A Health Unto His Majesty Read online

  He went on: ‘Catherine, my happiness on this occasion would have been greatly diminished had your doctors not assured me that there is no cause for anxiety concerning your indisposition.’

  ‘Your Majesty is graciously kind to be so concerned,’ she said.

  He smiled and waved to the people who had come into the room to retires a little, that he and the Queen might converse together in more privacy.

  The courtiers moved back and stood in little groups while the King turned to his Queen.

  ‘We shall have time in the future,’ he said, ‘for more private conversation. Then we shall be quite alone. Just now it would seem that your duennas are eager that you and I should not be left quite alone together.’

  ‘That is so,’ she said.

  ‘And are you as solemn as they are?’

  ‘I do not know. I have never had any opportunity to be other than solemn.’

  ‘You poor little Queen! Then we must contrive many opportunities for making you the reverse of solemn. You shall see what I have planned for you. I thank God you have come to me in summertime, for our winters are long, and doubtless you will find them very cold. But we shall have sylvan entertainments; we shall have river pageants. I mean to show you that your new country can look tolerably well in summertime. I trust you will not be displeased with it.’

  ‘I know I shall be very pleased.’

  ‘It shall be our earnest endeavour to make you so. Ah! you smile. I am glad you smile so readily. I am an ugly fellow who likes those about him to look pleasant – and what is more pleasant than smiling faces?’

  ‘But indeed you are not ugly,’ she said.

  ‘No? Doubtless the light of your bedchamber is favourable to me.’

  ‘No. Never, never ugly . . .’

  ‘Ah, it would seem I have not made such an ill impression after all . . . I rejoice in that. Now you must get well quickly, for your mother will expect our nuptials to take place as early as can be arranged. As soon as you are fit to leave your bed the ceremony must be performed.’

  ‘I shall soon be well,’ she promised him.

  Her face was flushed, but not with fever, and her eyes were bright.

  He rose from the bed. ‘Now I shall leave you, for this was a most unceremonious call. But you will soon learn that I am not over-fond of ceremony. I wished to see my bride. I could contain myself no longer, so great was my eagerness. And now I have seen her, and I am content. I trust you too are not entirely disappointed?’

  How kind he looked – eager, anxious, determined to tell her she must not be afraid!

  It was as though that romanticized figure of her dreams had materialized; and in the flesh he was more charming than her dreams had fashioned him, for the simple reason that, before meeting him, she would not have believed so much that was charming and fascinating could be concentrated in one person.

  ‘I am content,’ she said; and she spoke from the bottom of her heart.

  Then he kissed her hand again.

  She heard her women, whispering together after he had gone, and they were talking of him. They were shocked because he had come thus unceremoniously, but she did not care. She would not care what they said in future. She was only anxious that she should please him.

  She whispered to herself: ‘I am content.’ He had said that; and she had answered: ‘I am content.’

  *

  The King was pensive as he left the apartment. He was pleasantly surprised. From some reports, and in view of the way the Queen Mother had cheated him over the dowry, he had half expected a bride who looked more like a bat than a woman. It was true that she was no beauty, and he was such an admirer of beauty; but he realized that he could hardly have expected a woman who was suitable as a wife to be also a suitable mistress.

  He liked very much her manner; quiet, innocent, eager to please. That was such a change after the imperious conduct of Barbara. Had his Queen the temper of his mistress he would have visualized a very stormy life ahead.

  No. He believed he had good reason to congratulate himself.

  He could grow fond of his little Catherine; he could find it easy to forgive her for not bringing him the promised dowry – and indeed how could a man of his nature do aught else, since it was in truth no fault of hers?

  He would be kind to her; he would help her overcome her fears; he would be a gentle lover and husband, for he knew that was what she would want. He would make her happy; and they would have a fine family – several sons as handsome as young James Crofts, Lucy Water’s boy – and he would no longer have any need to sigh with regret every time his eyes fell on that young man.

