“What are they saying about me?”
“They claim it implies a little… What is the word … eccentricity? Which is not desirable in a queen.”
Catherine’s face hardened. “I find it most desirable in the preservation of my own life.”
“Do you really have grounds to believe that there will be an attempt made upon you?”
“Can you assure me, Bishop, that there will not?”
He sighed. “I suppose not, but do not give them cause to cite paranoia or reclusiveness. Otherwise they can argue that you are best fitted for the cloister, not the court. If you are already living like a nun, you might as well do that elsewhere.”
Catherine fell silent, thinking. “And who, might I ask, is the architect of these arguments?” she demanded at last. “No, let me guess. It has the reek of Master Cromwell, does it not?”
“I never said so, my lady,” Fisher replied tactfully, bowing his head.
“That man would have me shipped out to a nunnery first thing in the morning, if he were able. I am sure he would get between the shafts and pull my carriage himself!”
Fisher cleared his throat. “It is but two days to wait, my lady, before the court opens. Are you well advised? Do you wish us to meet tomorrow to discuss the matter further?”
“You have given me your excellent counsel, good Bishop, and I trust in the Lord. I shall leave my chamber tomorrow and pay a visit to Archbishop Campeggio, for his final thoughts. That will also have the effect of making me visible about the court, as you advise.”
“I think it for the best, my lady. And another thing I might mention: there is a rumour circulating that the Pope has died.”
Catherine dropped her knife with a clatter. “The Pope? Dead?”
“Indeed. The king heard it this morning and was greatly cheered by it, believing that another man might judge his case more favourably, but, my lady, I personally set no store by it. His Holiness has been suffering from ill health, but none of my sources confirm his death. My correspondent in Rome spoke with him recently and mentioned nothing.”
“You think there is no danger?”
“I think we should give no credence to any rumours we might hear. And under no circumstances should we accept the king using this to question the validity of the Papal Court.”
“I thank you for warning me about this. I shall certainly not respond should the matter reach my ears.”
“It may serve to distract the king and give him false confidence in his case.”
“I shall speak to Campeggio. Surely he will know the truth of it.”
“Has Mendoza left yet?”
The old Spanish ambassador, Bishop Mendoza, had been Catherine’s advisor and friend since his appointment to England three years earlier. He had suffered the indignity of imprisonment by the French on his journey to her side, then had been placed by Henry under house arrest while Spanish relations deteriorated. Finally released to carry out his business, he suffered from the most terrible gout, racking his legs with pain, so he had requested leave to return home to his family.
“He will depart shortly and comes hither to take his leave as soon as all his affairs are resolved.”
“I shall pray for an equally sympathetic replacement.”
The meal continued, and talk passed on to the Princess Mary, Catherine’s only daughter, and how she progressed in her education under the formidable Lady Salisbury.
Thomasin judged that the moment was right. She turned to Ellen. “I am going to slip out for a moment — not too long. If I am missed, say that I was dizzy and needed some air.”
“Rafe?” Ellen had guessed her motive at once.
“I must see him after that awful business last night, just to check that he has not changed his mind.”
“Of course he has not changed his mind!”
“But what man would wish to be united with such a family, where scenes like that take place?”
“A man who loves you deeply and who understands human nature. Besides, it is only one of your family members who causes all the problems.”
