“More is?”
“Yes, he went to him at once. If anyone can make the king see sense, it is him. And good John Dudley will help us too. We are fortunate in our friends, thanks be to God.”
“This is Cromwell’s evil doing.”
“It is indeed, and we must hope that the king’s eyes are opened to his wickedness.”
“You were there when it happened?”
“Yes, I was in the court. As More said, it was all for show, on the pretext of him failing to follow orders. Everyone could see it was nonsense.”
“And how did your father respond?”
Thomasin recalled the shocked look in Sir Richard’s eyes. “He was not expecting it. None of us were. But we must take heart. I am sure it will not be for long.”
“And the men below? What are they searching for?”
“Nothing, Mother. There is nothing to find — not anything incriminating of ours, nor of our uncle’s.”
“Not your father’s letters to France?”
“What?” Thomasin paused, her blood running cold. “What do you mean, letters to France?”
“Your father sometimes corresponds with an abbot in the Pale of Calais, from a past connection. He shares the letters with your uncle, too. Lately they have been speaking about the king’s possible marriage to Renee of France. It is entirely innocent.”
“I am sure it is,” Thomasin replied, pausing for a moment to think how this might be taken by Cromwell.
At that moment, Cecilia sat up and let out a howl. “We are all going to die! We will all be sent to the Tower and executed, even me, and my child will grow up without a mother. We are done for!”
Thomasin felt the annoyance mount in her chest. “Stop that talk! There is no need to go to extremes. It is hardly the help we need right now.”
She had not seen her sister since Christmas. Now, as Cecilia sat up with a struggle, the curve of her stomach was visible beneath her clothes.
“It is her state of mind, due to her condition,” said Lady Elizabeth, regaining some of her composure. “It creates certain flights of fancy like this. Do not speak harshly to her.”
Thomasin took a deep breath. “For now, we must remain calm and await news from our friends. Then we might decide upon our course of action.”
“I am sure the king will not forsake his old friend. Perhaps I should go to him myself and ask for mercy, for the sake of our old connection.”
Thomasin had almost forgotten the brief affair her mother had conducted with the king, back when he was a young man. At one point, she had even questioned whether Henry was her own father, but her likeness to Sir Richard had made her disregard that possibility.
“Perhaps it will come to that, but perhaps not. Hopefully not. We must wait and see.”
The footsteps of the men downstairs echoed through the hall.
“There is nothing up there, nothing but bedchambers,” they heard Sir Matthew saying. “There is no need to disturb the ladies, please!”
But heavy feet were already on the stairs and Rafe Sadler appeared in the doorway. The women turned stiffly to meet him.
Sadler made a small bow. “Forgive me, ladies. I do not wish to trespass upon your peace any further; I only request the surrender of any items or papers relevant to this matter.”
“As we are unclear about exactly what the matter might be,” replied Thomasin, “it will be difficult to comply. Why don’t you tell us what you are looking for? Or better still, what the charges against my father are?”
“Mistress Marwood, I understand your distress. But alas, I cannot give you any more information, only that I seek letters, papers, books…”
“Here,” said Lady Elizabeth, holding up a heavy tome. “Here is my Bible. Old-style, in Latin, with all the saints’ days. Will this help your cause? It is the only book in this room.”
“Thank you, but you may keep your Bible.”
