Lady in Waiting. Anne Herries

immediately left a group of ladies and gentlemen with whom he had been conversing, and came to welcome them, taking Catherine by the hand to introduce her to his mother.

      Lady Stamford was already slightly acquainted with her hostess and many of the guests, but they were all unknown to Catherine and the first half an hour or so was taken up with meeting and greeting strangers. She was asked her opinion of London, and whether or not she had been to court, but after a while the conversation became more general. Most of the ladies seemed to prefer gossip from the court, but there was also some talk of politics amongst the men.

      In February of that year the Pope had excommunicated Elizabeth by means of the Bull Regnans in Excelsis, by which he hoped to see the Queen deposed and Mary of Scots raised to Queen in her place. This had given cause for fears amongst those loyal to Elizabeth that the Catholics would see this as a reason to rebel, though with the failure of the uprising the previous year others thought it unlikely.

      The talk of politics held no interest for Catherine, who, once left to herself, was more than content to look about her and enjoy the sunshine. She sat on large soft cushions while Lady Fineden’s servants served the meal, tasting the delicious cold fowl, pies and pastries, which were accompanied by wine cooled in the river. It was after the food had been consumed that everyone began to stroll about the gardens, admiring the splendid view.

      Catherine stood up and went down to the water’s edge, where a pair of swans and five signets were leisurely swimming by. A dragonfly skimmed over the surface of the river, and swallows were swooping on the warm current to catch their food.

      ‘I have often thought this a pleasant spot,’ Nick said, coming to stand by her side. ‘Especially on such a day as this.’

      ‘Yes, almost idyllic,’ Catherine replied, turning her head to look at him. ‘One would hardly think the city is all around us.’

      ‘Building goes on apace,’ Nick said. ‘I dare say much of this open land will be eaten up in years to come.’