The ground was covered with puddles, which splash up the hem of my dress as I walked through the streets of Putney. I had never been to this part of London before, though to be honest it seemed very much like the rest of the city to me; full of people, from all areas of life trying to make their way in this world.
Thomas had come part of the way with me, though I had asked him to let me make the final stage of journey myself. I felt guilty about leaving him, even though he said he had some business to see to, but it was just that part of me felt that my visit to Morwenna Owain was something I had to do alone.
After the shock of seeing the state of Sister Margaret's rooms, it was strange to see that Morwenna Owain current living quarters were in a rather nice part of town, where the houses were big, with their own stables and garden. Despite my outburst at court, I was nervous about this meeting. I knew that it was possible that today could just lead to more heartache, so I spent a long time walking up and down past the house, my boots kicking at last night's rainwater. The house was very pleasant to look at, with late autumn flowers, planted at the front and growing up the walls but the despite the pretty colours of the building, my nerves didn't disappear.
In the end, it took one of Morwenna Owain's maids, who had been sent out to find the reason why a strange woman appeared to be casing the house, to give me the kick I needed to enter the house. As best I could, I explained that I was here to see her mistress, saying I was a former nun from St Agnes and was eventually invited in.
'It's a lovely house you have here, Mistress Owain,' I said, as she motioned me to sit down with her in the parlour. The inside of the house was very much like the outside, very pleasant with everything in its nice neat place and above the fire place stood a crucifix, very much like the one Sister Margaret had in her rooms, 'thank you for seeing me,'
'You're welcome my dear,' smiled Morwenna Owain, in a light Welsh accent, her blue eyes sparkling at me. Her face was one of great beauty, despite the presents of lines, 'I have always had a softy spot for St Agnes. Tell me how are you coping with these unfortunate changes?'
'Very well,' I nodded, 'but some of my friends have not been so lucky,'
'Yes,' she replied, 'I am one of the lucky ones. I come from wealth but like you, my fellow sisters have found themselves in poverty,'
I felt my heart heavy, as I remembered Sister Margaret and her rat infested rooms, and Cecily, who could barely make ends meet but refused my offer of help, due to the nature of its source.
'Mistress Owain,' I said clearing my throat, 'I come to ask for your help. When St Arilda's was dissolved, what happened to children that you looked after there?'
She looked at me, in a way that made my heart start to thud, as her eyes looked me up and down, examining every inch off my body and soul.
'You're a mother,' she remarked, in a voice that suddenly seemed to show no emotion and made me feel tense but I had come this far, I had to carry on.
'I have two Mistress Owain. A babe of two named Kate, who is waiting at home for me and her father and a child of five...Magdalene,'
Morwenna Owain, suddenly got out of her chair and walked over to me. She walked with the air of someone who was use to being in authority, her heels clicking hard on the floor. Leaning over me, I felt confused, as she took hold of my chin and looked straight into my eyes. Although it felt as though she was trying to intimated me, I suddenly felt all the courage that my confrontation with Thomas' enemies had given me and I was determined not to lose; I looked her straight in the eyes.
'Magdalene West,' she said, still with no emotion, 'a very pretty girl. So lively and good natured. She had the most amazing green eyes...just like her mother's,'
'She looks like me!' My mind started to scream, 'Magdalene looks like me but more importantly she's happy!'
'Where is she?' I almost cried with a smile on my lips, not able to contain my happiness that my daughter was within reach.
'You did not want her when you gave birth to her,' she replied, letting go of my face and returning to her chair, 'why do you want her now?'
'Because I can look after now,' I said jumping to my feet, 'I have a home. I have a family, who love me. When Magdalene appeared in my belly, I wretched and lost but now I'm free!'
****
I ran through the streets, the slippery pavements not hindering my steps they were so strong. I didn't even let people get in my way, as I just push through them, my mind was completely ignorant of them. Thomas was stood in the spot by the river were we agreed to me, standing like a statue, staring into space with such concentration that he didn't notice me-not until I threw myself into his arms!
'I've found her!' I cried at the top of my voice, 'I've found her. I've found her! And you are right, she looks just like me!'
'I'm always right!' he laughed in shock, 'where is she?'
He placed his arms round my waist and pulled me to him. There was no point, tip toeing around anymore. Lady Seymour had made sure everyone a court, be they a Lord or the lad in the kitchen knew that Lord Cromwell kept a mistress and a daughter in Chelsea. We for this brief moment was the talk of every tavern dweller and every pamphleteer, across England. Not that it bothered me. I knew I could walk among the gossips of any level of society with my head held high.
