“Yes, my lady,” Lucy chirped. “I’ll see to the bath right away.”
Philippa scampered back into her bedchamber and began riffling through her little trunk. “Jewelry, mama! I have no jewelry! How can I meet the king and the queen without jewelry?”
“But you do have jewelry, my poppet,” her mother replied. “When you were born the king’s grandmother sent you a broach of emeralds and pearls. I brought it with me for you to wear. And you will have a rope of pearls from my own jewels. It shall be yours to keep, Philippa. You will always remember that I gave it to you on the day you met King Henry and Queen Katherine.”
“Oh, thank you, mama!” Philippa cried.
The bath was drawn, and the young girl bathed, washing her hair again and drying it in the open air as she sat in the window seat of her mother’s chamber, brushing her long auburn tresses. Rosamund used the bathwater after her daughter, and while she bathed her cousin came to speak with her.
“Philippa will need adornment,” he said.
“She has the broach the Venerable Margaret sent at her birth, and I am giving her a rope of my pearls, but she could use some pretty rings, Tom. Do you have something that would suit her?”
He nodded. “I’ll give them to her before we leave. What are you both wearing? I would match my clothes to yours, dear girl. We should not clash on such a momentous occasion.”
“Philippa will wear her lavender silk gown and I my violet brocade,” Rosamund said. “Do you still possess that burgundy short coat with the pleated back, Tom? It would be quite marvelous, you know.”
“My dear girl, I have indeed taught you good taste over the years, haven’t I? It is the perfect suggestion. I shall go and have my man prepare it now.” Blowing a kiss at her with his fingers, he left her to complete her ablutions.
When she finished bathing Rosamund dried herself, for Lucy was busy helping Philippa. Then she managed to don her own undergarments, but Lucy was necessary for getting into her gown, a beautiful creation of violet silk brocade with a silver-embroidered and quilted underskirt of a lilac-colored velvet. The low square neckline of the dress was also embroidered in silver thread. False undersleeves with slashings and frilled linen cuffs showed from beneath her wide violet brocade cuffs. Rosamund wore a violet silk French hood edged in pearls with a pale lilac- colored silk veil flowing behind, allowing the fine color of her hair to show. Her square-toed shoes were covered in purple silk.
Little Philippa was now brought forth in her lavender silk gown with its plain quilted underskirt of satin. The long, tight sleeves of the gown had small cuffs embroidered with tiny pearls. The square neckline of her bodice was also embroidered in pearls. About her waist was a twisted gold rope with a long tassel, and her shoes matched her gown. Her hair was left long, bound only by a lavender ribbon.
Rosamund put a rope of pearls over her daughter’s head, letting it fall on the girl’s flat bodice, where she pinned the emerald and pearl broach in the center. “There,” she said. “You are quite elegant, my child.” Then she reached into her jewelry box and drew out the gold chain with its gold-and-pearl crucifix and a second rope of pearls and put them on. On her fingers she affixed several rings. Satisfied they were both ready, she said, “Lucy, put on a clean cap. Today you will come to court with us.”
The young tiring woman’s mouth fell open in surprise. “I must change my gown,” she gasped. “Is there time?”
Rosamund nodded, and Lucy ran off. “A lady should generally travel with her maidservant,” she explained to her daughter. “I have left Lucy behind these last few days to watch over you, as we have traveled simply from Friarsgate, without a large retinue. Today, however, she comes with us.”
Lucy quickly returned wearing a gown Rosamund had not known her servant possessed. “Annie gave it to me, my lady. She thought I might need something better than my everyday.” The dress was a silk one Rosamund had given Annie once. It was dark blue with a plain bodice and single skirt. The neckline was square, as was the fashion. It was edged in pleated linen. Lucy also wore a lace-edged lawn apron and a matching cap. She looked every inch an upper servant.
The three women descended into the hallway below, where Lord Cambridge was now impatiently awaiting them. He nodded with approval, then said, “Cousin, you must take my barge with Philippa and Lucy. It is larger and will accommodate you better. I will follow in your little vessel. Come. We will be late if we do not hurry.”
