Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
Ellen was waiting just inside the queen’s antechamber, looking out for Thomasin’s return.
“You will not believe this,” she said, with incredulous eyes. “We are expecting the arrival of the Duke of Norfolk’s lady.”
“I thought the duchess had left court,” said Thomasin, remembering the woman’s waspish and tiresome ways.
“Oh, she has. It is not her whom we seek. In the duchess’s absence, Norfolk has brought his mistress to court!”
“What?”
“That Bess Holland who used to work in the Norfolks’ household. Some say she was the children’s laundress, but that is unlikely, surely? She was the daughter of his secretary, we know that much, and she has come to court and intends to pay her respects to the queen. Can you imagine?”
“How does Catherine take it?”
“Very ill. While the duchess is no great favourite of hers, the idea of receiving the duke’s mistress fills her with horror. She says it is akin to Anne Boleyn visiting her. Anne’s position has made this Bess woman bold.”
They entered the central chamber, where everyone turned round to look.
“Oh, it is not her yet, then,” said Mary, looking up from her darning.
“It will not be long,” Ellen told Thomasin. “Norfolk’s servant brought word to expect her within the hour. I wonder what she will look like and how she will conduct herself.”
“We shall find out soon enough, by the sound of things. I should go and report to the queen of today’s events in court while they are fresh in my mind.”
Thomasin found Catherine staring out of her window at the late afternoon sky. The queen did not notice her arrival at first, but eventually she turned and nodded, holding out her hand for Thomasin to kiss.
“Mistress Marwood, you’ve come from the Papal Court?”
“Yes, my lady, with little pleasant to report.”
Catherine’s eyes looked tired. “Do proceed.”
“Initially my way was barred by Master Cromwell, who tried to argue against my presence on various flimsy accounts, but I was prepared for him, so made my way inside. The discussion was mostly concerning a potential French match that Wolsey intends the king should make, and the legal precedents for separation. Nothing was resolved and little progress made. My apologies, my lady, that I am unable to bring you better tidings.”
“You have reported fairly, as I knew you would, Thomasin. It is not for you to set the matter of the court’s proceedings.”
“I would add, my lady, that the thinking among some of those assembled is that Wolsey is out of touch with the king’s intentions. He continues to push for an alliance with the French and is likely to lose the favour of the king on account of it.”
“That may be the case,” Catherine agreed. “I have sometimes wondered why he is such an ardent supporter of France, but it is no concern of mine. How fared Campeggio? Of him I have greater hopes.”
“It was merely routine business on his part. Tomorrow, the court will hear from those speaking in favour of your marriage. I hope I shall have better news to offer after More, Fisher, the bishops and my father have given their views.”
“I have submitted letters from Vives and Erasmus to the court on this matter. I believe even the great heretic himself, Martin Luther, supports my case, so we shall see. Make sure you are at the court promptly.”
“Of course, my lady.”
The sound of voices from the outer chamber reached them. Catherine looked up, her head on one side, trying to make out their words. Thomasin thought this must be the anticipated arrival of Bess Holland, but it was not her place to speak of this unless the queen herself raised it.
Catherine swept out through the main doors, with Thomasin at her heels. But it was not the Duke of Norfolk’s mistress who greeted them, but Sir Richard Marwood, clearly agitated.
“Lord Marwood,” said the queen in surprise. “What is the matter?”
“My lady, I have come to speak with you directly, as I scarce know what to make of this, or what to do. It seems that Cromwell has got wind, somehow, of my intention to speak in your favour tomorrow, in court. Now, under some pretence, he intends to send me into the country on a fool’s mission, in order to prevent me from offering my defence. ”
“What? He cannot be so bold! On whose authority does he override mine?”
“It can only mean that he has the king’s support, whether directly or tacitly, but I am commanded to leave court at once and deal with some trivial matter arising in the Suffolk assize court. He claims it is of the utmost importance and I must be gone by the morning.”
Thomasin could see the queen’s anger rising. Her back stiffened and arched; her head flew back. She gripped the back of a chair before her.
“That upstart nobody, that low-born servant, a blacksmith’s lad plucked from the streets — how dare he cross me! I am of a mind to find him and speak with him at once.”
