Matilda stared at her drink. “Perhaps the lateness of the hour and a day spent in Tommie’s disgruntled company has addled my wits. What is the significance of Harry’s prevarications?”

“The marriage is voidable, Matilda. Harry deceived you and the Church when he stood up with you. He’ s not who he said he was, he’s not of the faith he claimed to be, and the only property you are entitled to control are your dower goods. The case can be made that Harry defrauded you of valuable goods, and if necessary, that case shall be made.”

Now that Tremont was sitting, his body reminded him of every mile he’d spent wrestling fractious horses, while his ears, nose, and toes stung, and his mind filled with thoughts of packets lost at sea with no survivors.

“What does ‘voidable’ mean?”

“With a stroke of the pen, the bishops can render your marriage a nullity. If they do, Tommie will become illegitimate in the eyes of the law. I will understand if you choose not to visit that fate upon him.”

Tremont would have to understand, because Tommie was a blameless child and Matilda his only champion.

“Tommie is illegitimate.” Matilda set her drink aside and rose. “My unwillingness to take responsibility for that fact is why I ended up marrying Harry in the first place.” She faced out to sea, staring at the black and gold water as if she could read wisdom in the waves.

Tremont got to his feet as well, though his every muscle and joint protested. “You took that young fellow Yoe at his lying word, Matilda. When you married Harry, you were trying to protect a child abandoned by his father and his father’s family. Your scheme worked to the extent that Tommie is regarded as Harry’s son.”

“Was I thinking of Tommie, or was I trying to get free of the mess I made and the father I abhorred?”

Tremont could not answer that for her, nor could he decide Tommie’s fate, so he waited and hoped and held his peace.

“You’d marry me,” she said, turning her back on the sea, “knowing all of society will question Tommie’s antecedents?”

“I’d marry you if you had ten illegitimate children, Matilda. I did more than curse my mounts on the way here. I did some thinking.”

“At which you excel.” Some hint of humor colored her observation.

“At which I bumble convincingly.” He took a step toward her. “Who is your family, Matilda?”

“Tommie,” she said, “Portia. Dorcas MacKay has been a good friend. You are more than a friend. Major MacKay is something like a protective older brother, though he knows better than to overstep. I was growing quite fond of Mrs. Winklebleck and MacIvey and… the lot of them.”