Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
Thomasin curtseyed low before the queen. Catherine sat back in her chair, beside the roaring fire, trying to digest what her lady-in-waiting was asking her.
“You need a carriage, to take yourself and Sir Giles Waterson to Thames Street?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“So that he might ask your father’s permission to wed you?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Thomasin kept her head low, unable to read the expression on Catherine’s face, but the queen sounded amused.
“But if I grant you leave, then you will return as a betrothed woman.”
“I very much hope so, my lady, with your blessing.”
“And I shall be losing two members of my household, as you and your cousin are both deserting me to become wives.”
“It is not a desertion, my lady,” said Ellen, who was standing at the side. “Our hearts will always be with you, along with our warmest wishes.”
“You plan to be wed soon?”
“In the early autumn, I think,” said Thomasin.
“Then I will keep you with me but a few weeks more, until the end of July, when the Papal Court will adjourn for the summer. We shall go to Windsor and pass our time quietly in the countryside, and then you shall be free.”
Thomasin could not suppress her smile. “Thank you, my lady. It has been the honour of my life to serve you.”
“But you wish for happier times. It is only natural.”
“I only wish for my husband, my lady.”
The queen sighed. “As all maids do. Marriage is not what maids think it to be. It is a trial for women, a source of both joy and sorrow. Look at me, Thomasin — you too, Ellen. The pair of you have served me well, with loyalty and honour. I cannot deny you the happiness that you deserve, but my blessings come with a warning. You are fortunate in being matched for love. Do not give the whole of your heart; keep a small part of it back for yourself, in case you might need it one day.”
Outside, Giles was waiting at the gate, leaning on a wooden crutch for support.
Harry Letchmere had assisted him with his dress, and with getting down the stairs and out into the early morning sunlight.
His face lit up when he saw Thomasin hurrying along the path in her rich, dark blue gown, dressed with pearls and silver embroidery.
It was the finest gown she had ever owned, adapted from an old one of the queen’s that no longer fitted her, but it made Thomasin feel like a princess.
Giles leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “I have a carriage waiting. You have not changed your mind overnight?”
Thomasin laughed. “Do you think me so changeable that the wind might blow my affections away?”
“No, I do not think that of you.” He looked up at the blue sky above them. “But still I am grateful for fine weather today, to better complement our news.”
“I spoke with the queen. She is sorry to lose me, but she is prepared to let me go. Ellen too.”
Letchmere bowed his head in appreciation.
“What could be better than a joint wedding?” Giles smiled. “Cousins and friends together?”
“Oh!” Thomasin gasped. “Ellen and I married together? What a wonderful idea. I had not thought of it myself, but if she and this good lord agree, it would be the best day we could imagine.”
“Now, come into the carriage. We must catch your parents before they leave.”
They passed along the city streets, busy despite the hour, jolting on the cobbles, pausing to let a flock of geese pass.
Giles had taken her hand when they were seated and held it in his until the gates of Monk’s Place came into view.
Sir Matthew’s dogs began their welcoming bark at once, and they drew to a halt before the familiar doorway.
The door already stood open and a second carriage, laden with chests, was waiting for its occupants.
Sir Matthew Russell came striding out, then paused upon seeing the new arrivals.
“Here she is!” he called back into the house. “Thomasin, we knew you would not let them depart without bidding farewell. And Giles Waterson too, you are most welcome.”
“I am glad not to have missed them,” said Thomasin. “I knew of their intention to leave early, but had to ask permission from the queen.”
“Of course. But they would not have left without seeing you! Won’t you step inside?”
The greyhounds came rushing out, pressing their noses into Thomasin’s palm eagerly. She did not make it into the hall before her father appeared, dressed in his brown cloak, his eyes tired.
“You have come to take your leave, then!” He embraced his daughter, kissing her cheek.
“Of course. Is all in readiness?”
“All the chests are packed. It only remains for your mother and sister to be ready, and you know how long it takes them! It is good of you, Sir Giles, to come over so early to see us on our way.”
“I have a particular reason, sir, for coming, apart from sending you my best wishes for your health and the journey ahead.”
“A particular reason? What can that be? No more court business, I pray. I am done with it.”
