Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
With Lettice’s help, Thomasin had laced herself into Mary Boleyn’s dark red velvet gown and placed a pearl-edged headdress with a silver net over her hair.
As a small act of defiance, she had pinned at her throat the little ruby brooch given to her by Queen Catherine as a wedding gift, relishing the secret symbol that conveyed her true loyalty.
No one would guess its meaning, but it made her heart glad to know it was there.
A day had passed since the arrest of Elizabeth Barton and Thomasin was due to collect Lady Elizabeth from Durham House and conduct her to the Tower, where those taking part in Anne’s procession were to stay overnight.
New royal apartments had been created for the occasion — their paint freshly dry, the cushions plumped, and rich tapestries hung in readiness.
The palace kitchens were freshly supplied, bursting with venison, beef, pork and goose, and hung with the freshest herbs.
There were the sweetest apricots and oranges, the spiciest cloves and cinnamon, great jugs of cream and churns of country butter, and big bags of almonds and walnuts.
Dozens of barrels of the best Burgundian wines were rolled down into the cellar.
The whole place was scrubbed, washed, polished and perfumed, ahead of the queen’s arrival.
Thomasin turned to Giles, preparing to say her goodbyes. “I feel unsure about going when Mariot is still missing.”
“I know, but there is nothing to be done about it. It was her own choice.”
“But where did she spend the last night? I fear for her, with all this dissent abroad.”
“Remember your reason for remaining here. Your duty now is to Lady Boleyn. With the unrest in the city, it is doubly important that you remain by her side.”
“There will be no trouble, will there?”
“The king took action as soon as we had spoken. Known troublemakers have been removed from the streets and the guards around Anne, and along the route by St Paul’s, have been trebled.
Anyone daring to speak or act against her will be swiftly apprehended and made an example of, so that will serve as a deterrent to others of like mind. ”
“You do not think that anyone would try to harm her?”
“I do not think so; it would mean a direct trip to the gallows. Do not let such thoughts trouble you. You will be riding behind her, in one of the carriages; you will be quite safe from harm.”
Thomasin tried to believe him. In spite of her history with Anne, the last few days had opened her eyes to the strains of the new queen’s position in a way that almost made her feel sympathy for her.
Catherine of Aragon had never experienced such open hostility, being beloved by the people even in spite of her Spanish blood.
Today, though, she would not have exchanged positions with Anne for anything, not even for the chance to wear the crown.
“Are you ready?” Lettice came down the stairs to join them in the hallway.
“I am. Now, you will be sensible and safe during the procession. I will be back in two days’ time, after the coronation itself.”
“Where are you staying?” Lettice’s former enthusiasm had been replaced by concern after she had heard about the dangers to Anne.
“Tonight in the Tower, tomorrow at Westminster, then I will return home, and we may head back to Suffolk!”
Lettice nodded; even she was now keener to see Green Hollow than she was to remain.
Thomasin turned back to Giles. “Where will you watch the procession?”
“I think the safest place will be nearest the Tower, soon after the procession departs. There is much open space, fewer opportunities for concealment. No one would be foolish enough to misbehave so soon on the journey. We will stand on Tower Hill to watch you pass.”
Thomasin ran her hands over her borrowed gown. “I cannot calm my stomach.”
“Mint leaves?” said Lettice. “Shall I run to the kitchen for some?” But she was already on her way before her sister could object.
Giles pulled her towards him and wrapped her in his arms. “Do not fear. The eyes of the entire court, the entire world will be watching: the mayor, sheriffs and aldermen, all the guards walking on either side of you. None of you will come to any harm; these people are more hot air and words than action. News of Barton’s arrest will have subdued them. ”
“It would be such a huge event, regardless of all this.”
“Yes, a queen’s coronation! You will never forget this.”
“And such a queen!” said Thomasin, touching her ruby brooch. “Throughout all the struggles of the late queen, I never thought to see this. I hope my going will not hurt Catherine; it would seem to her that I support Anne’s queenship if she knew.”
“Who is there to tell her? You are not going to support Anne, but to assist her mother. You were commissioned by Lord Thomas, and he can hardly be refused.”
“Still, I feel like a traitor.”
Giles sighed. “This is a difficult time. Allegiances change, old masters and mistresses pass out of our lives and we must adapt to survive. Everyone does it; it is the way of the world, Thomasin. We are merely servants of the crown, no matter who is wearing it. You cannot blame yourself, or else you would retire from life entirely.”
This advice sounded much like the words Rafe had once spoken to her, but she shook the memory off at once.
“I am there as a kindness to an old lady who has requested my support.”
“Exactly so. Remember that. Now, I think I hear the carriage arriving to take you to Durham Place.”
Thomasin hesitated. It was the first time they had been parted in a long time. “I will miss you.”
“No, I will miss you! You will be so caught up in all the festivities, you will not give me a moment’s thought.”
“That is untrue! I shall be watching for you on Tower Hill.”
Lettice came flying back with a little silk pouch, which she pressed into her sister’s hands. “Mint leaves from the garden to calm your nerves.”
“Thank you, Lettice. That is most considerate of you.”
A sound was heard at the door, and a small boy approached at speed. With a swift gesture, he threw something into the hall, then turned on his heel and disappeared out through the gates.
“What in God’s name was that?”
Giles bent to scoop up the item, which proved to be a piece of paper crumpled into a ball. He smoothed it out carefully and read the words within, then screwed it up in his hands again.
“Utter nonsense. Now, you must be on your way. Do not keep Lady Boleyn waiting.”
Thomasin knew him better than that. “Come now, you do not think I shall leave this house without knowing what was on that paper?”
“Just more nonsense, nothing to concern yourself with.”
“Show me, please. I am not leaving until I know.” Thomasin rarely used her stern voice with him, so it was clear that this time she was serious.
He shook his head. “Well, if you must, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
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.”