“But Queen Katherine will not countenance this arrangement. And the king will persist in his efforts to remove her from his life.”
“Perhaps if the queen were to be replaced by the French Princess Renee she could be convinced. The French girl is the cardinal’s choice,” Tom Bolton noted.
“But the king is besotted by the younger Boleyn girl. I have never seen him behave in such a manner as he now does,” Philippa almost wailed. “While the queen still appears at public functions like May Day, Easter, and the Christmas courts, her presence is embarrassing, for she is virtually ignored. It is Mistress Anne who presides over the court now, and the king will have it no other way, Uncle. My family and I are put into a most difficult position, for you know our ties with and our devotion to the queen. My two older sons have coveted places within the court, Henry as a page in the king’s household, Owein in Norfolk’s household. If we incur the royal disfavor my sons’ careers could be ruined. But how can I desert Queen Katherine now, when she has been so good to me, Uncle?”
“This is a far more serious situation than I had been led to believe, dear girl,” Thomas Bolton said gravely. He sighed. “I see no other course for you than to continue to serve the queen while avoiding the wrath of both the king and Mistress Anne. This means you must remain silent no matter your outrage. Can you do that, Philippa?”
“I have to, for my lads’ sake,” she answered him. “Now I am beginning to understand my mother better, Uncle, which would amuse her, I am certain, if she but knew how I feel. She protected us and worked for our happiness even as I do for my sons’.”
“And what is Crispin’s position in all of this?” Lord Cambridge inquired.
Philippa laughed. “Brierewode is his domain, and the court is mine. He has said that as long as I do not endanger the family he trusts in my judgment. He is a model mate for me, isn’t he?”
Thomas Bolton chortled. “Aye, you are fortunate in each other, dear girl. Well, you have given me much to consider. Does the king know we shall be coming to Greenwich, and are we welcome at court?”
“Aye. Henry told him of your impending visit, and that you would bring the last of Rosamund’s daughters to present to him. My son said the king was delighted, and says you are always welcome in his presence, and that he looks forward to meeting Elizabeth.”
“Good! Good! Then that is settled, and all that remains is for our garments to be approved and improved by Master Althorp before our trip down to Greenwich. We will go by barge, of course. When does the court leave? The thirtieth, as usual?”
“Aye, Uncle,” Philippa answered him.
“I will go now and greet my tailor. I have kept him waiting long enough,” Thomas Bolton said. “See to your sister. I think you must take her to her chamber. If she will not wake up have one of the footmen carry her.”
“There is no one in the north for her, Uncle?” the young countess asked again.
He shook his head. “None, and Friarsgate must have an heir for the next generation. Your mother is most upset about it.” Then, turning, he left the hall and hurried up to his apartments, where William Smythe, Master Althorp, and his assistant awaited him. “Althorp!” he greeted the tailor effusively, shaking his hand. “What wonders have you fashioned for me this trip, my good fellow?”
“We have laid everything out here in the dayroom and your bedchamber, my lord,” the tailor said. “The newest trend is much slashings on full sleeves this year, the sleeves with circular shoulders, and high necklines. Both doublets and jerkins are being wrapped over in the front. Wine and black are the colors favored for a gentleman. And, of course, silk and velvet trimmings on the breeches,” Master Althorp concluded.
“Thank God I have you, Althorp. None of this has filtered into the north. My tailor there is adequate, but not the genius that you are with fashion and fabric,” Lord Cambridge said. “I can always rely on you to keep me looking perfect.”
“I note that your lordship has perhaps gained a bit of girth since our last meeting three years ago,” the tailor said.
“Do you think so?” Lord Cambridge sounded genuinely surprised.
“I do, my lord, and we both know the key to a perfect appearance is a well-tailored and well-fitting garment,” Master Althorp replied. “If you will allow my helper to assist your lordship in disrobing we will have a fitting. These minor adjustments should not take long, and I am assuming you are leaving London with the court on the thirtieth.”
“Indeed we are,” Thomas Bolton said. Then, “Will, see that young Nancy has her mistress’s gowns out and displayed so Master Althorp may see them when we are finished. Put everything in the dayroom. I believe my dear Elizabeth is already asleep.”
“Yes, my lord,” William Smythe said, and hurried out.
“So, Althorp,” Lord Cambridge said, “I understand his majesty would rid himself of an old queen to take a young one. Tell me all, and spare nothing of the most intimate details, for I know you know them all.” He stood quietly as the young tailor’s assistant helped him from his outer garments and into his new ones.
“Well, my lord,” Master Althorp said as he began to note the adjustments he must make, “it is all true, and while the cardinal wanted a French princess for the king, I can tell you that the king would have none of it. His heart is set on Mistress Boleyn. And now that the cardinal is disgraced and dying, I have heard, none can keep the king in check, and the Howards are an ambitious family, though you did not hear me say it.”
“And what is she like? Mistress Anne?” Lord Cambridge wanted to know. “As round, soft, and fair as was her sister, Mary?”
“Nay, my lord. She is nothing like Mistress Mary at all. She is tall, slender, and very elegant in a most French way. I have never seen a more fashionable woman at the court. All the young girls are copying her manner of dress. She has the most beautiful long and thick dark hair. Her eyes are almond shaped, and dark too. Her skin is perhaps a bit sallow for certain colors like apple green and saffron, which have been popular. She favors bright, clear colors that flatter her best. I would not call her beautiful, but rather intriguing and exotic. And the king is besotted by her, there is no doubt. It is said she will not go to his bed, for she will not be compared with her sister, who whored for little advantage to herself or her family. Her Howard relations expect more of Mistress Anne, and they may well get it. It is said the old duke himself directs her behavior.”
“Interesting,” Thomas Bolton noted. He looked at the sleeves on the doublet he was now wearing. “My dear Althorp, so many slashings?” He turned to look questioningly at Will Smythe who had just hurried back into the room.
“’Tis fashion, my lord,” the tailor replied.
“It seems a bit excessive even for me,” Lord Cambridge noted, “but I do like the silk beneath the velvet. And the bright blue with the black is pure genius!”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“What do they say of Mistress Boleyn?” Lord Cambridge inquired casually. “Is she charming, or quiet like the more recent mistress I heard of in my northern eyrie? What was her name now? Something quite outrageous, as I recall.”
