Tombland

‘I wish my old master Gawen Reynolds would be taken into custody,’ he said boldly. ‘Your husband’s father-in-law. He is a great villain, as you will know.’

Isabella said, ‘My concern is with my husband, who was imprisoned before the rebellion, and played no part in it.’

‘True,’ Vowell said more peaceably.

I said to Isabella, ‘Were you safe when Northampton’s forces took up their position in the market square?’ I took another look at the scratches on Chawry’s face.

She took a deep breath. ‘Everyone was ordered to close their shutters. Though the great noise the soldiers made, and the glow from that mighty bonfire, was frightening.’

‘There have been no more attempts at poisoning, or violence, against your husband?’

‘None. We buy the food and tie it tight. Constable Fordhill says he has placed a guard permanently outside the door of the cell.’

‘You have been to see him?’

‘Yes, today, I saw both Fordhill and Isod. I suggested a new arrangement, which they agreed. I will join my husband in his cell. Fordhill will arrange for a trusted man to buy our food in the marketplace. I’ve given Fordhill some money for that already. And, of course, they will want no trouble with the Lady Elizabeth.’

I said, ‘I am glad to hear that, Mistress Boleyn, for it bears on something I must tell you. Captain Kett has ordered a trial of Nicholas’s case, and he is to be released into my company today.’

She smiled. ‘That is good. I was worried about him, lest he was moved to rougher quarters again. Daniel’ – she gave Chawry a forbidding look – ‘will return to Brikewell today. It is time the house was set in order, and things made ready for the harvest, such as it will be.’

Chawry, reddening, said, ‘I don’t know what conditions will be like there. And for a woman to join her husband in prison, it is unsafe and – immodest.’

‘You would know all about modesty,’ she answered sharply. She turned to me. ‘Does it not sometimes happen, in cases where the final outcome is not yet known, for wives to stay with their husbands in prison?’

‘Yes. With the authorities’ agreement.’

She took a deep breath. ‘So, it seems all has worked out for the best.’

‘For the best?’ Suddenly Chawry lost his temper. ‘A woman alone in a prison groaning with men? Leaving responsibility for gathering food and preparing it to the castle constable and his rebel deputy! What if someone came up to whoever they appoint, in the market, and offered ten marks to poison the food? You know the rebels are rich with the money they have stolen!’ He took a step towards Isabella, and, to my surprise, she flinched. Michael Vowell stepped between them. ‘Hold hard, bor,’ he said quietly. ‘Keep your tongue behind your teeth when talking of my people, and don’t threaten the lady.’

Chawry shouted, ‘Why? I suppose because, despite her antrums, she’s just a servant like you, rebel dog.’

Vowell replied, ‘A rebel who’ll give you such a ding o’ the head it’ll be singing for a week.’ He was bigger and stronger than Chawry, and the steward paused, then stepped away. Isabella stood, breathing hard. I said to Vowell, ‘Michael, may I speak with Isabella alone for a few minutes?’

He sighed, looking suddenly tired of the whole business. ‘Very well. Do you want me to see this – steward out of the room?’

‘Yes please.’

He stepped towards Chawry, who, after a second, turned and made for the door. Vowell followed him through, and there was a moment’s silence.

‘What happened, Isabella?’ I asked gently.

She took a deep breath. ‘I have known for some time that Daniel has – feelings for me. He told me so, back at Brikewell, some time before Edith died. I said all my love was for my husband, and as his servant he should not say such things. I know I have a habit of jesting with men, it comes from my years as a serving woman at an inn, but I made things plain as I could with Daniel.’ She looked at me fiercely. ‘And I can be very plain when I need to be; again, I’m used to it from my time at the inn.’

I smiled. ‘I do not doubt that,’ I said gently, encouraging her with her story.