The final step left them in a corridor, leading into a red-brick chamber, where two serving hatches at the far end revealed the activity within. The warm air rushed up to hit them, bringing the scent of meat.
“The design is not ideal,” Gertrude said, “but it means the food arrives faster and hotter than somewhere like Hampton.”
They waited at the hatch until the chief usher came to speak with them. Thomasin peeked past him to see the long table where onions were being chopped, the blazing bread oven with its tiny door, and the great hearth where a pig was being turned on a spit.
Gertrude was used to instructing servants. “The queen is now occupying her lodgings. She will require the regular supply of bread, wine and spices, breakfast at seven, to be taken in her rooms, and a light supper at nine, unless she is in the hall. She will usually dine at ten and four in the hall, as is the king’s custom.”
The usher nodded. “Very good, my Lady. I will assign servants to her special care. Does she have her own cook?”
“He remains at Windsor, due to the sickness.”
“Very well. We will accommodate her in all her wishes. If I recall, she is especially fond of game meats but dislikes sharp sauces. Creamy dishes too, she likes. I believe we still have jars of preserved Seville oranges from her last visit.”
Gertrude was impressed. “Your attention to detail will be most appreciated by My Lady.”
“I will ensure that the provision of coal, water and linen is sufficient. How many ladies accompany her?”
“Just four.”
He nodded again. “And is there anything she requires right now?”
“Wine and spices, to revive her from the journey. But we are but two hours from dinner, so perhaps a little bread and meat?”
“I will have it sent straight up.”
“Thank you. Where might we find the laundry mistress, to speak with?”
He pointed down a corridor to their right. “I believe Mistress Arnold will be in her chambers, below the raying room, at this hour.”
“I will convey your excellent service to the queen, Mister…?”
“My name is John Tandy, my Lady.”
“Mister Tandy. Thanks and good day to you.”
Thomasin followed Gertrude, impressed by her business-like manner. “You are good at this.”
Her friend shrugged off the compliment. “So will you be when you’ve been in service long enough.”
The laundress’s room was empty, but a door led into a courtyard outside, from where the scent of soap reached them. They stepped into a small, brick court, hidden away from view of courtiers, with a central pump and trough. Here, a pair of girls were scrubbing what looked like horse blankets amid a cloud of soap suds. They jumped up and curtseyed upon seeing Gertrude and Thomasin.
“We seek Mistress Arnold.”
“She is in the drying room,” stuttered one, pointing across the way to another door.
“Thank you. Be about your work again.”
Mistress Arnold was inspecting the dry laundry, folded in neat piles on the wooden table, smelling sweetly of lavender. She was a middle-aged woman with grey hair beneath her cap and a sharp look about her. She turned her black eyes upon Gertrude and Thomasin. “The queen has arrived?”
“This hour. We are come to inform you there are currently four in her household, in addition to our Lady, increasing to eight, probably the day after next.”
“Very well. We will provision the rooms accordingly. Does the queen have any laundry that she requires washing today?”
“If you could send up a woman to collect her intimate linen. The remainder of her wardrobe has been sent for, from Windsor. When it arrives, she will require her current attire to be attended.”
Mistress Arnold nodded. “And her favoured scents are?”
“Lemon and cedar wood.”
