Thomasin realised she had not done so since the morning, and her stomach was growling with hunger.
“There, some of our meal remains. You are lucky to have arrived before the servants could remove it.” Ellen pointed to a round table where dishes remained uncleared: a venison pasty, wings of chicken, a game pie, spices and pancakes with cream. Thomasin quickly sated her appetite.
“Is the queen well?” she asked.
“She has spent most of the time since our arrival in prayer, so I cannot really tell you. This morning she was in a state of anxiety, expecting the court’s verdict at any time,” Ellen replied.
Thomasin recalled what John had told her. “It will not be yet, certainly. There is far more to come. She should expect nothing for a good few days yet.”
“Perhaps you can tell her that,” said Mary, “as she has us all on edge.”
“I will, as soon as she emerges. I hope her spirits are not too affected by being in this place. Must we stay here long?”
Ellen shook her head. “Only until our chambers at Bridewell have been cleaned, then we may return, although she speaks of going to Windsor for the summer with Princess Mary. She is lifted by hope at the moment, although it is depressing enough for the rest of us.”
“Oh, I do hope we’ll go to Windsor and have a merry summer.”
After an hour, when the candles were burning low, there came a knock upon the door. Catherine had still not emerged from her private prayers, so Thomasin went to enquire who was there. She found Bishop Fisher upon the threshold, looking tired.
“My dear, I have come to make full report to the queen, as I promised I would. Is she receiving visitors?”
“I am sure she would like to hear from you. Please step inside and come close to the fire.”
“Goodness,” he said, looking around as he entered. “It is gloomy in here, is it not?”
The women nodded their agreement.
“This must be a stop of convenience, nothing more,” he continued. “This place will be no good for your health, any of you. It is so dark and damp that you might as well be…” He paused, suddenly realising where his words were leading.
“In the Tower?” asked Thomasin, grasping his meaning.
“Forgive me, it was a careless comment.”
“And fortunately not reflective of my father’s treatment, as his room is dry and light enough, and his meals are solid.”
Fisher looked uneasy. “I am pleased to hear that is the case. I had feared otherwise, given its history. No doubt the king will come to his senses soon.”
The women were silent, wondering what was meant by the Tower’s history, but none wished to ask.
At that moment, Catherine emerged from her inner chamber, dressed in sombre black.
“Ah, Thomasin and Bishop Fisher, I am glad to see you both. Tell me, what tidings of the day?”
“Little of comfort, my lady,” offered the bishop. “All legal knots and loops and biblical verses; it was most tedious.”
“And no resolution?”
“None yet, but I am to address the court myself in a few days and will leave them in no doubt about my convictions on the matter.”
“That is good to hear. And More, will he speak?”
“My lady, I regret to inform you that our friend More has been dispatched to Cambrai for the summit between the French and the Emperor. He came into the court especially to tell us, for he had just received instructions himself, much against his inclination.”
“Another friend lost. My husband is determined to reduce my support in whatever way he can.”
“I am sorry for it, my lady. I will give my speech the equivalent force of three men.”
“I believe you will, dear John. I believe you will.” The queen turned to Thomasin. “This afternoon, I have dispatched more supplies and books to your father, God preserve and keep him. I have also written a letter to the king, asking for his release, although it may be upon the condition that he is to return to Suffolk at once.”
