eat. I grew very moody. Those are all signs, are they not?”
Micheline reached for Nora’s cold hand. “You know, of course, that just because the seed is planted, it does not always grow?”
Nora considered this. “I suppose I did think, later that night, that I must conceive. I didn’t realize it could be otherwise. I moved from Flanders with my father when I was ten years old and I haven’t seen Mama since then.” Saying this aloud, she felt a familiar pang. “No one ever explained these things to me.”
“You were completely innocent,” Micheline said. “In my own case, I was married before I ever knew Andrew, in France. My husband was killed in a joust. I soon discovered that Bernard had been repeatedly unfaithful during our marriage, and I questioned everything I ever believed about our love.” She paused, a faint shadow of sadness crossing her face. “It was a terrible time, and I discovered that a shock can cause your monthly flow to cease. After my husband was killed, mine did not come for many weeks. Perhaps…?”
“I wish it could be true, but I am certain now of my condition.” For a moment, Nora questioned whether she could speak of such personal matters but realized she could trust Micheline. And Cicely, for all her shortcomings, was determined to be her friend. “My breasts are very tender. The nipples are sensitive.” She flushed, remembering last night with Lennox. “And my belly begins to feel changed. There is a firmness there.”
“Oh. Well, then, it seems it must be true.” Micheline sighed.
“Tell her about Lennox,” urged Cicely.
Realizing that if she did not explain to Micheline about Lennox and the handfasting, Cicely would do it for her, Nora told her the rest of the story. However, she did not mention the nights of passion they had shared. Some things must remain private between her and Lennox. “He has helped me every step of the way, from leaving Stirling to coming to London. How fortunate I have been to have the help of such a good man. But now Lennox has found his true father, and it is time for me to make my own way forward.”
“You two have tender feelings for one another though?” Micheline asked gently.
Nora felt her cheeks growing warm. “I am human,” she replied, trying to keep her tone light. “What woman could resist him?”
“Indeed!” Cicely agreed. “That’s very true.” She leaned back in her chair and popped a slice of plum into her mouth, smiling dreamily.
“However, my condition prevents me from indulging in such romantic flights of fancy,” Nora said. “I have more serious considerations. I mean to find a home here in London so that my child will grow up to be happy and secure.”
Cicely spoke up again. “Nora has worked it all out quite brilliantly. She will present herself as a widow, thereby legitimizing her child and also making it possible for her to live independently, with some power.”
“Widows have more rights than other women,” Nora agreed. “I will simply have to make up a story about the death of my husband, in our country village. Who would question it?” Walking to the bed, she picked up the third tapestry and explained again, this time to Micheline, how she meant to sell it and start a new life with the proceeds. “It is my very best work,” she added, putting it in the Frenchwoman’s outstretched hands.
Micheline examined the piece, running her fingertips over the meticulously stitched figure of the maiden among richly colored roses. “But, my dear, it is exquisite!”
“I call it Maiden with a Harp. I concentrated every bit of my skill and love into this small tapestry. It was meant to convince someone important of my abilities.”
“Do you mean to show it to Jan Mostinck, the Great Wardrobe’s tapestry keeper?”
“Perhaps, although it has occurred to me that Queen Catherine herself, or one of her ladies, might desire to own it.” Nora had thought of this after leaving Scotland. She could easily imagine the Scots Queen Mary, who cared deeply for beautiful things, purchasing such a tapestry.
Micheline lifted her brows. “Queen Catherine is too young and frivolous to appreciate this work of art. Also, I suspect that she may be out of favor with King Henry.”
“But is she not his fifth queen?” Nora wondered how the monarch could simply change his mind about his wives.
“Indeed,” Cicely exclaimed. “He finds ways to dispose of the poor ladies if they begin to bore him or do not