A Death of Promise by Penny David

Author:Penny, David
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rivertree Print
Published: 2022-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The day was fading towards its early December end before Amal and Bel returned in the company of a young and beautiful woman with long, red-brown hair tied in an ornate plait that hung to one side. She was tall, her clothing unusual, loose and flowing. It reminded Thomas of the Moorish dress he had once been used to, but hers was more colourful. Thomas had expected someone older, more crone-like. This woman was far from that.

She smiled as she approached. “I have seen you around Ludlow, Thomas Berrington, and heard excellent reports of you from those who live at Croft Manor. My name is Silva Taylor. Bel has known me since I was a babe.”

“I am pleased you agreed to help us,” Thomas said. “Have they told you what has happened here?”

“Some of it, but I would hear it from you.” She looked around. “It will be full dark soon, which is good. I take it you have torches?”

“We do. What do you need from us, Silva?”

“Light my way when I ask. Be quiet when I demand it. Believe in what I do.” She met Thomas’s gaze. “If you can. Bel told me you believe only in what you can see and measure.”

“Does that matter?”

Silva Taylor laughed. “No, but I always try to persuade unbelievers. She also tells me you do not believe in God either, but I can sympathise more with you on that. Not the God of the Church, but there are other gods. Older gods. So, where is this lad who set the charms?”

Thomas took her into the third, unfinished side of the building. He found Will and Jorge watching over Walter Mason, who sat on his haunches staring at a newly plastered wall. He turned at the sound of their footsteps. When he saw Silva his face paled.

“Ah, it’s you is it, Walter? Why does that not surprise me?” She turned to Thomas. “Walter has a minor talent himself. He comes to me now and again, asking for advice, which I willingly give. I like to encourage the curious.”

“As do I,” Thomas said.

“You can stand aside, Walter,” said Silva. “I assume the wall you are staring so hard at has a charm embedded in it?”

“Somewhere, yes, but I have forgotten where I placed it.”

“No matter. He can leave if he wants, Thomas. We don’t need him anymore.”

“I want to talk to him later.” Thomas turned to Will. “Can you keep him safe?”

Will did not appear to hear him. His gaze was locked on Silva, who ignored the obvious attention.

“Will?”

Finally, he turned. “Yes, Pa?”

“Take Walter and put him in the small room again.”

“Jorge can do that,” said Will.

“And you know you are the better man for it. Do as I ask.” Thomas waited, holding Will’s gaze until he nodded, grasped Walter Mason by the shoulder and dragged him out. After a moment, Jorge followed.

Thomas was aware of a new stubbornness in Will the last few months but seemed unable to find a way to negotiate a way around it.

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