The fury rose in Thomasin at his blunt, ungentlemanly question, but this was not her battle to fight.
“No, Sir,” replied Ellen. “I will not. I am content to remain at court.”
The older men said nothing, as if this was the response that they had expected.
“I wish you would reconsider,” Barnaby continued. “With this new money in the family, I will be able to afford a larger residence. I intend to buy Larchwick House, you will recall, on the edge of Buxton to the south.”
Not even this could tempt Ellen. “I wish you joy of it,” she added with pursed lips. “And I bid you good day.”
Barnaby was about to protest, but Sir Matthew placed a warning hand on his arm. “She has spoken. Be content.”
“Farewell, Daughter,” said Sir Richard, wrapping Thomasin in his arm in an uncharacteristically warm gesture. “Stay out of draughts and avoid wet foods. I’ll send word when we reach Eastwell.”
“Farewell, Father, may you have a safe and speedy journey. No more carriage accidents.”
And she thought again of Lady Boleyn’s letter, baffled at its complete disappearance.
“Most definitely not.” Sir Richard shuddered. “Oh, the Aston girl was asking after you. I think she wished to see you before they return to Prittlewell.”
“Ursula?”
“Yes, she seems like the nicer of the pair. They were at breakfast, but I think they are lingering a little while the paperwork is copied.”
“I will seek her out, thank you. Give my love to Mother.”
“Oh, and Cardinal Campeggio has arrived in Dartford. He has written requesting wine, as there is nothing decent to drink in the town, he says.”
“Then he will be here within days, surely,” Thomasin nodded. “The queen will be pleased to hear it.”
“As will the king,” said Sir Richard. “Both of them believe him to be on their side, but he can’t please one without disappointing the other. It remains to be seen what the outcome will be.”
“The queen had better dispatch him some claret,” said Matthew, smiling. “That will help him make up his mind.”
Ursula Aston was coming from St Stephen’s Chapel when Thomasin spied her in the distance. They met halfway along the corridor to the great hall and the legal chambers, in air thick with smoke and disputation.
“I am pleased to see you. I wished to thank you for your kindness.”
“It was my pleasure; after all, we are cousins, and I know what it is to be a stranger at court.”
“You have heard about our case? Your uncle was most generous.”
“Yes, he is a good man. I am so pleased he has made provision for you. Perhaps it will allow you a little more freedom.”
Ursula nodded. “We can make some repairs to the inn and extend the stables. And Mother’s last years will be comfortable. But I wanted to thank you most for your advice. It has been turning over in my mind ever since, and has helped me see things differently.”
“Oh?”
“I have decided I will consider any proposals that come along. I need not go too far from home; Mother could even live with us, if it were to happen.” She blushed. “But I get ahead of myself. I think your words just helped me remove the block. I was dismissing it outright, without proper consideration.”
“That is good,” said Thomasin. “But be certain that any suitor is genuine, that he does not come after you now for the money.”
“I have considered this.” Ursula nodded. “We intend to keep our new income quiet, and besides, Gilbert would sniff out any man who did not have my best intentions at heart. He is not too bad, in that sense. He does want the best for me.”
“I am glad to hear it. When do you depart?”
“This afternoon. Gilbert is collecting the copies of the documents, and then we will leave.”
“Be sure to write to me, and let me know how you fare, and all about those suitors.”
