Thomas and Joan's dinner room

our wonderful and comfortable diningroom my love

Wolsey entered his and Joan's personal dining room and nodded approvingly as all was done to welcome his guest.
He walked to the window and stared outside for a moment, his hands on his back, waiting for Lady Craven, who he remembered very well.
He was lost in thoughts and did not notice the door opened and a servant came in, who coughed softly to get his attention.
Quickly he turned around and gestured. 'Please, let her in! And tell Joan our guest has arrived... I think she is still in our bedroom, she wanted to change her robe!'

I arrive outside The Cardinal's room , I smooth down my dress as a servant enters the room to introduce me.

I enter the room and then bow,"Your Eminence,"I then stand straight and smile warmly...

He smiled widely and walked up to her, his arms open in a welcoming gesture. He took gently her hand and kissed it softly.
'Lady Craven, I welcome you most hearty... I must excuse Joan, she will arrive any moment.'

His face saddened and he looked regretfull at her.
'May I condole you with the loss of your husband... a great loss, my lady, to you and your children, but also to the world!'

I smile and bow my head modestly as he kisses my hand,"Ah Wolsey…it has been so long, too long. I see I find you looking well, you have changed little."

As he begins to talk of Thomas I frown and nod,"I knew for some time that he would no longer be in this world, but the loss is still great. I do miss him dearly,"I sigh gently and clear my throat in an attempt to hold back tears.

"You needn't worry about Joan…it is a woman's prerogative to be late,"I laugh warmly.

*she enters in the diningroom wearing a long dark red silk dress, smiles warmly and stands up behind Thomas's, puts a hand in his shoulder* nice to meet you Lady Jane *she smiles and kisses her cheeks* is a pleasure to have you here , and I give you my condolences for your husban, I'm so sorry, I really understand you, I wouldn't know what to do if I hadn't got my Thomas by my side

As I talk with The Cardinal Wolsey- a woman enters the room. I smile and bow kindly, this is the first time I have ever met her and she seems pleasant and kind,"Mistress Joan ... and thank you for your condolences they are appreciated by my family and I..."

He smiles warmly when Joan enters the room and talks to Lady Jane. He nodd after her words.
'It must have been a difficult time for both of you... I am so sorry I did not know about his illness, I would have visited him and certainly attended his funeral... but you are right, it has been too long since we met for the last time.' he looks with compassion at her and shrugs.

'Well, I know thomas was a busy man though... just like me.' he smiles apologetic.
'We are very pleased indeed to have you here, please, let us sit down and start with a drink, before dinner is served. Would you like to drink a wine with us, Lady Jane, or something else?'

He makes sure that Lady Jane sits comfortable, squeezes softly Joan's shoulder while he helps her too and sits down himself at the head of the table.

I smile and take my seat at the table, sinking into the comfortable leather upholstered chair.

"Some wine, please,"I smile thinking of Thomas-such happy years we spent together...

'Ahh... good choice, Lady Jane' he smiles, turns to Joan with questioning eyes and when she nodds, he looks at a servant who quickly comes closer to pour them the wine.

'As I said, it has been too long, please, tell us something about your life together after he left court. I know you have a wonderful home, I keep good memories of it, with particular the beautiful vineyard we used to relax... does it still exist?'' he asks attentively.

I smile and take the wine, taking a small sip before I speak,"Life was very simple and pleasant after we left court-of course I left after the birth of my first born Thomas and I did much prefer a life in the country. It was in stark contrast to life in court. I wished for the children to be raised in our home and not in court and I am glad we did raise them in the country. They often comment on how happy they were being raised at home ... After Elizabeth was born Thomas cut down his duties in court so he could spend more time at home-he was away for business often-sometimes in France. Then on one of his last stays in court he became frightfully ill-so ill that he could not travel home. He recovered but not fully, he caught every illness that contaminated the city. Eventually he stopped coming to court altogether and then it was not long before...well..."

I sigh but laugh warmly as The Cardinal mentions our vineyard,"Ah yes it still exists and is as beautiful as it was before-that and the maze my husband commissioned are beautiful...one of his greatest designs..."

He listens with interest and sigh.
'Ahh.... I imagine you lived happily in the country, in your beautiful estate. He often spoke to me about your family and how happy your were to live so quietly. I'm afraid it was me who persuaded him to stay at court for such a long time, though he wanted to cut down his duties so he could go home. If I had known.... but I needed him here, in fact I still miss him here.' he smiles weakly.

His eyes glisten when she speaks about the vineyard and he turns to Joan and put his hand on hers.
'Joan, they have such a beautiful vineyard... the most beautiful I have ever seen! I have good memories about Thomas and me, sitting there in the shadow of a tree and talking about, well, about all kind of things and just enjoying the overwhelming surroundings and our conversation!'

"Oh no, he did like court. If it were up to him he would have stayed working for His Majesty until his dying day. It was the children who convinced him really, he was so very fond of those children..."

