“Hogwash!” Mary erupted from the other side of the table.
Alicia gave her a silent nod of thanks.
Thomas folded his arms over his broad chest. Alicia itched to pull up the mourning band that had slipped below his elbow. Instead, she clasped her hands together in her lap.
“How now, little minx?” He tried to look stern, but failed miserably.
Mary glared at her sister-in-law. “Isabel had nothing to do with the preparations of this dinner, Tom. ‘Tis all Alicia’s hard work. Ask any of the servants. Alicia does a lot more around here than wash dogs.” She pointed to the dusted rafters.
“Tittle-tattle,” Isabel rebuked the younger girl. “If you wish to continue to dine at table with the adults, you must learn to keep your mouth shut when others are—”
Thomas slammed his palm down onto the board. The cutlery rattled on impact. “Silence!” he bellowed.
Turning pale, Isabel took a large drink of wine from her goblet. No one else in the hall moved, not even the serving wenches at the cupboard.
The earl leaned over his trencher toward his sister. “Pray, continue, sweetheart,” he commanded in a softer tone.
Under the table, Georgie nudged Alicia’s clenched fingers with his wet nose. Grateful to do something, she stroked the large head that he rested in her lap.
Sitting up straighter, Mary smiled. “Since you left yesterday morn, Alicia has had the entire household at work. Look about you at the hall. Have you ever seen it so clean? The kitchens, too, are spotless. And the food—great Jove, Tom! We have eaten like kings and queens since dinner a day ago. Alicia says they are some of her mother’s recipes, and she has promised to teach me cookery—if you approve, that is.” She ended her recitation with a hopeful expression.
Thomas raised his eyebrows, then turned his full attention to Alicia. She felt herself grow warm under his searching gaze.
“’Tis true?” he asked her with a surprising gentleness. “You are the wonder worker?”
She swallowed. “Aye, my lord. I hope it pleases you.”
He said nothing. She held her breath. Perhaps he didn’t like to have his home changed around without his permission. She should have thought of that, but he had left so quickly yesterday morning, and her mind had been otherwise engaged by Andrew’s troubling love letters.
Thomas placed his large hand over hers. “It pleases me well,” he murmured.
She looked up at him with words of gratitude trembling on her lips, but he turned away. “Bring on the next course, Andrew!” he roared down the hall.
“Aye, my lord! ‘Tis roast salmon in an onion-andwine sauce,” the squire announced with a grand flourish, as he carried the steaming platter up to the high table.
The other diners cheered as he passed by them. The savory aroma of the sauce filled the hall. Thomas gave Alicia’s hand a gentle squeeze before he picked up his knife, and returned to his dinner. She sighed with relief. Just then, she caught Isabel’s expression over his shoulder. It was a look of pure venom.
Chapter Nine
Thomas did not speak to Alicia for the rest of the dinner, though he glanced often at her when he thought she wasn’t looking. She tried to read his expression, but could not. Only his beautiful blue eyes seemed softer. As he had done during their first shared meal, he made sure that she received the choicest portions of everything. When he drank from their goblet, he always wiped the rim before offering it to her. Once she thought she spied a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth, but he quickly turned away from her. She chided herself for giving in to idle fancy.
On the other hand, both Andrew and Mary kept up bantering one-sided conversations with Thomas. Mary made it a point to exclaim over every new dish, each new sauce and the novel methods of presentation. When the sweet course was served, she ascended into verbal ecstasies over the tansy cakes topped with mint cream.
Meanwhile, Andrew driveled nonsense about the food, the wine, the time of day, the month of the year, the weather, the swept hearth and the current phase of the moon. The jabbering squire associated each topic with its amorous connotations and lovers’ desires. Alicia presumed that he directed all his suggestive remarks to her personally. The fragments of his letter grew heavier inside her sleeve. She couldn’t wait to burn them, and to box Andrew’s ears for his impertinence.
At last, Thomas grew tired of his squire’s quips. “Tie up your tongue,” he growled.
With a deep bow, the boy retired from the high table. Just before he exited into the kitchens, he winked broadly.