  He smiled, thinking of her shyness. What a life she must have led in her solemn Portuguese Court; and if her mother was anything like those drags who had come to guard her daughter, it was no wonder that the poor child was eager for affection.

  Have no fear, little Catherine, he mused. You and I can bring much good to one another.

  He was looking forward to the nuptials, for a new woman was always a new adventure. Her eyes are good, mused the connoisseur, and there is certainly nothing in her face which could in the least way disgust one. In fact there is as much agreeableness in her lips as I ever saw in any woman’s face, and if I have any skill in physiognomy, which I think I have, she must be a good woman. Her voice is agreeable and I am sure our two humours will agree. If I do not do all in my power to make her happy – in spite of the spice and sugar – I think I shall be the worst man on Earth, and I do not believe I am that, although I am far from saintly.

  It was not in his nature to grieve unnecessarily. He doubted not that this Jew, whom Queen Luiza had sent with the cargo, would be able to dispose of it satisfactorily; and it should be his pleasure to care for his new wife, to make her feel welcome in her new country, and perhaps in some measure compensate her for having led such a dull life before she came to England.

  *

  The meeting with the King had had its effect on Catherine. The remains of her illness had disappeared by the morning; she felt radiantly happy.

  During that day and night she thought continually of her husband. That was real affection she had seen in his eyes; he had spoken so sincerely when he had said he was glad to see her and they would be happy together. And how he had smiled! And the manner in which he had sat on her bed had been most amusing – and quite charming. He had thrown his hat from him for one of the gentlemen to catch, a somewhat boyish and unkingly act! she thought indulgently; yet in what a kingly manner he had done it! He was so perfect that every gesture, every word, had a ring of nobility and became exactly right just because they were his.

  He came to her that morning early, to the room which he called her presence chamber. He chatted easily and familiarly, and his warm dark eyes watched her closely. She blushed a little under the scrutiny, for she did not quite understand the meaning behind those eyes and she was very eager for his approval.

  If he did not love me, she thought, I should want to die. And she found that every minute in his company increased her wish to please him.

  He told her that their marriage should take place that day. ‘For,’ he added, ‘your mother has shown great trust in me to send you to me thus.’ He did not add, though he felt a temptation to do so: ‘And in particular considering she has sent me spice and sugar instead of the money she promised.’ He could not say anything that might hurt her; he could see that she was vulnerable; and he had determined to make her happy, to keep from her anything that might prove hurtful, for he could well imagine how easily she could be wounded. She was a gentle creature and she should be treated gently.

  ‘Catherine,’ he said, ‘the ceremony shall take place here in this house and be registered in the church of St Thomas A’Becket here in Portsmouth. Unfortunately you and I are not of the same religion; and my people, I think, should not be reminded that my Queen is a Catholic. It would be an unfortunate beginning to your life here if the Catholic ceremonial should be performed. So, my plan is th
at we shall dispense with it, and that there shall only be our Church of England ceremony.’

  He was unprepared for the look of horror which came into her face.

  ‘But . . .’ she stammered ‘ . . . to dispense with the ceremony of my church! It would be as though we are not married.’

  ‘None could say that, Catherine. In this country all would consider the church ceremony completely binding.’

  She looked about her in distress. She longed for her mother. Her mother would tell her what she ought to do. She feared to displease Charles, and yet she was sure her mother would never have agreed to her dispensing with the Catholic rites.

  Charles regarded her with the mildest exasperation. Then he said: ‘Oh, I see you have set your heart on it. Well, we must find some means of pleasing you. It would not do for us to disappoint you on your first few days in our country, would it?’

  She was immediately radiant. It amused him to see the fear fade from her face and joy take its place.

  He took her hand and kissed it; then, with an expert gesture, he drew her towards him and kissed her on the lips. Catherine gasped with pleasure.

