“She must have some secrets that I am unaware of,” said Lady Elizabeth pertly, “for I am a mother six times over and each time I convinced myself I was bearing a son.”
“And how many sons do you have?” Brandon asked.
“Just the one.”
It was growing late. They had eaten well, the fire in the hall was fading and the shadows were lengthening. Peter Southey was lurking in anticipation of putting the house to bed. Thomasin’s parents and Cecilia were making their excuses, yawning and disappearing while Lady Truegood had already been abed for the past hour. Thomasin was almost the last, but as she headed for the great staircase, she paused, remembering that Hugh and Ellen were still up, wandering the corridors on the premise of him showing her the portraits.
Charles Brandon accompanied her out of the hall.
“Queen Catherine will be grateful for your return,” he said in a fatherly tone. “She misses your good sense and wit.”
“I will be pleased to return. Ellen, too.”
“I am sure, but it is your service in particular that I know the queen values. She spoke to me of it just last week.”
“Oh.” Thomasin blushed, silenced by modesty.
Through the dark corridor, they heard a giggle.
Brandon turned and peered into the gloom. “Servants should be abed now, not lurking and listening.”
He was about to take a step towards the sound when Thomasin stopped him.
“I think it may not be servants.”
“Oh?” Brandon raised his busy eyebrows. “Then who?”
“I believe our host is giving a private tour.”
“A private tour?”
“Ssh. Do not say I told you. Ellen will never forgive me.”
“Ellen? Ellen and Sir Hugh?”
“It is about time she had some happiness in her life. I hope to hear the match announced before long.”
Brandon frowned. “But is she not already wed?”
Thomasin blushed. “To my cousin, who treated her most dishonourably. We expect to hear of their divorce proceedings any day. He is dragging his heels.”
“No children?”
She shook her head.
“It may be tricky. There is wrong on his side, but she must be careful to remain above censure and caution her behaviour until it is all resolved, or else it may prejudice her case. Warn her about it.”
“I will.”
“Now, I must retire. I plan to leave early in the morning, so long as the rain has stopped. I will bid you a safe journey, and no doubt we shall meet again soon at court.”
“I do hope so. Good night.”
If Thomasin was a little surprised at the abruptness of his departure, she soon forgot it as she heard more muffled laughter in the darkness. She would give the lovers a little privacy. Climbing up the staircase, she ran her hand over the carved surfaces. There might not be time to speak in private with Ellen tonight and discover if Hugh had proposed ahead of their departure in the morning.
FOUR
The rain had ceased in the early hours. When Thomasin stepped out through the main doors at Raycroft Court, the air was fresh and the sky was clear. She filled her lungs with the scent rising up from the ground. Birds sang in the dripping trees and puddles lined the road.
