“That’s how it should be,” said Ma. “When a child is born, no one knows which brother is the father, which the uncle. And if they’re sensible, no one cares. They just raise all the children as their own.”
Eadbald said: “What about the wedding?”
“You will make all the usual vows, in front of a few witnesses—just the members of the two families, I suggest.”
Erman said: “No priest would bless such a marriage.”
“Fortunately,” said Ma, “we don’t need a priest.”
Leaf said scathingly: “But if we did, Dreng’s brother would surely oblige us. Degbert has two women.”
Dreng said defensively: “A wife and a concubine.”
“Though no one knows which is which.”
“Very well,” said Ma. “Cwenburg, do you have something to tell your father?”
Cwenburg was puzzled. “I don’t think so.”
“I think you do.”
Edgar thought: What now?
Cwenburg frowned. “No.”
“You haven’t had your monthly blood since we arrived in Dreng’s Ferry, have you?”
Edgar thought: That’s the third time Ma has surprised me.
Cwenburg said to Ma: “How did you know that?”
“I know because your shape has changed. You’ve put on a little weight around your middle, and your breasts are bigger. I expect your nipples hurt.”
Cwenburg was frightened and looked pale. “How do you know all this? You must be a witch!”
Leaf understood what Ma was getting at. “Oh, dear,” she said. “I should have seen the signs.”
Edgar thought: Your eyesight was blurred by ale.
Cwenburg said: “What are you all talking about?”
Ma spoke gently. “You’re going to have a baby. When you stop getting the monthly blood, that’s how you know you’re pregnant.”
“Is it?”
Edgar wondered how a girl could reach the age of fifteen without knowing that.
Dreng was infuriated. “You mean she’s already with child?”
“Yes,” said Ma. “I knew it when I saw her naked. And she doesn’t know whether the father is Erman or Eadbald.”
Dreng stared malevolently at Ma. “You’re saying she’s no better than a whore!”
Leaf said: “Calm down, Dreng. You shag two women—does that make you a male whore?”
“I haven’t shagged you for a while.”
“A mercy for which I thank heaven daily.”
