“Then let us go now,” said Sir Matthew, “to seize this moment while we are resolved to do it.”
He and Thomasin’s father rose. Thomas Howard had already left the hall, with his duchess and hangers-on.
“We will give him a moment, then proceed up to his chamber,” said Sir Richard.
“Should I come, too?” asked Lady Elizabeth in a quavering voice.
“No,” said Sir Richard. “There is no need. You should return to Cecilia.”
“But I want to come,” Lady Elizabeth persisted. “We have been wronged, and it is right that we all attend. I am her mother, and I wish to be there.”
Sir Richard looked at his wife in surprise, which deepened into appreciation.
“The more the better,” shrugged Sir Matthew.
“Then I shall also come, if I may,” added Thomasin, uneasy at this development. “It is right that they understand how many people disapprove of her behaviour.”
“Then let us do it,” resolved Sir Richard. “Let us all go now, and tell Howard about the incident.”
It was with a feeling of exhilaration that they left the hall, walking in a group towards the duke’s chambers. By the time they had climbed the stairs and followed the corridor round, though, passing the Boleyn apartments, Thomasin’s uncertainty had deepened into a sense of trepidation. But she would not be deterred from their task.
At the doorway, Sir Richard paused and looked back at them. “Are we ready?”
“Ready,” said Sir Matthew, with determination. “This is an unfortunate situation, but we must approach Howard. The threat to have us sent away from court cannot be endured.”
Sir Richard nodded and rapped upon the doors. They swung open to reveal luxurious antechambers, hung with tapestries and furnished with carpets and cushions.
They were admitted into the space, soothed at once by the warmth of the fire and the gentle scent. After a moment, the duke appeared from an inner room, Lady Norfolk trailing afterhim. Her expression became fierce when she recognised the visitors.
“The Marwood family,” said Thomas Howard, pausing to contemplate the group. His presence was intimidating, and the length of his stare put them all on edge. When he did not continue, it fell to Sir Richard to begin the conversation, while the Norfolks regarded them coolly.
“My lord, it causes me considerable discomfort that I must make this visit and disturb the peace of your day, but after due reflection, I feel that I have no choice but to do it.”
He paused, but Howard offered nothing.
“It refers to my eldest daughter, Lady Cecilia Truegood, and your niece, Anne Boleyn.”
There was still no response. Thomasin was for leaving at once, but Sir Richard drew in a deep breath and launched into the tale. “My daughter arrived at court alone, following a misunderstanding where she believed that the invitation extended to her husband included her. She did not realise that it was a mere formality, due to his rank, but that she was not expected to attend. Her husband was away in Bruges on business. She arrived without intending to cause offense, but the king requested that she leave, which she planned to do first thing in the morning. However, she was taken ill and we sent for a doctor, who confirms that she has a fever and should not travel in the snow, so…”
“How does this concern me?” barked Thomas Howard.
“It concerns you, my lord, because yesterday we had a visit, in our apartments, from your niece, Mistress Boleyn. She came uninvited, with cries of alarm and anger, burst her way into our daughter’s chamber, stripped the covers off her as she lay in bed and threatened to have us sent away from court. As guests of the king, we object to this in the strongest terms, and the doctor whowitnessed it confirmed that the emotions it has raised in Cecilia can only have made her condition worse.”
Sir Richard paused, seeking some kind of recognition or response. None came.
With a sinking feeling, Thomasin met the eyes of Lady Norfolk, who had herself recently been guilty of a worse breach of conduct.
“Surely,” added Sir Richard, his hopes failing, “this is not the treatment we should expect as guests of the king?”
“Then speak to the king about it,” Howard replied gruffly, “or Boleyn himself. My niece is fully grown and I have no control over her behaviour.”
“We did not wish to trouble the king with this,” said Sir Matthew, “given their … situation. We hoped instead that you would also consider this behaviour unacceptable and lend us your support.”
“Support for what? I do not pretend to like her behaviour; there are many instances of it that have been far worse than this. She is proud and mighty. I have told her as much, but she is not a dog of mine that I can control.”
“What do you suggest, my lord?” asked Sir Richard, desperate to extract anything from the conversation.
“That you stop wasting my time and take it up with her father. Or Anne herself. I am a busy man.” Without a bow, he turned and strode back into his inner chambers. Her lips forming into a simpering smile, Lady Norfolk hurried after him. Thomasin’s cheeks burned with shame at the humiliation of the moment.
