Antony gave me a broad smile when I showed him the plate of meat that I had brought home with me and talked enthusiastically with John about the new goat, promising that they could find a baby bottle to use to feed it. “Perhaps we should go into town tomorrow to get a few things,” he remarked over dinner. “We could find some fabric for your new dresses, Cecily.”
“As you wish,” I replied, listlessly poking at my food.
“Is something the matter, sweeting?”
“No, no, of course not.”
After the meal was finished, John was dismissed to go to the barn to tend to his goat and I began to clear the dishes from the table. Antony came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “What is it, Cecily? You hardly said a word and you didn’t eat at all. Is something wrong?”
I turned to face him, contemplating how I’d tell him when the words broke free all on their own. “I lied, and I think Mr. Gerald knew it. And now I fear that Julia will be in trouble on my account.”
“Shh, calm down, sweeting. You can tell me everything and we’ll figure itout.”
It had seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but as I explained it to Antony and felt the disapproval in his gaze, I knew that I would have done better to have said nothing.
“I see,” he said when I finished.
“And now I fear that he won’t want her to speak to me,” I said miserably.
“That won’t do,” he said, clucking his tongue. “She’s the closest neighbor we have, and you need another woman to talk to. I doubt much harm has been done, but if you wish, I’ll speak with William. In the meantime, I know one wife that will be getting punished tonight.”
“Oh, Antony,” I gasped, my head snapping up as I looked at him with wide, pleading eyes. “Please, no. I didn’t mean any harm.”
“I know, darling, but in trying to get Julia out of trouble, you’ve just put yourself there. Next time, offer to cook dinner with her, or help her clean house. But you’re not to lie for her or anyone else. Think what kind of example you’re setting for our boy.”
Hearing him calledoursmade tears sting my eyes just as much as the reprimand had. “I’m so sorry, Antony.”
“I’m sure you are, my dove, but I can’t let something like this go by unpunished. I’m going to the barn to fetch John. When I send him in, I want you to kiss him goodnight and then go to your room and wait for me in the corner.”
I held my tears back long enough to greet my new son and kiss him goodnight. “Thank you for helping me today,” I whispered before pecking his cheek.
John only blushed and ran for his room, but I got the sense that he was pleased.
It was a feeling that I could not share as I went to the bedroom and waited. Left alone with my thoughts, I quickly became antsy and began to pace the room until I heard the sound of footsteps approaching outside the door. When Antony opened the door, I was sitting in the chair staring morosely out the window.
“What am I to do with you, Cecily?” he asked with a long sigh.
“I don’t know what you mean, husband.”
“Do you not? Well, then let me enlighten you: when I tell you to do something, I mean it. And that includes when I tell you to wait for me in the corner.”
My skin flushed with warmth. Somehow it had escaped my mind that he’d told me to stand in the corner.
“It seems that I have more than one point to make tonight.”
“Please, Antony—”
“Hush, sweeting. Your mouth has already gotten you in trouble once today. Let’s let that be enough, shall we?”
Snapping my lips closed, I walked over to him and turned around so that he could undo my gown, pulling down my pantalets along with the garment. I thought that he would perhaps allow me to dress in my nightgown, but when I went for it, he shook his head. I watched with wary eyes as he walked over to the chair I’d occupied only minutes earlier and sat down.
“Come here, Cecily.”
Taking a deep breath and wishing for courage, I walked toward him, stopping just out of his reach. “What if John hears?”
“He’s worked hard today and is probably fast asleep by now. Even so, the best I can suggest is for you to try to keep it down.”
Knowing that he referred to my wails, I flushed. When he crooked his finger at me, I came forward and laid myself over his lap.
