The King's Secret Matter Read Online Free PDF Page B

from Court, Mary.’
    â€˜And I want to go.’ She frowned. If the King sent for her, she must go to him. But it would really be Will with whom she wished to make love.
    â€˜What
can
we do about it? We must do something. I cannot wait for ever.’
    â€˜Something will happen, Will, never fear. We will be patient . . . about marriage . . . and something will happen; you see.’
    Will fell upon her in a storm of passion. She was the ideal mistress, never withholding, always ready to give. But he wanted to take her away that he might keep her all to himself and that no others might share the pleasures which she gave so wholeheartedly. He knew about the King, of course. He could never be sure, when she was not with him, whether she was with the King.
    She soothed him as she well knew how and after a while she said: ‘I will speak to my father of your offer.’
    â€˜And if he forbids us to meet?’
    â€˜No one could prevent our meeting, Will.’
    But Will was unconvinced.
    â€˜They are returning from their sport now,’ went on Mary. ‘My father will surely have been with the King. It may well be that his mood is a good one. Will, what if I spoke to him now?’
    â€˜But it is surely I who should speak to him, Mary.’
    She shook her head, imagining her father intimidating her lover. Will was a man who might easily be intimidated, and her father, who had always been formidable, had become more so during the years of success.
    She withdrew herself from him, sighing regretfully. ‘Nay, Will,’ she said, ‘I will find him, and if the moment is a good one, speak to him. I know him better than you and if he shows signs of anger I shall know how to withdraw and pretend that our matter is of no importance.’
    â€˜You will not let him dissuade you?’
    â€˜No one shall persuade me to give you up, Will.’
    He believed her, because he knew that she could be strong where her passions were concerned.

    Thomas Boleyn, taking a moment’s respite in his private apartments of the Palace whither he had retired when the King dismissed the courtiers that he might be alone with the Queen, was confronted by his daughter, who asked to speak with him in private.
    Graciously he granted this permission, for Mary had become an important member of the household since the King had elevated her to the position of mistress.
    Even so Thomas regarded her with faint distaste. Her dress was crumpled and her hair escaping from her headdress. Though, Thomas thought fleetingly, it may be the slut in her which appeals to the King. Yet although he was pleased with her, he was often anxious because he must constantly ask himself how long she would continue to hold the King’s attention.
    It was difficult to reconcile himself to the fact that Mary had sprung to such importance. She had always been the fool of the family. The other two were such a precocious pair. He had high hopes of George and it was his plan to bring him into prominence at Court at the earliest opportunity; he was sure that when that young man was a little older he would prove anamusing companion for the King. As for Anne, she was too young yet to make plans for. At the present time she was at the Court of France whence he heard news of her from time to time, and how her cleverness and charm pleased the King and Queen and members of their Court. But that the little slut Mary should have found favour with the King . . . was incredible.
    â€˜Well, my daughter?’
    â€˜Father, I have been thinking that it is time I married.’
    Thomas was alert. Had the King put this into her head? If so he would be following the normal procedure. The King would feel happier with a mistress who had a husband; it forestalled an undignified shuffling into marriage if the need to do so should arise. No doubt Henry had found some worthy husband for his favourite; and Thomas, even if he wanted to, would not be such a fool as to refuse