“He is currently with the king,” added Sir Richard.
“My lady,” offered Mary, Lady Essex, “I do not think there is anything to be gained by confronting the man. It will only serve to show he has raised your anger, which he might take as a sign of success. Perhaps there is a better way around this. Sir Richard, was the instruction given to you in person?”
“No.” He held out a piece of paper. “It came from this damned letter.”
Mary crossed the room and plucked it from his hand. “What letter? Who delivered it?”
“A young man in his employ, one Rafe Sadler.”
“Did you open it in his presence?”
“No, he departed at once.”
“Then let the trouble fall upon his head, or that of chance. What if the letter went missing before you had a chance to read it? And circumstances today kept you so busy, with Cromwell closeted away, that you were unable to find him to enquire of its contents. After all, had it been a truly important matter, he would have spoken to you directly.”
Thomasin saw where Mary was going with this. “So you counsel us to pretend ignorance? That the letter was never read, and so its contents cannot be acted upon?”
“I don’t know,” said Sir Richard. “It is still a deception.”
“A small deception for a greater good,” said Mary. “And if I have the letter, you can honestly say that it is no longer in your possession. And if I place it somewhere unknown to you, you can tell the truth and say you have no idea what has become of it.”
“And if Cromwell makes trouble tomorrow, I can still offer to leave straight after the court, if the matter is so urgent, except I will have already given my evidence.”
“He will try and prevent you from entering,” Thomasin added, “as he did to me today.”
“Then I must ensure I am present before his arrival, even if I must bribe my way in and conceal myself behind a tapestry!”
“There is a servants’ passage that passes behind the dais,” said Ellen, “with a door opening behind the depiction of Moses. You could enter that way.”
Thomasin nodded. “And you’ll appear in court, before his very eyes! If you wait there until just before Wolsey and Campeggio appear, he can hardly have you thrown out before them, as he would need to give good reason.”
“And Campeggio would not stand for that. His papal authority would override any decision made by the king,” added Catherine. “It is an excellent plan, although I am sorry that we must go about it in this manner. And you are always under my protection, Sir Richard, whether in court or countryside.”
“I thank you, my lady.” Richard gave a low bow.
“I shall meet you early,” said Thomasin, “not in the courtyard, as that is too public, but by the stable, where no one would expect us to be, and we shall go to the servants’ passage together.”
A sound at the outer door interrupted them. One of the guards appeared to announce Mistress Holland.
“Good grief,” said Mary. “Brace yourselves.”
“She can’t be much worse than the wife,” muttered Ellen.
All turned towards the doorway to catch a glimpse of the controversial new arrival.
To their surprise, however, she was accompanied by Norfolk himself, who strode majestically into the chamber and made his bow before Catherine.
The woman at his side was young and slight, with pale colouring and bright red hair pulled back beneath her French headdress. She looked demure, rather than brazen.
The duke drew himself up to his full formidable height. “My lady, may I present Mistress Holland.”
The woman curtseyed slowly and deliberately, as if she had been practising.
“Mistress Holland, is it?” Catherine asked, almost through gritted teeth. The Duchess of Norfolk might have been a horror, but at least she was the duke’s lawfully wedded wife.
“Yes, my lady.” She spoke sweetly, unassumingly.
“We must bid you welcome to court, as convention demands,” said Catherine, tempering her welcome with all the reluctance that she could. But the new arrival seemed oblivious to her coldness.
“Thank you, my lady. It is an honour to be here, and to meet you.”
Norfolk cleared his throat warningly, as if she had overstepped the mark. The woman smiled shyly, and her cheeks dimpled.
“What do you intend to do, whilst at court?” Catherine persisted. “What is your purpose?”
Mistress Holland’s dimples deepened as her blue eyes lighted upon Norfolk. “To serve my good lord, of course.”
“We have come, out of courtesy,” said Norfolk stiffly, “as custom demands, to enquire about positions. Should there be a place in your lady’s household whereby Mistress Holland might fulfil some simple tasks and earn her board and lodgings, as she has many practical skills? Only if it suits you, my lady.”
