‘Go and read your letter from Beatrice,’ I said.
I first opened the letter from Guy. His writing, once firm and clear, was now an old man’s tentative scrawl.
My dear Matthew,
I have had Nicholas’s letter, and was sorry to hear of your injury, and the horrible event which precipitated it. I pray for you every night. I fear I am still abed and troubled with fevers. I have had a letter from Dr Belys and have replied. I agree with his suggestions for your treatment. Get moving as soon as you can, whilst taking care. He sounds a good, practical man; I had to tell Tamasin, who still helps Francis and me, of your injury, for she brought me Nicholas’s letter and recognized his writing. Please write soon and tell me how you progress.
Your loving friend,
Guy Malton
I felt a pang of conscience. Guy was obviously still sorely ill, yet here was I, again troubling him. I unsealed the letter from Parry. Its tone could not have been more different.
Serjeant Shardlake,
It was with great concern that I learned Boleyn was found guilty and the Lady’s command for a pardon request had to be put in motion. I had hoped for a better outcome. There will be much publicity, and it will do the Lady no good. I fear Boleyn will have to wait a goodly time for his answer. I have it from Master Cecil that the Protector and Council are much vexed, for the rebels in the West are now besieging Exeter, and there is fresh trouble in Kent. There has also been trouble in Sussex, and the Protector has issued a pardon to the rebels there – he was ever too soft, and only encourages them. Meanwhile, the senior men of the shires have been called to attend him in London to prepare an army to go to Exeter. On top of that, the Lady Mary still refuses to follow the new service in English, and men sent to Kenninghall to argue with her got nowhere. Protector Somerset will be displeased to hear of this other event in Norfolk, and Cecil believes it politic not to show him the pardon request yet, although on behalf of the Lady I have arranged for a goodly sum to be offered in due time, to whet Somerset’s palate, which ever cherished gold. I wish you to return immediately to Hatfield, so I may receive your full explanation.
Thomas Parry
I had not expected a warm response, but this was unusually sharp. And I would have to reply telling him of my injury, that I could not return for a week or more. I turned to Elizabeth’s letter:
Master Shardlake,
