Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
Presently, Thomasin heard the carriage arrive in the courtyard again.
This time, she could not bear to remain in bed and wait for the news, so she wrapped a shawl about her shoulders and shuffled gingerly to the staircase.
To her relief, she heard Cecilia loudly complaining about her back as Lady Elizabeth ushered her into a chair.
However, another voice came after hers, its male tones rather familiar.
Thomasin retreated back into her chamber and scrambled into bed.
Giles was here, downstairs in the hallway, speaking with her mother.
She felt ashamed at the thought that he might come up and see her lying in bed, her hair unbrushed and loose, her nightgown untidy.
She lay still, silent, planning to feign sleep should she hear his footsteps, but the front door clicked shut and silence fell again within the house.
Her frustration ate away at her, teasing out all sorts of questions in her mind, until she heard Ellen’s soft tread.
Her cousin entered the chamber carrying a tray of food.
“Well, I hope you are hungry.”
She placed the tray across Thomasin’s lap, with its array of invalid foods: a sweet almond custard, boiled chicken in spinach, a slice of beef pie and wafers with honey. The smell of it awakened Thomasin’s tastebuds, and she realised she’d not eaten properly for days.
“Cecilia is back?”
“Oh yes, she is back. She was not planning to run away at all; if anything, she has seen sense.”
“What a relief. Was that Giles downstairs?”
“It was.” Ellen took a seat in the carved chair. “Now, don’t hold back. You enjoy this spread and I will tell you everything.”
“He is still here?”
“No, he has gone, but he sends his best wishes. The pie and wafers came from him.”
Was that disappointment Thomasin felt? Something stirred in her as she wondered why Giles had not come up to see her, although she knew she would have felt awkward if he had.
“Come, tell me,” Thomasin said, having sated her appetite. “How came Giles to be here?”
“He brought Cecilia home. It seems that she went first to Dr Butts, as she intended, and asked his advice about travelling abroad in her condition. He advised her in the strongest terms against such an action, explaining the danger to herself and her child. This caused her to travel to court in another attempt to find Hatton. Apparently, they quarrelled, which was when Giles found her. Now she is adamant she will deliver the child at Eastwell Hall, which has greatly pleased your parents. She will depart with them.”
Thomasin sighed. “It is the best outcome for her. Any marriage to Hatton, if it takes place, will have to wait.”
“I believe Giles spoke to her in the carriage on the way home. He explained the foolishness of her actions.”
“And she knows nothing yet about Hatton’s reputed betrothal?”
“No, she does not. It’s probably better that way.”
“I do not doubt it. But why did Giles go so soon? He did not come up to see how I was.”
“I think he did not want to intrude at a difficult time.”
“Yes, that would be like him.”
“And now what will you do, Thomasin? Are you stronger? Will you remain here after your parents leave, or return to the queen?”
“I am already feeling much better. I will see them depart, and then join you at Bridewell.”
“The queen makes the move tomorrow, so we shall look forward to your return, although do not rush back before you are fully well.”
“I will not. Is there no other court news?”
“Only that Norfolk’s mistress Bess Holland has quarrelled with Anne, the cardinals are still in deliberation and Wolsey looks like a walking ghost, and Henry is out hunting today, trying to hurry away the days until the court pronounces its verdict.”
“And how are things with you?”
“I am quite content with Harry, and we plan to be wed in the late summer.”
They heard feet upon the staircase and Lady Elizabeth appeared, red-faced and puffing from exertion, but triumphantly holding out a letter. She handed it to Thomasin, who did not recognise the seal.
“A boy delivered it to the house just now,” she explained. “It looks to be of some importance, so I thought you should have it at once.”
Thomasin broke the seal and unfolded the sheet to reveal neat, upright handwriting. She scanned the few lines quickly, down to the signature.
“Oh, how lovely, it is a wedding invitation. John Dudley spoke to me before about his step-uncle, Arthur, Lord Lisle. He is getting married at court in three days’ time and John has invited me to attend, as he said he would.”
