To Catch A King

Chapter 23: The Investigation

Chapter Twenty-Three - The Investigation

Greenwich Palace
July 1541

Another three months has passed.

Every single day I have tried to convince the King that I am innocent, that these rumours are nothing but ridiculous speculation, but each day brings disappointment as Henry continues his vague disbelief.

Now though, there is a development. And not a good one.

I received the damning news this morning. News which struck terror where I stood. The sealed letter sits on my dressing table still, weighed down by its heavy and terrible content. I can barely look at it, let alone attempt to read it over again.

It was announced publicly earlier, barely before I'd heard myself: Henry has instructed Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to build a case against me in relation to my connections with Thomas Culpepper and Francis Dereham. Cranmer will come to my apartments this afternoon in order to question me, and, as for now, I am practically under house arrest, told that I am not supposed to leave until I have been questioned. It is degrading, demoralising even, to not be aloud to leave my own chambers before having had my life scrutinised. But at least I have some time to think, for there will be no second chances now.

***

The Archbishop looks haggard, exhausted and almost fed up with everything, but at the same time his eyes hold an almost paradoxical glint of determination. He wants to get to the bottom of this case as much as the next person, despite that I'm sure there are more important things he could be attending to. But then I remember, this is the man who pioneered Henry's divorce from the Catholic Church with Cromwell, who gave him hope and who will certainly not let him down after this much.

Cranmer reads aloud a tedious list of the accusations and their implications, before sitting down to begin his questioning. I sit as still as possible opposite him, terrified of giving something away.
"You do understand the seriousness of these allegations, don't you Lady Catherine?"
"If they were true, then yes, they would be very serious." I state.
"They are serious regardless." Cranmer replies in a monosyllabic tone.
"Do you really believe them, Archbishop?"
"My own beliefs and opinions barely matter. I am after only the truth." He clears his throat and shuffles his papers looking for a particular document.

This man, I quickly understand, is not one for lengthy discussion. He has a pragmatic and blunt approach to all matters, and I make a note in my mind not to count on his kindness for assistance.

