“I have the ear of the emperor. What additional intelligence can you bring?”
“My knowledge of your husband makes me your natural ally. I know how his mind works, how he can be appealed to, and how dissuaded.”
“Then why have you not appealed to him with success?”
“Because we are up against a force we have not met before. Anne Boleyn has him bewitched. I have left him this morning, pacing his chamber in anguish because she will not reply his letters or come to court. It was all I could do to prevent him calling a carriage and riding out to Durham Place himself.”
Catherine looked pale. “Is that so?”
“But in Anne’s rise, lies our failure, my Lady. If she gains more power, she will not tolerate either you or I to be around the king.”
The words stung the queen’s pride like daggers. A queen of England, to be sidelined by a creature such as Anne Boleyn!
“What do you suggest?”
Wolsey looked relieved. “I have thought of a few possible moves. We could pretend to seek an alternative new wife — now, wait, hear me out. I could pretend to pursue an alliance with Burgundy or Italy, find a suitable princess, young and healthy, who would bring him wealth and status, even draw up a treaty. Anne could be discreetly married off, before this greater match. Then at the last minute, the alliance will conveniently fold, due to some impediment beyond my control.”
Catherine shook her head. “She would not accept that. And you would be playing with fire on a diplomatic front.”
“The alternative is more scandalous. Objection could be raised to a marriage with Anne based on consanguinity. We could use his former relations with her sister Mary.”
Thomasin stiffened at the thought of involving Mary Boleyn. Surely it would happen against Mary’s wishes; she would never consent to the scandal of having her intimate secrets made public.
Catherine shook her head again. “That would reflect badly upon the king. You know what a private man he is at heart. He would not admit it, not even in this case.”
“There is also her precontract to Henry Percy, although he is married now, and has no wish to remember the past.”
Catherine waited.
Wolsey looked uncertain. “Or we appeal to a higher authority.”
“Henry already believes God is displeased with him, and that this new marriage will make amends.”
“I was not thinking of God.”
“The emperor? He has ships waiting to sail, in case of danger to myself or my child. But we must not be seen to be inciting an invasion of England. We could both be sentenced for treason, and leave a clear path for the woman.”
“Then the only option is to remove Anne somehow.”
“Yes, yes, it is.”
Thomasin shot a glance at Ellen, wondering if the queen would confide in Wolsey about the scheme with Cecilia.
“I have given this matter thought already,” Catherine said at length, deciding to play innocent. “It requires a new woman to distract the king’s eye, to win his affections away from the Boleyn girl, before disappearing.”
Wolsey caught at her meaning at once. “You have hit upon a promising idea, my Lady. Should I happen to see such a woman, engaging the king in such a manner, I would do my utmost to facilitate her efforts.”
“I could encourage no such thing,” Catherine replied loftily.
“Of course not, my Lady. It would be entirely at my own instigation and discretion.”
“Entirely.”
“Nor should you wish to hear of it.”
“Not at all.”
“And if such a scheme should work, then the hold of the Boleyns would be shaken.”