Philippa was almost sick with her excitement as they entered the spacious barge and began their journey down-river to Westminster Palace. The river traffic had been interesting from the gardens of her uncle Tom’s house, but out upon the water it was even more exciting and fascinating. She didn’t know where to look next, and she was joined in her enthusiasm by Lucy.
Rosamund pointed out interesting sights as they traveled, but the tide was with them this morning, and they were quickly at the Westminster quay. A manservant helped the women from their vessel onto the stone dock. Lord Cambridge was right behind them.
“Philippa,” he said, “there was something I meant to give you back at the house.” He opened his hand to reveal several small rings. “There is a pearl, an emerald, a fine green agate, and an amethyst to match your gown. Put them on, my child. All the fashionable court ladies wear a multitude of rings.”
With a delighted smile, Philippa took the rings offered and put them on her hands, holding them out to admire. “Thank you so much, uncle,” she said to him, kissing his cheek. “Do you think I should wear two on each hand?”
“I think three on your right hand-the pearl, the emerald, and the agate-and on your left hand wear the amethyst to display it to its best advantage. Put the pearl between the two green stones, my child,” he advised her.
They entered the palace, going to the Great Hall where the court would now be assembled to watch the king and the queen break their fast after the first mass of the day. As they walked, they were greeted, bowed to, and nodded to by many of the courtiers. The lady of Friarsgate was back in favor with the queen, and the child with her was her heiress. Fathers with second sons eyed Philippa and nodded. The girl looked strong of limb and with all her wits. She would, it was rumored, not only inherit from her mother, but from her uncle, as well. The Boltons were not a particularly noble family, but they were landed gentry with a goodly estate. And the queen favored them.
“Why do they all stare at me, mama?” Philippa asked, noticing the interest in her small person.
“You are my heiress,” her mother said softly. “You are already being appraised as a marriage possibility.”
“I know I must marry well one day,” Philippa noted, “but I would hope to love my husband as you and my father loved each other. I know I shall not find the kind of love you found with Lord Leslie, but I remember my father well. He had a great care and respect of you, mama.”
“Aye, he did,” Rosamund said, remembering Owein Meredith, her third husband and the father of her three daughters and deceased son. He had been a good man, and he had loved her as much as he was capable of it. Until they had been matched, Owein had spent all of his life but six years in the service of the Tudors. “I shall not give you to just anyone, Philippa. I will have to be satisfied that the man you wed does indeed care for you. Do not fear, my daughter. You and your sisters will go to good husbands. I promise.”
They were now in the Great Hall. About them the courtiers milled, waiting. Rosamund moved through the crowd until they were before the high board. There she stopped, waiting for the king and queen to enter the hall. The trumpets sounded a flourish. The people in the hall drew back, opening an aisle down which Great Harry and his queen traveled, smiling and nodding to those in the hall, their attendants following them.
Seeing Rosamund and her daughter, the queen stopped. “This is Philippa, isn’t it?” she said with a warm smile. “Welcome to our court, my dear child.”
Philippa curtsied deeply, replying a bit breathlessly, “Thank you, your highness.”
“Henry, here is the lady of Friarsgate, and she has brought her child to greet us,” the queen said softly to her husband.
Henry Tudor took Rosamund’s hand in his and kissed it. “We are happy to greet you again, madame, and your child.” Then he turned his attention to Philippa, and he was all charm, smiling down from his great height at the little girl. “Why, poppet, you quite resemble your mama. I see nothing of Owein Meredith in you, but for your gentle manner. You are most welcome to our court, Philippa Meredith. Your sire was a fine man and a good servant to the House of Tudor. I believe he would be proud to have such a beautiful little daughter. I know I would be.”
“We all pray for your majesty’s wish to be fulfilled,” Philippa said tactfully.
The king lifted the little girl up so they were face-to-face, and then he kissed her cheek. “Thank you, my child,” he said as he set her down, and then he moved on.
