Access to Breathe Such Vows

"Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge."

April 12th

Hermia was not happy with the thought of how big and round her stomach would soon be.

Whispers and innuendo gave her the impression that her stomach was not the only thing that would swell, stretch, and ache, and that some 'things' were never quite the same again. She wanted to know what those things were, what would happen to them exactly, and just how much they would change beyond what had already occurred to her astonishment. But who could she ask? Her mother and grandmother were dead, her Aunt Eleanor was abroad, and the only other mother figure she was permitted to speak to now was her Aunt Goneril. She would rather know absolutely nothing than ask Aunt Goneril how a woman stretched to pass a baby.

"Lo, where she comes in gaudy green arraying..."

"A prince of beauty rich and rare..." Juliette stopped singing. "Sister, what is all of this?" She gestured to the domestic clutter around the sofa.

"I finished your mending for you."

"But you hate sewing."

"There is nothing else to do in this prison. I cannot have visitors, and my family avoids me."

"But you act as if you do not want us when we are with you, Hermia."

"And how should I act? I cannot run about like a silly wood nymph."

Juliette huffed, "I beg your pardon for being happy!"

"You don't have to be happy in front of me."

"Yesterday, I was offending you by acting 'strange'. Today, I am too happy."

"So try behaving normally!" What Hermia currently wanted was for her flighty sister to leave her alone, but Juliette was all the company she had. She remembered a time when that company was much more agreeable, but their sisterly affection had been strained - Juliette was jealous of Miranda and Hermia of Tybalt. Rather than speak of jealousy, each went further into her shell, one laughing and one silent, to pretend she was not at all hurt by her sister's preference for another.

"Oh, Hermia!"

"Miranda! At last."

"How did you get away from your mother?"

"She finally had business she could not do by proxy. I swear, she was waiting all week to catch me lowering a rope from my window. She has never been such an attentive mother in all my life. I could not even say two words without her lurking in earshot!" Miranda glanced at her other, less dear cousin.

Juliette did not miss Miranda's narrowed eyes or her heavy pause. If she was to be on her best behavior with Hermia, the steam had to blow in another direction. "Oh, silly me, standing here! I will do my spying from the other side of the door. Good to see you again so soon, Miranda."

"That was even more rude than usual."

"Oh, don't you know? She's in love."

Miranda giggled. "So it was her in the kitchen garden at the party! Half of Verona heard his grandmother giving him a dressing-down for some inappropriate behavior, but nobody has guessed who he was with."

"Because she was meant to be at home with me."

"You know how selfish she is, Hermia." Miranda touched her cousin's shoulder. "When her time comes, you can treat her just as shabbily. Right now, though, you have the better fortune."

Tap. Tap. Tap.

"Oh, cousin, you are the most wonderful..." Hermia's words trailed off as Miranda unlocked the window and Puck vaulted himself inside. It had been nearly two weeks - two endless weeks - since she had last seen him.

"Miranda is a saint," Puck declared. "I nearly destroyed her carriage trying to play coachman."

"It's Mother's carriage anyway. I know I don't care if you break all four wheels and tip it into the river!" The three laughed at the thought, all imagining the carriage's owner screeching from the road. "Well, I will go find Juliette and keep her occupied. Enjoy yourselves."

Hermia smiled. "Thank you, Miranda."

"My pleasure, cousin."

"Well?"

"Aren't you at least happy to see me?" Puck teased.

"I'll be happier when you stop tormenting me. Tell me what you know!"

"My mother reviewed the documents yesterday. She is certain we only need your grandfather's consent to make the marriage legal."

Hermia could have floated away on a gust of joy. She knew she was only days away from the commencement of her aunts' banishment scheme (knowledge that put her in her sister's debt), which would include some invented reason to reject the marriage solution. Her grandfather had barely looked at her, much less spoken to her about her fate, but Hermia was certain he would consent to a marriage if properly approached. It was the most honorable resolution, and Consort did not have as convoluted a view of the Capulet family honor as did his daughters. "He will give it, and then we must be married immediately."

"Father Laurent is ready to say the Mass tonight."

"Then we should find my grandfather."

"Do you truly think he will grant his permission?"

"I have to. It is our only-"

"I thought I had banned you from this house!"

Puck immediately began an apology that Consort was determined to ignore, but both men were suddenly distracted by a loud moan from Hermia. She was quickly helped into the nearest chair, pulled away from the chessboard by the father-to-be. Consort's posture relaxed as he watched the affectionate pair.

Hermia broke the silence in her most ladylike tone. "Grandfather, Puck and I want to be married. It can be done tonight if you will give your consent. If I am married," she continued, "I can begin to erase the shame I brought to our family."

"And you think this boy deserves or even wants to marry you?"

Puck answered, "Sir, I know have done nothing to recommend myself to you. You are within your rights to demand whatever satisfaction you think is necessary." Being the son of an ambassador and a diplomat had not left Puck untouched. "Yet, if your granddaughter will forgive me for disgracing her, I beg you to allow me to make amends in the most agreeable way possible."

After a long, uneasy silence, Hermia resorted to begging. "Please, Grandfather..."

"Hermia, your young man here can only take half of the responsibility, regardless of what he says. This was not entirely his doing, was it?"

"No-no, sir," she stammered.

Consort held up his hand. "Child, you are certainly not the first young lady, not even the first Capulet, to make this mistake. Stop worrying and consider yourself fortunate that you chose a young man of mostly good character, at least. The gossip will sort itself out as long as you do not feed it. Will you promise me to live a quiet life until the scandal burns out?"

"Yes, sir."

"And your young man is aware of our family tradition?"

Puck straightened up. "My family has the same honorable tradition, sir."

"Then you and I have some business with my attorney, grandson. Can you come back tomorrow?"

"Actually, sir, Father Laurent is prepared to say Mass tonight. We do not want to wait any longer than necessary."

"Then I will send for my man now. Hermia, you will send for your..." Consort stopped himself. "On second thought, I will inform the rest of the family tomorrow."

Hermia looked to her grandfather with sincere affection. "Thank you, sir."

Consort tried to smile but left the room wearing a scowl. Regan had told him that Titania Summerdream was caught making plans for her son, who had quickly changed his mind about marrying Hermia, to hide abroad until the situation was resolved. Goneril had confirmed her sister's story, saying the ambassador would put her son entirely out of their reach. And Consort, without one critical thought, had believed his daughters. He was growing very old after all.

Puck stopped Hermia from rising from the chair. "You must rest. I will send the ladies in to look after you."

"But Aunt Goneril-"

"Don't worry about her, sprite." Hermia perked up; Puck had not called her 'sprite' since the morning she was sick all over him in the garden. "That critical business of hers will keep her attention all day. I promise."

Next Post: A Stolen Marriage Day