“Mary, make yourself ready. Lady Salisbury and Maria will accompany me.”
The princess rose at once, and Thomasin hurried to clear up the pieces of the abandoned game. She dropped a curtsey as the group swept out of the room.
Ellen emerged from Catherine’s chamber with an armful of clothes. “Will you help me walk this down to the wardrobe?”
Thomasin collected the rest of the discarded pieces — a headdress, a cloak and a fur lining — from their places, and followed after her cousin.
Ellen waited until they were away from other ears before she turned to her cousin. “I have heard whispers about this new Nan Gainsford.”
“Oh?” Thomasin’s interest was piqued.
“They say she was on the verge of making a most unsuitable marriage in Surrey, so her father had to send her away. Apparently she is most headstrong and knows her own mind. They caught her as she was about to run away with him!”
Thomasin saw that Ellen was suddenly struck by the similarities between Nan’s case and that of Thomasin’s elder sister Cecilia, who had attempted to elope to escape a dull matchjust a year ago. Her lover, William Hatton, had abandoned her, though, leaving Cecilia to her fate.
“Oh, I am sorry, I didn’t think.”
Thomasin laughed. “Cecilia needs none of your pity, Ellen. She has certainly thrived since then, but her punishment last year was to be sent away from court, whereas this Nan has been sent here instead?”
“Her father hopes she will make a better match among the Boleyn circle.”
“Does he indeed?”
Thomasin wondered with a flare of feeling who the intended man might be. Rafe had presented the woman with his jousting colours at Westminster, which might have been pure chivalry for a newcomer, or might have been concealing other intentions. But no: Rafe’s passion for her, Thomasin, the other day was real.
And then she stopped and chided herself again. She had no claim over Rafe. She had moved on from his arms; old feelings might linger, but she had once made herself believe there could be no future for them. She must stop these dangerous thoughts or else they would lead her into danger.
“But I heard that Wolsey is hosting a masque this Christmas and that Anne and Nan are to dance the lead roles.”
“Good for them,” said Thomasin, as they reached the wardrobe department and dumped their armfuls of clothing upon the long table within.
“Here, Mistress Underwood,” called Ellen, “returns from the queen.”
A grey-haired woman in a white apron appeared and rolled her eyes at the untidy pile.
“Sorry,” said Ellen, opening her hands in a gesture of helplessness.
As they headed back along the corridor, a figure stepped out from a service corridor, making them both jump.
Nico was still looking downcast, his usual sparkle dimmed. Thomasin could not help but feel a pang of sympathy for his plight.
“May I speak with you now?” he implored. “It may be my last chance.”
Thomasin allowed herself to be led into the ushers’ waiting room, which was empty between meals.
“What do you mean, it may be your last chance?”
“I have to make a decision. Firstly, though, please let me say that I am sorry for the way I spoke to you the other night. I know you had sought me out in kindness, and you did not deserve to be sent away like that. I was churlish, forgive me. Things have been hard.”
“I know. I have been concerned for you.”
“I have given much thought to the matter, but I have come to realise that I cannot remain in the service of Thomas Cromwell.”
“I am glad to hear it. Since I saw him strike you in the courtyard, I have wished that you would leave. I deeply regret that it was through me that you came into his service. Perhaps if I ask the queen, there may be some other position. Bishop Mendoza…”
“No, no.” He held up a hand to stop her. “I thank you for your kind intentions, but there is more.”
“More?” Thomasin stood back on her heels.
