“A baby,” Lady Elizabeth interrupted softly. “Cecilia is having a baby. I will be a grandmother.”
“Alas, it seems that way,” replied her husband.
“Not alas, Richard, it is a baby! A baby! But what can we do?”
“Nothing. It is between them to sort out, and the baby is coming whether Sir Hugh likes it or not. He will have to square it with his conscience, and learn to stay home with his wife more.”
“That is hardly the point,” said Sir Matthew. “For all his outburst just now, Sir Hugh is not at fault. We all saw what happened at Greenwich. I speak plainly, but the girl is unruly. She has brought nothing but disgrace upon your heads, for all the good kindnesses you have done her as parents. I think it the fairest outcome if she is sent to a nunnery, as Hugh suggests. Goodness knows what she will do next.”
There was a frosty silence.
“Well,” said Sir Richard, “as you said earlier, there is nothing to be done tonight, so let’s not allow this good dinner to spoil.”
Thomasin caught Rafe’s eye. This was not the time for their announcement, nor to request her parents’ blessing. The moment had slipped away. She ate as much as she could in that sombre room, where the heads of her family were filled with questions and fears. She should have known, should have guessed, that it all felt too good to be true.
After the meal, they walked out into the garden. Night had fully fallen and the air was fresh and clean, bringing the tang of the river across the lawn.
As they walked, Rafe reached over and took Thomasin’s hand. “You’re quiet.”
Thomasin sighed. “I’m shocked, I think. I didn’t expect it.”
“Tonight didn’t go to plan, but there will be other opportunities.”
“I know.” She paused on the path, turning to him with disappointed eyes. “It’s just that this was going to be our night. Everything was perfect. The timing, the evening, everything. It could have so easily happened, and we would be engaged now, with Father’s blessing.”
“Never fear. Things happen for a reason. We will wait for this to calm down, then the right moment will present itself, I promise.”
He leaned forward and kissed her lightly, skimming her lips before pulling back. How different the kiss was from the one he had given her earlier.
“But do things happen for a reason?” Thomasin asked. “Earlier you said the stars were in our favour. Is there a grand plan? Was the night supposed to be ours? Or was the reason simply my sister’s bad behaviour, yet again?”
Rafe sighed. “Do not think too long about it. Think ahead instead, of the happiness that we will enjoy, and how proud your parents will be of you, Thomasin. Do not let this spoil things.”
“I won’t.”
“And there is the queen to think of too. When are you back at court?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“I will be there, with Sir Thomas.”
“And Anne?” Thomasin asked after a moment. “Where will she be?”
It was King Henry’s driving passion for the dark-haired Anne Boleyn that had determined Queen Catherine’s fate. Ever since the young woman had caught Henry’s eye, an uncomfortable triangle had existed at court, while Henry sought ways to put Catherine aside in order to remarry and father a son. Thomasin had seen both sides of Anne: her jollity and spirit, as well as her jealous temper. Only last Christmas, she had unleashed the full force of it against Cecilia, with disastrous results.
“Anne is to remain at Durham House, well out of the way once the court convenes.”
“I hope she does remain there. It will be hard enough for Catherine, without having to bare her soul before her rival.”
They walked down to the quay, where the boatman was waiting.
“Two days, then,” said Rafe, his dark eyes opaque in the shadows.
“Yes, until then.”
“And remember what I said. Do not dwell upon this. Look to the future.”
He pulled her close again, and kissed her more warmly. “The future is ours, Thomasin, never forget.”
