Inside, Thomasin was surprised to see that Anne had risen from her bed and was dressed in clean clothes, placed upright in the great chair amid a stack of cushions. Lady Elizabeth occupied the carved wooden seat draped with velvet and the cradle stood between them, rocked gently by Anne’s foot, with the baby inside.
“My lady.” Thomasin curtseyed again. The practice had been dropped during the weeks of confinement, but now that thingswere returning to normal, the old formalities were again being observed.
“Lady Waterson,” said Anne, “you are welcome back to my apartments. What news?”
“I saw the king received the princess most kindly, with glad smiles and much promising talk. He showed her proudly to the court.”
“There,” said Lady Elizabeth, “it is as I told you. He is already fond of her. Who would not be?”
“And he spoke of sons to follow.”
Thomasin could see the relief on the queen’s face. “By God’s grace, yes, there will be sons to follow.”
“My lady, forgive me, I have come to take my leave of you. I am grateful for the favour shown to me by your family, but it is time for me to return to my estate in Suffolk. My duties here are fulfilled.”
Anne looked down into the cradle. “I suppose they are. Yours, but not quite mine.” She looked up. “Thomasin, we have not always been the best of friends, but I think these past weeks have remedied that situation. I will never forget your kindness, nor that which you have shown my mother. I hope that in future times of need you will consider offering me your services again. You will not stay for my churching next week?”
“You do not need me for that, my lady.”
“I suppose not. And then I am back out into the world, and back into my husband’s bed.”
Thomasin considered telling her what Henry had said about another child being born in a year’s time, but it would not have been helpful. It was the duty of a queen to conceive again as soon as possible, and that was the path Anne had chosen.
“I am sure God will bless you and the king, and that the princess will continue to thrive.”
“Amen to that,” said Anne, although her dark eyes still looked tired.
Thomasin was about to say her final goodbye, but one more thing tugged at her conscience. “My lady, Lady Elizabeth, forgive me, but there is something I must speak of, if you will be so kind as to grant me your patience. My mind is not easy about this matter.”
The ladies waited, silently.
Thomasin swallowed and pushed on. “I could leave now and say nothing, but from my heart, truly, I wish to make an appeal on behalf of your new daughter’s sister — her half-sister, Princess Mary, for whom her mother feels that strong, passionate defence and love that you now understand. At the present, they are not permitted to see each other, or to correspond.” She watched Anne’s face tauten but persisted. “I do humbly ask that their pain be alleviated, that the restriction upon their correspondence be lifted at least, or that they may be allowed to visit one another, once in a while, as is natural for mother and daughter. This is my plea to you, my lady, both as a daughter and a mother.”
Thomasin thought she sensed some softness towards her request in the eyes of Lady Elizabeth, who now turned to her daughter.
Anne lifted her chin. “I cannot deny that your sentiments move me. Yet what you ask is not within my command. I have never ruled against their correspondence; it is entirely the king’s doing as punishment for their continued disobedience.”
“And yet you might influence him,” Thomasin urged, “to reconsider, to show kindness and mercy amid their pain.”
“Anne?” said her mother. “Might you do so?”
Anne breathed deeply. “Give me a little time. When I am living with the king as his wife again, in his chambers, in his bed, he will be more inclined to listen. The moment will arise.”
“Thank you,” said Thomasin. “I cannot thank you enough for this kindness. No harm will come to you from it, only the eased sufferings of two poor souls.”
“When do you depart?”
“As soon as I have your leave, my lady.”
“You already have the king’s permission?”
“I do. I will go to my house in Thames Street tonight and set out for Suffolk first thing in the morning.”
“Fetch me the box in the window.”
Thomasin knew the ornate carved wooden box inlaid with mother of pearl. She lifted it, despite its weight, and set it down beside Anne, who rifled briefly inside, then held out her hand.
“Take this for your pains. I know my father will pay you, but I insist.”