"I too wish for the truth." I declare calmly.
"Is that so?" Cranmer looks up at me with his cold eyes. "Are you certain that you want the truth to come out?"
"I have done absolutely nothing wrong, so yes! - allow the truth to come out, let everyone know."
"The truth will most definitely come out." He clears his throat once again. It is irritating me, as does every little sound that my terrified and heightened senses now pick up.
"I shall begin with your past. Can you confirm for me that you once knew Francis Dereham?" Starts Cranmer.
Knew. That could have a double meaning.
"I was acquainted with him, yes."
"How well did you know him, exactly?"
"He was a good friend."
"A little more detail, please. Perhaps, how would you describe your relation with Dereham in comparison to your relationship with his Majesty, King Henry?"
"Very different." I reply swiftly.
"How so?" Pesters Cranmer vigilantly.
"I am married to Henry, I love him, I care for him intimately. Francis was only ever a friend."
"That is not what these accusations say."
"And who are my accusers, Sir? Have I not the right to see them?"
"They are of little importance, but if it helps, they are people who knew you back when you were living with the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk."
"Nameless, though." I reply with a hint of irritation.
"Does that help, Lady Catherine?" Persists Cranmer. "Think back to that time and perhaps you will remember something."
"Well, Francis was there a lot as well as me, and I saw him around regularly, but that is all."
"I shall get straight to a testimony then. Multiple people have testified that they knew you and Dereham to be in a relationship, that you were lovers, that it was no secret."
"I...no." I try to remain calm. "No, listen. There were rumours at the time, as there always are, about Francis and I being lovers. But it wasn't true. Perhaps there was the possibility that one day we could have been, but I assure you that we never were."
"That brings me onto the next two testimonies." States Cranmer. "One witness states that you two behaved as if you were man and wife, that it was common knowledge. The other, in conjunction with the first, claims that they saw you and Dereham having carnal relations."
"Saw us?" I repeat. "They are lying!"
"She claims that he visited your bed continuously."
"She? Who is this person?"
"An old friend of yours." Cranmer dismisses my question. "Are you denying that you had relationships with him?"
"Yes, of course I am. All of this is complete nonsense."
"That is what King Henry would like to believe." Says Cranmer. "But, as part of my investigation, I have sent a group of men to find this Dereham and bring him in for questioning too."
"You have?" I attempt to conceal the panic in my voice. Francis was a strong and loyal man when I knew him, but I don't trust him not to confess under pressure.
"Yes, so let's hope that his story cooperates with your own. Moving on." Cranmer shuffles his papers again. I wonder whether he does that for any purpose, or simply out of habit.
"There is not enough evidence of your affair with Mannox, and so the second accusation made against you is that you are conducting an affair with Thomas Culpepper."
"And again, I tell that it is not true."
"We have a witness who claims they saw you with Culpepper, in the King's own chambers."
"Well if that were true then surely the King would have seen it as well." I reply.
"The witness claims that His Majesty was called away to deal with another issue, and you and Culpepper were left alone. You then proceeded to embrace each other, as lovers."
"Does this witness have any proof? For this is a lie."
"They swore on the Bible. And there are several others who claim to have picked up on this affair, but that is the strongest testimony."
"What others? What things have they picked up on?" I raise my voice in anger.
Cranmer sighs deeply. "Looks you have given him, the way you have smiled at him, your short disappearances cooperating with the same short disappearances as Culpepper...I could go on."
"I do not see that as proof."
"I'm sure you don't. It seems that the King's priority in this matter is to establish the truth of your supposed relationship with Dereham, so we shall come back to the Culpepper issue another time."
"Why do you not believe me, Sir?" I question.
"It is not so much a case of who I do or do not believe, Lady Catherine, but a case of needing the truth. And believe me, I will find it."

Cranmer leaves with his papers, and I am left alone. Releasing a long, shaky breath, I realise how nervous I have been this entire time. I feel nauseous and fragile, unable to gather the strength to do anything. A knock on the door brings me out of my fear, Jane appears.

"Catherine," she kneels beside me, "are you alright?"
"No...I don't know what to do."
"It will be okay, they will not find any truth in these accusations."
"I'm not so sure." My voice is almost inaudible.
"What do you mean? Is there any truth in these accusations about Dereham?"
"We cannot help my past now." I look at her, regaining some strength and logic. "Jane, you must search my chambers and look for things - anything at all - which they could use as evidence against me and Culpepper."
"I will try. But what about Dereham?"
"Leave my past to me." I stand and go straight to my writing table. Pulling out a new sheet of paper, I address it to my uncle Thomas, who seems to have left court for a short stay at his home, coincidentally. With all the emotion that I can muster, I write a letter pleading him to help me, to speak to the King, or to influence this investigation somehow. At least I am still allowed to send letters, that privilege has not been taken away from me yet. It provides me with some sort of hope.

***

Greenwich Palace
August 1541

I have heard nothing from my family. Weeks have passed since my first letter to my uncle, and I have written several more since then. Each one begs him to help me, getting more desperate every time. I even sent five to him in one week alone.

As the days pass me by with no news, no changes to this situation and no response from my family, I am beginning to realise that now, more than ever, that I am truly alone. No Henry, no Culpepper, no family, just me. This complex web of lies and deceit that has been formed is slowly being unraveled, and at the centre of it: my downfall.

Once again, the men that plotted this will escape unscathed and the woman without any choice, myself, will suffer. Perhaps I shall walk in my cousin Anne Boleyn's dark footsteps after all.

A/N:
Hi readers,
I hope that you enjoyed this chapter as the plot develops further. Vote, comment and follow me if you would like to, if not then please keep reading. I am hoping that my story will reach 1k soon, which would be an amazing achievement for me as this is my first work. 📚
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