Then an unpleasant idea suddenly occurred to Thomasin. There was something in Catherine’s quietness, her complicity. “You don’t think…”
“What?”
“I don’t know. It’ll sound foolish. But there’s a symmetry about this. Almost as if the queen approved of Cecilia in this role as a kind of revenge for what my mother did years ago. You remember? She once shared the king’s bed.”
Ellen frowned. “Surely not? Did Catherine even know about that?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps I am letting my mind run too much on this. It is Cecilia’s choice, not mine.”
Thomasin picked up her darning. “Shall we?”
But Ellen paused and glimpsed back into the room, to ensure they were not being overheard. “The queen spoke to me about my absence from the feast. She guessed that it was more than that I was feeling unwell.”
“What did you say?”
“I told the truth. I explained that my estranged husband had arrived, and I told her what he has done.”
Thomasin felt a throb of pity for her at once. “Oh, I am sorry I was not here to help you.”
Ellen sighed. “It doesn’t matter. You couldn’t have changed the facts.”
“What did the queen say?”
“She said that he was my husband, we were united in the eyes of God, and that it was my duty to forgive him, as many others have done in similar situations. She meant herself, of course. And that I should return to live with him and be the best wife I could.”
Thomasin looked at her cousin, aghast. “Oh, Ellen, this is terrible.”
“She will not, she cannot, force me to, can she?”
“Return to him? No, of course not.”
“But she could end my service, remove me from her household.”
“I doubt she would do that, but even if the worst did happen, you would always be welcome at Monk’s Place, or to live in the country with my parents. You would never be without a home.”
“I can’t return to my father; he is difficult and the house is secluded. It would be a living death.”
“No, no, that will never happen. Remember that you have Sir Hugh madly in love with you. I have seen it with my own eyes. This is merely a bump in the road, then you will become his wife.”
“Do you really believe it?”
“I do. When I think of the way he was with you at Raycroft, and how happy he was to see you here, I don’t doubt that he loves you.”
Ellen looked sad. “I haven’t had the chance to see him in the last few days. He is always with the Duke of Suffolk. It is good that he has taken Hugh under his wing, but he seems reluctant to let him go, even for a moment.”
“We must speak again with Uncle Matthew. Hopefully after this Aston case is concluded, he can put pressure on Barnaby and get the divorce resolved. If the case goes in our favour, Barnaby will have all that he desires. He can go anywhere else, even marry again, so he should be content.”
Ellen nodded. “You’re right. The answer is to speed through this matter. I’ll go and speak with Barnaby myself.”
“What? Yourself? Face to face? Are you sure?”
“Believe me, the last thing I want is to look upon his face again, but it’s the only way I can gain my freedom.”
“Very well. The case is opening today. I’ve seen the Astons arrive already. Father, Uncle and Barnaby will be here shortly, if they’ve not already arrived.”
“I’ll go and seek them, when the queen takes her afternoon rest.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
