“Then our purpose was achieved,” said Henry with familiar unctuousness. He smiled impishly at the Queen. “We need not, therefore, give too much of our time to the lady in the future. Is that what you think?”
Katharine said, with a dignity which was not lost on him, and did not in his present mood displease him: “Your Majesty can be the only judge of how and where he shall give his time.”
Henry chuckled benevolently. “We would please our Queen in this matter. By my faith, we did miss her so much, and we were so concerned for her health, that we thought we must put an end to her melancholy by telling her these things without delay.”
“Ah, Your Majesty must have suffered much.”
“Those fools!” said the King. “My bandages are ever too loose or too tight when thou dost not fix them.”
“There’s none can fix a bandage, Sire, like a loving wife.”
He nodded; but a sternness had crept into his face, and it set her shivering afresh.
His eyes narrowing, he said: “Dost still think I should give license to that translation of the Scriptures?”
Katharine’s heart had begun to beat faster.
The mask of indulgence was removed from the King’s face, and the expression of well-remembered cruelty was exposed. She wanted to live, to fulfill those dreams which she had had before the King had made her aware of his intention to make her his sixth wife.
She folded her hands across her breasts and lowered her eyes demurely. “My lord King, ’tis not the task of a woman to discuss such matters. Her place is on the footstool at her husband’s feet. I would refer this, and all other matters, to the wisdom of Your Majesty.”
The King was not to be easily put off. He was watching her shrewdly. “Not so, by St. Mary! You are become a doctor to instruct us, Kate, as we take it, and not to be instructed or directed by us.”
“Nay,” said Katharine. “You have mistaken my intentions. I know there have been times when I have been led into discourse with Your Majesty, but such was to pass the time, for well I know the pain that besets your royal body. I took an opposite view but to entertain, for, had I shown immediate agreement, then would the discourse have ended ere it had begun, and Your Majesty would have had no amusement from our talk. My one thought has been to entertain Your Grace, to do my small part in taking your mind, when possible, from your grievous pains and burdens of state. Only for such a purpose would I venture such views—not to contradict my most gracious lord, but to divert him.”
Fearfully she threw a glance in his direction. He was stroking his beard and smiling. He was pleased with her answer.
She went on: “It was true that I did hope that, by hearing Your Majesty’s most learned discourse, I might perchance receive some profit.”
The King was laughing.
“And is it even so?” he said. “Then we are perfect friends again, sweetheart.”
He sat there, smiling at her. She had pleased him. He was her friend now; and the friendly smile was soon giving place to the lecher’s leer.
“Get up from your bed and come and kiss me, Kate,” he commanded.
As she rose, she thought: I am safe for a while. The danger is past… for a time. Now the pattern will be formed again—starting from the beginning. Will it have the same ending?
He caught her and pulled her on to his knees. She closed her eyes as she felt his mouth on hers. His lips were no longer tight and prim, but slack and eager.
This, she thought, is the price of postponement.
NEXT MORNING HE sent for her to sit with him in the walled garden.
He was much better, and able to hobble with the aid of a stick.
She came, her sister and Lady Jane Grey in attendance; but he dismissed those two with a wave of his stick.
“Good morrow to you, Kate. Come sit beside me. There’s tonic in this morning air. There, there, you may come close. Don’t feign to be a modest virgin… for I know better, Kate, eh? I know better.”
He was in good spirits.
“The pain’s relieved a little. A good nurse and a good bedfellow. Well, who could do better than that? That’s good enough for a King, eh, Kate?”
He pinched her cheek.
“It is indeed gratifying to see Your Majesty in such good spirits.”
“Oh, Kate, I fear I am a sad old bear when the pains are with me. What say you?” He drew back to watch her face, and it was as though he dared her to agree with him.
“Nay,” she said; “there was never a man more patient.”
“Ah, Kate, for one who has ever been sprightly, ever active, a leader in the jousts and tourneys, it is hard to stand by and see other men excel.”
“Your Grace’s skill is well remembered and will, I dare swear, never be forgot.”
“There was not a man who could tilt against me and be the victor,” said Henry sadly. “Ah well, I am skilled in other matters, am I not, sweetheart?”
“I know it well.”
“You know it well, eh, little pig? And it pleases you! It is well that we are blessed with a faithful and obedient