Alicia sighed with relief. At that moment, Thomas turned in his chair, looked at her, and cleared his throat.
“Come to the library,” he muttered. “If you please,” he added almost as an afterthought.
“Willingly,” she replied. Apprehension rose in her throat. He looked so serious, it frightened her.
He means to discuss our betrothal, she thought as Thomas helped her from her seat. By his stern expression, she feared that his decision would not be in her favor. Perchance he will let me stay at Wolf Hall as his housekeeper. Casting a glance at Isabel, Alicia changed her mind. The earl might not object to having Alicia underfoot, but Isabel had made it plain that she would rather see her rival at the bottom of the well.
He led the way, attended by the three dogs. Isabel rose from the table.
“Thomas, wait!” she pleaded. Lifting her skirts, she ran after them.
Alicia felt her delicious dinner turn to a leaden weight inside her stomach. She steeled herself for an unpleasant interview. Oh, Edward, you should have taken me to the Low Countries with you.
Thomas halted, his hand on the library door latch. “How now, Isabel?”
The low tone of his voice, and the steely look in his eye chilled the atmosphere. Taverstock bristled, and growled at Isabel.
She took no notice of Thomas’s demeanor, nor of the little dog’s unfriendly greeting. “I must speak with you upon an urgent matter. Now.” She flashed Alicia a withering look. “You may deal with this servant later.”
Before he could reply, Mary joined the group. Thomas directed his attention to his sister.
“Go plague someone else, Mary. ‘Tis serious matters I must discuss with these two ladies.”
Putting her hands on her hips, she cocked her head. “If it concerns our family, I will stay, Tom. I am old enough to understand.”
“Go,” he muttered, though he did not put his whole heart behind the command.
Isabel drew herself up, though she was still shorter than Mary. “You heard your brother, child. ‘Tis not for you to thrust your nose where it plainly is not wanted.”
Mary laughed in her face. “Very well, go to. Closet yourselves in secret conference. ‘Tis a waste of time. I shall know everything that you say before the words are even out of your mouths.”
Alicia could not help smiling at the girl’s open defiance. “Mistress of the keyhole?” she murmured.
Mary nodded. “Just so.”
Thomas looked at each of the three determined females before him, then he shrugged his shoulders with resignation. Alicia couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for him. He might be a stellar huntsman, but he certainly was at sixes and sevens when it came to handling the women of his family.
He opened the door. The dogs scampered inside, and made for their accustomed places before he had even lighted the candles on his table. He offered the only chair to Alicia. Isabel started to object, but he held up his hand for silence. Alicia settled herself on the cushioned seat, grateful for this little consideration. She had a nasty feeling that her knees might give way under her. Once Mary got the hems of her gown and petticoats out of the way, Thomas shut the door behind her. Four people and three dogs made a tight fit in the small room. Thomas leaned against the mantel, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared at the assembled company.
The silence hung heavily in the room like a damp woolen cloak. Isabel tossed her head.
“Thomas, Wolf Hall is
rife with gossip. The news of my pregnancy has spread like wildfire, no thanks to a certain long-eared person here present.” She glared at Mary.
The girl narrowed her eyes. “I have kept that piece of motley news to myself. Look to your own maid Meg. Her tongue has not stopped wagging.” She lowered her voice. “There is much that goes on around here that I keep to myself.”
The sudden adult tone in the child’s voice surprised Alicia. Isabel stared at Mary for a long moment, then dismissed her.
“To the point, Isabel!” Thomas snapped. He rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“The babe I carry needs a father. You are honor-bound to grant me your protection. Announce our marriage. Set the date.” She took his free hand, and laid it against her cheek. “I will make you a good wife, Thomas.”
His jaw dropped, though he did not snatch his hand away from her. Alicia saw her secure future evaporating before her eyes. Her patient waiting had achieved her nothing. If she did not open her mouth now, all would be lost.
She took a deep breath. “My lord, your father and my guardian signed and sealed a contract of marriage between us. I have been under your roof for some days now without the comfort of kith or kin. I beg of you, please honor that contract, before my good name is ruined.”
