Iris Collier: Day of Wrath

‘You know, Peverell, I’m damn grateful we’ve put an end to all these treasonable goings-on down here. I love this place, and I’ve much work to do in Portsmouth. I can see that I’ll be a regular visitor here in the future. I could appropriate Mortimer house, but I don’t fancy it, somehow. Treason contaminates the atmosphere. Also I’ve a mind one day to reinstate Lady Mortimer there with her children. I’m a merciful man, am I not, Peverell, when the occasion demands it?’

‘Of course you are, your Grace; I’ve never doubted it.’

‘And you’re a good friend, Peverell. Now, why not marry that lass of yours? Don’t mind the father, he’ll come round to you when you sire his first grandchild. The wench will agree, I’m sure, and it will be good to see her at Court. She can sing to me when affairs of state get me down. I could compose some songs for her. Matrimony’s a fine institution. I can heartily recommend it. Mind you, the Queen’s not well at the moment, not well at all. I hope she can stand the journey tomorrow.’

‘Tomorrow, your Grace? You leave so soon?’

‘There’s work to do, Peverell. I’ve got a kingdom to govern. And the Queen’s baby could arrive at any moment. Pray God it’s a fine son to carry on my name.’

‘Amen to that, your Grace.’

‘Now, Peverell, what are we going to do about you? You’ve got a fine house, a fine wench – I know, you want your Priory, don’t you? Well, this time next year, Cromwell will have got the legislation through Parliament, and the monks will have to go. Don’t worry, I’ll fix that Prior of yours up with a good position somewhere. By the way, he’s a nice fellow. I could do with someone like him around at Court. He could make a second Wolsey. But no monks. No monks at Court. I’ve had enough of them. But you can have your Priory, then, and get yourself buried, when the time comes, in that chantry chapel you were telling me about. Mind you, it’ll cost you something…’