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

into the bowl and proceeded to wash them.
    For a few seconds Buckingham was too astonished to do anything but stand still holding the bowl. Then a slow flush spread from his neck to his forehead. He, the great Duke of Buckingham, who believed himself more royal than Henry Tudor, to hold the ewer for a man who had been born in a butcher’s shop!
    In an access of rage he threw the greasy water over the Cardinal’s shoes, drenching his red satin robe as he did so.
    There was silence. Even the King looked on astonished.
    The Cardinal was the first to recover. He turned to Henry and murmured: ‘A display of temper, Your Grace, by one who thinks himself privileged to show such in your presence.’
    Henry had walked away and the Cardinal followed him.
    Buckingham stood staring after them.
    â€˜ ’Tis a sad day for England,’ he muttered, ‘when a noble duke is expected to hold the ewer for a butcher’s cur.’

    In the King’s private chamber, Henry was laughing.
    â€˜ ’Twas a merry sight, Thomas, to see you there with the water drenching your robes.’
    â€˜I am delighted to have provided Your Grace with some amusement,’ murmured Wolsey.
    â€˜I have rarely seen you so astonished. As for Buckingham, he was in a rage.’
    â€˜And in your presence!’
    Henry clapped a hand on Wolsey’s shoulder. ‘I know Buckingham. He was never one to hold in his temper. And when you . . . Thomas Wolsey . . . not a member of the nobility, dipped your hands into the bowl . . .’
    â€˜As Your Grace’s Chancellor . . .’
    â€˜Buckingham pays more respects to a man’s family tree than to his attainments, Thomas.’
    â€˜Well I know it, for the man’s a fool, and I thank the saints nightly that this realm has been blessed with a ruler who is of such wisdom.’
    The King smiled almost roguishly. ‘As for me, Thomas, I care not whether men come from butchers’ shops or countrymansions. I am the King, and all my subjects are born beneath me. I look down on one and all.’
    â€˜Even on Buckingham!’
    â€˜Why do you say that, Thomas?’
    â€˜Because the Duke has strange notions about his birth. He fancies himself to be as royal as Your Grace.’
    The roguishness disappeared and a look of cruelty played about the tight little mouth. ‘You said Buckingham was a fool, Thomas. We are once again in agreement.’
    Now it was Thomas’s turn to smile.
    He believed the time had come to make an end of his enemy.

    The Cardinal allowed a few weeks to pass; then one day he came to the King in pretended consternation.
    â€˜What ails you, Thomas?’ asked Henry.
    â€˜I have made discoveries, Your Grace, which I hesitate to lay before you, of such a shocking nature are they.’
    â€˜Come, come,’ said the King testily; he was in a white silk shirt and purple satin breeches, puffed and slashed, ready for a game of tennis.
    â€˜They concern my Lord Buckingham. I must regretfully advise your Grace that I believe him to be guilty of treason.’
    â€˜Treason!’
    â€˜Of a most heinous nature.’
    â€˜How so?’
    â€˜He lays claim to the throne and declares he will have it one day.’
    â€˜What!’ roared the King, tennis forgotten. There was one subject which filled him, as a Tudor, with alarm. That was the suggestion that anyone in the realm had a greater right to thethrone than he had. His father had had to fight for the crown; he had won it and brought prosperity to England, uniting the houses of York and Lancaster by his marriage; but the hideous Wars of the Roses were not so far behind that they could be forgotten; and the very mention of a pretender to the throne was enough to rouse Henry to fury.
    â€˜I have long suspected him,’ the Cardinal soothed. ‘Hence his hatred of me and the enmity between us. This I should feel towards any who sought to harm Your Grace. I have made