Alicia bit her lower lip. She had said her piece, though only heaven knew what Thomas would say. She could find herself on the post road back to York before midafternoon.
Thomas stared at her, then at his sister-in-law. His face turned red. He brushed away Isabel’s hand as if it were a firebrand. Then he exploded.
“Silence, all of you! Do not abuse my ears with any more of your mewling. ‘Tis giving me a monstrous headache. Mary, you imp, hold your tongue until you are spoken to. Isabel, you are enough to drive a holy man straight into hell.”
The little widow quickly recovered her composure. “But, dearest Thomas—”
“I am not your dearest anything! God shield me, I pray I never will be dear to you. I cannot marry you, Isabel, as you were my brother’s wife, even though you seem to have recovered from the shock of his death in swift time. Our union would be against the holy church’s law of affinity. As for you, Alicia—”
He stopped in midtirade as if he searched for the words he wanted to say to her. Though she trembled inside, she sat up straighter in the chair, folded her hands and tried to look composed. “Aye, my lord?” she asked, holding her voice steady.
He took a deep breath. “I fully intend to honor my father’s agreement. We will marry within the week.”
Alicia sagged with relief against the high back of her chair. She swallowed down the lump in her throat.
“Yahoo!” Mary clapped her hands with joy.
Thomas gave his sister a fierce look.
“But I did not say anything, Tom,” she protested. “I think you have made the right decision,” she added.
Isabel stamped her foot. “You are every bit the knotty-pated fool that William said you were, Thomas. The Archbishop of York can grant us a dispensation to wed. The bishop would quite understand your reluctance to marry a…a…”
“Be still, woman!” Thomas warned in a low voice.
Undaunted by his anger, she continued. “‘Tis your duty to me. I carry the Cavendish heir. Your elder brother’s child—the one who should rightfully be the Earl of Thornbury.”
“Your tongue should be fed to the dogs,” Mary sneered.
Her brother’s eyes widened with surprise at her unusual outburst.
“How now?” he asked.
“Send this prattling child to bed this instant,” Isabel screamed.
Mary put Tavie on the floor. “What a brazen-faced liar you are!” She advanced toward Isabel. The angry woman retreated until she bumped against the locked bookcase. Mary laughed out of the side of her mouth. “Look you, Tom. She turns pale at my words.”
Isabel put her hand to her abdomen. “’Tis the babe…”
The child curled her lip. “Ha! You play your part well, madam. Methinks we should hire you out to the mummers.”
“Thomas!” Isabel beseeched. “Are you content to stand there like a great staring oaf, and do nothing while I am maligned by this impudent mischief-maker? She should be tied to a bedpost and whipped for what she has said to me.”
He shook his head. “Mary, what are you jabbering about? Be brief and to the point. My patience has flown up the chimney.”
“Aye, Tom. ‘Tis this. How do you know that this child of Isabel’s is a true Cavendish?”
Before Thomas or Alicia could react, Isabel slapped Mary across her face. The sharp sound set Tavie to barking. The hair on Vixen’s neck stood straight up. She growled, and bared her needlelike teeth at Isabel. Georgie hoisted himself to his great feet. The child winced at the pain, but did not cry or step back.
Thomas clenched his fists. “By heaven, I have never struck a woman before, but I swear to you, my fingers itch to do the deed now. I warn you, hell-hag, tread carefully with your next few steps, lest you be marked for my hot vengeance. Mary, child, come here.” He held out his arm to his sister.
The red print of Isabel’s hand stood out on her cheek. Her chin trembled, but she did not give herself over to tears. Alicia started to rise, but Thomas shook his head at her.
Isabel swelled up like a cornered cat. “The little chit should be sharply punished for the slander she has uttered against me.”
“And you should be banished for the foul things you have done against this family,” Mary retaliated. Then she looked up at her brother. “This very morning, before you returned from the hunt, Isabel lay with Launce, the groom, in the top-floor storeroom of the south tower.”
