Frances called, as her son reached over the side of the boat to dip his fingers into the icy waters of the Thames. He sat back on the wooden plank that served as a seat and gazed in wonder at the huge expanse of water that stretched out on all sides. Though she had taken him sailing on the Great Ouse many times, he had never seen a river such as this, crowded with barges carrying courtiers, officials and goods back and forth between the palaces, small wherries bobbing in their wake.
They were nearing London Bridge now, with numerous buildings balanced precariously on top. George stared up, open-mouthed, as they passed under one of the archways that was surmounted by what looked like a fortress, seven storeys high and with a turret at each corner that rose to a sharp point. Frances smiled to see her son crouch, as if expecting the building to crash down upon them. Indeed, it seemed a wonder that the bridge had not yet collapsed under all the weight it carried.
She shielded her eyes against the sun as they rounded another bend in the river. The day had dawned bright and clear, the first such since their arrival at court. Seeing the city through her son’s eyes made her almost glad to be there, for all her anxiety about the task that lay ahead.
‘Look, Mama!’ George cried.
Frances turned in the direction that he was pointing. Her breath caught in her throat.
The Tower.
It was the first time she had set eyes upon it since the night she had visited Tom. She shivered at the memory of his cold, damp cell, the smell of decay clinging to its walls. She had thought to stop his breath with her tincture, to spare him the horrors of a traitor’s death. But he had refused, knowing that it would be discovered and she would be condemned as a witch.
‘Mama?’
‘That is the Tower, George. It was built by the first King William more than five hundred years ago.’
‘Where are the windows? It must be very dark in there.’
Frances nodded. ‘It was built for defence more than comfort. King William knew that his people wanted him to go back to Normandy and never return. See that great house there, on the other bank?’ she said, drawing her son’s gaze away. ‘That was built from the stones of Bermondsey Abbey, which was pulled down in King Henry’s time.’
To her relief, George was easily distracted and soon they were beyond sight of the Tower. It would not be long before they reached Greenwich. The queen’s letter had arrived the previous day. It had said little, beyond inviting Frances to attend her. She wondered if Anne herself had thought to write, or if she had been persuaded to it by one of Lady Vaux’s associates. Frances had heard nothing from the latter since arriving at court, though she had expected it daily.
The red-brick turrets of the gatehouse came into view as the river twisted eastwards again. Frances was obliged to hold onto the back of her son’s coat as he leaped from his seat. The oarsman grumbled as he tried to steady the boat, which swayed wildly from side to side. When he was able to row again, he did so with renewed vigour, eager no doubt to return to Whitehall, where there was a good deal more business to be had.
At length, they drew level with the landing stage and Frances stepped out, then turned to help her son from the boat. She pressed some coins into the oarsman’s hand and watched as he manoeuvred the boat back towards the city. George tugged on her hand.
‘Can we meet the queen now?’
Frances smiled and nodded, and they walked towards the two yeomen who were guarding the entrance to the first courtyard. A groom soon arrived to escort them through the deserted public rooms to Anne’s apartments.
‘Why doesn’t the queen live with the king, Mama?’ George asked, as they walked.
Frances saw the groom flinch at her son’s words, and lowered her voice to answer. ‘Her Majesty prefers the peace of Greenwich to the noise of Whitehall. Besides, the royal family is not like others. Even the children are sent to live in a palace of their own, away from their parents.’
George was clearly shocked. ‘Shall I be sent away?’ he asked, eyes wide.
Frances grinned. ‘Of course not. I would not allow it – and neither would your papa. But we must soon find a tutor for you here, or you will quite forget your letters.’
George scowled. Though he had only lately begun his studies, Frances judged that he was not a natural scholar. He preferred to be outdoors, running about the gardens or lunging at imaginary foes with the wooden sword her husband had given him for his last birthday.
The corridors grew gradually darker as they neared the queen’s privy lodgings. Frances breathed in the scent of lavender, which was strewn over the rush matting. The walls on either side were lined with thick tapestries, keeping out the draughts that whipped around the larger public rooms.
When they reached the door to the antechamber, a page bade them wait while he announced their arrival. Frances smoothed her skirts and brushed the dust from George’s sleeve. She had been surprised that the invitation had extended to her son, but was glad of it. She had no desire to leave him at Whitehall, now that Thomas was away at Oatlands.
The page reappeared and motioned for them to enter. George tugged back on his mother’s hand, but she gave him a reassuring smile and led him gently forward. The queen raised her head from her needlework. She was sitting at the window, silhouetted by the bright sunlight. ‘You are most welcome, Lady Frances,’ she said, in her clipped tones. ‘I have but few visitors here at Greenwich. Come – let me see you.’
Frances took a few steps forward. As she drew level with the queen, Anne’s features were no longer obscured by the sun. Frances drew in a breath when she saw the change that had been wrought in her. Her high cheekbones seemed to have melted into the folds of her face, and her skin was now sallow rather than pale. Looking down, Frances noticed that the queen’s stays had been loosened, though not for the usual reason. She had heard it whispered that there would be no more children, though she was only midway through her thirties.
‘I am not as you remember me,’ Anne said softly.
Frances flushed. ‘Forgive me, Your Majesty. I am a little overcome. It has been so long since I was last in your presence.’
The queen gave a wry smile. ‘You were ever of a gentle nature. But there is no need to hide your dismay. I hear it often enough from the king’s lips. Little wonder he chooses to leave me for the hunt so often. I am sorry that, in so doing, he deprives you of your husband for many weeks together.’
‘Sir Thomas is happy to do his duty, Your Grace,’ Frances replied.
There was a brief silence, during which Anne eyed her. ‘I trust he does his duty by you too?’
Frances forced herself not to look away. ‘I am blessed to have such an attentive husband, Your Grace.’
There was a scuffing noise as George shifted impatiently behind his mother’s skirts. Anne smiled. ‘How rude of me! I should have introduced myself to your young master. Please, come forward.’
George bit his lip and stared down at his feet as if they demanded all of his attention. Gently, Frances coaxed him forward and laid her hands on his shoulders. He gave a stiff little bow, as she had taught him. Anne’s smile never faltered as she gave him a long, appraising stare. ‘How like your father you are,’ she said, casting a glance at Frances.
‘Papa?’ George beamed with pleasure. ‘Thank you, Your Majesty,’ he added quickly, when Frances squeezed his shoulder.
‘He must be very proud of you,’ Anne replied. ‘It is plain to see that your mother is. But we mothers are always proud of our sons. My own are a little older than you. I hope you will meet them soon – Henry, in particular. He will make a fine king one day.’
George looked thoughtful. ‘Does he ride as well as me?’
The queen let out a bark of laughter. ‘Of that I am not sure, though he is an excellent horseman. Perhaps you should challenge him to a race. The parkland around here extends for miles.