QUOTE : One month later, as promised, they sailed upriver on the royal barge bound for Richmond Palace. Richmond was a residence built in the time of the king’s father and situated on the site of the old Manor of Sheen, on the Surrey shore of the Thames. Bridget had never been there before and was looking forward to seeing it. As the barge sailed serenely atop the calm waters, she imagined what Richmond might look like. She needed something positive to look forward to, something to distract her mind from her current situation. She had been positioned in the boat, to her chagrin, to the right of the king, as close as he could place her whilst still observing some degree of propriety. She was garbed in a new gown of rich red brocade, the bright sunlight catching the numerous golden threads that ran through it. It was one of the many presents that the king had showered her with since she had consented to become his mistress. If “consented” was indeed the right word.