A Rustle of Silk: A new forensic mystery series set in Stuart England (A Gabriel Taverner Mystery) by Alys Clare

Author:Alys Clare [Clare, Alys]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2016-12-20T05:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

I slept long, deep and dreamlessly; the result of my disturbed night, the blow to my head and the frustrations and anxieties of the day. After a swift breakfast, I called to Samuel to saddle Hal and rode off to see William. It was more than three weeks since he’d had his injury and, although I’d seen him a couple of times to remove the clamps and the ligatures and generally keep an eye on the healing, now it was time to see if there was any loss of strength in the arm and the hand.

It wasn’t the only reason for this morning’s visit.

I found William out in the yard. He was watching over the lad who was washing out the dairy, and it was very apparent that he longed to do the job himself. Suppressing my instant thought – isn’t the dairy traditionally the preserve of the farmer’s wife? – I tethered Hal and strode over to him. ‘How does it feel?’ I asked, indicating his left arm.

‘Morning, doctor,’ he greeted me, grinning. ‘It feels good. It’s been driving me mad with the itching, but Black—’ He stopped, blushing. ‘But I’m told that’s a sign of healing.’

‘You’re told right,’ I said shortly. ‘If you can leave that boy to his own devices for a short while, I’ll have a look.’

We went inside the house and William took off his jerkin and shirt. I inspected the wound – it had been a little inflamed, but now it felt cool, and the faint pinkness had gone – and then I put William through a series of movements, steadily increasing the range. Finally I got him to grip my hand, as hard as he could.

‘The arm is still weak,’ I said as he dressed again. ‘But I don’t believe there’s any lasting damage. Strength will build up again with use.’ I smiled at his radiant face. ‘Go and take the broom out of that lad’s hands and finish sluicing the dairy.’

He stopped just long enough to express fulsome thanks, then hurried out.

I had been aware, as I tended William, that there were others in the house; in the kitchen at the back, I guessed from the direction of the small sounds. I went through to see if I was right.

Katharine sat at the table and Black Carlotta stood behind her, leaning against the stone sink. I nodded to the old healer, then, addressing Katharine, said, ‘William’s arm has healed well. It will now be beneficial for him to use it, but don’t let him do too much, and send for me if it pains him unduly.’ I glanced again at Black Carlotta as I turned to leave. ‘Good day to you both.’

I hadn’t gone very far along the track when I heard someone call, ‘Oi!’

I reined in Hal and waited.

‘You can sit up there if you like,’ Black Carlotta panted as she caught me up, ‘but we’ll hear each other better if we’re walking side by side.’

I dismounted. I didn’t speak.

After a

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