“Frances is a Howard and the King is fond of her, although he does not yet know of Mary Woods. He will not be hard to convince. It is quite wrong that Frances be imprisoned in a marriage with no hope of being made a mother. Essex has been heard talking openly of his father’s execution and of Lord Salisbury’s part in it, especially now Salisbury is not here to defend himself. His hatred encompasses us all. Our hopes of reconciliation through Frances’s marriage have not been realized and I am sure it is not through any lack on her part.” He smiled at his niece and I thought of the leopard’s pelt.

“There is no love in the marriage,” she said.

“You sound like a fool,” snapped her mother. “Love comes with time and sacrifice. Essex is among the greatest earls in the country. Is that not enough for you? You are become greedy, and that is a very great fault. All this talk of love matches … Twaddle! Think of your own aunt Penelope. She was branded an adulteress, concubine and whore for her love of a man not her husband. Do you remember her face during those months, Frances? The scandal killed them both. Do you think it will be different for you?”

I confess I had sympathy for the Countess’s fear on this point. How vicious is the spite of those who suspect another of having greater pleasure than are they. Arthur and I were always careful not to appear too happy in public.

“There is no way to be rid of a husband and have one more to your liking unless you wish to follow Penelope down the path to oblivion. Will love sustain you through disgrace when your family name means nothing? Will your children be grateful for their poverty and loss of rank? Only husbands can prompt desire in their wives. Do you wish to be called a whore? My lord, I think you cannot have her best interests at heart when you talk of divorce. If she is free from Essex she will nag us to marry that primped Scotch puppy of the King’s.”

Lord Suffolk, who had looked rather sleepy during his wife’s tirade, suddenly awoke. “What!” he exploded, gaping first at his wife and then his daughter. “What!” The Earl’s fury was so great he could not reach the words to voice it. Lord Northampton looked warningly at the Countess.

“By God, husband, can you be so blind? The entire Court knows of it. The Lord Rochester has been making advances to Frances for years.” I did not look at Frankie nor she at me, but we stiffened, like boys about to be whipped.

“But he is the King’s man,” said Lord Suffolk.