Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
T he Great North Road, 1536
Edward scratched his head. He was angry at his lack of foresight.
‘I could kick myself,’ he whispered to Cara.
They were pitched from side to side as the carriage bumped over potholes on the Great North Road. The rain hammered relentlessly on the roof, and Cara peered out at the ominous rolling clouds in the dull, white sky.
The king’s soldiers were under orders to escort them to London. Cara had been arrested again; this time on charges of treason, witchcraft and breaking out of prison.
She squeezed Edward’s arm. ‘It’s not your fault. You weren’t to know this would happen.’
‘That’s true, I suppose. Time travel is unpredictable. My intentions were good, but I feel as though in my ambitious overreaching, I’ve managed to sign our death warrants instead of save the world.’
‘It’s not over yet. Let’s stay calm. We must keep our wits about us,’ she said.
Thomas and May leaned into her on either side as they slept. She stroked their heads and thought of George.
‘What are the chances of Swifty making it to Berwick-upon-Tweed, undetected, do you think?’
‘It’s hard to say. It’s a long shot, but he’s a wily young lad. If anyone can evade the army and travel unseen, he can. He’s been living on the streets for years. He knows how to blend in, and he’s certainly as speedy as his name.’
‘If we can alert George, he might at least escape to Scotland. That way there’d be a chance he could return later and save the children. I can’t bear the thought of him waiting for us, not knowing we’ve been caught. I can just imagine his face when he realises we left without getting the all-clear from him. He specifically warned me to wait and be patient.’
‘Don’t be hard on yourself, my dear. You weren’t impatient. He doesn’t know about your time travel, here or in the future, correct?’
‘I’ve wanted to tell him in present day, but it’s never been the right time. How do you tell the man you love that he was married to you, five hundred years earlier when you were both charged with treason by King Henry VIII? Oh; and incidentally you also had two children together. Far fetched doesn’t even begin to cover it.’
‘Quite! I do see your point,’ said Edward, with a wry smile. ‘I’ve not confided in anyone other than you about my own travel. One of the chaps on my research team suspects there’s more to my research than meets the eye, but that’s about it.’
‘It’s odd how Sylvia knew to connect us up, don’t you think?’ said Cara.
‘Yes, and no. There’s a glorious serendipity to all of this. As much as it feels wildly out of control, I do believe it’s unfolding just as it should.’
‘It’s good that you’re philosophical. I begin to panic when I think about what will happen to the children if I’m executed—and to George, of course. Which reminds me—goodness knows how poor little Princess Elizabeth is faring at court after losing her mother, Queen Anne.’
‘You won’t be executed. And the future version of you is alive, anyway.’
‘But is it not possible that could change? If I were to die now, wouldn’t that simply wipe out all trace of me in the future?’
‘I suppose it might.’ Eddie paused, trying to understand the implications. ‘Honestly, I don’t know. We don’t know enough about how it works in these specific situations. This is another reason why it’s so valuable for my research; to observe and document what happens when you travel. It’s possible that by arriving back here at the worst time, it could wipe out the future you. . .but it’s unlikely, I think. I doubt you would be alive in the present day if that were the case. The fact that the three of us are alive in the future, and what’s more, we’re connected, bodes well for us all.’
‘Except for Thomas and May. We don’t know what happens to them.’ Cara’s voice trembled. Her maternal instinct was rich in Tudorville, which was such a different experience to that of her future self.
‘King Henry is capricious, but I don’t think he’ll take it out on the children. We’ll get them to safety somehow,’ whispered Edward.
‘If you could get them back to Willow Manor that would be the best. At least that way they’d be in the custody of George’s parents.’
‘Yes, and the earl would most likely go to them at the first opportunity. No doubt, the tides of fortune will soon turn at court. They always do. If he’s able to stay out of sight for a while, he may be back in favour with the king again before too long,’ he said.
‘I have a horrible feeling that with my botched time travel, I’ve messed up the future. I mean, we were on the road to Berwick-upon-Tweed too early, weren’t we? We left before George said it was safe. If we’d waited, it seems likely we wouldn’t have been caught.’
‘You were supposed to be on your way to 2100. We couldn’t have known you’d arrive back here, en route to the border, so it’s out of our hands. There’s no point worrying about that now. Let’s hope Swifty alerts George, and they formulate a plan.’
She was grateful to have Eddie’s support. Goodness knows how she’d handle all of this without him at her side. Not for the first time, she silently thanked Sylvia.
