'I am tirewoman to mine own self alone,' she said. 'Therefore you love her better.'
'Nay, oh nay,' he said gently. 'But this Lady Katharine Howard is mistress to the King's self.'
'And I have been mistress to no married man save my husbands,' she answered. 'Therefore you love this Margot Poins better.'
He fingered her soft palm and rubbed it across his own neck.
'Nay, nay,' he said. 'But I must wed with Margot Poins.'
'Why with her more than with me or any other of your score and seven?' she said softly.
'Since the Lady Katharine will be Queen,' he answered, and once again he was close against her side. She sighed softly.
'Thus if you wed with me you will never be Chancellor,' she said.
'I would not anger the Queen,' he answered. She nestled bountifully and warmly against him.
'Swear even again that you like me more than the fair, large wench in London town,' she whispered against his ear.