Chapter 105: Linlithgow
January, 1613
Henry read through the letter that his former guardian, the Earl-now Marquess-of Mar had written to him and snorted. It seemed some things never changed. Court was a cesspit of scheming, with an added layer now that there were more Scotsmen and Irishmen in London. Henry didn’t miss it. Not at all. He had really enjoyed the last few months in Edinburgh, first in Holyrood and now in Linlithgow. Getting the chance to walk about, relatively untroubled, meet with people who he could handle and control and then spend time with his wife and their children.
He didn’t really want to go back to London, but he knew he had to. The King would not be pleased if his heir decided to remain in Scotland forever. He put the letter to one side and looked up to see Anna Maria looking at him intently. She was more beautiful than ever and Henry thanked God that she was his.
“What?” He asked.
“What caused you to snort?” She asked in return.
Henry sighed. “Mar has sent word from London. It seems the council is divided again.”
“Between who?” Anna asked.
“Those who follow Suffolk and Rochester who want to ally closely with Spain, and those led by Montgomery who oppose that position.” Henry said.
“Montgomery and Suffolk have separated?” Anna asked surprised. Henry could understand her surprise, Montgomery had been stuck to Suffolk for as long as anyone could remember that they were now enemies was very surprising.
“Yes, it seems the issue of Spain has divided them.” Henry said, that was something he was grateful for. Allying with Spain would be a great betrayal of everything the British Isles was meant to stand for.
“And where does Mar stand?” Anna asked.
“Somewhere in between. He knows why allying with Spain is bad form, but he is also aware of the commercial benefits that could come from it.” Henry said, he could appreciate Mar’s honesty. It was far more than what others had given him.
“And this doesn’t bother you?” Anna Maria asked surprised.
“No, at least he’s honest and I know he’s working for us.” Henry said simply.
“I see.” Anna Maria replied.
“He’s also been raised to a Marquess for his role in aiding the Union.” Henry said.
“He has?” Anna Maria replied, sounding somewhat surprised.
“Indeed, the King has also raised Suffolk to a Marquess as well, but Mar thinks that Suffolk doesn’t have the funds for the lifestyle.” Henry said.
“Why? Because he’s been busy bribing people?” Anna asked sarcastically.
“Yes, actually.” Henry replied laughing at Anna’s expression. “It seems he realised how vulnerable he was without Salisbury around and so has been trying to win people over with money.”
“And how is that working out for him?” Anna asked.
“About as well as can be expected.” Henry said. He paused then, trying to decide whether to mention the other thing that Mar had said in his letter. Deciding that it was better to say it than withhold it-he didn’t want to keep secrets from Anna-he added. “Mar also mentioned that Rochester has been trying to take control of Scottish affairs.”
Anna Maria frowned. “Why?”
“Apparently he thinks he can handle it all.” Henry said. He snorted when Anna laughed.
“And what has Mar done about that?” She asked, Mar was Secretary for Scotland after all.
“He’s shown Rochester some of the papers but has kept the main meat for himself. Rochester is grumbling but so far the King hasn’t ordered Mar to share more.” Henry said. “Which is surprising.”
“Why?” Anna asked.
“Because the King hates conflict.” Henry replied.
“True,” Anna conceded before adding. “But hasn’t he also been spending a lot of time with Villiers? Couldn’t that be why he’s not ordered Mar to concede to Rochester?”
“I suppose that is true.” Henry admitted, he wasn’t sure. Mother hadn’t said anything about Villiers in her letters and everything that Henry learned about the man’s time with the King came through second hand sources.
“Do you want to go back to London?” Anna asked then.
“Now?” Henry replied. “No.”
“Why?” Anna asked.
Henry sighed and said. “I’m enjoying being away from court, with you and our children. I don’t want to head back just yet.” Into the mess of intrigue and chaos that awaited.
“Good.” Anna replied smiling. “I don’t want to go back just yet either.”
Henry smiled.
“In fact,” Anna said. “I was hoping that we might be able to do some more travelling before we have to go.”
“Where would you like to go?” Henry asked.
“Dunfermline, to see the old Palace.” Anna Maria said. “Anne Drummond has painted a wonderful picture of it and I’d very much like to see it.”
Henry considered this. It would take them perhaps a day and a half to get to Dunfermline if they went via Edinburgh and took the ship over, or around three days if they travelled north and then swung east. He’d need to check with the nurses about whether it was safe to go by ship for Anna and their children, Arthur had been terribly sick on the journey from London and Henry didn’t want his son going through that again.
As if she could sense what he was thinking, Anna spoke. “I’ve checked with the nurses and the doctors, Anne should be fine travelling by ship.”
“You’re sure?” Henry asked.
“I am.” Anna said.
“And Arthur?” Henry asked.
“I think he needs to get used to travelling by ship.” Anna said.
Henry laughed. “Very well, we shall leave in the next week or so.”
“Excellent, I shall tell Urszula to prepare.” Anna said.
Henry nodded, he didn’t like the woman, but Anna had a passing fondness for her and so she remained. “Very well.”
He just hoped the woman learned that she wasn’t in charge anymore. That Anna wasn’t a little girl, but a woman and a mother. If Anna didn’t tell her, Henry would and he would make sure she remembered that. Only as a last resort of course. He didn’t want to infringe on his wife’s prerogatives.