'Exeter,' I gasped, still trying to catch my breath, 'when they closed St Arilda's, the children were sign over to various hospitals around the West Country and Magdalene ended up in Exeter,'
'Then as soon as we can,' he said, hugging me even tighter, 'we'll bring her home,'
I closed my eyes, feeling the strength from Thomas' arms around me and thought I how close to complete happiness I was. Magdalene could be with us by Christmas and by the end of the day, the lie I told Sister Margaret would soon be the truth. Suddenly, there was an almighty crash, which caused my eyes to fly open and for us to part with a jump. A man had run out in front of a cart carry crates of chickens, causing the cart to overturn and the chickens to escape all over the road. I smiled, as I noticed that the man, who was now being abused by the owner of the cart, was Edward.
'I think we are being followed,' I whispered, noticing that Edward now wore the emblem of the Duke of Suffolk.
'Let them follow us,' replied Thomas, taking my arm, 'come, I want to show you something,'
We left Edward to deal with angry cart owner and the wild chickens now roaming Putney's streets and turn off into a back road. The further we walked down this street, the further we got from the respectable looking houses of Morwenna Owain to dirty, ruin down houses that reminded me of my youth.
It was dark, as the houses hanged over the street creating a sense of foreboding. Many of them had windows that were boarded up or shutters hanging off its hinges, but it wasn't the buildings that got my memory going; it was the smell. The smell of piss, of drink, but most of all, the smell of complete despair that came from the people who walked round the old streets bare foot, whilst wearing little more than rags-all in search of some food to fill their bellies. I remember those days well.
As we got to the end of the street and closer to the river, the houses widen out a bit more, to reveal what appeared to be a tavern. It was bigger than the other buildings, with a small stable attach, though it was just as ruin down as the other houses we had just passed, with its sight hang only off one hinge. Despite the backstreets we had walked down to get here, it turned out that it was actually on the main road to the bridge but too far away to make enough profit.
'That building there,' Thomas said, pointing at the tavern, his eyes completely transfixed on it, 'I was born there,'
I looked closer at what was Thomas' former home and instantly my mind returned to my childhood. My parents house was falling apart, with dirt everywhere, that no matter how hard my mother tried never seemed to disappear. I was always cold, I was never warm and my belly was never full. This house seemed almost a mirror image of that place.
'When I was three,' continued Thomas, pointing at one of the upstairs windows, 'I stood at that window and watched them take all our belongings away because my father had gambled away all our money. I later watch them arrest him, as he had beaten one of the bailiffs so badly, the man never fully recovered,'
We both leaned against the wall, separating Putney from the Thames. For October the weather was extremely chilly and the wind coming off the river, made me shiver as we stood there.
'We had no food that winter and my mother was to proud to beg, leaving me and sisters to steal what we could from our neighbours,' he continued sadly, 'he was a bastard my father. A few years later, from the same window, I watch him beat my mother, so I went to help her, only for him to turn his fists on me!'
He let go of my arm as he spoke and made one of his hands into a fist and punched it into his other hand.
'Why don't you have it pulled down,' I suggested, placing a hand on top of his, 'surely you have the power?'
Thomas looked down at are hands and smiled but shook his head slowly.
'No,' he said softly, 'no, because every time I see this place it reminds how far I've come. That I can't go back there, no matter the cost. I can't let you end up back at place like this or Kate...Besides I won my first fight here, though my punches were not as good as the one you laid on Anthony. His nose is still crocked! '
'I know,' I laughed, 'but Thomas, you are not your father, whatever happens it will be ok,'
We both stood there for a brief moment in silence, just looking a ruins of the tavern. I wondered what my mother would say if she could see me now. She'd be happy that my belly was fully, that my clothes were no longer rages. Mother would love Kate and Magdalene, though I'm not sure what she'd make of Thomas.
The sound of the church striking eleven brought us to.
'Come on,' I said, 'we have somewhere to be at midday.'
We walked back to the steps and found a barge without any trouble, with Edward still watching us from a distance.
'Well, Bathsheba' he said with a sly smile, as he helped me into the boat, 'do you still want to marry the innkeeper's son?'
****
Later that day, with Alys and Gregory as witnesses and Kate standing between us, holding our hands, me and Thomas were married. It was a quiet wedding, taking place in the small church which we had ended up in the night I told Thomas, (among other things), that Kate was growing in my belly but it didn't matter. I was too happy to care about whether I had jewels and diamonds with an expensive dress, (I wore my pale green one and my only jewllery was my gold cross), as all I want was Thomas. I would have been content to live in that run down tavern, as long as I had Thomas at my side.
That afternoon, me, Kate and Alys moved into Thomas' house, the house where it all began three years ago. Mrs Scharp's face, when she realised her former employee was Thomas' new wife, was a picture, but in truth I couldn't have don't without her-I had never run a household before. Yet, despite my worries about running house with servant, I had no nerves about an appointment me, Thomas and Kate had two weeks after the wedding.
