Free The King's Secret Matter by Jean Plaidy

finished with her, and Mary – silly little Mary – had not had the wits to ask for a grand title and wealth as a reward for services rendered.
    But Mary, as she passed among the guests, looked so dazzlingly happy that it appeared she had gained all she sought; and the same could have been said for Will Carey.
    The Queen received the young couple’s homage with something like affection – which seemed strange, considering how proud the Queen was and that the girl had lately been her rival.
    The general opinion was that the King’s affair with Mary Boleyn was over. The fact that Thomas Boleyn did not attend the ceremony confirmed this.
    â€˜I hear he has renounced her,’ said one of the ladies to the nearest gentleman.
    â€˜Small wonder!’ was the reply. ‘Thomas was climbing high, doing his duty as complaisant father. He’s furious with the girl and would have prevented the marriage if Mary had not won the Queen’s consent.’
    â€˜And the Queen readily gave it – naturally.’
    â€˜Well, it is a strange affair, I grant you. This is very different from the Blount affair.’
    â€˜What of that child?’
    â€˜Doubtless we shall hear news of him some day, unless of course the Queen surprises us all and produces that elusive male heir.’
    â€˜Stranger things have been known to happen.’
    Many furtive glances were sent in the Queen’s direction and the whispered gossip went on, but Katharine gave no sign that she was aware of this.
    She felt sure that there would be other mistresses. That had become inevitable since she no longer appealed to the King asa woman; and because she could not safely suffer more pregnancies he was not interested in her.
    She had her daughter Mary, and Mary would one day be Queen because it was impossible for the King to have a legitimate son. It was sad, but it was something they must accept.
    This at least, she told herself, is the end of the Boleyn affair.

    The King and Queen sat at the banquet table; about them were assembled all the great personalities of their Court, for this was a ceremonial occasion. On the King’s right hand sat the Cardinal, and every now and then they would put their heads together to whisper something which was for their ears alone. The complacent expression on the Cardinal’s face was apparent; there was little he liked more than these grand occasions when the King selected him from all others and showed his preference.
    This was particularly delightful when the noblemen of the Court could look on and see the King’s reliance on him; and on this occasion the Duke of Buckingham was present, and he made no secret of his distaste for the King’s preference.
    The musicians played as the sucking pig was brought in and ceased as it was placed on the table by the steward; homage to the dish was expressed by a respectful silence.
    The King looked on the table with drowsy eyes; he had already partaken of many dishes and his face was flushed with wine. His bright blue eyes were slightly glazed as they rested on the group of young girls who sat together at some distance from him.
    It seemed that he was no longer enamoured of Mary Boleyn and that others might hope to take her place.
    The Cardinal was aware of the King’s glances and rejoiced.He liked the King to have his pleasures. He had no desire for him to discover that statecraft could be more absorbing than the pursuit of women; when he did, that could mean a slowing down in Wolsey’s rapid journey to the heights of power.
    Wolsey wished his King to remain the healthy, active boy – the young man who could tire out five horses a day at the hunt, who could be an easy victor at the joust, who could beat all his opponents at a game of tennis; and whose thoughts ran on the pursuit of women.
    Thomas More had said once: ‘If the lion knew his strength, it would be hard for any man to rule him.’
    No one knew the truth of