The Boleyn King Read Online Free PDF Page A

not naive, however open her face and manners. She knew what might be said of a woman to whom a king gave such a costly gift. But no one would say such things about her. Everyone knew she and William were nearly siblings.
    So why did Dominic not approve?
    When she reached her new chamber, she found Dominic’s promised gift lying atop the carved chest at the end of her bed—a small linen square tied with ribbon, and a sealed letter beside it. Not fabric, she thought, disappointed. But not a book, either.
    When she untied the ribbon, the linen unfolded to reveal a pearl and sapphire necklace. It was so lovely—and so completely unexpected—that it took her a few minutes of admiration before she realized that the filigree pendant that hung from the jewels was in the shape of a star. When the realization came, she broke the seal of the letter with sudden eagerness.
    There, in Dominic’s bold handwriting, was the story. The one he had imagined for her sake, on a particularly lonely birthday nine years ago. Her mother had died in childbirth some months previously, but Minuette had felt only a distant sort of grief at the time, for her mother had been living in the country with her new husband for two years, and Minuette had seen her only a few times since then. It wasn’t until her birthday that Minuette had felt the force of the loss.
    That particular day had passed at Greenwich, where the entire court had gathered to celebrate Prince William’s eighth birthday. As the hours passed, Minuette realized for the first time that, with her mother dead, there would no gifts for her this year—nothing more than a hug from Elizabeth. Though her mother’s gifts had always been of a practical nature—a prayer book, new embroidery needles—they had at least been for her alone, a measure of someone’s remembrance that she had come into the world and been loved.
    She curled up in a corner of the rooms she and Elizabeth shared at Greenwich and cried. Elizabeth grew exasperated when she could not calm her. Minuette wished she could halt the tears, if only to stop worrying her friend, but it seemed beyond her control. She thought she might just huddle in this corner forever—arms around her knees, head buried in her skirt—and cry until she turned to dust.
    When Elizabeth had departed for her audience with her parents, Minuette thought she was all alone and her tears increased. She didn’t realize someone was sitting next to her until a hand came to rest on her back.
    She knew Dominic by his voice, just beginning to deepen. “Cry as much as you like. It’s a sad thing to have lost both your parents.”
    The kind understanding had startled her into lifting her head off her knees. His dark green eyes were sympathetic as he said, “Elizabeth cannot understand why you are grieving now. Your mother has been gone some months.”
    “But …” She’d stopped, feeling all at once ashamed of her display. “But today’s my birthday,” she whispered.
    “I remember.”
    She’d looked away. “Because William was born the same day.”
    “Yes, he was. But don’t you find it fascinating that you were born in the same palace at the very same hour as the prince when you had not been expected for another six weeks? Surely that must mean something.”
    Interested in spite of herself, Minuette had said, “Do you think so?”
    “I do. I think it means that we are all connected. You and William are closer than even twins would be, for you drew your first breaths in the same minute. And now you share Elizabeth’s life as I share Will’s. Dozens of noble families would give anything to have their children in such a position. But it is you and I, Minuette, who are here.” Dominic had let out a long breath. “You’ve heard of the falling stars that were seen in the sky in the hour before William’s birth?”
    Minuette had nodded. “It meant that a boy was coming who would be a great king. A sign from heaven of his