The clerk to the court had risen and people began to take their seats in readiness. He announced the opening of the session and proceeded to welcome the first expert witnesses, men from the universities and Inns of Court, whose judgement was in favour of the king.
A sound behind them drew Thomasin’s attention. She turned to see Thomas More, white-faced, appear at her shoulder.
“What is it?” she whispered, shocked at his appearance.
“I am being sent to Cambrai. I depart at once for the summit between France and the Emperor, taking Wolsey’s place.”
“A summit?”
“Peace talks, supposedly, but filled with so much animosity. I am to support the French in their military action against Milan.”
“You’re leaving at once?”
“I should be on the road already, but I had to come and tell you. I couldn’t just disappear. It is another ploy on Cromwell’s part to suggest me. Wolsey asked for the talks to be delayed so he could attend. Now I am to be sent away!”
“I can’t believe it,” said Fisher. “Are we all to be dismissed, one by one, until the king gets his wish?”
“I must away. I can stay no more, but all my prayers and wishes remain behind with you.”
Thomasin sat stunned as her dear friend hurried out of the chamber. When would she see him again, and hear the comfort of his words? How many more turns would this unpleasant matter take before the king achieved his aim?
Henry had risen to his feet, ready to address the cardinals, but Thomasin could hardly bear to look at him. She listened while he spoke about his reasons for requesting an investigation into his marriage, quoting a passage from Leviticus as justification for why it had been wrong to marry his brother’s wife. He announced twenty-one articles that justified his position and called upon those present to witness his true intentions and desire to serve England before God. It was nothing that Thomasin had not heard before. In turn, the experts were called to support his view, with other references, precedents and arguments. Listening to them turned Thomasin’s stomach. She thought of Queen Catherine, her head bent in prayer, her tears at night, her fears for her daughter and the future. The whole matter seemed cruel. There was nothing new here. Nothing to keep her.
“I can’t stay here,” she whispered to Fisher. “I must go.”
Rising to her feet, she ignored the heads turning in her direction, walking swiftly through the doors and into the sunny courtyard.
Catherine would already have left. An army of servants were probably in her apartments, sweeping out the hearth, washing down the walls and floor, and removing the waste for burning. All that remained for Thomasin was to follow them to Baynard’s.
She sat down on one of the stone benches in a bower planted with roses. The sunshine played across her skirts, picking out the silver threads in the fabric, making them seem gaudy in the daylight. She looked up at the beautiful palace, with its long windows, stone carvings, and twisted chimneys, and the gardens with their colours and scents, the early summer clouds overhead. All seemed idyllic. How many people would never experience a paradise like this? Never wear cloth of gold or silver, or dine on venison, or dance to a lute? And yet, all the court brought was unkindness and suffering. Rafe’s eyes flashedbefore her again, full of anger. Thomasin’s head dropped and tears welled in her eyes. Embarrassed, she attempted to stem the flow, but was powerless to stop them falling.
“My Lady Thomasin? What distresses you?”
Harry Letchmere had approached her along the path, but she had been too absorbed to notice. She did not know him well enough to confess all, but she believed him to be a good man, from the little she had observed.
“Forgive me, it is nothing. You have just caught me in an unguarded moment.”
“They come to us all. I try not to have mine in the palace gardens, though, when strange eyes might interrupt.”
“Very true,” said Thomasin, wiping her eyes and wondering what Sir Henry’s unguarded moments might look like.
“Might I be of assistance in any way?”
“Thank you, but no. I should really be on my way to join the queen.”
“She has departed for Baynard’s Castle, I believe?”
“Yes, not so far, but far enough from here. How did you know?”
“Your fair cousin confided in me before the departure. I hope to call on the queen before long and see you all well settled there.”
“It is a mere moment’s walk from here, so do not delay in paying your visit. We shall live quietly enough there, now that our business at court is concluded.”
“I heard the queen spoke most bravely, like a true warrior queen of England.”
“Yes, she spoke well. She spoke her truth.”
“And I hope it shall bring her the peace she deserves.”
