“My lady, it is a pleasure to see you.”
“All is well, Williams?”
“All is well. No missing servants or unexpected fires.”
Thomasin smiled as she slipped off her cloak. “My work at court is done. You heard of the baby’s safe arrival?”
“All of the city heard,” he confirmed. “The bells would not stop ringing, even if it was a girl!”
“A most welcome and beautiful child,” Thomasin said with a wistful air. “I shall be departing for Suffolk in the morning.”
“Very good. Supper will be served at six, to allow you to have an early night and an early start.”
“That is most thoughtful, Williams. I shall rest in my room a little; it has been a long day.”
After a brief lie-down, Thomasin was up, busy arranging the items she would be taking into Suffolk. Upon the window seat was a book that Lettice had left behind, bound in red leather. She picked it up and read the gold lettering on the spine, smiling to find it was a copy of More’sUtopia. Outside, the sun was setting, casting a golden September light across the garden and touching the river. The dying rays caught the last of the yellow and pink roses, seemingly setting their cups afire. The sight drew her outside, through the sweet-scented walks of box and lavender, down to the roses, where she turned to catch the same light uponher face. For a moment, she stood still, as if she was another fixture in the garden. The sweet, familiar scents surrounded her, and the salty notes of the river hung above them, so that she breathed in deeply and filled her lungs. She had escaped. This time tomorrow, she would be with Giles, watching the sunset at Green Hollow.
She dined simply, happy to be alone, on a haunch of venison with prunes, prepared with Cook’s special sauce. The wine was good, rich and deep, and although it was not court wine, imported from Portugal or Sicily, it tasted all the better for being her own. Afterwards, there was raspberry syllabub, whipped with fresh cream, and spiced biscuits, brittle and sweet. Thomasin was about to retire when there came an unexpected knock on the front door. A moment later, Williams appeared in the dining room.
“Sir Thomas Boleyn, my lady.”
Her heart seemed to contract. She had thought she’d escaped and yet here he was at this late hour, at her door, knowing that apart from the servants, she was in the house alone.
The table was still spread with the remains of her meal.
“I will speak with him in the parlour. Show him in there.”
“Very good, my lady.”
The small parlour at the back of the house was not often used, but it had a pleasant aspect and a door that led out to the gardens. It also had the advantage of being beside the kitchen, so if Thomasin needed to call for help, she knew her voice would be heard. But no, surely she was overreacting?
Sir Thomas looked relieved to see her, stepping forward to greet her as she entered. “My lady…”
She put up a hand to restrain him. “Lady Waterson. What do you mean by calling at my house at this hour? We had already said our goodbyes at Greenwich.”
“You must know?” The sun had set now, and the parlour was lit only by candles and the two torches on the walls. His face looked shadowed, lit only from behind. “That goodbye was not sufficient.”
“My lord, it was enough. What more can you expect?”
“You, Thomasin. You.” He took another step closer. “I have been clear about my feelings for you. There can be no misunderstanding. It was too busy at court for me to be more open, or to speak with you alone, but this is the perfect opportunity. Surely you knew that I would come to you tonight?”
“No, my lord, I did not. Why are you not at court?”
“Come now, a little reluctance is acceptable, given your situation, but you do not intend to hold out against me now?”
“I assure you that I do, my lord. This was not, was never, part of the agreement.”
“No, my feelings have developed since then, but I had hoped it was understood. I was only holding back at court, waiting until the time was right.”
“This is not right. I do not wish you to be here. I am happily married to my husband and do not seek any other.”
“But think of the advancement for your family. Your husband can be found a place in the king’s household, if you just say the word.”
“He would not want it. Court is not the centre of the world. There are plenty who do not long for it like you, who live happy and fulfilled, all the better for being away from it.”
“Surely you do not believe it?”
“This is to your discredit, my lord. I wish you no ill, but I think it is time for you to leave.”