“Lord Lisle?” asked her mother. “Is he not uncle to the king himself? A bastard son of Edward the Fourth, I believe?”
“He is of royal blood, yes.”
“An invitation to a royal wedding! Thomasin, you are honoured! What will you wear? Who is the bride?”
“Lady Honor Basset, a widow from the West Country, reputed to be very beautiful.”
“A summer wedding too! Alas, I have my best cream silk in the countryside still, and it would not arrive in time if I sent for it. How about the pale blue gown, the one with the pearl bodice?”
“I always like you in the dusky pink dress for summer,” suggested Ellen. “It suits your colouring better.”
“Or my dark red,” mused Thomasin, “although it is heavy fabric if the weather should prove warm.”
“How very exciting,” said Lady Elizabeth. “You must choose carefully. I am glad that you have been singled out in this way; the Dudleys are good friends to us, with John visiting your father too. I will send them a side of venison.”
“Jane is with child again,” said Thomasin.
“Good news. Then I shall send some of my herbs and ointments to her, as well. Now, I must go back and try to calm Cecilia, who is unsettled and angry about Hatton. By the stars, I wish she had never laid eyes upon that man!”
When her mother had left, Thomasin took a pinch of the warming spices and let them crackle on her tongue. In truth, she was feeling a lot better. Her nausea had gone, leaving a ravenous appetite.
“All this nonsense about green sickness,” she said to Ellen. “Rest and a good, wholesome diet have cured my malaise, not any man.”
Ellen smiled. “You are a doctor now?”
“No, but that’s the truth. I was probably tired, perhaps with a little chill. I do not believe this notion that women’s bodies suffer without connection with a man. We can manage quite well without one.”
“Well, Thomasin, remember that you are speaking to someone who is making plans for her wedding.”
“Yes, but you are marrying Letchmere because you want to, not because you will sicken and die without him.”
Ellen smiled. “Sicken, maybe.”
“Oh, this is just romantic foolishness. I thought the same about Rafe not so long ago, and now look at us.”
“Yes, here you are, ill in bed.”
“But not because of him, although his behaviour has sickened me at times. I could live quite happily without him.”
“So it is quite over between you and Rafe.”
“Quite over, finally. I told him the last time I saw him. I can’t live with his jealousy and bad temper.
I had thought him quite over it, and glimpsed the man he could become, but I was mistaken.
It would always be hanging over our lives like a shadow, every time he drank or perceived a rival. I could not live like that.”
“Then it is fortunate that you did not announce your engagement. Hugh turning up at the house that evening actually saved you from that fate.”
“It did indeed. No, I am quite over Rafe. I rarely ever think of him now, and when I do, it is with regret, and a little sadness for him, because he might have been so much more.”
“Do you think it is the influence of the Boleyns? Living so closely with Sir Thomas, who we know is a schemer?”
“Perhaps, but that is not my problem anymore. I wash my hands of him.” Thomasin picked up a slice of spiced pear and bit into it.
Ellen watched her eat. “So, there is a vacancy in your heart? I wonder who might fill it. Someone beside whom Rafe pales in comparison.”
“Oh, stop that. It is too soon. Let me be.”
Ellen raised her eyebrows. “Unless that person has already found their way into your favours?”
“Nothing like that has happened. I have been about the queen’s business, nothing more. I should get up and dressed soon. When must you return to court?”
Ellen got reluctantly to her feet. “I have been overlong here. The queen wants me to help pack up her items in readiness for the move, and then to attend her this afternoon when she is in church. I fear Mary and Maria will frown at me for my lateness.”
“But it has been so pleasant to have your company. You did me such good by being here, and helping me forget my illness.”
“Then it has not been wasted. I will see you soon, upon your return to Bridewell, and I hope to reintroduce you to Harry as my future husband.” Ellen could barely keep the smile from her face.
“It is good to see you so happy at last, after everything that you have been through.”
Ellen pressed her hand. “If only we could say the same for you, Thomasin.”