“I am not certain, my Lord.”
At that moment, they heard horse hooves heading towards them along the road. A rider on a black horse bore down upon them, rearing up suddenly as he spotted the carriage.
“My good sir,” called Sir Richard, waving his arms, “might you be of assistance to us?”
He was an unlikely looking fellow, dressed in a dark cloak with livery underneath, appearing to be in some haste.
Drawing in his reins, he eyed the carriage. “That’s gone, that wheel. You’ll need a farrier for that.”
“Yes, indeed. We will! Do you know where the nearest one might be found?”
“That’ll be the next village on, Hever.”
“Hever?” said Lady Elizabeth, appearing in the doorway.
“Smith there will fix you up, good as new. Man called Fisher.”
“Thank you,” said Sir Richard. “Is it far?”
“Not a mile, but getting there will be a problem.”
“The horses can pull the carriage so long as it’s empty,” said the coachman, “but it does mean you’ll all have to make your way.”
“What a nuisance.” Lady Elizabeth finally climbed out, with Cecilia behind her. “My good man, we are people of quality, and cannot stand by the road in the rain for hours. Is there somewhere you would recommend where we might pass the time?”
“Only one inn at Hever,” he said, “but you’ll prefer the welcome at the castle, I don’t doubt. That’s where I’m headed now.”
“Hever Castle?”
“Home of the Boleyns.”
A sinking feeling struck Thomasin, heavy and unsettling.
Lady Elizabeth must have been feeling the same. Her voice quietened. “Nowhere else?”
“Not near here, not for miles. It is only a short walk through the fields. Look, you can almost see the roof from here.”
Sir Richard followed his gaze. “Then so be it. Hours might pass before the wheel is fixed.”
“I will ride ahead and let them know. Most of the family are in London, anyway. Who shall I say is coming?”
“Sir Richard and Lady Elizabeth Marwood, with three guests.”
“Very good, Sir. Follow the road until you see the path to the left, then it is straight on to the castle. You can’t miss it. I will ride ahead and warn them of your arrival.”
“We are most grateful.”
Thomasin’s mother waited to speak until the man was out of sight. The rain was growing heavier, driving through the trees. “We absolutely cannot go to Hever. Not with that awful family there. Do you forget how cruelly Sir Thomas treated us? How he scorned me and our daughter? How his Anne laughed in our faces whilst she flirted with the king under his wife’s nose?”
“You would rather stay here? You heard what the man said. Most of the family are in London.”
“Most? Most is not all. Which are they? He did not give names. I do not wish to see any of them.”
“I do not see, unfortunately, that we have a choice. It is either that or stand here in this downpour. They will be gracious, I am sure.”
“I am less sure about that,” replied Lady Elizabeth, “and I am not inclined to be gracious to them. We will be beholden to a family that helped cause our ruin.”
“We are not so ruined, and we do not have a choice. Look at those dark clouds approaching. We should not waste time. It is a matter of our safety and health, especially yours.” Sir Richard looked pointedly at his wife.