‘You may be accused of treason, but you both have loyal connections in London and the north.’
Cara agreed. George inspired loyalty in all who knew him. He was respected and admired by the tenants of Willow Wick and his network of influential peers held him in high esteem. Just as Sir John Locke had offered them protection, many of the great northern lords were George’s close friends and allies. They’d grown up together, fought together and served at court together.
He looked at her, with kind eyes, ‘Also, I can’t imagine the earl heading off to Scotland without you. I’d wager he’ll find a way to rescue you.’
Cara rested her head against the carriage seat and prayed for a miracle. It seemed the only thing that could save them now. The stakes were high; if George tried to save them, he would then also put himself in grave danger. She didn’t know what to hope for. Every scenario was fraught with jeopardy.
Had she risked the lives of everyone she loved with one critical error? She blamed herself for trying to run away from George. Now they would be lost to one another forever, and endanger everyone dear to them. She closed her eyes and fell into an uneasy doze.
Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1536
George paced back and forth in front of the roaring fire. The cold floor creaked beneath his feet. He’d been confined to this house ever since his arrival in the border town. He’d exchanged one prison for another and was restless. How he wished he’d been able to give Cara the go-ahead to come to him; he ached to have her close, and he missed the children, but it was too risky.
He continued to pace back and forth for much of the afternoon, occasionally lingering by the fire to rub his hands in the warmth of the orange flames.
His heart was heavy. He’d woken with a sense of foreboding which he couldn’t shake as the day wore on. Something wasn’t right with Cara. He knew it; he felt it in his gut; he always did.
George watched Swifty as he gulped steaming potage from a bowl. He was impatient to hear news of Cara, but the boy almost passed out on arrival, so weak was he from the arduous journey.
‘Are you feeling better?’
‘Yes, thank you, my lord. I hadn’t eaten for days.’
‘I’m glad to see the colour creeping back into your cheeks, drink up and then pray tell me all you know.’
‘My lady, the children and Tutor Edward were all captured on their way here.’
George cursed under his breath.
He knew it. He’d warned Cara not to set out until he sent the all-clear. What the blazes was she doing?
‘Did something occur to make her leave so suddenly?’
‘I’m not sure, my lord. It all happened so fast. I was in the kitchen when I got word to ready myself for the trip. Sir John lent us one of his plain carriages, and we were headed on our way to you.’
‘Yes, and then? Tell me exactly what happened.’
‘It seemed to be okay; the rain was coming down hard; we were on the road for hours, but then we heard soldiers shouting and giving chase. On one of the breaks, Tutor Edward had instructed me to run like the wind to find you, if anyone stopped us. I was sitting up top with the driver, so when the soldiers checked the carriage, I slipped away.’
‘I see, so he thought it likely that soldiers would be on the road. Well, that was good thinking so thank heavens for that. Why they didn’t wait, I don’t know! And then?’ said George.
‘I managed to get away, and I hid in the bushes. I saw them arrest my lady, and then they made them turn the carriage around and escorted them back in the direction we’d come.’
‘Did you hear anything more, Swifty? Think carefully, please. We must save them, but I need to know everything. Is there anything else?’
‘It was hard to hear exactly what they were saying, but I heard them talking about taking them to London.’
‘Yes, that makes sense. I imagine they’ll be taking the countess to the Tower. We must hurry. I need your help again, I’m afraid. Knowing how efficiently Cromwell operates, I fear they’ll rush her into a makeshift trial before any of the lords have time to intervene on my behalf. We must hasten. Ready yourself to leave in ten minutes, and we’ll make our plan on the road.’
Swifty nodded, and George went immediately to inform King James’ envoy of the latest news and to ask if he may borrow some horses.
They rode hard in the driving rain without stopping. Every second counted if George was to save Cara.
They arrived exhausted at Madame Alicia’s. George was grateful for his network of loyal friends.
She ushered them in via the back entrance of her establishment, and they huddled in the warmth of her cosy parlour.
‘Madame Alicia, my good lady, have you paper and ink to spare? I must write to the king forthwith; his soldiers are on the way to London with the countess. I must intervene and propose a bargain before it is too late.’
George took another gulp of red wine to steady his nerves and commenced writing the most important letter of his life.
Once satisfied, he handed Swifty some coins.
‘Pray, go as fast as you may, my boy. Seek out the postmaster and reward him royally to arrange for the letter to be delivered to the king at Hampton Court Palace. It must be today!’ George called after Swifty’s disappearing back.
