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Fen blinked. “H-how does that work?”

Oswald settled his elbows onto the table and steepled his fingers. “Her first two husbands were in their dotage. Her father, Lord Doverdale, was extremely powerful at court. They married her in order to ally themselves with her father. Both of them had children older than the bride, offspring they were feuding with, and did not wish to inherit their fortunes.”

Fen drew back aghast. “Their marriages disinherited their own children?”

He nodded. “The two sons of the first marriage contested the will and had some family property revert to them in the end, but the legal wrangle took over five years and was very bitter.”

“Oh poor Mathilde,” breathed Fenella. “She would not have liked that at all! And what of the second marriage?”

“It is believed that some private settlement was made on the family to keep it from coming before the King and causing a scandal.”

Fen shuddered. “How awful.”

Oswald merely smiled.

“And her third husband?”

“Lord Martindale was somewhat different. They were married by proxy. The rumor is,” he said lowering his voice dramatically. “That they have not even met.”

Fen gasped. No wonder poor Mathilde never spoke of her husband!

“Her mother arranged it, the indomitable Lady Doverdale.”

“I have met Lady Doverdale,” said Fen wincing. “It is small wonder that her daughter lacks a voice.”

“She has a formidable reputation,” agreed Oswald.

“And is one of the Queen’s foremost ladies in waiting, I hear.”

“The Queen perhaps considers her an antidote, to the pretty faces forced on her by the King,” he suggested.

Fen considered this. “That would make sense. After all, I met the most famous court beauty this morning and she had precious little to say for herself. I imagine being surrounded by twelve such ladies would be something of a trial.” She caught herself quickly. “Not that I mean to suggest that Lady Lenora is not a very excellent young woman …”

“I know exactly what you mean,” said Oswald. “There is no vice to her character, but I sometimes worry that Roland will end up wed to her.” He pulled a face. “Imagine being sat opposite her on every feast day.”

“She would be very beautiful to look at,” pointed out Fen.

“I was thinking more of the conversation flow,” he admitted. “Painful.”

Fen gave a choked laugh. “It is strange, is it not? For her cousin Eden has so very much character, and yet Lenora…”

“Has none,” finished Oswald dampeningly.

“Is Roland very enamored of her?” she asked with interest.

Oswald gave her a pained look. “Roland?” he asked ironically. “Enamored of a lady?” He shook his head. “I fear my brother has a very shallow yardstick for measuring the fairer sex.”

“Their beauty?” hazarded Fen.

“Exactly.”

“Well, it would be better he offered for Lenora than Helen Cecil, if palace gossip is to be relied on,” she pondered aloud. “If it is beauty alone that he prizes in women.”

Oswald looked surprised. “You have heard that rumor then?”

“Oh yes. Hester Schaeffer told me Helen Cecil is likely to become the King’s paramour.”

“If she isn’t already,” shrugged Oswald.