Read Online At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn by Anne Clinard Barnhill - Free Book Online Page B

precious gems. Madge stared as the entire City of London came out to gawk at their new queen and her entourage, which extended over half a mile, filled with the most noble persons in the country. Most citizens were quiet, with a few shouts of “Whore! Great Whore!” reaching Madge’s ears. However, the queen wouldn’t have heard such harangues because her musicians surrounded her on foot. Madge noticed Master Smeaton walking very close to the queen and singing out in a strong voice. She could not help but watch him, his face like an angel.
    At various posts, the assemblage stopped to see a pageant or to hear a choir. Anne followed the same route that Queen Catherine had followed twenty-four years earlier. The pageants, which were very costly events to the citizens of the realm, followed the traditional themes, proclaiming the queen’s virtue, chastity, and fecundity. Wine ran free throughout the city and people drank their fill. Madge was surprised to see all the houses of Cheapside had been hung in cloth of gold and red velvet. Gracechurch Street displayed arras, tapestries, carpets, and tissue. Madge particularly enjoyed the pageant of “The Progeny of St. Anne” performed at the Cornhill by Leadenhall. There, a series of children spoke verses, the first child comparing the queen to St. Anne, grandmother of Christ. The queen rewarded the children by tossing gold coins to them.
    After a long day of presenting and exchanging gifts and receiving the homage of her people, the queen finally arrived at Westminster where the king greeted her with looks of great affection. Madge stood close to the royal couple as they surveyed the city with the throngs of people still watching the parade and enjoying the wine that flowed freely from the king’s pipes.
    The queen reached out her hand to Madge in order to bring her beside herself and the king. Madge looked out into the crowd. Just below her, a young man waved at the queen with his hat in his hand. His dark hair stood out among those with their hats still on. His large frame was well-formed and his face, though not clear at such a distance, appeared quite handsome. The queen and king walked a little farther onto the balcony but the young man didn’t follow them. Madge continued to stare at him. Finally, she realized he was waving and shouting at her, not the queen. And then she realized who he was—Sir Churlish! She turned on her heel and fell in pace a few steps behind the queen.
    “How liked you the look of the city, sweetheart?” Madge heard the king say.
    “I liked the look of it well enough, but I saw a great many caps on heads and heard but few tongues!” said Anne, sounding a bit disgruntled.
    “Ah sweetheart, such things take time. The people must get used to your kind ways, that’s all. And once you’ve given them the son we all long for, you’ll hear shouts enough so that you shall have to plug your dainty ears,” said the king. Madge turned away as he kissed Anne full on the mouth.
    *   *   *
    “Must I ride and then sit and then eat with Sir Norris, Your Grace? I like him not,” said Madge as she folded Her Majesty’s coverlet back so the queen could crawl into her lavish bed. Her large belly made climbing into the bed difficult, even with the little stool the king had sent to her for such purposes. When she was finally settled in, Purkoy in her arms, she answered.
    “It is the king’s desire, Margaret. I’ll not brook the issue with him, not tomorrow. Nothing shall mar my day of becoming an anointed queen. Who could have dreamed such a thing would happen? Oh Madge, it seems so unlikely that I, daughter of a lowly ambassador, should tomorrow become queen of all the land!” Her Majesty hugged Purkoy and the little dog licked her face.
    “I would not wish to ruin your day, Your Grace. I only hoped to ride with my friend, Sir Wyatt,” said Madge, pulling the coverlet over the queen’s belly and much-risen bosom.
    “Tom leaves for France soon