. Did you not hear what I said? Obey me at once! At once I say!

Only then did Harry do as he was told and only with the greatest reluctance. William found him stiff and unyielding in his arms and knew he would jump down and climb back on the bed if he could.

He would be more at ease with my daughter, he said. She has a way with children.

He wished he had not mentioned Susan for he saw Richard Meyrick smile and the frown disappear from his brow.

Ah, yes, the young needlewoman, he said. As you see for yourself, Master Hatherton, my son has outgrown his clothes and will need others as soon as possible. Have your daughter come and measure him as soon as I am washed and dressed.

William was horrified as he visualised at what might have happened once his daughter had entered this bedchamber and finishing measuring young Harry Meyrick who could have then so easily have been sent out of the room to play elsewhere.

Sir Richard, I am unable to obey you, he said. My daughter left for Hampton Court some hours ago.

Sudden decision, was it? Richard asked and William felt somewhat uneasily that this perceptive young man had guessed easily enough why Susan had departed at such an early hour!

My daughter was given special permission to be here to greet you, Sir Richard, he replied, hoping that the new master of Meyrick would never find out it was he himself who had sent her back to the queen a week earlier than necessary.

Richard, however, had accepted the explanation without giving it a second thought. He knew that Mary Tudor was revelling in the fact that she could now order as many new gowns, costly furs and expensive jewellery as the whim took her. She was indeed making up for all the years she had spent scrimping and near to poverty when her mother, Catherine of Aragon, was displaced by the hated Ann Boleyn. At times she had been proclaimed a bastard and forced to walk behind her younger sister the Princess Elizabeth on public occasions. He thought grimly of the number of times of late he had seen Mary show an open triumphant satisfaction at the reversal of their roles.

How often, in the past, she had said she would much rather live the life of a nun than that of a royal princess? Now all such ideas had been cast aside and she was revelling in her new role as Queen. She had even begun to tell those about her that she had never believed King Henry VIII was Elizabeth's father but rather the lowly musician Mark Smeaton who had confessed under torture that he had slept with Ann Boleyn. As if anyone believed what a man admitted when being racked and his bones broken? None of the other men named as her lovers had admitted adultery, but they had been executed all the same!

Very well, send another needlewoman, Richard said, careful not to show how disappointed he felt that the beautiful girl in the russet gown would not be coming to his room. Later, as he soaked in hot, soapy water, he determined he would find some way of having her brought back to Meyrick, Then Harry, nursing his dog in his arms, came to stand by the tub.

Father, he said looking at him curiously. I have never heard you whistle before! And he could have added, looking so cheerful but he did not. Do you like being back at Meyrick?

Yes, it is my home and yours, too, Richard answered and stepped out of the water and began to towel himself vigorously. Now undress and wash. The dog too while you are at it.

He went over to the clothes chests and searched until he found a plain grey doublet and matching breeches and a linen shirt. He put these on ignoring the carefully packed velvets and satins he had worn at court. Finding another chest with Harry's clothes he gave them to him after he too had washed and been rubbed dry.

I will have you properly dressed by the end of the week, he promised as he saw several inches of wrist protruding from the sleeves of the shabby doublet the little boy put on. It seems no one gave much thought to you in Staffordshire, did they?

Harry did not reply but Richard saw the misery in his eyes at the mention of Staffordshire and gently touched one of his shoulders. All boys grow out of their clothes as you have done, Harry. It is not your fault that you present such a sorry picture but mine. I should not have stayed away so long and allowed the servants to neglect you.

There then came a rush of words that took Richard completely by surprise. The servants said mother hated you. I heard them say so and they told me she hated me because I was yours and she never wanted me. They said she would never have married you if she had been given the choice.

My God! Richard