Tombland

‘You ask what treason? Better to ask what treason he is not accused of. Conspiring with the pirates he is supposed to clear from our seas as Lord Admiral, to share their profits. Suborning the head of the Bristol Mint to put coin at his disposal. Filling his castle at Sudeley with armaments. Conspiring to abduct the King and make himself Protector in his brother’s place. And, finally, conspiring with Master Parry and Mistress Ashley to marry the Lady Elizabeth without the consent of the Council. Will that do, Serjeant Shardlake? Perhaps there is more you can tell us in due course, but in the meantime we wish to know what knowledge you have of Thomas Seymour’s plan to marry the Lady Elizabeth. Mistress Ashley has already confessed to talking of a marriage with him, and Master Parry to discussing her purchases of land with Seymour.’

I glanced at Cecil. He spoke gravely. ‘All this is so.’

I turned back to Rich. ‘My Lord Chancellor, I know nothing of this.’

Rich continued as though I had not spoken, ‘You are responsible under Master Parry for dealings pertaining to the Lady Elizabeth’s lands. Parry must have consulted you in order to answer Seymour’s questions fully. Tell me what was said between you on the matter.’ He had a blank sheet of paper before him. He dipped a quill in the inkpot and held it ready to write.

‘Nothing,’ I answered, truthfully. ‘Master Parry never told me of any talks with Seymour, certainly not of any proposed marriage to Elizabeth. How can you imagine he would have?’ I added, my courage returning. ‘You know full well that I have ever despised Thomas Seymour, who has always been capable of the wildest and most fantastical talk.’ I glanced again at Cecil. This time, he gave me the faintest of nods.

Rich sneered. ‘You did not despise Lord Thomas’s late wife, the former Queen. I know of your closeness to Catherine Parr. It was her patronage that got you your current post. What correspondence did you have with Catherine Parr concerning Elizabeth in the months before her death?’

‘Again, my Lord, none. We never wrote, nor met again, after my appointment to the household of the Lady Elizabeth after the old king’s death.’

Rich gave a scoffing little laugh. ‘You expect me to believe that? You were her confidential adviser.’

‘Not since the old king died. She was soon married to Seymour.’

‘You seriously expect me to credit that?’ Rich said, in a courtroom tone of mock outrage. ‘Given your old closeness to her, and your service to Elizabeth? She said nothing to you of what happened between Elizabeth and Seymour? Of Seymour’s advances to Elizabeth while his wife’s belly was heavy with child?’

I took a deep breath to steady myself. ‘I swear I knew nothing of any of these alleged matters before today.’

‘Not alleged,’ Rich snapped. ‘Kat Ashley is singing like one of the late Queen Catherine’s songbirds. She cannot say enough about Seymour’s advances to Elizabeth.’

‘I know nothing of any of this.’

Rich smiled. ‘So said Master Parry. Before he was shown the instruments in the Tower.’

Fury and bitterness suddenly overcame my fear. ‘I have seen them too, Lord Rich, and thanks to you. But you will not entrap me. If Thomas Seymour has been such a fool as you say, may he receive the justice he deserves. You talk of conversations with Parry and Mistress Ashley, but you have said nothing of any actual agreement to encourage a marriage without the Council’s consent. And the Lady Elizabeth must have said nothing either, or you would have told me about it. So, I repeat, I know nothing of this.’

Rich’s pale face reddened, angry in his turn. Then, behind him, Cecil held up a hand for me to see, palm down, and lowered it gently. A warning to me to still my tongue.

Rich had seen me glance at Cecil, but not his gesture. He turned to him. ‘Young Master Cecil is come with me to make a search of Master Parry’s offices. He will be going through all his documents. You can help him.’ Rich paused. ‘Before we do, is there anything here to which you would direct us? Helping us voluntarily now might go in your favour later.’

‘I know of nothing.’

Rich smiled nastily. ‘Afterwards, I may carry out a search of your own chambers, and your house.’

‘You will need a warrant, Lord Rich,’ Cecil reminded him gently.

Rich frowned. ‘That is easy, I am Lord Chancellor.’

‘Please,’ I said quietly, ‘do not wait on a warrant. Make any search you like. I would not wish to slow your investigations.’ I realized now that Rich had come on no more than a fishing expedition, hoping to trap me in his nets.

The Lord Chancellor threw down the quill, spattering Parry’s desk with ink. ‘We shall make the search, and a deposition will be required of you.’

‘As you wish, my Lord.’

Rich set his thin lips, then stood up. ‘I am wanted at the Tower. Seymour is to be questioned again.’ He looked narrowly at Cecil. ‘Conduct the search of Parry’s offices thoroughly. I have others working at his home. Shardlake’s premises can be examined later.’