But Catherine was not in the mood to do a relative of Anne Boleyn’s any favours. “As you can see about you, my lord, I am already generously provided with women.”
“Indeed you are, but I should not have dreamed of asking any but you first.”
“I wish you well at court, Mistress Holland. Alas I have no words of advice for you, nor suggestions, as it can prove a dangerous and misleading place, but you may depart with my best wishes nonetheless.”
Norfolk glowered as he bent his head in acknowledgement and offered his arm to the lady beside him.
But she, oblivious to the undercurrent, threw a beatific smile about the chamber and walked out with her head held high.
Thomasin could not help feeling a pang of sadness that this untouched country girl would soon be disillusioned about the true nature of court life.
After they had gone, Catherine turned and retired into her chamber, calling for wine and Maria.
“What will become of that woman now?” asked Sir Richard.
“Straight into the Boleyns’ household,” said Mary. “That is what they wanted all along. It was mere courtesy to ask the queen first, a formality, before she returns to the fold. We shall see her among Anne’s ladies soon enough.”
“It would have been a surprise to them had the queen accepted her,” said Ellen. “I do wonder how they would have taken it.”
“It would have thrown the cat among the pigeons,” said Thomasin. “But I am glad how it worked out. It is best for all this way. The more distance between the two households the better.”
“She seemed a pleasant little thing,” said Mary. “It’s a pity she has fallen into Norfolk’s hands.”
“At least she will be provided for,” said Ellen.
“For now.” Mary looked towards the queen’s closed door. “It reminds us again how our fates are tied to the men who choose us. We rise or fall with their favour.”
“What do you really think of this plan?” asked Sir Richard, as Thomasin walked him to the outer door. “Should I attempt to dissemble before Cromwell?”
“You are serving a higher authority in doing so,” said Thomasin. “What is giving you cause for doubt?”
“I was never a good liar, Thomasin. It was for this reason that I left court the first time around. I could not hide my true feelings.”
“But this time it is in service of the queen, whose need is greatest. Tell yourself that and avoid Cromwell as much as you can.”
“There is something about the man that troubles me. There always has been. It is his lack of scruples. I am sure he would happily see me at the bottom of the Thames before I give my testimony in court.”
“Do you think?”
“I am sure of it.”
“There are others who will testify for the queen: More, Fisher, Tunstall and Gardiner. If you truly fear the consequences, nothing is more important than your own life.” She lowered her voice. “Not even the queen.”
“I am probably being foolish. Overreacting. I would not wish to cross Cromwell, nor displease the queen. This is a hellish situation we find ourselves in. I will pray to God for guidance.”
“It rather depends,” said Thomasin, “whether this instruction comes from Cromwell himself, or the king.”
“Surely not the king?” said her father at once. “I cannot accept that he would block my appearance, or that any threat comes from him. Above all, we must follow our consciences, but when those differ from the wishes of the king, I know not what to do.”
“All will be well, Father, I am sure. The court will summon you tomorrow. You cannot refuse to appear simply because Cromwell wishes it otherwise. You are bound to obey the authority of the Pope.”
“I do not believe Master Cromwell gives a fig for the Pope!”
A knock at the door brought in a messenger boy. He saw Thomasin first.
“Mistress Marwood, a letter for your father,” he said, then turned and saw Sir Richard. “My lord, what fortunate timing.”
Sir Richard took the paper and broke the seal. “It’s from your mother at Monk’s Place. It seems that Cecilia has turned up there.”
“Cecilia?”
“Apparently she has left Sir Hugh in Sussex and come to London, to throw herself upon our mercy.”
“Goodness. Well, at least she has arrived safely and will come to no harm under your roof.”
“But your mother writes of the shame of it! We must give out some report that she is staying with us while Hugh is abroad, just so long as Hugh remains out of sight!”
“She could return to Suffolk with you and deliver her child there. She is a married woman, after all. No one would question it there.”
Sir Richard ran his hand through his hair. “It is possible. But I must go back to Monk’s Place now and calm this situation. Your mother appears distressed. All being well, I will return in the morning and meet you at the stable as planned.”
“So you will testify?”
“I must answer to God for it, if I do not.”