“The king and queen danced, you saw?”
“I did.” Thomasin looked over to where Catherine and Henry were now speaking by the window, listening to each other with expressions of kindness and warmth. “It feels as if the outside world no longer exists.”
“Oh, but it does,” said Mountjoy, appearing behind them. “I fear this is just the calm before the storm. Brace yourselves, ladies, brace yourselves.”
Thomasin was passing along one of the darker corridors, returning to the queen’s chambers with fresh water. The castle was eerily quiet. Wood beams creaked, taking their ease. As she turned a corner, her way was suddenly blocked by a figure standing in the gloom, forcing her to draw up short, spilling a little of her water.
“My deepest apologies, my Lady.”
The voice was familiar. It took her a few seconds to recognise William Compton, his eyes glinting devilishly.
“No, my apologies, my Lord, I did not see you in the darkness.”
“Water for the queen?”
“What is left of it, yes.”
He smiled, briefly, coldly, as if that was nothing to do with him. Then, she could not help noticing, his eyes ran over her body.
“You are quite charming, if I may say. Do your parents have a match arranged for you?”
Thomasin felt her face grow hot with the intrusion. “No, they do not, my Lord.”
He nodded. “How old are you?”
“I am almost eighteen summers.”
“Quite old enough, then.”
She stood, clutching the water jug between them, hoping he would let her pass.
“Is there any young man who has caught your eye? Anyone whom you might have encouraged?”
Thomasin lifted her chin, determined not to answer his impertinent questions. He saw her response and softened.
“I only ask because in such a position as yours, the king might be of assistance, to arrange terms favourable to a match. He likes to be aware of the amours of the queen’s women, for the sake of discretion. There is no young man you are meeting, while you fetch the water?”
“Absolutely not! The queen awaits me.”
“You are sure?”
“Quite sure.”
“You will not return, to dally a little?”
Thomasin shuddered with distaste. “The queen awaits me.”
“Of course.”
He stepped aside to let her pass. She hurried by him, relieved to arrive in the better-lit quarters, where the torches on the wall brought her back to Catherine’s chambers.
As she opened the door, Thomasin almost collided with a dark figure immediately on the other side. She was ready to call out, before realising it was the queen.
“Mistress Marwood? Please accompany me.”
Catherine had pulled a robe over her nightdress and stuck her feet into slippers. Her hair was loose and long down her back. Thomasin was alarmed, but it was not her place to question the queen, so she followed obediently.
After a short way, it was clear Catherine was heading for Henry’s chambers. The guards at the door stood to surprised attention and parted to let her access the door. She knocked softly, before the king called from within.
