Jean Plaidy - The Murder in the Tower - The Story of Frances, Countess of Essex

“Every since I was taught to read and write, my lord,” said Wilson, “I have never stopped doing either. I was at one time clerk to Sir Henry Spiller in the Exchequer office, but I was dismissed.”

“For some offense?”

“The inability to remain on friendly terms with people in a superior position to my own, my lord.”

Essex laughed. He had taken a great liking to this man and he was particularly pleased to have been diverted from his own unpleasant thoughts.

“I thought,” went on Wilson, “that I could live by writing poetry. That was a fallacy.”

“You must show me some of your work.”

“If your lordship would be interested.”

“Tell me what happened when you left the Exchequer office.”

“I lived in London writing poetry until my money was almost at an end. Then fortunately Wingfield appeared and suggested a short respite here at Chartley.”

“I might offer you a permanent post here. If I did so, would you accept it?”

A faint color came into Wilson’s face. “My lord,” he murmured, “you are generous beyond my hopes.”

Friendship had been born in that moment.

Arthur Wilson quickly slipped into his place at Chartley. He was the Earl’s gentleman-in-waiting, which meant that he accompanied him on his rides round the estate, hunting or any other such expedition; thus he was constantly in the Earl’s company. In a very short time he had become his most confidential servant, and because it so concerned his master, Wilson took a great interest in his relationship with the Countess.

Being such a partisan of the Earl, he was highly critical of Frances. He did not share his master’s view of her innocence, and he determined to watch the situation very carefully, without letting anyone know he did so.

Every night when he retired to his apartment he wrote in his diary an account of the day’s happenings and the affairs of the Earl and his wife inevitably figured largely in this. He found himself writing glowing descriptions of the Earl’s extraordinary patience and goodness to this woman who was behaving so badly toward him. “The mild and courteous Earl is being tried too sorely,” he wrote.

He began to wonder what dark schemes that woman concocted in the apartment from which she rarely stirred. It was unnatural, unhealthy. There she lived with that woman she had brought with her—allowing only Elizabeth Raye and Catharine Dardenell into the apartment. What were they plotting? If it were harm to the Earl, Wilson was going to be there to prevent it.

He was watching.

“Catharine, my child,” said Frances, “what pretty hair you have.”

“You’ll make the creature vain, my lady,” said Elizabeth Raye. “She’s conceited enough since Will Carrick has had his eye on her.”

“So Will Carrick admires you, Catharine. I can understand that well.”

Catharine simpered. She could not understand why some of the servants were so suspicious of the Countess, when she had always been so gracious to her and Elizabeth. She was so interested in them; and she had more or less promised that when Elizabeth’s young man was ready to marry her, she, the Countess would see that she had a good wedding. A generous lady, a good mistress; and if there was anything wrong between the Earl and Countess, she for one—and she knew Elizabeth felt the same—was ready to put the blame on the Earl.

“I have a blue ribbon which will become you well,” said Frances. “Jennet, bring it and show Catharine how to tie it in her hair.”

Jennet obeyed.

“It’s lovely, my lady,” cried Elizabeth, and Catharine was pink with pleasure.

Frances put her head on one side. “Elizabeth should have one too. What color do you think for Elizabeth, Jennet?”

“Pink, I think, my lady.”

“Then get it.”

The girl stood awkwardly while the ribbon was tied.

“How pretty they look!” Frances sighed, and looked sad.

Elizabeth stammered: “Oh, my lady, we are lucky to serve you.”

Many little gifts passed between Frances and her maids. Any little service she asked of them was performed with delight, and they could not do enough for her comfort. Then came the day when Frances considered that the time was ripe.

“And how is Carrick?” she asked Catharine one day when she was alone with the girl.

Catharine flushed and mumbled that he was as he always was.

“And ready to do anything to please you, I’ll warrant.”

Catharine did not answer.

“As page to the Earl it is his duty to attend to his clothes, is it not?”

“Yes, my lady, that is one of his duties.”

“It is a good post to hold and it cannot be long before he asks permission to marry.”

“I know not, my lady.”

Frances patted the girl’s cheek. “You are fortunate. Do you know there are times when I envy you.”

“Oh no , my lady!”

“To have someone to love you, of whom you can be sure.”

“But, my lady—”

“I know that my affairs are talked of in the Castle. But there are matters which are only known to me … and the Earl; things are not always what they seem, my child. I am an unhappy woman. Catharine, would you help me?”

“With all my heart, my lady.”

“I can trust you, Catharine, as I can few others. Would you swear to tell no one of what you do for me?”

“But of course, my lady.”

“I am anxious to change the Earl’s feelings toward me.”

“But, my lady, it is said that the Earl wants nothing so much as to be a good husband to you.”

Frances frowned. “It is said! It is said!” she cried sharply. Then her voice softened. “Catharine, there are things people cannot understand. They cannot look deeply into these matters.”

“No, my lady.”

“When you see Carrick, do you go into the Earl’s apartments?”

Catharine blushed. “Well, my lady, it is only when—”

“Have no fear, my dear. I would always be sympathetic to lovers.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“And Carrick meets you there … say, when the Earl has gone hunting?”

“Yes, my lady.”

“There is nothing to be ashamed of. No harm has been done. The other servants know you go there and are not surprised when you creep in … eh?”

Catharine nodded.

“Listen to me. I have a powder here. It is a magic powder. I want you to go ten minutes earlier to the apartment … before Carrick is due to meet you there. Do you understand? And I want you to sprinkle a powder inside the Earl’s garments. His hose … his shirt … those which he will wear next his skin. Fold them carefully when you have done, so that none will know that they have been tampered with.”

“A powder, my lady?”

“I said a powder. ’Tis for his good. I have the Earl’s welfare deeply at heart. Can I trust you, Catharine, to tell this to no one?”

“Why, yes, my lady.”

“You will have to be quick and careful. If you should be there and find others at hand, you must not do this. It is essential that it should be a secret. You must seize your opportunity, Catharine. I know you are a clever girl and that I can trust you. That is why, when I go to Court, I plan to take you with me.”