“Well, to put it delicately, there is a build-up of the humours in the womb which only the act of a male can reverse. It is a common illness among the unmarried. The simplest remedy is obvious, but until you are wedded, rest and medicine will assist you.”
Thomasin turned her head away in shame.
“Come now,” said Ellen, “the carriage will be here soon. We should get you ready.”
After Dr Butts had retired with the queen, Thomasin stuck her feet indignantly into her shoes, with Ellen guiding them into place.
“I can’t believe this. I cannot be ill because I have not had contact with a man! Does that not sound ridiculous to you?”
“I don’t know. Dr Butts is a reputable physician with years of experience. I would not presume to question him.”
“But the idea is preposterous — that I should need intimacy with a man in order to be well!”
“Perhaps it is time to think of a husband, Thomasin. After all, you are of an age now.”
“I am not yet twenty.”
“Many women, including myself, were already wed by that age.”
“I will rest, drink this elixir and take spices and herbs, and I shall be quite well again. How about nuns in the convent? How do they manage?”
“I don’t know anything about nuns, Thomasin,” Ellen said, smiling, “but there is no point making yourself angry about it. Your course is fixed now. You must rest and recover, as there is no doubt you are ill.”
Thomasin was about to object, but as she rose to her feet another wave of nausea overtook her. She leaned against the wall to steady herself.
“Very well, but I refuse to believe that the cure lies in a man!”
“Well, there are some who might hope that you would jump at the chance of such a cure.”
“What do you mean?”
“Giles. He was most concerned for you last night. He did not wish to leave without being reassured that you were well; we hadto tell him you were sleeping and insist that he depart. Honestly, I am surprised he has not returned this morning.”
At that moment, Maria entered, with her arms full of flowers. “Just delivered,” she said, “for the patient, along with cordials and marmalade. From Mr Waterson.”
Ellen laughed. “Now, what did I tell you? There is someone eager to cure you himself.”
“Oh, stop it!”
“I shall load these into the carriage to go with you,” suggested Maria. “The flowers will cheer your chamber.”
Thomasin took the arm Ellen offered and walked carefully towards the door. Perhaps a rest was exactly what she needed after all.
The carriage took her straight to Monk’s Place, where Lady Elizabeth and Sir Matthew came out to meet her. Thomasin climbed out in a fever, with the heady scents of Giles’s flowers still in her nostrils. Leaning on her uncle, she walked slowly through the hallway and up the stairs. Her chamber had been prepared with fresh white linen sheets and bunches of lavender hanging from the ceiling to ward off bad vapours. A fire burned in the grate with a scented pastille, intended to cleanse the air, but it made the atmosphere heavy.
Thomasin’s hand flew to her nose. “The window, please?”
“But cold air is not good for you!” said her mother.
“Please, the smell.”
Sir Matthew strode over and threw the window open. Thomasin crawled into bed and drew the covers up to her chin.
“Now I will prepare one of Dr Butts’ special drinks for you, and then I shall sit and read to you, if you like,” said Lady Elizabeth.
“Cecilia?”
“She is in the other room, never fear. She is quite content. We have not yet heard from Sir William, but we expect him daily.”