  ‘There!’ he said. ‘You cannot say I do not do my utmost to win your love! I will even submit to this ceremony – and I confess to you here and now that you will find me a wicked man who has no love for such ceremonies – and all to please you!’

  ‘Oh, Charles . . .’ she cried, and she felt as though she might weep or swoon with the delight which swept over her; but instead she laughed, for she guessed intuitively that that would please him more than any other expression of her pleasure. ‘I begin to feel that I am the most fortunate woman in the world.’

  He laughed with her. ‘But wait!’ he warned in mock seriousness. ‘You do not know me yet!’

  Then he embraced her – an action which both terrified and thrilled her.

  He was gay and lighthearted; she felt so moved by her emotions that she told herself: ‘If I should die now I know that I have discovered more happiness than I ever hoped to possess.’

  *

  The Catholic rites were performed in her bedroom with the utmost secrecy. How he loves me! she thought. For this is not easy for him. It must be done in secret because his people do not love Catholics. He himself is not a Catholic, yet he submits to this because he knows it gives me solace. He is not only the most charming man in the world, he is the most kind.

  He whispered to her when the ceremony was over: ‘Now see what you have done! You will have to marry me twice instead of once! Do you think you can bear that?’

  She could only smile and nod her head. She was afraid to speak, lest before witnesses she should find the words escape her which she knew it would not be wise to utter. She wanted to cry: ‘I love you. Even the man of whom I dreamed, I realize now, was a poor thing compared with the reality. You are good, and never did one seek to cover his goodness as you do. Never did such a kindly, courtly gentleman cover his virtues with a laugh and such disparaging remarks concerning himself. I love you, Charles. And I am happy . . . happier than I ever thought to be.’

  The Church of England ceremony took place in the afternoon of the same day.

  Her six maids of honour helped her to dress in the pale pink gown cut in the English manner. This dress was covered in knots of blue ribbon, and secretly Catherine thought it most becoming, although all the Portuguese ladies were not so sure. They declared it almost gave her the appearance of the type of person modesty forbade them to mention. Perhaps, thought Catherine, it was the excitement of marrying the finest man in the world which made her look like that.

  As soon as she was dressed, the King came to her and, taking her hand, led her into the great hall where there was a throne containing two seats set under an elaborately embroidered canopy. One end of the chamber was crowded with those of the King’s ministers and courtiers who had come with him to Portsmouth.

  Catherine was trembling as the King drew her down with him on to the throne; she scarcely heard Sir John Nicholas read the marriage contract. She was only aware of Charles’s twinkling eyes which belied the solemnity of his tones as he plighted his troth before them all. She tried to speak when it was indicated that she should join in the responses, but she found she had forgotten the unfamiliar English words which she had learned.

  She was afraid, but Charles was beside her to indicate with his smiles that it did not matter; she was doing well all that was expected of her.

  She was thinking: All through my life he will be there to support me; I need never be afraid again. He is the kindest, most affectionate of men.

  When the ceremony was over, all the people in the hall cried: ‘Long may they live!’ And the King took her hand once more and whispered to her in Spanish that it was over; she was truly his wife, and she could not run home to Portugal now if she wished to.

  If she wished to! She wondered whether her eyes betrayed to him the depth of her feeling. I would die rather than leave you, she thought; and was astonished afresh that she could love so deeply, so completely, a man whom she had only known a few hours. Ah, she reminded herself, but I knew him long ago. I have known for long that he offered his life for his father; I knew then that he was the only man in the world whom I could love.

  ‘Now we must go to my apartments,’ he told her, ‘and they will all come to kiss your hand. I pray you do not grow too weary of kissing this day, for I would you should save a few to bestow on me this night.’

  Those words made her heart beat so fast that she thought she would faint. This night the nuptials would be consummated, and she was afraid. Afraid of him? Perhaps afraid that she would not please him, that she was ignorant and would be stupid and mayhap not beautiful enough.

