“Same moon as over Suffolk.”
When Williams came hurrying down the path, Thomasin knew what it was at once. A sense of foreboding had been growing in her stomach all day.
“I am caught,” she said under her breath, going forward to meet the steward. “Caught in the net.”
“My lady, a visitor. The Earl of Wiltshire. He awaits you in the parlour.”
It took Thomasin a whole minute to realise that the Earl of Wiltshire was Thomas Boleyn, using his most recent title. Her heart sank. For a moment she considered jumping into the rowing boat moored at the end and pulling away from the bank, leaving Giles to make her apologies.
“What does he want?”
“He did not state his business, my lady, only that it was a matter of some delicacy.”
“A novelty for that family,” Giles added. “Let me guess: he has come to ruin our peace, has he not?”
“I rather think he has,” said Thomasin.
Williams gave a small cough. “Mistress Lettice heard him arrive. I believe she is entertaining him.”
“Oh, heavens.” Thomasin sprang into action, marching towards the back door of the house.
She found Lettice propped up by the fire, regaling their visitor with tales of her pet dogs. Sir Thomas rose when Thomasin entered, making a small bow.
“Thank you, Lettice, you may retire now.”
Lettice remained stubbornly in place.
“Thank you, Lettice,” Thomasin repeated with a look that made her intentions plain.
With a sigh, the girl sloped out of the room and they heard her feet heavily climbing the stairs, with Giles’s encouragement.
“My lord, this is an unexpected pleasure. Will you take some wine?”
“Thank you, I will.”
She called for Williams, regretting that she had made the offer, for it meant he intended to stay awhile. However, businesslike as always, Sir Thomas did not make her wait long.
“Forgive me for descending upon you unannounced,” he began, after Williams had departed. “I had intended to write to you, but some things are better said in person, and I feared you may already have departed for the country.”
Thomasin raised her eyebrows.
“It is a delicate matter. It concerns my wife.”
She knew what was coming. It was racing towards her like a great wave rolling down the river, and she was powerless to avoid getting caught in its murky waters.
“I will get to the point. You have seen that my wife is unwell; has been so for a number of years and is unlikely to improve. She requires constant care and my family concerns are such that my children and I are unable to give it. Until now we have relied upon servants and nurses, who meet her bodily needs sufficiently: there is no question of having to do that. What she requires is a companion.” He must have seen her face change. “Now, hear me out. She feels an affinity for you, for some reason; you did not see how very pleased she was to hear you hadreturned to London. The day you accompanied her to the feast she was the happiest I have seen her in a long time.”
“My lord, I have every sympathy for your situation, and genuine affection for your wife, but I am bound to return to Suffolk.”
“I am hoping you will consider changing your plans, at least for a short while. I would reward you considerably if you were to remain as her regular companion until at least after Anne’s coronation. If she is well enough, my wife wishes to play a full part in that and I cannot deny her it. You would ride at her side, sit with her, cheer her with your words. After that, she is happy to retire to Hever, but she longs to witness her daughter’s moment of triumph. You can understand that, surely.”
Thomasin could. Yet she wished it had not fallen upon her shoulders.
“What of George’s wife, Jane? Would it not be more suitable to have a family member by her side?”
“The pair of them do not see eye to eye. She has asked specifically for you.”
“She has asked?”
