Of course, he was probably encouraging Maud’s display of tasteless possessiveness in front of them all, Mary fumed. His huge chest and shoulders were finely encased in perfectly fitting, almost iridescent peacock blue which melded to green when he flexed those big muscles as he did now. His white lace and linen shirt showed slightly above his V-cut doublet to emphasize the bronze coloring of his face and throat. As Mary darted a glance at Staff to drink in his face, lithe body, and brawny legs displayed in the same bright blue, to her dismay, she saw that they were approaching. How dare he drag his latest little minx over here by me, she thought, but she nodded politely enough to them both. Maud gave a little sigh when Staff halted by Mary, but the girl did not see Staff’s gaze so swiftly, but completely, go over Mary Carey.
“It is somewhat cloudy for the outing, but His Grace is so happy, he will not even notice,” Staff observed. Maud’s other hand rested possessively on his arm. She almost clung to him. It amazed Mary how angry and hateful she felt toward Staff for his smiles and his obvious attention to the young maid who was newly arrived at court. She herself had no one to cling to—no one but a sixteen-month-old daughter, and how long would they let her keep her?
“Are you well today, Lady Mary?” Staff inquired, searching her face.
“Yes, quite,” she returned icily. She refused to look into those eyes which always pretended concern. “Which barge are we to ride on, Will?” she asked her husband, turning her back on Staff.
Staff answered the question. “Will, His Grace has asked Francis and me to ride the royal barge since he sent us to Hampton to be certain the Cardinal had vacated his household for this visit, so would you do me the great favor of escorting Maud on the second boat? I promise I will take her off your hands when we arrive.” Maud laughed musically and squeezed the arm she held. “The king, of course, will want Mary on his barge and, since I can see him coming now, we had best get on. My thanks, Will.”
“I am used to partnering court ladies, Staff, but none so sweet and new to our court as this,” Will replied graciously.
Mary turned away and strode toward the gilded barge decked in green and white banners and awnings. Staff had her arm before the boatman could help her in.
“What ails you, Mary?”
“Do not touch me, please. I wish to sit with the Duchess of Suffolk.”
“You will sit with His Grace, unfortunately for me—that is, unless your little wren of a sister tempts him to take her away from the string of admirers she always flaunts.”
“At least Anne is happy now. When the king and the Cardinal took Harry Percy away from her, I doubted she ever would be again.”
“I am not so certain she is truly happy now. She seethes inside, Mary. But she is adept at putting on a happy face while you never seem able to manage it lately. Did your father berate you that your son was not given a title yesterday with Fitzroy?”
She turned to look fully into his face for the first time today. His eyes were in shadow, but he looked perfectly serious. “Are you a spy, William Stafford? Why does it seem you always know the business of the Bullens?”
“When will you learn that it takes no spying, sweet Mary? It is all so easy to read.”
“Not to me. But then, who would expect such a foolish woman to understand the goings-on of the great world outside her empty little head?”
“I have told you not to let your father get to you like this.”
“Take your hand off me. The king is here. Go back to your fair-haired, cow-eyed Maud!”
“I hope we can talk later, Mary, without Will or the king.” He half-turned away from her and bowed low with the rest of the courtiers on the royal barge as the king, Duke and Duchess of Suffolk mounted the barge. But he said out of the side of his mouth before he left her. “I do not love Maud Jennings, Mary.”
Carefully, Mary composed her face and, when she caught sight of the Duchess’s warm smile, her own joy was genuine. “Mary, it has been two days since I last saw you. Is little Catherine’s fever abated?”
“Yes, Your Grace. It passed in but a few hours. I prayed that your Margaret would not catch it.”
“I keep her out of the night air, and she is healthy as a pup. My dear Charles dotes on her, though I know he wanted a son. Now, if we can just get through the summer without anyone catching the foul sweating sickness, I shall be able to face anything.”
“What do I hear?” the king boomed so close in Mary’s ear that she jumped. “We are about to go on a fine outing to see my new palace at Hampton, and I hear mention of the damned sweating sickness. Pray God, it does not strike the court this year. Besides, ladies, we shall all sit it out safe hunting at Eltham. Charles, sit with your lady there behind me and do keep her off such vile topics, or I shall personally toss her into the Thames.” Everyone laughed and Mary went through the motions. “Mary, here with me. I cannot wait to show you how magnificent my Hampton is. We shall move the court there soon, though I may let Wolsey use it from time to time when we are elsewhere.”
Mary sat obediently at his left and carefully arranged her stylish dress fold by satin fold.
“You look lovely, lovely as always, Mary. I have just the pair of topaz earrings which would set off your eyes in a color such as that. The color of golden sunlight, eh?” His narrow eyes caressed her openly.
“Thank you, Sire. You look spectacular today.”