A Column of Fire

Content Warning: This section of the guide mentions sexual assault, execution, and enslavement.

Ned reflects on his inability to conceive with Sylvie. He also considers his wish that he could truly act as Roger’s father. (At the moment, Roger only knows Ned as his uncle.) Roger asks why the Queen hates Catholics and questions the execution of priests, whom Ned believes are trying to contact an imprisoned Mary Stuart. Ned tells Roger that he wishes for religious freedom, but he also acknowledges the complexities of politics. Alfo also seeks Ned's advice on fulfilling his grandmother’s dream to transform the old priory into a marketplace. In a letter from Nath, Ned learns that Pierre’s stepson Alain has secretly converted to Protestantism. Ned decodes a message from Walsingham which reveals Cardinal Romero's return to France; the message also suggests Spanish involvement. The end of the letter says that because Jeronima will only speak to Ned, he and Sylvie need to return to Paris. Margery interrupts and confronts Ned about his discussions with Roger. They disagree on the topic of raising children and bitterly part. At the cathedral, Sylvie and Margery discuss their shared love for Ned and Margery's broken heart over the fact that she was unable to raise Roger with him.