“What else?”
“Well...I know, not what else, but that they did kiss and seem affectionate.”
“What shall you
“What shall I do? But I know not what you mean, Mistress Isabel. What would you desire me to do?”
“Shall you then tell aught of what you have seen...to Her Grace, your grandmother?”
Catherine’s teeth chattered, for what they did must surely be wrong since it was done at her grandmother’s displeasure.
Isabel released Catherine’s shoulder and called to the others. There was silence while she spoke.
“Catherine Howard,” she said spitefully, “while feigning sleep last night, was wide awake, watching what was done in this chamber. She will go to Her Grace the Duchess and tell her of our little entertainment.”
There was a crowd of girls round the bed, who looked down on Catherine, while fear and anger were displayed in every face.
“There was naught I did that was wrong,” said one girl, almost in tears.
“Be silent!” commanded Isabel. “Should what happens here of nights get to Her Grace’s ears, you will all be sent home in dire disgrace.”
Nan knelt down by the bed, her pretty face pleading. “Thou dost not look like a teller of tales.”
“Indeed I am not!” cried Catherine. “I but awakened, and being awake what could I do but see...”
“She will, I am sure, hold her counsel. Wilt thou not, little Catherine?” whispered Nan.
“If she does not,” said Isabel, “it will be the worse for her. What if we should tell Her Grace of what you did, Catherine Howard, in the paddock with your cousin, Thomas Culpepper!”
“What...I...did!” gasped Catherine. “But I did nothing wrong. Thomas would not. He is noble...he would do no wrong.”
“He kissed her and he promised her marriage,” said Isabel.
All the ladies put their mouths into round O’s, and looked terribly shocked.
“She calls that naught! The little wanton!”
Catherine thought: Did we sin then? Was that why Thomas was ashamed and never kissed me again?
Isabel jerked off the clothes, so that she lay naked before them; she stooped and slapped Catherine’s thigh.
“Thou darest not talk!” said Nan, laughing. “Why ’twould go harder with thee than with us. A Howard! Her Grace’s own granddaughter! Doubtless he would be hanged, drawn and quartered for what he did to you!”
“Oh, no!” cried Catherine, sitting up. “We did no wrong.”
The girls were all laughing and chattering like magpies.
Isabel put her face close to Catherine’s: “You have heard! Say nothing of what you have seen or may see in this chamber, and your lover will be safe.”
Nan said: “’Tis simple, darling. Say naught of our sins, and we say naught of thine!”
Catherine was weeping with relief.
“I swear I shall say nothing.”
“Then that is well,” said Isabel.
Nan brought a sweetmeat to her, and popped it into her mouth.
“There! Is not that good? They were given to me last night by a very charming gentleman. Mayhap one day some fine gentleman will bring sweetmeats to you, Catherine Howard!”
Nan put her arms about the little girl, and gave her two hearty kisses, and Catherine, munching, wondered why she had been so frightened. There was nothing to fear; all that was necessary was to say nothing.
The days passed as speedily as they had at Hollingbourne, and a good deal more excitingly. There were no lessons at Horsham. There was nothing to do during the long, lazy days but enjoy them. Catherine would carry notes from ladies to gentlemen; she was popular with them all, but especially with the young gentlemen. Once one said to her: “I have awaited this, and ’tis double sweet to me when brought by pretty Catherine!” They gave her sweetmeats too and other dainties. She played a little, played the flute and the virginals; she sang; they liked well to hear her sing, for her voice was indeed pretty. Occasionally the old Duchess would send for her to have a talk with her, and would murmur: “What a little tomboy you are, Catherine Howard! I declare you are an untidy chit; I would you had the grace of your cousin, Anne Boleyn....Though much good her grace did her!”
Catherine loved to hear of her cousin, for she remembered seeing her now and then at Lambeth before she went to Hollingbourne. When she heard her name she thought of beauty and color, and sparkling jewels and sweet smiles; she hoped that one day she would meet her cousin again. The Duchess often talked of her, and Catherine knew by the softening of her voice that she liked her well, even though, when she spoke of her disgrace and banishment from court, her eyes would glint slyly as though she enjoyed contemplating her granddaughter’s downfall.
“A Boleyn not good enough for a Percy, eh! Marry, and there’s something in that! But Anne is part Howard, and a Howard is a match for a Percy at any hour of the day or night! And I would be the first to tell Northumberland so, were I to come face to face with him. As for the young man, a plague on him! They tell me his Lady Mary hates him and he hates her; so much good that marriage did to either of them! Aye! I’ll warrant he does not find it so easy to forget my granddaughter. Ah, Catherine Howard, there was a girl. I vow I never saw such beauty...such grace. And what did it do for her? There she goes...To France! And what has become of the Ormond marriage? She will be growing on into her teens now...I hope she will come back soon. Catherine Howard, Catherine Howard, your hair is in need of attention. And your dress, my child! I tell you, you will never have the grace of Anne Boleyn.”
