He cast his eyes down the tawny gown that the queen had passed on to Thomasin, who knew it became her complexion well. About her neck she wore a string of pearls, a gift from her mother upon her recent birthday.
“Thank you.” Thomasin did not offer a return compliment. It was safer not to encourage Rafe in any way, given what had once passed between them.
“It is not by accident that I was here. I was actually waiting for you.”
“Now Rafe, we have spoken of this. You know I cannot…”
“I was sent by Viscount Boleyn.”
Thomasin was silenced. Thomas Boleyn? “And what business could your master have with me?”
“The pleasure of your company. You will recall your recent meeting with him in the gardens. He spoke the truth. Lady Boleyn is most taken with you and has instructed her family to be of good cheer to yourself.”
“I do not require it. I am of quite good cheer myself without their help.”
“Come now, Thomasin, you were a friend to the Boleyns once, if I recall.”
“Before they played me false, and my sister! Before Anne’s harsh words.”
“Nothing that cannot be mended, I am sure.”
“Has it escaped you,” Thomasin frowned, her tone rising, “that I am in the service of the queen? Catherine is my mistress, and I am her loyal servant. It does not dispose me to be friendly towards those whose actions cause her pain. Even you must understand that, Rafe!” She tried to pass him by, to enter the palace, but he held up his hand.
“There is no need to be like that.”
“No need to take sides? How can one not? Everyone at court has an opinion about the king and queen’s marriage, and they do not hesitate to express it. How can one be here and not take a side?”
Rafe shrugged. “It is not our business.”
“How can you be so naïve — no, so cold?”
“Because those are not my lives to live. Thomasin, we all come into this world alone and we leave it alone. It is the nature of court that people rise and fall, even the anointed ones. We mere mortals can do nothing about it, save observe and pray. If you fasten yourself too tightly to the mast of a sinking ship, you too will disappear under the waves, and to what avail? How will it help you to be ruined along with the queen? You must put yourself first and see your position more as a role, a job, notsomething so personal. Use the court to advance yourself, as a servant.”
“I can hardly believe you would speak so callously, except I have heard you be similarly cruel before.”
“I am being realistic. Nothing more. You and I are servants to the great ones. Do you think they really care about us? If they fall, as mighty ones often fall, are you willing to sacrifice your life in their cause? We must make their power serve us, whilst they have it, then move on to where the new power lies. You must see that the Boleyns are on the ascendant, and the queen cannot win. You would be wise to accept this hand of friendship that they offer, mindful of your future.”
“Your words appal me.”
Rafe took hold of her shoulders, to prevent her from passing. “Then you are the one being naïve. It is not like the old days, when we were bound body and soul to our masters, for life.”
“What do you mean?”
“The humanism you so value, Thomasin. It teaches us that a man can be free to follow his own path, fulfil his destiny. We are not indentured, you and I. We have choices.”
Free will, she thought. This was Rafe’s version of the thoughts that had occupied her this past year. She had been unaware that they were uppermost in his mind, too, and turned to look at him in surprise.
“Thomasin,” he continued, “I say this only out of care for you. What will you do when this situation resolves itself, in the only way it can? Be realistic. Will you go into a nunnery with the queen? Or into retirement, in some country house, miles from anywhere, waiting out your days until death? Or will you seek a new mistress?”
“I will remain loyal to my mistress until the last moment, all the time she needs me.”
“And after that?”
“After that, I will reconsider my position. A nunnery might be preferable than serving the Boleyns.”
“They are just people, Thomasin, like any other.”
But Thomasin’s pride could not admit this. After all, there were different kinds of people.
