I doubted that Robert Carr had yet paid for them. Some poor dealer in Venice would be waiting a long time, perhaps until the King granted Carr more land or another pension, for meager installments to reach him. Since moving in with them, I saw that he maintained position by spending money he did not have; the King kept his nobles in check this way. Displays of extravagance won his attention but threw his courtiers into such grave debt that only he could relieve it; they all owed or depended on him for money. Frankie had so little cash that she could not pay Weston what she owed him. Nor could she pawn her clothes or jewelry because almost everything in the apartment was yet to be paid for except the wedding presents, and they could not be pawned until the benefactor had been invited to see the gift in use. Carr also borrowed from a City moneylender, as did every courtier of rank, in return for contact with the monarch. If that courtier fell from grace, then the money dried up and great insistence, unto harassment, was placed upon the repayment of debts. I had pressed Frankie to find Weston the money she had agreed to pay, for he had had no employment since his role as jailer was concluded.

“I will pawn my green silk when the portrait of me is finished,” she promised, and I told her that I would keep her to her word for Weston was not a man to disappoint.

“Does the collection please you?” asked Mr. Palmer, bringing me back to the present. I saw that this was no empty civility. I hesitated before speaking. Since Overbury’s death, I had developed an intense dislike of Italian painting.

“It disturbs me,” I ventured finally, “that the human appetite for violence and lust is so much on display. It is perhaps a result of the hot climate in Italy.”

Mr. Palmer looked steadily into my eyes. I saw no scorn for my parochialism. “I have never viewed it in that way,” he said at last, “but I fancy you are correct.”

“It is generous of you to say so,” I replied, warmed by his gentle manner.

“Are you and the children happily settled in the Countess’s household?”

“We are, I thank you.”

“Now that we are close neighbors, I hope we will meet again, soon and often,” he said, holding out his hand. He meant what he said and, without hesitation, I gave mine to him and he kissed it. Three times.

22

While young, we strive for everything we want. Later, we clutch at what we have and hope to lose nothing. By my age, you realize that contentment is found within the heart only.