“It’s not that.” Ursula chewed her lip. “It feels disloyal. It’s always been just him and I. And Mother, of course, but we’ve been close.”
“You’re twins?”
“Yes. I’m the elder, would you believe?”
Thomasin smiled. “What do you wish to do? With your life, I mean? Are you content to run the tavern with Gilbert, or would you wish to leave your home, to try something new, even to marry?”
Ursula looked back blankly. “My life is simple. I bake for the tavern and take in a little extra sewing. I’m good with a needle, and I like it. I’ve never really thought of marriage; I just assumed it wasn’t for me. And,” she said, half-frowning, “I don’t think Gilbert would like it.”
The idea of free will resurfaced in Thomasin’s mind. “What about your wishes?”
“I don’t know. I’ve always been grateful that we don’t go without.”
“There you are again, saying ‘we,’ when I’ve asked about ‘you.’”
Ursula shrugged.
“What if Gilbert was to marry, though? How would that change things for you?”
“Gilbert, marry?” Ursula gave a dismissive little laugh. “He’s never spoken of it. I can’t imagine him with a wife.”
“All I suggest is that there’s more out there to consider. You could go into service, as I am, at court or in a wealthy household, or sew, or you could marry, although you must choose your husband carefully.”
“Would I get to choose, though?”
“You can certainly refuse a man who is not your choice. Otherwise you only exchange one master for another; the right man can bring you freedom and opportunity.”
“Are you married?”
Thomasin laughed. “Me? Not yet. I am but young; I have not seen enough of life.”
“It would be nice,” smiled Ursula shyly, “to not have to do what someone else tells you all the time.”
“And if this ruling goes in your favour, you would have the means to do something for yourself. Think about that.”
The garden door opened and Gilbert appeared in the distance. He scoured the garden then waved frantically at his sister.
“Oh, I must go.” Ursula jumped, reverting to the timid little mouse of earlier. “They must be starting early. I should like to speak with you again, cousin, if I may call you so.”
“Cousin and friend, I hope.” Thomasin smiled. “Go, and good luck!”
Briefly, the anxious face was lit by something that looked like hope. “Thank you. I had never dreamed that I might come to court and find a friend.”
As Thomasin hurried back along the upstairs corridor, her heart was in her mouth. She had lingered too long with Ursula, but the woman’s situation was a difficult one, with her illegitimacy, the court case and the way her brother seemed to control her. Thomasin had no choice but to help her, but in the meantime, she had let time slip away. Her absence might have been noted, but worse still, Lady Boleyn’s letter might have been discovered.
There was the sound of sobbing coming from the queen’s chamber as she entered the main doors, although it did not sound like Catherine. Lady Mary looked up from her book as Thomasin entered.
“Ah, there you are. I just sent Ellen out to find you.”
“I am so sorry, I was speaking with another cousin of mine, newly come to court.”
“Never mind, Ellen can stay out a little longer,” Lady Mary replied with a knowing smile.
Thomasin cast her eyes around. “Is … is everything all right?”
“Yes. Oh, the weeping. It is the Duchess of Norfolk. She and the duke have had words again.”
It was Lady Howard! Thomasin couldn’t help being relieved that it was not the queen, and that all seemed well otherwise.
