15 The Sempster's Tale by Frazer Margaret

Author:Frazer, Margaret [Frazer, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: __Fixed, _BIG_FIXUP, Britain, Convent, England, Fiction, good quality scan, Great Britain, Henry VI; 1422-1461, Historical, History, Medieval, Mystery & Detective, Nuns, Traditional British, Women Sleuth
ISBN: 9780425210499
Google: 14fU2aLMaLsC
Amazon: B000GUJHH6
Publisher: Berkley Pub Group
Published: 2006-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

That night passed well enough—no alarums, no outcries, no clash of weapons, no stench of burning buildings—and from the quiet in the bedchamber Frevisse supposed Mistress Hercy had given Pernell a sleeping-draught. For herself, the straw-stuffed pallet on the parlor floor made for as good sleeping as a nunnery bed ever did, though from long usage she awoke sometime in the middle of the night for the Offices of Matins and Lauds. She said their prayers and psalms silently, without rising, and then slept again, to awaken near dawn to say Prime before the day began. She was sitting at the parlor’s southward window, watching the first full sunlight spill over London’s housetops, when an indeterminate sound of many men moving told something was happening toward London bridge again; and when shortly a maidservant came to say she was wanted in the hall, she went readily, hardly holding back from outward haste, and was relieved to find Master Naylor there, in talk with Master Grene, Master Bocking, and Daved, with Dickon hovering nearby.

She heard, “… not so mannerly as yesterday’s lot, either,” before Master Naylor saw her, turned to her and said, more his grim self than usual, “Cade’s back into London. He’s brought a good many more men with him this time. They—”

‘You saw him?“ she asked.

‘He was riding up Gracechurch Street as I was coming here, his men behind him, but some of them already breaking off down other streets. My guess is they’ve been too long in Southwark and will be hoping for like sport here. I wanted to have you back to St. Helen’s this morning, but I’m not minded to chance the streets now.“

Frevisse started to answer that, but he turned back to Master Grene. “If by your leave she can stay on here, we’ll stay, too, Dickon and I, and help your men stand the guard.”

‘The more the merrier, as the saying goes,“ Master Grene said readily. ”She’s welcomed to stay and so are you.“

Frevisse could not tell whether he was almost enjoying all the uncertainty or only putting a good front to it for his household to see. What she did know was her irk at Master Naylor for not asking her what she chose to do. That he was right—she probably should not dare the streets—kept her from challenging him, but her voice was crisp as she asked, How does Dame Juliana?“

‘She’s safe enough in St. Helen’s,“ Master Naylor answered. ”It’s you I feared would venture out when you shouldn’t.“

Goaded, Frevisse said sharply, “I’m not a fool.”

‘You’ re not,“ Master Naylor agreed sharply back. ”But sometimes you’re over-bold.“

Master Grene showed fleeting surprise at the bluntness between them, but it was silent laughter that briefly crossed Daved Weir’s face.

Paying neither of them heed, she asked Master Naylor, “How many men would you guess Cade’s brought in today?”

‘Some several thousand, I’d say.“

‘Lord God of Hosts,“ Master Grene breathed. ”He’ll not have those in hand as readily as he had yesterday’s.“ Then, grimly, ”I’m going to Guildhall.

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