Isabel turned pale. “The devil take you straight to hell!” she yowled, her pretty face contorted with rage.
Alicia made a quick sign of the cross against Lady Cavendish’s terrifying curse.
Thomas’s silent anger filled the small chamber.
Alicia put her hand over her heart. “Oh, Mary, are you certain sure of this?”
Isabel clutched the bookcase for support. “Of course not. She would say anything to besmirch my good name. The little wretch hates me.”
Mary held her ground. “I heard her call Launce her stallion, and she told him to…to fill her up,” she related in a low tone. “Later, I saw them descend the stairs. Launce’s codpiece was undone, and Isabel had straw in her hair, and her skirts were…”
Thomas sliced the air with the edge of his hand. “Enough, child! I do not need to hear the particulars of that disgusting scene—especially from your innocent lips.”
Isabel formed her hands into claws. “Innocent, ha! She is as false as vows made in wine.” She lunged at Mary.
All three dogs barked, as Mary sought safety behind Thomas. Alicia could not sit by and watch Isabel injure the young girl. As the angry woman dashed past her, Alicia rose, grabbed her by the wrist, and flipped her into the chair.
“There, my lady, you have a seat at last.” Then Alicia sat on top of her. “And so do I,” she added with a great deal of satisfaction.
“My babe!” Isabel cried, beating her fists against her back.
“Methinks it lives in your imagination and not your belly,” Mary taunted.
“Damn your tongue!” Isabel shot back.
Thomas massaged his temples. “Peace!” he bellowed. The room fell silent. “Stokes!” He threw open the library door. The steward and Andrew literally fell flat over the threshold. As they struggled to their feet, their master gave them a cold smile. “I commend your promptness, gentlemen. Andrew, send for Launce, but he is not to know the nature of his summons.”
The squire grinned like a sprite on All Hallows’ Eve. “Aye, my lord. I will effect this dainty undertaking myself.”
Thomas curled his lips. “Be brief in your words, and quick on your feet.” After Andrew had departed, the beleaguered earl turned to his steward. “Find the wench Meg. Instruct her to start packing Lady Isabel’s bits and pieces. They will
be gone from Wolf Hall in two days’ time.”
Stokes attempted to hide his grin. “Aye, my lord. ‘Twill be done as you command.”
Thomas grabbed the man’s arm as he turned to go. “Seal your lips about this affair. Give no answer to Meg, or to any other. The Cavendish name must not be dragged though the mud by idle gossip.”
Looking more sober, the steward nodded. “Aye, my lord.”
Thomas closed the door. Isabel bucked against Alicia’s weight.
“Thomas! Tell this great broomstick to get off of me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Tsk, tsk, my lady. That is a most discourteous way to address my future wife.”
Isabel made a rude noise with her lips. “Wife or broomstick, I care not! She is a great heavy lout, and is crushing me.”
Alicia raised her eyes to meet his. “My lord,” she asked softly. “What is your will?”
He snorted. “If I had my will, I would have the witch pressed flat Since she still calls herself a lady, you may let her up. But, I warn you, Isabel, you are to sit quietly, and say nothing—or I will make you silent. Do you mark me?”
Isabel said nothing, but her expression communicated her anger. She drummed her nails on the arm of the great chair. Meanwhile, Mary retreated to the window niche.
Alicia did not know where to put herself. Thomas had not indicated that he wanted her by his side, and she certainly had no desire to be anywhere near Isabel. Feeling very conspicuous, she sank down on the hearth beside Georgie, and began to stroke his back.
It seemed an eternity of silent waiting until someone knocked on the door.
“Enter!” Thomas commanded.
The door swung open, revealing Launce. He pulled off his leather cap as he crossed the threshold. “My lord?” The tall man touched his forehead with his fingers. “Your squire said ‘twas most urgent to see you.”
Thomas nodded. “I have a question for you,” he growled. “And I expect an honest answer.”
Launce shot a quick look at Isabel, then licked his lips. “Aye, my lord?”
Thomas pointed to his sister-in-law. “Did you lie with her in the south tower this morning?”
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