Dr Jensen’s words came back to me as they often did in the early, lonely hours, so I slipped out of bed and went to the window. I lay with my hands on my rounded stomach, taut as a drum skin, thinking how strange the sensation was and listening to Alice’s steady breathing. One morning the movement in my stomach woke me before it was fully light. After my conversation with Alice about my mother’s housekeeping, I had the coal in the fireplaces replaced with wood and the tallow candles with wax, instructing the suppliers to bill Richard directly. Each night I had rosa solis – brandy with cinnamon – and slowly the colour began to return to my hollow cheeks. There were fluffy potatoes and buttery carrots and cheese pasties that burnt my tongue. At mealtimes we had flaky salmon with creamy parsley sauce, oyster pies, and beef that was soft and pink in the middle. Me apple pie, bread and butter, biscuits, gingerbread and marchpane. ‘You have done enough!’ His temper had boiled over. They are doing the accusing, not him.’ ‘We must do something.’ ‘We must do nothing!’ Richard bellowed. It has not been difficult for him: they are giving him the names, thinking it will buy them their freedom. How many more witches has he found since I’ve been away?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘ How many?’ ‘About ten. He does not care about the consequences, that people’s lives are at stake. ‘He is only doing this to appease the king and display himself at court like some painted peacock. She would not harm a fly.’ ‘ Then she will have nothing to fear.’ ‘Roger is on a quest for power,’ I said. ‘Why has Alice been arrested?’ ‘I do not know all the details.’ ‘Roger said she murdered a child? What nonsense.’ ‘You know that, do you?’ ‘Of course I do. You might do better to cover your scent next time I thought you were a skilled huntress.’ I breathed in deeply, and out, trying to control my anger. She wanted to know if Mistress Starkie had recommended her. She wrote to me and spoke of a lively young midwife named Jill, who you had brought with you. Inadvertently, of course I’m not sure even she would betray her own daughter. Who told you she was there – your sisters?’ ‘No, your mother. Whether she was arrested here or at your mother’s, it matters not.’ ‘It does matter.
0 kommentar(er)
