views and lots of light, and there is a bit of breeze off the water.”
Nora shook her head. “I prefer having a place I can make my own. I have a loom here. And it’s a short walk to Whitehall, where I am employed in the Great Wardrobe.”
“Oh, all right then.” Cicely took a seat on a bench and accepted a goblet of wine from Mistress Farthing. “I suppose you should be able to decide for yourself.”
“That’s very generous of you,” Nora replied, amused. “But why are you in London?”
“I had to return to town because…” Looking like a cat who has swallowed a canary, Cicely whispered, “I am enceinte. I think.”
“But that’s wonderful news!” Nora nearly exclaimed that their children could grow up as friends before remembering that Cicely was a member of the nobility, while Nora was merely a weaver of tapestries…whose baby would be, in truth, a bastard.
“I know,” Cicely exclaimed. “Is it not thrilling? Robin insisted that we consult with his father’s physician, so we came back to London for a few days.” She paused, her cheeks coloring. “I know my Robin may be less heroic and handsome than other men we know, but he is just right for me. He lets me be myself, yet when the need arises, he can be quite forceful.”
Nora wasn’t certain how to reply to that. “That’s lovely.”
“But enough about me. How are you feeling?” Cicely pressed. “If you have awful stories to share about these past weeks, please do not tell me. I like to imagine that I’ll become more beautiful with each passing day. Everyone will look at me and say how serene I am.”
This made both of them laugh. Nora tried to assume an air of serenity herself, but it was difficult now that she was finally in the company of a caring friend who knew the truth about her baby’s conception.
“I will confess that the past weeks have been a challenge.”
Having swallowed the last of her wine, Cicely set down the goblet and bent close to Nora, clasping her hand. “Tell me, dear friend.”
“It’s not the baby.” She touched the curve of her belly, irrationally grateful to be able to acknowledge the baby to someone. “He is my greatest comfort.” Slowly then Nora allowed herself to speak about her loneliness, the unfulfilled dreams at the Great Wardrobe, and her mixed emotions about Lennox. “I think he must be happy in Surrey with his father. Our friend from Scotland, Grant Carsewell, came to Weston House with Lennox’s horse. I encouraged him to take Chaucer to Lennox, and I confess I selfishly imagined Grant might return with news that Lennox missed me and wanted to return.” She drew a painful breath. “Instead, weeks have passed, and there is no word from either of them. All must be well.”
“You are not selfish,” Cicely declared. “Not in the least! You could have kept him for yourself, but you wanted him to find his rightful place in the world, and it seems that has come to pass.” She sighed. “And what of your exquisite tapestry, the one of the lady with the harp? Did the queen purchase it from you?”
Nora shook her head. “No. Thank God for the Duke and Duchess of Aylesbury’s generosity, providing me with this house and Joan to look after me.”
“And I take it Master Mostinck is not in any hurry to make you a master weaver?”
“No. Although he does appreciate my talents.” Nora’s eyes stung. “I must be patient. Perhaps I have only been dreaming after all, and now reality is here before me.”
“Well, in any case, you should not be alone. I hate to say it, but it’s a shame Sir Raymond Slater is dead. He could give you and your child a very fine life.”
Nora hesitated to say anything too disparaging about the man Cicely had clearly found so compelling, so she glanced away. “That is neither here nor there, for he is dead, is he not? I must find my own way in the world. What sort of woman would I be if I gave up and looked around for a man whenever challenges appear before me?”
“You would be quite normal.” Cicely rose and smoothed her pale blue skirts. “Let me give this situation some thought. Something should be done.”
That sounded ominous to Nora. Following her friend to the door, she implored, “Please do not worry about me. I’m quite capable of making my way through the months ahead.”
“But what about the baby?