The Popish Midwife by Annelisa Christensen

Author:Annelisa Christensen [Christensen, Annelisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian fiction, historical fiction, Popish plot, treason trials, true stories, midwifery, 17th century England
Publisher: The Conrad Press
Published: 2016-07-14T04:00:00+00:00

20

25th day of November, 1679

Lady Powys removed the lavender scented hand-kerchief from her nose only long enough to comment, ‘Well, if you had seen Mrs Behn’s latest play – The Feign’d Curtizans – she fair outdid herself last week! I am sure Betty Currer’s prologue would have delighted you, Lizzie; how she spouted humour about plots in such delicious manner.’

My Lady might have been reminiscing in the finest drawing room of society if she had not muffled the last of her words as she covered her mouth with the kerchief once more, and if her hand did not betray her discomfort by shaking. I remembered how I was the same when I first came to Newgate a year and more ago, a place so much more vile than here in Richardson’s lodgings, so I made an effort to keep my mind on her silly prattle and engage in the pleasantries as if it were mere after dinner conversation.

‘What did she say that engaged you so? Can any person truly have an interest in such plays these days?’ I asked. ‘Surely there are too many real dramas and staged plots acted all around us!’

My own interest in such things had certainly waned. November had followed October, and my many petitions for release had fallen on unfertile ground, yet still I had not been indicted, for they did not have two witnesses against me, and the law says they must have two to arraign me for treason.

Such petty frivolities as the theatre were inconsequential compared to my dire circumstances.

‘How extraordinary!’ Lady Powys removed her fabric guard once more, so I saw she was smiling, eyes wide. ‘That’s exactly what Mrs Currer said - she opened the play with just such an observation. She said that all the plots, suspicions, elections, jealousies,’ Lady Powys looked far away as she tried to remember the words, ‘and other dramas in this fearful town had made the stage pointless.’

‘Well, she was right to say so,’ I said. ‘Have you heard any more of your own situation?’

‘Fortune has not sent me news to alleviate either my situation or my mood since last we met.’ Lady Powys replaced the hand-kerchief over her nose to prevent the stench that seeped over from the main prison from overwhelming her; an odour I was surprised to realise I had now grown used to. Unaccustomed to such tainted air, a tear or two ran from Lady Powys’s eyes and soaked into her little piece of lace-edged cloth. ‘‘Tis much more than a year now since my husband and the others were accused and committed to the tower.’

‘Did you see the Procession last week?’ I asked, wishing to take My Lady’s thoughts from her woes.

‘Oh, but I suppose Pierre has told you all about it! How you were portrayed in that despicable parade was a disgrace so vile it should never have been permitted!’

‘Others in here speak freely of my infamy,’ I said, ‘but Pierre will not talk of it, except to swear those who were part of it are too deep in the Devil’s pocket to climb out.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.