“Ssh, be quiet, do not speak my name!”
He came tiptoeing into the chamber, grinning as if he had agreed to participate in a game. “Why are you lurking down here so late, after all the ladies have gone to bed?”
“Why are you, I might ask?”
“I was on my way back, and I passed the door. You know, it’s easier to go undetected if you close it behind you. But then you would have been in complete darkness, I suppose.”
He crept forwards to the curtain, parting it slightly with one finger. As he leaned in close, she caught that heady scent of spice and masculinity. Her senses reeled with a sudden rush of desire.
“Who are you spying upon? The king, Lady Catherine, Anne? Who has sent you to spy, Thomasin? I thought that was my role.”
“Hush!” His words annoyed her. She did not wish to be reminded that he was always the agent of the Boleyns, reporting everything back to Sir Thomas.
“Who, then? I don’t mind. It is quite merry, you and I, hidden in here like this. Are you merry, Thomasin?”
“Not as much as you. I am here for one reason only. I have a letter to deliver.”
“A love letter?” There was a laugh and a question in his words.
“No, it is from Lady Boleyn to her daughter. She gave it to me this morning at Hever.”
“Oh.” He straightened his shoulders. “Well, that is easily done. Here, give it to me.”
“Why?”
“I will deliver it for you.”
Thomasin hesitated. “I promised Lady Boleyn that I would put it in Anne’s hands myself.”
“What is the difference? What matters is that Anne will receive it. Why are you hiding if it’s that simple?”
“Can’t you tell? I do not wish Queen Catherine to see. Or to know about our stay at Hever. It would seem disloyal to the queen.”
“But that was the result of an accident. It wasn’t your fault. Anyone would have done the same.”
“Perhaps. But the situation is delicate.”
Rafe frowned, looking dejected. “Perhaps you do not trust me. After everything, I can hardly say I blame you.”
“No,” she replied, shutting down talk of the past, “it’s not that. Not at all.”
“Then what will you do?”
“Wait until she passes by, of course.”
“And if she does not?”
“She must, sometime soon.”
“What if Catherine leaves first?”
“I don’t think she will.”
Rafe thought for a moment. “I have an idea. Wait here.” And he strode through the curtain before she had the chance to stop him.
Thomasin had little choice but to wait. She clasped her hands together, wondering if she had enough time to flee, or whether she should trust him.
Rafe soon returned. She could hear his voice, and that of Anne. It sent panic shooting through her. Within moments, the curtain was pulled aside and Rafe stepped inside the room. Anne followed, her head held high, her eyes wide with surprise. It had been months since they had seen each other close up, or spoken, and now the strain in Anne’s face was more apparent.
