Matilda had never once referred to Tommie as Harry’s son. The boy was never our son. He was always my son.

“Joseph Yoe is Tommie’s father,” Tremont said. “Then something happened, such that you turned to Merridew to give the boy legitimacy.”

Matilda stared at her teacup, then finished her serving. “You do not sound appalled.”

“Oh, I am thoroughly appalled. When Yoe became aware that you carried his child, he should have had the banns read, taken up his responsibilities, and kept you laughing for the rest of his natural days.” Tremont poured Matilda another cup of tea, though he’d yet to touch his own.

“Squire Yoe happened, or so I suspect. I was as ignorant as a girl can be, which is very ignorant in a country parsonage with no mother to educate me. Joseph told me I could not conceive unless he and I were married. I knew of no unmarried women with babies, so Joseph’s perversion of the facts was credible. I happened to mention to him as summer drew to a close that I’d missed my courses.”

“That was unusual?”

“Unheard of. I enjoy very good health, as a rule. We were walking home from services, and that was the last time I saw him. He didn’t show up for our usual picnic on market day. He did not appear at services the next week. After the service, Squire Yoe was very proud to announce that his son had transferred to an active-duty unit. An uncle had bought him a captaincy. Joseph never set foot in Spain. He died of some stupid accident—stepping barefoot on a rusty nail—and I had only one letter from him. I was to remember him fondly and go on about my life. He hoped I knew that he’d bought his colors the better to make me proud of him.”

Tremont rose, because movement had become imperative. “How did you not dig him up and kill him all over again? To blame you for his desertion, to imply that pleasing you motivated him, when he’d, in fact, left you to face ruin and worse… He’d run from the most basic responsibility that honor requires… And then along came Harry Merridew, handsome and understanding, and what choice did you have? I’m of a mind to ruin the good Squire Yoe and… Matilda, don’t cry, please don’t…”