Chapter 6:

When I woke each morning of those first days at court, I felt as though I had not left my dreams for a few moments. With the sunrise came the realization that I lay on a silk sheet in a fine carved wooden bed. It had not taken long for the king to grow interested in me and within a week of my arrival he had already begun to make advances to me. Like the good Howard girl I had been trained to be, I played my game with him – a smile on my face but an outstretched palm to keep him at arms length.

So one morning when my maid woke me with the news that the king requested my presence at the royal stables, I felt only eager anticipation. Still, I took my time dressing, making sure my appearance could not be paralleled. In truth, I enjoyed the pampering I received from my maid far more than the attention of the king. Never before had anyone brushed my hair or brought me hot water on command. Luxury that previously existed only in my dreams surrounded me and even greater splendor called out to me, waiting in the arms of the king.

I flounced down to the royal stables, wearing my new riding habit and boots. While I still felt nervous around horses, I decided I would not let that interfere with my mission. After all, Henry had said he would give me riding lessons – who was I to disobey the greatest king in the world?

Henry waited at the entrance to the stables, a group of his courtiers standing with him. The men talked and laughed heartily. They too had a position at court, an unspoken purpose. We were all there to serve the king, to make him happy – them by day, me by night. When he caught sight of me, the king called out in a boisterous voice, “Mistress Howard at last!” He laughed as I approached him and smiled down at me when I curtsied. Then he reached down and pulled me up to face him. “You know I am not accustomed to wait for anyone. I called for you nearly an hour ago.”

Looking up at him with my eyes wide, I bit my lip as if pained by his displeasure. “Your Majesty, I apologize most sincerely. I was still abed when you called so I needed time to dress.” I gave him a mischievous half smile. “Unless Your Majesty would have preferred me come down in my nightgown.”

At the suggestion, Henry smirked as if he were experiencing a private vision of me in my nightgown. “Well Mistress Howard, perhaps we shall have to arrange such a meeting.” His voice was too low for anyone but me to hear. Then he gave me a smile and raised his voice. “The horse you arrived on is far to feisty for a lady like you. Is he one of your uncle’s horses?”

“Yes, Sire. My uncle did give him to me for my arrival at court.” I replied softly.

“And did no one think to teach you how to ride properly at Lambeth?” Henry said teasingly.

“Oh, we focus on learning other things…” I made my words purposely evasive.

His smirk returned. “What sorts of things do the Howard girls learn?’

“Music and dancing, sire. Needlework – women’s arts, Your Majesty.”

“Well, I will not tolerate a lady who cannot ride at my court.” Henry said with mock seriousness. “Hunting is a noble pursuit, you must learn properly.”

“Who better to teach me than the greatest hunter in England, as I have heard you called Your Majesty.” I strived to keep my voice playful but not too suggestive. Henry liked innocent girls with naughty thoughts. Openly whorish girls did not hold him long.

“Exactly. But you shall need a horse first. Bring them out!” He directed the last words to a gaggle of stable boys who immediately dashed inside to do his bidding. After a few moments, the boys returned holding the reins of three different horses. “Well, Mistress Howard, what do you think? Which one pleases you most?”

I stared at the horses. Each one looked like they held more worth than the entirety of my possessions, my newly acquired belongings included. Moving just a bit closer, I studied the horses. The first one had a light brown coat and white feet, with a white blaze down its forehead. The second had a dark brown coat, so dark it was almost black. But the third horse easily won my favor. With a grey coat the color of smoke and a mane and mane and tail the color of charred wood, she was the most beautiful horse I had ever seen.

Without thinking, I moved closer to the grey horse. I reached out my hand to touch her, but quickly drew it back. “Is she quite tame?” I asked, turning to face the king.

Laughing, Henry replied, “Yes, yes. I selected them for their gentleness. But they will make fine hunting mounts, mark my words.” He glanced at the group of courtiers who had been quietly watching the exchanges between the king and me. “Or do not rely entirely on my word if you like. Any of these men will give you a fine opinion.”

“I am sure your assurance is all I need, Your Majesty.” I said quickly.

“No, no. We must get a second opinion. We would not want another scene like your dramatic arrival, would we? Next time there may not be a man brave enough to save you. Thomas,” Henry snapped his fingers and one of the courtiers came forward. “You are a finer horseman than most. Will you give Mistress Howard your experienced opinion on the horse of her choosing?”

“With pleasure, Your Majesty.” The man stepped toward me. He had light brown hair and twinkling blue eyes. Standing beside the king, he created an almost comical scene. Youth radiated from him while the king looked like a man who had seen the days of his prime slip past. In surrounding himself with such young men, I knew Henry was trying to recapture his days of glory through them. The young man’s voice sounded warm and easy. “Which horse do you prefer, madam?”

I pointed to the beautiful grey horse. “That one.”

The man strolled forward and took the horse’s head in his hands. Slipping his thumb in the back of her jaw, he examined her teeth. Then he walked around the horse, stopping to feel each leg for soundness. Finally he came back to stand in front of the king and gave a small bow.

“Your Majesty, Madam, she is as fine a horse as I have ever seen.” The man said proudly.

“You see, Mistress Howard, I told you she is a fine mare.” The king said, going over to say something to the stable boy and leaving me with the handsome young man.

“You are certain she is a gentle horse?” I asked, unable to stop myself from smiling at him.

“Madam, she will serve you wonderfully.” The man looked thoughtful. “I suppose this means you will become a regular member of our hunts.”

“If the queen can spare me so often, Sir.” I replied. “Are you one of his majesty’s favorite hunting companions?”

The man laughed heartily. “If the king desires your presence, the queen will spare you forever.” He lowered his voice. “You know, they say she will not remain queen for long. Then king grows tired of her and angry with Cromwell for forging the marriage treaty.”

“I pray the court remains peaceful in the face of such events.” I replied carefully. Did this man know the purpose for my arrival at court, is that why he spoke to me in such a way?

“It is doubtful such things will cause a pretty girl like you any grief.” The man said, bowing and turning to leave.

“What is your name, Sir?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Culpepper. Thomas Culpepper. I believe we have met before, in your childhood Miss Howard.” The man said. Instantly, I recognized him as a man I had indeed seen briefly in my younger days, attending to some business of my uncle.

At that moment, the king came back to me, followed by a stable boy holding the reins of my horse. “Let’s get you into the saddle so we may being your lessons.” The king boosted me upon the horse’s back with ease. As the king was helped onto his own horse, I stole a sideways glance at Thomas Culpepper.

He really was a handsome man.