“And what transpired during this meeting?”
“I cannot answer that as I was asleep. It was my intention that she be allowed to inform him of his fatherhood, and I arranged for them to meet in the garden, in plain sight, so there could be no privacy.”
“And they both disappeared. When was this?”
“Late afternoon, I think. I woke shortly before the king’s dinner hour.”
“And she came back here at night.” Lady Elizabeth frowned.
“What has she said on the matter?”
“Only that Hatton is prepared to make an honest woman of her for the sake of the child, but no divorced woman is an honest woman. It will take Parliament to separate her from Hugh. God’s wounds, that such troubles should come to our door!”
Thomasin had not heard her mother curse that way before, not even upon the occasion of Cecilia’s first elopement.
“She says he is to call here, today, to make his case. I know not what to do in your father’s absence. I thank God that we have the protection of my dear brother.”
“All will be well,” said Sir Matthew, stepping further into the room. “I will meet with him and resolve this matter.”
“She is three months away from giving birth,” Thomasin calculated. “How can it be effected so quickly?”
“It is possible,” Sir Matthew continued. “I shall draw up a special bill to submit to Parliament, and Hatton will need to speak with the king, but it is possible.”
“So she will become his wife?”
“It appears so,” said Lady Elizabeth, “although Hugh will cast her off without a penny.”
“Mother, she does not really deserve a single penny of his, does she?”
“No, I suppose she does not.”
“Is she upstairs?”
Lady Elizabeth nodded.
“Then I will go up and speak a few words with her.”
“I pray you, do not upset her. We have had enough tears in this house already.”
Thomasin found her sister in the chamber she had once slept in, embroidering a baby’s bonnet.
Cecilia looked up at her approach. “I thought it would be you.”
“Really? You didn’t think I might still be waiting in the garden?”
“I’m sorry for that. We had to speak in private. We had important matters to discuss, Thomasin. We had to resolve our lives for the sake of the child — surely you understand?”
Thomasin sat on the wooden window seat, taking in the view across the garden, down to the river. A soft breeze blew in from outside. “Yes, I do understand.”
“He is going to marry me,” Cecilia went on. “He promised, for the sake of the child, but also my own sake. I know we have caused trouble and gone about this the wrong way, but we have been drawn to each other from the first moment we met. It really feels right, Thomasin.”
“Your other marriage will be dissolved by Parliament, then?”
“We hope so. Will has gone to speak to Henry, and then he comes here. It is what we all want. I am sorry for the distress to Hugh, but he can marry again once it has passed, with no shame attached.”
Thomasin was quiet. There was always shame attached to a divorce, regardless of who was to blame. At least Hugh’s vast wealth would lessen the stigma.
“I hope it will be resolved quickly, and you will both be very happy.”
