Two pieces of unwelcome news. ‘I know you are a busy woman, goodwife Anna. But might you ask your husband to watch for Captain Archer, tell him who is here, and what you’ve told me about the Nevilles?’ Her husband was a stonemason working on the minster.
‘Now?’
‘I would be most grateful.’
A momentary twinkle in her eye. ‘I might take him some of the pork pie, still warm.’
‘Bless you.’
‘What about the woman?’
‘Invite her to sit by the fire. Tell her I will join her there.’
‘Wine?’
‘Yes.’
With a sniff, the goodwife flounced away. A woman as changeable as a Yorkshire sky, glowering one moment, shining brightly the next. He never understood how he had offended or pleased. At times he felt his mere presence in this house irritated her, though she told him often that he was good for the archdeacon. In what way, he could not imagine. He sanded the letter he had been copying and covered his work against prying eyes. With a prayer for patience, he set off for the hall.
Dame Marian glanced up and then stood, asking Michaelo when Dom Jehannes might return, she had a favor to ask.
‘Does Captain Archer know you are here?’ Michaelo asked.
‘No.’
‘Dame Lucie?’
‘No.’
He’d thought not. Pray God the captain passed near the stonemasons’ lodge, and soon.
Already hatted and cloaked, the goodwife bustled in with a flagon of wine and two cups, set them down with a nod, and hastened out the door.
‘Have I offended her?’ asked Marian.
‘More to the point, I have no doubt you have offended the captain and Dame Lucie, who mean only to protect you.’
‘I know how much I owe them,’ said Marian. ‘My purpose is to protect them. Twice today they suffered intruders because of me. I hope to convince Dom Jehannes to escort me to St Clement’s himself, without endangering Dame Lucie.’
‘Without her, I am not certain the prioress will take you in. Dame Lucie knows Prioress Isabel, and how to persuade her to take such a risk. But come, have some wine while you tell me about these intruders. Then I must think what to do.’
As she walked with Ambrose, Lucie related what had happened with Gabriel, his tale, and Marian’s.
‘Deus juva me,’ Ambrose said, crossing himself. ‘I shudder to think how, but for her crying out, I might have abandoned her.’
‘But you did not,’ said Lucie.
‘No. I brought the trouble to your door. I am sorry.’
She paused inside the minster gate, drew him toward a quiet spot where she might watch those passing yet not be overheard. ‘Why did you not tell Owen about the prayer book?’
Ambrose looked aggrieved. ‘Forgive me. But I felt it was for her to tell you, if she trusted you to know of it.’
Misplaced courtesy. ‘Tell me about it.’
‘I had noticed a pack that Tucker took with him on occasion, careful to hide it beneath his cloak. For a man whose wife complained of their ability to feed two more mouths I wondered what he shielded with such care. When the prayer book disappeared I feared I had lodged us with a thief. When next he left with the pack I followed him – to Ronan the vicar’s lodging. I cannot be certain the bag was empty when he left Ronan’s, but I heard rumors about the vicar collecting tribute for the new archbishop that included fines for transgressions that should be the concern of a summoner. And as Tucker went there …’ He made a face as if uncertain that his reasoning made sense, now that he heard himself speak it aloud. ‘I thought it worth asking Ronan. Putting it as a request to advise me who in the Bedern might be receiving such items.’
‘That is why you met him in the minster?’
‘Yes. I sent word asking him to meet me there. I found him little changed in face – older, but still the long nose, deep-set eyes, yet far less trustful in manner. Tucker had warned me that there had been much gossip about my sudden disappearance years ago. If Ronan knew where I had been, he might also think me a spy for King Charles. But he heard me out, and offered to make inquiries. I was to call on him in the morning. It was he who suggested we exchange cloaks, for I might not wish to call attention to myself. I sensed it a false charity, that he recognized its value and intended it as payment. I was not unaware that he might be mistaken for me, yet I did not warn him. I am responsible for his death.’
‘How can you be certain?’ Lucie asked.
‘Why else would he have been attacked that night? I know from George Hempe that he was wearing my cloak and that my hat was found beside his body. Swathed in my clothes, with just the snow to illuminate the night, he would have been mistaken for me. Can you suggest how that would not be so?’
The attacker knew of the exchange? She did not think it likely.
‘I pray you forgive me for not speaking of this earlier,’ said Ambrose.
‘You risked your mission, pursuing Ronan,’ Lucie said.
‘I felt responsible for trusting Tucker.’
She had learned what she needed from him. ‘Come. I need to know if Marian is with Jehannes.’
‘Dame Lucie—’ Ambrose touched her arm they resumed walking. ‘I believe I just saw Carl, who led the company of players. You said Marian thought one of them might be in the minster. Something about how he kept to the shadows close to the buildings. Why would he behave so?’
‘I will tell Owen,’ she said. They had reached the archdeacon’s house. ‘Did you sense your protector?’
‘No.’
She touched his shoulder, assuring him she appreciated his intention.
Brother Michaelo answered the knock. ‘Dame Lucie!’ She read his relief in voice and odd smile. ‘I can guess what brings you here.’ He
