The Ringed Castle - Dorothy Dunnett [82]
‘It matters now,’ Sir Henry said. ‘I am glad, Philippa, you are not going north. I would like you here when the ships come back from Muscovy. Because I think they may bring you word of your husband.’
The pause was perhaps a second too long, but she did not make a single mistake. ‘From Muscovy!’ said Philippa Somerville.
‘You didn’t know? He hasn’t written you?’ said Sir Henry quietly. And to the latter part of the question she answered with a truthful shake of the head.
‘I wondered if perhaps he had. I have been in two minds whether to speak to you, Philippa. But if these ships bring letters for you, it is right that you should answer them fittingly. Mr Crawford, Philippa, is in service in Muscovy. His employment is honourable, but it is one which closely concerns this country and others in Europe. He is believed to be helping the Tsar to train and muster his armies. For that reason, no doubt, he has not written to you. And for that reason, his whereabouts have not been made known outside Russia so far.’
Philippa said briefly, ‘Who told you?’
Henry Sidney said, ‘That is why this door is closed, and why I must ask you not to repeat to anyone else what we are saying. Diccon Chancellor was told the news, before he sailed, by the Countess of Lennox.’
‘Whom Mr Crawford had told?’ inquired Philippa.
‘She did not say, but I think it unlikely. She did appear, however, to be perfectly sure, although she took the trouble to swear Diccon to secrecy. Fortunately Diccon and I have known each other so long that in the matter of promises we are one soul and one flesh. But no one else at Court knows, or must know.’
Philippa said, ‘I still don’t see how she could have known. But since she did, why tell Mr Chancellor? He’ll find out in Russia in any case. Or … I see. She wished to send Mr Crawford a message?’
‘She wished Diccon to tell Mr Crawford to return,’ said Sir Henry in the same clear, subdued voice. ‘Mr Crawford was to be told that, unless he returned, there would be no annulment for you. He was to be told, that in the event of a war between England and France, your safety would be in question. He was to be told that if your marriage persisted, as it would unless he returned, Flaw Valleys would be seized to preserve it, and your mother obliged to remarry, at the Queen’s instance. Diccon was told to use every means in his power to ensure that when he sails in the spring, he brings Mr Crawford back with him. And he has been told that if he fails, when he returns he will face an indictment for heresy. At worst, the stake. At best, ruin and banishment at the start of a brilliant career.’
‘Then the Queen knows?’ said Philippa, her heart plodding within her.
He shook his head. ‘Only the Lennoxes. From what spite they do it, I don’t know. Perhaps you can guess better than I. Perhaps they think truly they may do England a service. With all this secrecy, it seems unlikely. But Margaret Lennox is the Queen’s cousin and what she threatens, she can carry out amply. She has threatened Diccon with death. She has told him this also. If Mr Crawford does not leave Russia now, he will never leave it. He will be dead before the ship sails, by her agency.’
She did not speak. Nor could he possibly know the pressures of thought which for once had rendered her speechless. He said kindly, ‘You are not to be frightened. These are serious threats, but he is a responsible man, Diccon, and so is your husband. They will return, I am sure, since they are forced to. But once back, these toils will be straightened.
‘Meanwhile you must pray, as I do, that he comes.’
*
On 29 August, thirteen and a half months after his arrival, the very high and mighty Philip, by the grace of God King of England, France and Naples, and Prince of Spain, took barge at Greenwich to travel to Gravesend by water, and from thence on to Dover and Brussels. Before leaving, the King took leave of Queen Mary, who chose then to walk with him through all the chambers and galleries to the head of the stairs, where, in the face of the crowd,