“It is an insult to our family from a woman without position, no matter what she hopes to become. She is a viscount’s daughter. She has no right to order the king’s guests about.”
“But she did it, Father. It doesn’t matter what her rights are, or her status, she still did it! And you saw the effects upon Cecilia!”
“What a family!” Sir Richard declared. “Thomas Boleyn first, throwing his orders about, and then this — Anne stripping the sheets off her!”
There was another knock at the door.
“By God’s blood, if it is her back…”
“No,” said Thomasin, going to answer it, “she would not knock politely like that.”
Matthew Russell came hurrying in from the corridor. “I just heard what happened. An argument with Anne? Is all well?”
Sir Richard groaned and sank into a chair. “Has news already spread, so fast?”
“I overheard women talking. They had seen Anne and Mary coming away from here, Anne in a high fury.”
“Take a seat, Matthew. Unfortunately, it is true. Thomasin, pour some wine.” Sir Richard related what had occurred, adding his own disbelief and explaining his feelings of frustration.
“Do not forget her connection to the Duke of Norfolk,” Sir Matthew said at once. “He is not a man you wish to offend.”
“But he is a reasonable man, conscious of propriety. Surely he would not condone this behaviour?”
“Perhaps not.”
“I cannot let this pass, this insult to my family, the attack upon Cecilia, no matter the circumstances. It cannot just be forgotten.”
“And she truly stripped the covers off her, leaving her exposed on the bed?”
“Yes, entirely. And if she is indeed ill, the shock and the upset caused, with the sudden chill, will have done nothing to assist her recovery, and therefore her departure. And she cannot be expected now to plunge out into the snow, in the few hours remaining of daylight.”
“You believe she truly is unwell?”
“She says she is. The doctor is in with her now.”
“You are right,” Sir Matthew nodded. “It is unacceptable.”
“I must go to the king, but I shall wait until the doctor has spoken, when I will have more information. If I can tell the king that the doctor confirms her illness, then our case is the stronger.”
“You will actually go to the king?” asked Thomasin, grappling with how the matter was suddenly escalating.
“I don’t see how I cannot. As his guests, we have been insulted and instructed to leave. She threatened to throw us all out! Had it been anyone else who burst in here, would we be hesitating?”
“I suppose not.”
“Then we must not let her relationship with the king blind us. We must do what is right.”
Lady Elizabeth and Dr Vittorio came out of the inner chamber and shut the door behind them. Both their faces showed concern.
“The patient has a fever,” the doctor confirmed, nodding his head. “I have recommended a special diet and bed rest until she is stronger. She should not venture outside in the cold forsuch a long journey, not until she is stronger. I am certain that travelling here, in the cold, accounts for her frailty.”
Sir Richard nodded. “Then she must remain here, no matter what is said. So long as she is in this room, she need trouble no one.”
“And then there is the question of distress,” the doctor added. “Her high, excited emotions are making the condition worse. She must only think quiet, calm thoughts and not be disturbed.”
Thomasin could see her father was on the verge of boiling over. “Wait,” she said, anticipating his thoughts, “do not go to the king yet. You must calm down first; you cannot go to him in anger.”
“She is right,” added Sir Matthew. “Wait a while, find the right moment, then we will go together.”
