Free The King's Secret Matter by Jean Plaidy Page A

this better than Wolsey. Therefore he planned to keep the lion unaware of his strength. At the moment he was so. Not through any lack of conceit but because it was so pleasant to be a figure of glory in the tiltyard, at the masques and balls, and to leave state matters to the efficient Cardinal. Why should he tire his eyes by studying state papers? Wolsey was the man for that. The King had often said with a rumbling laugh that a state document could bring a brighter shine to Wolsey’s eyes than any wench could.
    It pleased Henry that the shrewd Cardinal should be the perfect complement to the dazzling King. But the lion must not know his strength.
    Wolsey looked about the company and his eyes came to rest on the Queen. There was one of whom he must be wary. Relations between them had been less cordial since the friendship of England with France, for, like the good Spaniard that she was, Katharine hated the French. She looked at Europe and saw the only two rulers of consequence there – François Premier and the Emperor Charles – and she knew that they must inevitably be the most bitter of enemies. Eachfought for power and there would be continual strife between them. It was Katharine’s great desire that England should be the ally of her nephew Charles; and she had blamed Wolsey for the
rapprochement
with François which had led to that fantastic spectacle at Guisnes and Ardres. She had been cool with him, a little arrogant, and would have to learn in time that none was allowed to show arrogance towards the great Cardinal – not even the Queen.
    Rarely had the Cardinal felt so contented as he did at this banquet. He was climbing high and would go higher, never forgetting that the ultimate goal was the Papal chair, for once he had attained it he would be free from the whims of the King of England. Until then he must feign to submit to them.
    He shall be kept in ignorance, thought Wolsey. Such blissful ignorance. Those bright blue eyes must be kept shining for conquest in the tiltyard and the ladies’ chambers; they must not discover the delights of statecraft until the Cardinal had become the Pope.
    The King’s plump white hands were greasy with sucking pig; he called for music, and the minstrels began to play one of his songs, which could not fail to increase his good humour.
    How easy to handle! thought Wolsey, and his eyes met those of Buckingham who gave him a haughty stare.
    Buckingham turned towards Norfolk who was sitting beside him and made a comment which Wolsey knew was derogatory to himself. But Buckingham was a fool. He had spoken during the playing of the King’s music.
    â€˜You do not like the song?’ demanded Henry, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
    â€˜Your Grace,’ answered Buckingham suavely, ‘I was but commenting on its charm.’
    â€˜It spoils the pleasure of others when you drown the music with your chatter,’ grumbled the King.
    â€˜Then,’ answered Buckingham, ‘would Your Grace allow the musicians to play it again that all may hear it in silence?’
    Henry waved a hand and the tune was repeated.
    Fool Buckingham! thought Wolsey. He was heading straight for trouble.
    The Cardinal excelled at collecting information about those he wished to destroy. His spy ring was notorious throughout the Court. Did Buckingham think that because he was a noble duke – as royal as the King, as he loved to stress – he was immune from it?
    The music over, the King rose from the banqueting table. On such an occasion it was the duty of one of his gentlemen to bring a silver ewer in which he might wash his hands. The duty was performed by noblemen of the highest rank, and on this occasion the task fell to the Duke of Buckingham.
    The ewer was handed to Buckingham by one of his ushers; he took it and bowed before Henry who washed his hands as was the custom.
    When the King had finished, the Cardinal, who had been standing beside Henry, put his hands