“And I will broach the matter to the King.”
Northampton was elated. He knew that there would be no difficulty with Frances’s parents once he made them see what a glorious future awaited her—and the Howard family—when she was married to Robert Carr.
“So you have a fancy to a be a husband, eh, Robbie?”
“I think it is time I settled down.”
“Well, well, and I never thought ye had much of an eye for women.”
“I have for this one, Your Majesty.”
James patted Robert’s arm. “And she’s married. It would have been easier, laddie, if your choice had fallen on someone who was free.”
“Your Majesty, the Countess of Essex should be free. She is bound to an impotent husband and has never lived a true married life with him.”
“Is that so? Essex impotent! ’Tis the first I’ve heard of that. Never did much care for Robert Devereux. Too serious without the intellect. He always looks as though he’s in a sulk.”
“Your Majesty will see that the Countess should be freed from such a man.”
“And given to you, Robbie. I see your point. I see her point. What are Northampton and the Suffolks going to say of this?”
“I have already discussed the matter with Northampton.”
“And he is willing?”
“Very willing, Your Majesty.”
“This is going to be an unusual case, lad. I know not whether it is legal for a wife to sue her husband for a divorce. I am not sure whether his impotence will be counted a reason for granting it. It’s an interesting point. I’ll look into it myself.” James laughed. “I’ll enjoy having a talk with the lawyers. Dinna fret, boy, I’ll swear your old Dad will find a way out of the tangle. I’ll swear he’ll give you the girl as he has everything else you have asked him for.”
Robert kissed the dirty hand.
“Your Majesty, as always, is gracious to me.”
“Yes, yes,” put in Suffolk, “providing they’ll grant the divorce. You know how the lawyers like to peck and sniff.”
“Nonsense, man. They’ll do what the King expects them to. Robert assures me that James is taking the matter up himself.”
“What bothers me,” said Lady Suffolk, “is this accusation of impotence. Why Essex was demanding that she live with him when they were at Chartley, and she was locking her door against him. He has pleaded with us ever since to exercise out parental rights to make her share his bed. And you call this impotence!”
“Frances does, it seems,” said Northampton with a sly chuckle.
“Essex might have difficulty in proving otherwise when a girl like Frances is ready to swear to it!”
Lady Suffolk burst into coarse laughter. “Surely it wouldn’t be an impossibility for Essex to prove his potency.”
“You fret over details. Let the King show his eagerness for the divorce and if Essex is a wise man he’ll not interfere. After all, his great desire is to get back to the country. Give him a divorce and a new wife who is ready to live the life he wants her to, and he’ll be amenable.”
“I’m not so sure,” said Suffolk.
“Come, come,” interrupted Northampton. “You meet troubles halfway. Carr is the most influential man in this country. James scarcely ever makes an appointment without consulting him. Think what this marriage is going to mean to the Howards. All the important posts in the country can fall into our hands. You have reason to rejoice that you produced your daughter Frances.”
“I am thirsty,” said the Countess. “Let us drink to the marriage of Robert Carr and Frances Howard.”
Frances, in a state of bemused joy since Carr had suggested the divorce, and her family had taken up the idea with such enthusiasm, took the note to her apartment and read it twice before she realized the urgency behind the words.
It was from Mrs. Turner, who asked that she come to Hammersmith without delay. It was imperative that they meet for Mrs. Turner had discovered something too secret to put to paper.
At the first opportunity Frances accompanied by Jennet rode over to Hammersmith.