****
'Well,' I said, standing in the doorway of Thomas' office, 'will I do?'
Thomas looked up from his desk, opened mouthed, dropping the quill from his hand and almost knocking the ink flying with the other, as he saw me. I was dressed in a gown of sliver silk, with a French hood fastened to my head, all of which was decorated with small white pearls and crystals. Despite the fabric feeling so cool and soft against my skin, I felt very uncomfortable being decked out in such finery and the hood made hair feel trapped.
'You look beautiful,' he replied, almost breathless, getting up from his chair, his eyes not leaving my body.
'Oh,' I said, playfully, putting my hands on my hips with a smile, 'because I always look such a mess in my rages!'
Thomas came over to me and placed his hand on my cheek, with a smile.
'You know what I mean,' he smiled. As he spoke, he let his hand leave my face and run down the side of my body, pulling me to him as he reached my hip, his fingers playing with the ribbons of my dress, 'you know, Mrs Scharp has just changed the sheets...'
'No,' I replied mischievously, taping his hand away ' it's taken me more than hour to get this bloody hood in place and I'm not letting you ruin it,'
I leant in to kiss him but just as our lips were about to meet, a little cough interrupted us, as I felt someone tug at the bottom of my skirts.
'Sorry,' I said still smiling, 'Lord Cromwell, may I present the really star of today'
With a swish of my skirts, I moved away to reveal Kate, dressed in a fine little blue dress that cost almost as much money as mine (and had me constantly worried that she would rip or spill something down it). Yet, despite my worries, I couldn't help but smile at our little girl, especially as she did her little curtsy that she had been practicing for almost a week; me and Thomas exchanged smiles, as we watched her.
'Bathsheba,' said Thomas, trying to sounded startled, 'who is this little princess?'
'It's me dada!' cried Kate, jumping into her father's arms, almost knocking the flower Alys had fastened into her hair, to floor.
'Well,' I asked, placing Kate's flower back into place, 'will we do for the King?'
****
With Kate between us, holding on to our hands, we made our way through Hampton Court. I heard many whispers as we walk along the corridors but I paid no attention to the words spoken between them. Nor did Kate, who had a big smile on her face, as for only the second time, she got to see where her father worked.
'You don't have to do this,' whispered Thomas, just before we saw the King.
'And rob Kate of her big moment?' I smiled back.
Those that had been whispering in the corridors, were now in the room surrounding the King. Among the rabble, I spotted Bryan, both Seymours and Lady Seymour, as well Suffolk and his wife, who looked like she'd been crying. I smiled at the whole group of them, particularly Lady Seymour, who I noticed was still flirting with Anthony.
'Your majesty,' said Thomas, 'may I introduce my wife, Bathsheba and our daughter, Katherine,'
Both me and Kate curtsied at the sound of our names. Kate, who despite only just turning two, was much more gracefully than me.
'Lady Cromwell, please stand' called the King, in a thick velvet voice. I did as I was told and stood up straight, catching for the first time, a proper sight of King Henry. I had been told in his youth, he had been very handsome and despite the signs of age, he was still very good looking, but what my eyes noticed the most was the cane he used to help him get out of his chair and walk with, his face trying to hide great pain, 'I have heard much about Thomas' new bride,'
'All good, I hope, your majesty,' I said, catching the sniggering Lady Seymour out the corner of my eye. The King smiled as he approached me, though I could tell he was masking the pain his leg was causing him.
'I hear you are both well matched,' he replied, circling me, his eyes looking me over as he did, ' but the court gossips failed to mention your beauty,'
'Thank you, your majesty,'
'You are welcome, Lady Cromwell,'
He nodded his head, as he left me and limped over to Kate, who was still in her perfect little curtsy. I could see the determination on her face not to fall.
'Little Katherine, tell me, are you enjoying court?'
'It's Kate, sir,' chirped Kate, causing a roar of laughter from the King and around the room. Kate got out of her curtsy and looked around the room with a big grin on her face, happy that she made an impression.
'Out spoken, already,' said the King with a smile, 'tell me, Lady Cromwell. You and Thomas only married last week and yet your child must be at least two?'
'You know my husband, your majesty,' I replied, sly winking at Thomas, 'he's never one to follow the rules,'
****
'Kate! Kate!' I called, hurrying around the gardens of Hampton Court. We'd been playing hide and seek whilst we were waiting for a barge to take us home but now the barge was here and Kate was nowhere in sight.
'Kate! Where are you?!'
'Here, mummy!' I heard a little voice call from behind one of the trees and as I turned round, I caught a glimpse of blue silk.
'Kate!' I cried, giving chase, 'mummy is starting to get angry,'
But she didn't hear or chose not to listen to my words and continued to run away from me, hiding behind a rose brush. I went around the thing aiming to grab her, but before I got her in sight, I hear the soft voice of a woman.
