The paper revealed a poorly written message, much blotted and smudged:We have the girl. Leave ten pounds in a bag under the stone trough in Dowegate.
Thomasin’s throat tightened. “She has been kidnapped! Who has sent this?”
“I will deal with this, never fear. I suspect the smith in Ironbar Lane knows more than he was letting on, and I shall pay him another visit.”
“But you must be careful. I cannot go now, I simply cannot!”
“You must. I will take this letter directly to the sheriff. She will be found before your return, never fear.”
“You don’t think they have harmed her in any way?”
“Not if they expect to receive this ridiculous ransom sum.”
“But who would do such a thing?” Lettice gasped.
“A fool,” said Giles, “who will not get away with this. Leave it in my hands; it is time for you to depart.”
Numbly, Thomasin allowed herself to be conducted to the waiting carriage outside.
Giles almost pushed her into it and closed the door behind her. “We will see you soon; watch out for us at Tower Hill. I will find some way to give you a signal there.”
“I will be watching. Take care of Lettice for me.”
“Of course. Now, away with you. Forget about this. Think of your commission to Lady Boleyn.”
He gave a smart nod to the coachman and the wheels ground against the cobbles below. Thomasin was being carried away from Monk’s Place before she knew what was happening.
Thomasin had already chewed several mint leaves by the time the carriage drew into the courtyard at Durham Place. She was surprised to see that her hands were trembling as she reached for the door handle, a shake she had not noticed developing during the journey. Now was the time for bravery. She had to do her part, trust in Giles, and give her support to Lady Elizabeth. She wondered how much Anne knew about the arrest of Elizabeth Barton and the words she had spoken in Cheapside yesterday, or about the wider spread of her message and its effect upon the city. Hopefully, Giles’s swift actions meant Henry had been able to reassure her that the city would be secure.
Lady Elizabeth was waiting in the great hall, wrapped in a long dark cloak. Her chests of clothes and jewels were carried outside, ready to be loaded up for their departure.
“Here you are,” she said with a smile. “The others have left me quite alone.”
She was right. The place was silent, deserted save for the servants. It was quite a contrast to the noise and bustle of events Thomasin had witnessed there before.
“They went yesterday to Greenwich. Anne is to sail from there on a barge downriver to the Tower, but I am too old for that. We shall drive straight there and be settled in by the time they arrive.”
“Very wise, my lady.” She offered Lady Elizabeth her arm and between them, they walked slowly out to take their seats. The distance was short, but it took longer than usual, as certain streets were blocked off to be cleared and cleaned ahead of tomorrow’s procession. Sections were being railed off, while court officials knocked on every door lining the route to take the names of those within. At one checkpoint they had to stop, and a man in livery opened the carriage door with many apologies, in order to ensure those within were entitled to be there.
“My crest is upon the carriage!” Lady Elizabeth insisted indignantly.
“Apologies, my lady,” he said. “It’s in the interests of security. The carriage might have been stolen.”
“Indeed it is not! Now let us pass!”
Thomasin was relieved to see the additional measure that had been put in place. However, as they approached the Tower itself, she could not help but remember the last time she had visited, four years ago, when the actions of Thomas Cromwell had led to her father’s arrest. Sir Richard had been warned off attending the Legatine Court but had decided to feign ignorance and turn up anyway, in order to give evidence on Catherine’s behalf. Small help it had been, though, when the king had been intent upon getting his own way regardless. All that seemed a long time ago, and the wave of time had moved them all forward.
They clattered over the bridge that led into the Tower compound. Anne’s new apartments sat on the southeast corner of the inner ward, part of a courtyard that contained the White Tower and the great hall. Servants hurried to assist them, unloading the chests and leading them up a flight of stairs into the room that had been prepared for them, with a large fireplace, a four-poster bed draped with yellow satin and velvet, and a smaller single bed, which Thomasin suspected had been added at the last moment, after she had accepted Sir Thomas’s commission. The place smelled of chalk and lavender, which had been liberally hung in bunches about the walls.
“This will do,” Lady Elizabeth said, nodding as Thomasin began to unpack her chest, with its rich, heavy garments folded in tissue and packed with herbs.
Refreshments arrived: Rhenish wine, spices, wafers and tarts — all rich, delicate flavours befitting the occasion.
“I shall rest a little,” said Lady Elizabeth, after they had eaten. “Tell me, do you play chess?”
“I do.” Thomasin did not mention the times she used to play with Princess Mary.
“Very good. The we shall be quite entertained until the barges arrive.”
