At the Mercy of the Queen: A Novel of Anne Boleyn Read Online Free Page B

alone, Maddie. There are many who think the king is wrong and blinded by his lust for Nan Bullen. And many who think her his whore, even though they dare not speak of it,” said Cate.
    “But she is my cousin and I will honor her. She is young and so full of life. How she laughs and teases the king—and he loves her so,” said Madge. “I think it a wonderful story how a simple girl could win the love of a king and he would move the earth to make her his bride. I could only wish for such a thing.”
    “Take care in what you wish, my girl. Now, let’s unpack these trunks. Then we shall stroll in the garden. We have time before supper.”

 
    Four
    “Surely, we shall find the Great Hall if we can but find the door to get back inside,” said Madge.
    Cate and Madge hurried from the garden toward the first doorway they saw and entered quickly. Ladies and gentlemen filled the hallway, all heading in the same direction. Cate and Madge joined the flow until they came to an enormous dining room. The king and queen sat at the farthest end of the room and they were surrounded by such dignitaries as Sir Thomas Boleyn, Lord Norfolk, and Sir Charles Brandon. At the lower tables other dignitaries were seated: Sir William Coffin, a gentleman of the privy chamber; Sir Henry Norris; Sir William Brereton and others of great import.
    “Where are we supposed to sit?” asked Madge.
    “Anywhere we can find a spot. That is, until we are formally greeted by the queen,” said Cate.
    “Here, then,” said Madge as she scooted onto one of the long benches in front of a heavily laden table. Never had Madge seen so much food at one time.
    “Shadow shall eat well at court, too. We must watch her figure as well as our own,” said Madge.
    “Yes, but I expect she’ll have no bellyaches with her meals. She’ll never have to mind her tongue,” said Cate.
    A young man scooted onto the opposite side of the table across from Madge.
    “But you must learn to mind your own tongue, mistress. And your lady must learn to loosen hers,” the young man said. He grabbed a piece of mutton from the trencher and ate vigorously.
    “You!” Cate said. She turned sharply away from him and jerked Madge’s elbow so that she had to do the same.
    “’Tis I, my dear ladies. And I’ve worked up a mighty hunger. And thirst. Ale! Ale!” said the young man, waving to the servant with the large pitcher.
    The servant hurried over to their table and filled every cup to the brim. Then, before Madge could thank him, he scurried to replenish the next goblet. Madge looked at the hundreds of people in the Great Hall, each dressed in satins and silks, jewels and pearls adorning the delicate necks of the ladies, their hair sparkling with gems, their dresses heavy with precious stones sewn into the very cloth. The walls themselves shimmered with gold and silver coverings and, though Madge and those at her table ate from wooden trenchers, she could see the glint of gold on the tables of the king and other dignitaries.
    “I wonder how many eat in this hall tonight,” murmured Madge.
    “Well over a thousand souls, my lady. Most of them grinning and plotting their way to the king,” said the young man across from Maddie.
    “More than I’ve seen gathered in one room,” said Cate.
    “The king usually takes his meals in his privy chamber, but now he wants to show the world his new bride, so you find them up there on the dais. More fun when he’s not here,” said the young man.
    “How so?” said Madge.
    “Well, now that the queen is his wife, she must promote her virtue and make the court a decent and suitable place for children. After all, she’s to have the king’s own child soon enough. Court makes pure the impure and sullies the innocent,” he said.
    “I’ll hear nothing against the queen. You should be forewarned—I am to become one of her ladies,” said Madge.
    “Watch your step, my lady, lest you trip and fall, as yet Queen Anne may do. Bluff King Harry