'You're a beautiful little one,' I heard this voice say so quietly, but I did not see who it belonged to until I had reached the other side of the roses and saw Kate standing there, smiling at woman, who was sitting down on a blanket, concealed by the roses. As I came closer, I saw that it was Suffolk's wife.
'And who do you belong to?' she asked, her voice still almost a whisper, as if recovering from tears. I had nothing against the poor women but I didn't wish to meet her arrogant husband again, so I quickly stepped forward and swung Kate up into my arms.
'Oh! Lady Cromwell,' she cried, jumping to her feet as she saw me.
'Lady Suffolk,' I replied bluntly with a nod of the head. She seemed like such a fragile creature but I wanted to be away from her as quickly as possible. With Kate in my arms, I turned to go.
'Your daughter is very sweet, Lady Cromwell,' she called after us, 'can I ask if...'
'What?' I said, stopping and turning to face her, 'if she is Thomas' child? Well, you can tell your husband that I'm not so much a whore as he supposes me to be. My child is a hundred percent my husband's!'
'No,' she said quietly, holding out her out a handkerchief that was wrapped around some, 'I was wondering if she would like a sweetmeat?'
****
'You do not like my husband, do you?' she asked, as we walked along by the river, with Kate running along just in front of us.
'No,' I replied, not hiding my disgust, 'but I suppose you don't like mine?'
She laugh a little but then stopped and stared at Kate, who was dancing around a tree, singing as she moved her little legs out of time with the words.
'Tell me, Lady Cromwell? How do you reconcile yourself with the things your husband does?'
I looked at her, puzzled by her question. Had her husband put her up to this? Or was she simple asking for my advice? I called Kate over to me and picked her up.
'I think the answer you really want Lady Suffolk is, is how do you live with what your husband has done?' I said, calmly, 'I know Thomas' is not perfect, I learnt that long ago. He has done things that have caused my heart to ache and when I ask him why, he tells me because his King commands it.'
She looked down at her hands and started to twist her wedding ring around her skinny finger, several times before looking at me from under her eyelashes.
'Despite all our differences, I think we are very a like,'
'No,' I replied, shaking my head from side to side, 'your husband follows the King because it benefits him and him alone. I'm not saying that Thomas is a saint, I would be a fool to say that his action hasn't given him profit or caused others heartache but I know what that behind it all and I know the intentions are honest and good. I can you say that about your husband, Lady Suffolk?'
With her arms wrapped tightly around her waist and turned away from me. I felt a pang of guilt in my heart, but I stood by words.
'I'm sorry, Lady Cromwell,' she whispered.
'I don't mean to be cruel to you, Lady Suffolk,' I sighed, 'though your husband is another story...sorry but we have to go...say thank you for the sweetmeats, Kate,'
'Thank you, miss,' chirped Kate, in a way that made Lady Suffolk turn back to look at us with a smile.
****
I couldn't wait to be out of that dress and as soon as I put Kate to bed, I changed into my night grown, sighting as I freed my hair from the painful hood. Kate had been asleep before her head had even touched the pillow, so exhausted was she by today's adventure, leaving me to spend the rest of the evening in peace, stretched out on our bed, reading the story of Ruth, as I waited for Thomas' return.
I didn't dwell on Lady Suffolk. I had answered her question with the truth of my heart. She could report what I had said to her husband or she could take my words for her own private use-there was nothing there could me or Thomas.
'For wherever you go, I will go...'
'It seems I was wrong,' I heard Thomas say, as he came into the room, shutting the door behind him.
'Are you?' I laughed, closing the Bible and sitting up on the bed, 'I thought you were never wrong, Lord Cromwell?'
He smiled, as he took off his cape and placed it on the back of the chair by the fire place.
'You look more beautiful now, than what you did in that dress this morning,'
I crawled across the bed and kneeled on the edge, putting my arms around Thomas' neck and kissing him.
'How did it go with the King?' I asked, as I pulled my lips away.
'Very good,' he replied, as I felt his hands move from the top of my body to my hips, 'King has told me he is considering marriage to either of the Cleves sisters, but...'
'But?'
'But, apparently someone else as caught the King's eye,' continued Thomas, taking one hand away from my body and running it through my hair, then letting it fall back around my shoulders, 'apparently, if my beautiful wife was of the right background, he wouldn't hesitate to wed and bed her, or words to that affect!'
'So you asked the King to name his price, I suppose,' I said with a grin, as I removed Thomas' chain of state, tossing it on to the little table beside our bed before starting to undo his shirt.
'Naturally,' he replied, as we laid down on the bed, our lips lingering close together, 'but what I actually said was I would rather go to the gallows, then surrender my beautiful, loving and clever wife,'