I sip on the wine,"He did enjoy those summer evenings...I...I will miss him so much now"
I take a deep breath and smile weakly...

'Yes.... your children, he spoke often about them, he was so proud on them and on you, Lady Jane! Well, I'm glad they have convinced him so you had the chance to be together and with your children.' he smiles weakly.

'Well, I've met two of your children, Elizabeth and Edward and I was most pleased to find out that they are very good-mannered and educated! You must be very proud on them!'

He put his other hand for a moment on hers while he looks at Joan who nodds at him.
'We understand... though you are not alone. You have your wonderful children and we hope they reduce your pain and make you feel that life is still worth living' he speaks softly.

"Ah Elizabeth and Edward are so similar and like their father- strong willed and incredibly clever. My eldest Thomas, who I believe you never officially met, is different-I see my father in him. He is a barrister- a very good one at that. He is married now and has a son and lives in one of our estates near where I now reside."

I smile warmly,"I thank Your Eminence for your kind words-my children are my greatest work. I am proud of them...fiercely proud. Now it will soon be my dear Elizabeth's turn to marry..."

He thinks about her words and nodd.
´I have met them only twice but I agree with you, they look like him, indeed. I appointed them close to the king and queen and hope I can rely on them... like I relied on Thomas.´

He smiles and takes a sip of his wine.
´I´d like to meet your eldest son, too. It must be comforting for you to have him near you.´
When she speaks about Elizabeth he leans forward.
´Do you have a husband in mind for her, lady Jane?' he asks curiously.

"Then perhaps before Thomas and I leave court you could meet,and yes it is a great comfort to have him near..."

I smile think of Elizabeth-she certainly has beauty, that is for sure. Wit, intelligence and modesty but a little too free willed and if she is to marry it is but her duty as woman to change her behaviour.

"No...Of course given her beauty there were many proposals but none of which we believed would be suitable for her...I want her to be happy,to be loved..."

As I speak some servants enter carrying trays of delicious and expensive foods, I smile as the rich aromas fill the room.

'If the opportunity arises, I would appreciate that, though I'm very busy these days with the King's... matters'
he frowns a little.

The first course is served and he waits for the servants to fill the table, smiling - the cook has done an excellent job, again.

When they leave he opens the prayer to thank for the food, lowering his head and his hands folden.
He also prays for his old friend and for his family.

'... bon appétit!' he says finally and smiles.
'Ahh I hope she will find such a man, though I wonder if there is a man at court right now who is suitable enough for her !'

"This looks perfect, Your Eminence. As always you are to generous and kind,"I smile as I am given my plate.

"For now I think not,"I say as I begin to eat,"She spoke of a man that showed paticular interest in her but he was...strange and disappeared from court. I think he frightened her and she wishes that her father was still alive. If Thomas was it would be his duty to pick her husband but now it really the families advice and not order she will be given."

He radiates after her compliment and smiles humbly.
'I am most pleased that you enjoy the meal... and yes, we have a great cook, I will give him your compliments, Lady Jane.' he looks at Joan, leans over and whispers in her ear.
'You look so beautiful tonight, my love, I had not said that yet...' he squeezes softly her hand and then they begin to eat.

When she tells them Elizabeth's experiences he shakes his head and wipes his mouth with a silk napkin before he speaks.
'Well, court is probably not the right place for her to meet her future husband, I'm afraid. Many courtiers are just fortune seekers and meanwhile they take advantage of the innocence of a beautiful lady like your daughter. I think she is lucky to have her brother Edward here, too. He is a very decent and serious man and can protect her against these kind of men.'

I smiled at Joan as I dabbed the corners of my mouth with a napkin. I then put the napkin on top of my clear plate,"That was delicious Your Eminence and yes I quite agree. Especially dear Elizabeth- she is still young yet so perhaps some time in court would do her good..."]

*she appears walking slowly and smiles* good afternoon my darlings, what are you talking about? *she sits down ther quietely, trying not to disturb them*

Wolsey looks surprised at Joan. He was so busy in conversation that he had not noticed at all that meanwhile she had left the table. He smiles warmly at her and put his hand gently on hers.
'My love... we were actually discussing life at court, and we talked about their children, more specific, about Lady Elizabeth, who is here to serve the Queen.'

He strokes her hand softly, then turns to lady Jane.
'I have not spoken to her in a while, does she enjoy her tasks?'

*holding Thomas' hand she sits down nest to him and rubs his hand softly in affection* oh , life in court...well such a big mess! *she chuckles* is a bit caothic sometimes, speacially for married woman, there are lots of ladies ad men are weak in that point *she smiles and looks at her love* however, I trust my Thomas more than anybody in this world, I know he's loyal and faithful to me, I'm the luckiest woman in the world in that point
*then she looks at Lady Jane Craven and smiles* oh your daughter? I hope she enjoy her stay here, I can see how much she loves the Queen *smiles wat¡rmly still rubbing Thomas' hand*