  In his apartment the ladies and gentlemen took her hand and kissed it as they knelt to her. She stood beside Charles and every second she was conscious of him.

  He was making jocular remarks as though this were not a most solemn occasion. I am not witty enough, she thought; I must learn to laugh. I must learn to be witty and beautiful, for if I do not please him I shall wish to die.

  The Countess of Suffolk took one of the bows of blue ribbons from Catherine’s dress and said she would keep it as a wedding favour; and then everyone was demanding wedding favours, and Lady Suffolk pulled off knot after knot and threw the pieces of blue ribbon to those who could catch them.

  And amid much laughter Catherine’s dress was almost torn to pieces; and this the English – and the King in particular – seemed to find a great joke, but the Portuguese looked on in silent disapproval as though they wondered into what mad company their Infanta had brought them.

  When the merriment was ended, the King was the first to notice how pale Catherine had become. He put his arm tenderly about her and asked if she were feeling well; and she, overcome by the excitement of the ceremony and her own emotions, would have slipped to the floor in a faint but for his arms which held her.

  He said: ‘This has been too much for the Queen. We forget she is but recently up from a sick bed. Let us take her back to it that she may rest until she is fully recovered.’

  So the Queen was taken to her bedchamber, and her ladies disrobed her; and as she lay back on her pillows a feeling of despair came to her.

  This was her wedding day and she had been unable to endure it. He would be disappointed in her. What of the banquet that was to be given in her honour? She would not be there. A wedding banquet without a bride! Why had she been so foolish? She should have explained: I am not ill. It was the suddenness of my emotions . . . this sudden knowledge of my love, which makes me uncertain whether to laugh or cry, to exult or to despair.

  She could not bear that he should be disappointed in her, and she was on the point of calling to her women to help her dress that she might join the company in the banqueting hall, when the door was opened and trays of food were brought in.

  ‘Your Majesty’s supper,’ she was told.

  ‘I could eat nothing,’ she answered.r />
  ‘But you must,’ said a voice which brought back the colour to her cheeks and the sparkle to her eyes. ‘I declare I’ll not eat alone.’

  And there he was, the King himself, leaving his guests in the great banqueting hall, to sup with her alone in her bedroom.

  ‘You must not!’ she cried.

  ‘I am the King,’ he told her. ‘I do as I will.’

  Once more he sat on the bed; once more he kissed her hands, and those dark eyes, which were full of something she did not understand, were smiling into hers.

  So he took supper sitting on her bed, and he laughed and joked with those who served them as though they were his closest friends. He was intimate with all, it seemed, however lowly; he was perfect, but he was less like a great King than she would have believed anyone would be. Now all the ladies and gentlemen had left the banqueting hall and came to sup in her room.

  And all the time he joked so gaily Catherine understood, from the very tender note which crept into his voice when he addressed her, that he was telling her he understood her fears and she was to dismiss them.

  ‘You must not be afraid of me,’ he whispered to her. ‘That would be foolish. You see that these serving people are not afraid of me. So how could you be, you my Queen, whom I have sworn to love and cherish?’

  ‘To love and to cherish,’ she whispered to herself. To share this merry life all the rest of her days!

  What a simpleton she had been! She had not realized there could be joy such as this. Now the glorious knowledge was with her. There was no room for fear, there was no room for anything but joy – this complete contentment which came of giving and receiving love.

  *

  The royal honeymoon had begun, and with it the happiest period of Catherine’s life.

  Charles knew well how to adapt himself to her company; to Catherine he was the perfect lover, all that she desired; he was tender, gentle, and loving, during those wonderful days when he devised a series of entertainments for her pleasure. There were river pageants and sunny hours spent sauntering in the fields about Hampton Court whither they had gone after leaving Portsmouth; each evening there was an amusing play to watch, and a ball at which to lead the dancers in company with the King. There was none who danced so gracefully as Charles; none who was so indefatigable in the pursuit of pleasure.