The Tower of London, 1536
Cromwell read George’s freshly delivered correspondence aloud to King Henry.
Your Majesty,
I humbly write to explain the unfortunate misunderstanding that has arisen between us and to dispute the false charges made against us. There has been a dreadful mistake. My wife and I never have and never would be disloyal to you. You are our one true King, and as such we obey you in all things.
This sorry day, I beseech you to have mercy upon my wife and children.
For the past five years, you have trusted me as your special advisor, and I have never betrayed you. I respectfully remind you that you recently bestowed the title of earl upon me, in recognition of my service to you and as a reward for the Tudor Kings’ Manuscript.
I beg you, Your Grace, not to take out any misgivings or suspicions you have against me, on my family. My wife has been a loyal servant in your household for the past two years, as you bade her, and is not guilty of treason or witchcraft. She is a God-fearing soul. My children are merely innocents caught up in these difficult times.
I, your envoy and special advisor on countless diplomatic missions, perhaps more than any other who has served at your side, have uncovered treasonous plots aplenty. I fear this is simply the latest ploy to destabilise your throne.
I humbly beg you consider my request which I ask not for myself but for the sake of my family.
Please release my wife, children and their tutor. They are blameless, and I know you to be a fair King of the highest honour. I trust you would not have them take the blame for a crime for which you believe me to be guilty.
You have my word as a gentleman of honour, and as your loyal servant, I will then turn myself in, to face any charges your court wishes to levy against me.
I await your reply and trust that in the benevolence for which you are renowned, you will allow my wife and children to be released in exchange for me.
As ever, your most humble servant,
George Cavendish.
Cromwell handed the letter to the king who scanned it briefly before tossing it on to the table.
‘Curse that damned Cavendish! I trusted him with my life. I thought he was my friend. And all this time he and his lady wife were cooking up schemes behind my back, and in my palace no less. I’ve seen Anne’s head roll, but still, her spider’s web continues to unravel sinister horrors.’
‘You trusted him, Your Majesty. It seems he betrayed you as did the Boleyn woman.’ Cromwell gauged the king’s reaction; satisfied, he continued to press on.
‘I do wonder though, whether, as trying as it may seem, if it would be more prudent to take the long view; to play him at his own game as it were.’
‘How so, Thomas? He and his wife were both charged with treason, as well as numerous other evils your councillors dug up with your meticulous investigation. I shall have both of their heads on a pike. Better yet, they’ll be boiled and covered in cumin first—damn traitors. I won’t lie though; my heart bleeds at the loss of another dear friend. It seems there’s no one left for me to trust in this court of devilish rogues.’ The spittle flew from the king’s mouth as he enunciated each word, his face flushed.
‘Please be assured, Your Majesty. I am your loyal servant and shall remain so until my dying breath. However, in my endeavour to protect you and the Crown, I must speak the truth, no matter how distasteful. I fear that if we dismiss Cavendish’s offer, he will disappear into hiding, never to be seen again. He’ll have no reason to show himself. There’ll be no bargaining chip for him to play if he believes his wife and children are already lost.’
‘What exactly do you suggest? To let him have his way, just so? I will be a laughing stock.’
‘That is exactly what I propose, to prevent that very thing. But rather, this way he turns himself in, and we avoid the embarrassment of looking like fools because of his escape. Few will care what becomes of the Cavendish woman. The people are bound to applaud your clemency if she is released with her children. We will ensure the news gets out and spreads across the country. This is no small thing considering recent events at court. It would go some measure towards rebuilding the people’s trust. The Cavendish family are well-loved, especially in the north.’ Cromwell paused, and then continued.
‘Are you in agreement, Your Grace?’
King Henry, stared out of the window, his countenance grim.
Cromwell held his breath and waited.
‘Your plan is a cunning one, Thomas. As ever, you are several tricks ahead of everyone else. You’re like a conjurer with that sharp mind of yours. Yes, all right. You have my permission to make the exchange. . .but only on the condition that I have words with the earl before he’s executed. I will hear his account of events, as much as it will pain me. He was my dear friend for many a year.’
Cromwell inclined his head. ‘Very well, Your Grace . And so it shall be. Thank you. Your judgement, as always, is wise.’
In the courtyard below, Cara, Edward and the children were escorted into the Tower, pushed roughly up the stone steps and imprisoned in a cell. May fell onto the freezing, hard floor and began to whimper.
‘Hush, my love. By the grace of God, we won’t be here for long. Your father will come for us. You’ll see.’