“Nothing of the sort, I promise you. Something far more pleasant.”
“Good, we could do with a bit of good news. Speak up then, man.”
Giles laughed nervously. “It is more of a request, actually, sir. I hope, with your good wishes and blessing, to make an offer of marriage to your daughter.”
Sir Richard looked briefly stunned. “Cecilia? To help her out of her predicament?”
“No, Father, not Cecilia!” cried Thomasin.
“I wish to ask your permission to marry Thomasin,” Giles continued, “whom I have long been convinced is the best, most radiant, honourable and true woman I have ever had the pleasure to meet.”
“Well,” said Sir Richard, “I might have told you that myself. So you have become aware of her worth?”
“I have, my lord, and I would like nothing more than to make her my wife. I have estates in Surrey and Essex, an income sufficient for all her needs and wants and a heart ready to do service to her for the duration of my lifetime.”
“What do you say to this, Thomasin?” Sir Richard looked at her. “Do you wish to become Sir Giles’s wife? He argues his case most persuasively.”
“I can say yes without hesitation. I love Giles as much as he loves me.”
“Well then, who am I to stand in your way?” Sir Richard shook Giles by the hand. “Congratulations, and welcome to the family. I could not have chosen better myself.”
“You will not be disappointed in me, sir, I promise you.”
“No, young man, from what I have observed of you, I do not think that I will.”
Lady Elizabeth was coming down the stairs in a rustle of cream-coloured silk, with Cecilia following behind, taking care with each step.
Her dresses were open-laced now, showing the extent of her advancing pregnancy, but now that the birth was planned, she had a calmer expression than Thomasin had seen her wear lately.
“What is all this commotion?” asked Lady Elizabeth. “Has Thomasin come to bid us goodbye?”
“Much more than that,” said Sir Richard, turning to greet his wife. “She has brought her betrothed with her.”
“Her what?” Lady Elizabeth paused mid-step.
“Sir Giles has just asked me for permission to marry Thomasin and I have given it.”
The two women looked from Thomasin to Giles and back again.
“How can it be?” asked Lady Elizabeth. “I was only on the landing. You could not have waited for a moment?”
“My apologies,” said Giles at once, “I hope also to secure your gracious permission.”
“Yes!” cried Lady Elizabeth. “As soon as possible! A wedding! And what a bridegroom. We could not have asked for better.”
“Exactly what I said, my dear,” said Sir Richard.
Lady Elizabeth came forward and threw her arms about Thomasin. “How proud I am of you. A splendid match.”
Reaching the bottom of the steps, even Cecilia managed a smile. Thomasin was pleased to see it, given her sister’s own recent marital disappointments. “This is truly good news. Where will you marry?”
“We have not thought yet,” said Thomasin, turning to Giles. “But we would like a quiet life in the country, at least at first.”
“A country wedding suits us well,” said Lady Elizabeth.
“And perhaps a joint one, with dear Ellen and Sir Henry Letchmere.”
“A double wedding! I must start thinking of what to wear, and all the people you can invite.”
“Slow down, Mother. There is no rush. All that will come in time.”
“But a double wedding — I never thought to see it!”
“Congratulations,” added Sir Matthew, coming forward to shake Giles’s hand and kiss Thomasin. “Such good news. I am pleased to hear about Ellen too; she deserves this happiness.”
“And now, we must be on the road,” said Sir Richard, “otherwise we will be kissing and shaking hands all day long. Come, ladies.” He held out his hand to Cecilia first, helping her to climb slowly inside and settle herself upon the seat. Then, he assisted his wife.
“We will see you again soon, very soon,” said Lady Elizabeth, beaming as she took her place alongside her elder daughter.
“You do know this journey is going to be nothing but wedding talk now!” Sir Richard smiled, rolling his eyes at the same time. “But it will give your mother a lift. She will feed off this for months to come, so do not leave it too long.”
“Safe journey, sir,” said Giles, securing the carriage door after he had got in. “And you take with you my profuse gratitude.”
“Take care of Thomasin. I know you will.”
“All ready?” asked Sir Matthew, nodding at the driver.
The carriage rolled slowly across the cobbles and out through the gates, away from Monk’s Place, the bustling city and the treacherous court forever.