Lady Truegood’s head snapped up, as if she had not expected a reply. “I suppose you both are unwed, too?”
“I am. We are…” Thomasin replied, taken by surprise.
The stick tapped upon the floor with impatience, although the old lady did not move.
“How long are you here?”
Even Thomasin’s diplomatic father was thrown by her directness. As he sought an answer, she repeated her question.
“How long? Speak up.”
“Your son invited us for three days. I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to your Ladyship.”
Lady Elizabeth was less prepared to pander to the old woman. “We have come all the way from Suffolk.”
Lady Truegood whipped round her head with surprising speed. “A strange choice.”
But Lady Elizabeth was not easily deterred. “My Lady, when I heard your name, I had hoped that you might be the Lady Truegood who had served the late Queen Elizabeth, as I did years ago.”
“She’s dead. Did you know she’s dead?”
They exchanged glances, a realisation dawning about their hostess. The late queen had been dead for twenty-five years now.
Sir Richard stepped in. “Is your son here? We can wait for him.”
Lady Truegood did not answer. She simply turned and shuffled away, dragging her foot as she went.
“Remarkable!” protested Lady Elizabeth. “Most remarkable. I have never had such a welcome, or lack of it. I am sure it is not the woman I once knew.”
“She has clearly lost her mind,” replied Sir Richard. “All will be well when Hugh appears, I am certain.”
Thomasin sat beside Ellen on one of the settles. “What do you make of her?”
Ellen shrugged. “It is as your father says. She is old and her mind has gone. She is to be pitied.”
“You are always the kindest person I know.”
Ellen smiled gently. “We might all be like Lady Truegood one day.”
It was a quarter of an hour before Sir Hugh Truegood came striding into the hall on his long legs. He was dressed for the country, in a simple russet doublet, a white shirt, and outdoor boots. His head was bare to the elements. The simplicity of his attire was quite in contrast with their surroundings, putting them more at ease. Thomasin was struck again by his colouring: the coppery red hair, the tanned skin, the amber eyes. He had a big frame, wide shoulders, and broad cheekbones. There was no doubt he was a handsome man.
“Sir Richard, Lady Elizabeth, ladies, my sincere apologies.”
He bowed low before shaking hands with each of them in turn. Thomasin noticed him linger with Ellen, who was struggling to conceal the pleasure she felt at seeing him again.
“You are all most welcome. I had hoped to be here to meet you in person, but we had an old tree come down last night, blocking one of the roads in the park that my tenants use for market.”
“It is good to meet you, Sir, and thank you for your kind invitation,” said Sir Richard.
“It was the acquaintance of these charming ladies that convinced me to open my home.” Hugh beamed at Thomasin and Ellen. “I hear that you already met my mother. Please excuse her; age has affected her mind. I am away so much, she is often alone and unused to visitors. I hope your journey was not too arduous.”
“Not at all, and the weather was kind.”
“Come, let me show you your rooms. You can rest and refresh yourselves before dinner.”
“Thank you, that would be most acceptable,” said Lady Elizabeth, beaming and offering Hugh her arm.
Just like the house, dinner did not disappoint. A long table covered with fresh white cloths and crystal glasses had been set up in the hall, topped by the huge silver centrepiece of a ship. Its carved sails and bow caught the candlelight, after which Thomasin could make out the delicate filigree work on the rigging and the little crow’s nest on the mast. No doubt it had been fashioned in some workshop in Burgundy or Antwerp.
