“Yes, I understand.”
“We are almost there. She will always have to face this kind of attack. I thank you for your vigilance.” His eyes lingered on her face as if he would say more.
“We should return.” Thomasin removed her arm from his grasp, which brought him back to his senses.
“Yes. If they ask, we will say a rat had been caught.”
The truth then, thought Thomasin, following him back into the hall. Musicians were now playing and the feast was underway, their absences barely noted. At the far end, Anne was looking radiant. Thomasin looked around for Rafe. Part of her wanted to confront him about what she had learned from Isabel, but he was seated beside his wife, eating solemnly. What would be achieved by bringing all that up again now that they were both happily wed? All that mattered was that she had learned how truly duplicitous he had been.
Then, to the sounds of pipes and flutes, the final course was brought out: gleaming custards and coloured jellies, rich gingerbread and gilded marchpane, baked tarts and wafers, syllabubs with cream and sticky, candied fruits. Thomasin had left a little space so that she might taste each. She ate slowly, with enjoyment: this was to be her last meal at court, after all.
“This is too much for me,” said Lady Elizabeth, sucking on a piece of candied orange peel, “and it will make my teeth ache. I think my time is up here.” Thomasin could not help but agree as she looked down at her own empty plate.
With a few words of explanation to the rest of the table, Lady Elizabeth rose to her feet and took Thomasin’s arm. They made their way behind the diners, down the side of the hall as discreetly as possible. Their carriage was already waiting by the time they reached the yard, leaving the noise and bustle behind.
“Ah,” said Lady Elizabeth, sinking into her chair. “It is done. I can rest easy now.”
Thomasin took the seat beside her and gave the signal to the driver to pull away. It was a relief to see Westminster vanishing behind them, with its glittering lights, pillars and carvings dissolving in the distance.
“It was my dearest wish to see her settled,” said her companion after a while. “I am not getting any younger, and I had to see her married. And now crowned.”
“You are not that old, surely.”
“Not so much in years, perhaps, but I am unwell. I have known it for a while; it has aged me faster than other women.”
“I am sorry to hear that. You have seen doctors?”
“Many of them. They say there is nothing that can be done beyond eating a sparse diet, bland food and white meats. And I mustn’t consume too much wine. They think it is some wasting disease or cough, or phthisis, depending upon who you ask.”
“I would not have known.”
“I try not to show it.” Her smile was taut and quick. “But things creep up on me. I must rest now. Here.” She removed a long strand of priceless black pearls from around her neck — thick, dark orbs that gleamed with an opalescent sheen. “Take these. I want you to have them.”
“Oh, I couldn’t!”
“I insist. You have made these past few days bearable for me. You have given me the time and patience that no one else can, and I am more grateful than I can say.” She placed them into Thomasin’s hands, heavy and still warm from her skin.
The carriage pulled into Durham Place and came to a halt. Lady Elizabeth patted her hand.
“Just see me up to my chamber, my dear. That will be all.”
TWENTY-ONE
In spite of Giles’s reassuring note, Thomasin could not prevent the tension mounting in her stomach as the carriage took her back to Monk’s Place. The past three days had swept by in a whirl, seeming unreal and much longer than in reality, filled with pearls and feasts, cannons and drama. Now it felt ages since the morning she had left home, filled with anxiety, trusting Giles to find Mariot and bring her home safely. She was looking out of the window when the solid stone gateposts appeared ahead, and the horses began to slow, telling her that she was almost there.
Thomasin had never before been so pleased to see Monk’s Place. Even with its brooding grey frontage, it felt welcoming and warm. When the carriage drew to a halt, she climbed out to find Giles and Lettice in the hallway, having heard her approach. She flew into Giles’s arms, before turning to embrace her sister.
“And Mariot?”
Giles nodded. “Safe in the kitchen. Come inside and we will explain all.”
“We have had almost as much excitement as you!” added Lettice. “Do not forget a moment of it, for we want to hear everything!”
They settled in the parlour and Williams brought spiced cakes and wine. Thomasin sighed at the familiar surroundings and placed Lady Elizabeth’s string of black pearls on the table.
Lettice snatched them up eagerly. “These are beautiful! From Lady Boleyn?”
“As her way of thanking me.”
