still been only dusk at the time. But what good would it do? The Sheriff already seemed to have decided what had happened, and Adela would not thank me for dragging her into the clutches of the law. Besides, what proof did I have that the scream had been uttered by Imelda Bracegirdle? Neither the Porter nor I could confirm Adela’s story. I decided therefore to go about my business and not interfere. With a sigh of relief, I hitched up my pack and bade Father Prior and Brother Elmer good-day.
* * *
It was nearly suppertime when I returned to the Frome Gate, and my pack was once again almost empty.
On leaving the Priory, I had decided to visit those remote homesteads and dwellings on the heights above the city, and had walked as far as the great gorge cut between the rocks by the River Avon as it ebbs and flows between Bristol and that narrow sea which divides us Westcountrymen from the wilder shores of Wales. I had done well, parting with such wares as I had for a purseful of money, and I hoped that my mother-in-law would be pleased; for I should need all the goodwill I could muster when she discovered that I had done my best to obtain the tenancy of Imelda Bracegirdle’s cottage for Adela, and so thwart her plans for keeping us both beneath the same roof. I felt a little guilty when I thought of my daughter, for Elizabeth was certainly enjoying Nicholas’s company, but she had not yet had sufficient time to grow used to it, and would no doubt soon recover from his loss.
As I entered the Frome Gate, I glanced back towards the empty cottage, where it now stood shuttered and silent. Richard Manifold had vanished, relieved of his guard, and there was no longer anyone or anything to single it out from its neighbours. Adela could make herself and her son comfortable there, I reflected, provided that what had happened did not give her a distaste for the place. But I did not think that likely. She was a sensible woman, not easily given to panic, and I sent up a short prayer that the Prior and his monks would favour her claim above the others.
Shops were beginning to close for the night, stall- and booth-holders locking their goods away until morning. The central drain was choked with meat and fish offal, although not so much as in the summer months, and the stench was correspondingly less. I was looking forward to my supper, for it was some hours since I had last eaten; a collop of salted bacon between two slices of black bread given me by an elderly woman to whom I had sold some needles. I recollected that Adela was to do the cooking today and wondered what she would put on the table.
As I pushed open the door of my mother-in-law’s cottage, a warm, savoury smell stole out to greet me, making my mouth water. But I was also aware that the room was even more crowded than when I had left it early that morning. A woman was seated in our only good chair, a man standing behind her, drumming his fingers impatiently against its back.
My mother-in-law said with relief, ‘Ah! Here he is at last. Roger, Master and Mistress Burnett have come especially to see you.’
Chapter Five
William Burnett wasted no time in greetings, but said at once, ‘We require your services, Chapman.’
‘Indeed?’ I answered coldly. I set down my pack and cudgel and divested myself of my cloak without further comment, then went to warm my hands at the fire.
Master Burnett, who had doubtless expected instant acquiescence, was annoyed and showed it. A hot rejoinder was plainly on the tip of his tongue, but his wife held up an imperious finger to silence him.
‘If you please, Master Chapman, and if you can spare the time,’ she amended politely.
Gone was the screaming harridan of the previous afternoon and in her place was a tired, sad woman in want of help. Alison Burnett had never been what you could call truly pretty; her nose was a trifle too large, her mouth slightly too wide, her jaw a little too determined. But she had always had
* * *
It was nearly suppertime when I returned to the Frome Gate, and my pack was once again almost empty.
On leaving the Priory, I had decided to visit those remote homesteads and dwellings on the heights above the city, and had walked as far as the great gorge cut between the rocks by the River Avon as it ebbs and flows between Bristol and that narrow sea which divides us Westcountrymen from the wilder shores of Wales. I had done well, parting with such wares as I had for a purseful of money, and I hoped that my mother-in-law would be pleased; for I should need all the goodwill I could muster when she discovered that I had done my best to obtain the tenancy of Imelda Bracegirdle’s cottage for Adela, and so thwart her plans for keeping us both beneath the same roof. I felt a little guilty when I thought of my daughter, for Elizabeth was certainly enjoying Nicholas’s company, but she had not yet had sufficient time to grow used to it, and would no doubt soon recover from his loss.
As I entered the Frome Gate, I glanced back towards the empty cottage, where it now stood shuttered and silent. Richard Manifold had vanished, relieved of his guard, and there was no longer anyone or anything to single it out from its neighbours. Adela could make herself and her son comfortable there, I reflected, provided that what had happened did not give her a distaste for the place. But I did not think that likely. She was a sensible woman, not easily given to panic, and I sent up a short prayer that the Prior and his monks would favour her claim above the others.
Shops were beginning to close for the night, stall- and booth-holders locking their goods away until morning. The central drain was choked with meat and fish offal, although not so much as in the summer months, and the stench was correspondingly less. I was looking forward to my supper, for it was some hours since I had last eaten; a collop of salted bacon between two slices of black bread given me by an elderly woman to whom I had sold some needles. I recollected that Adela was to do the cooking today and wondered what she would put on the table.
As I pushed open the door of my mother-in-law’s cottage, a warm, savoury smell stole out to greet me, making my mouth water. But I was also aware that the room was even more crowded than when I had left it early that morning. A woman was seated in our only good chair, a man standing behind her, drumming his fingers impatiently against its back.
My mother-in-law said with relief, ‘Ah! Here he is at last. Roger, Master and Mistress Burnett have come especially to see you.’
Chapter Five
William Burnett wasted no time in greetings, but said at once, ‘We require your services, Chapman.’
‘Indeed?’ I answered coldly. I set down my pack and cudgel and divested myself of my cloak without further comment, then went to warm my hands at the fire.
Master Burnett, who had doubtless expected instant acquiescence, was annoyed and showed it. A hot rejoinder was plainly on the tip of his tongue, but his wife held up an imperious finger to silence him.
‘If you please, Master Chapman, and if you can spare the time,’ she amended politely.
Gone was the screaming harridan of the previous afternoon and in her place was a tired, sad woman in want of help. Alison Burnett had never been what you could call truly pretty; her nose was a trifle too large, her mouth slightly too wide, her jaw a little too determined. But she had always had
Similar Books
