A Mortal Bane(108)

“Did your friend also tell you that your lodging and entertainment would be costly?” Magdalene asked.

“The cost is irrelevant,” he said, but he looked over his shoulder at the road—at the mercer, who was watching from behind his counter, and at several men and women waiting to be served by the grocer, who had also turned to look. Suddenly he stepped forward, forcing Magdalene away from the gate. “Forgive me,” he said quickly, “but I would just as soon not be stared at while entering your house.”

“My price for lodging and a bed partner is five pence,” Magdalene said, “and payment is taken in advance. An evening meal and breakfast are included if you desire them. There will also be shelter and fodder for your horse in our stable, but you will have to care for the animal yourself. I have no groom.”

“You certainly do not try to entice a visitor,” the man said, sounding offended.

“This is not a common stew,” Magdalene replied without warmth. “We entice no one. To speak the truth, we have all the custom we need….” She left the words hanging and glanced at the still-open gate.

Quite deliberately the man pulled his horse through and shut the gate. “My friend will be annoyed if he learns I have been turned away and must ride back to London to find lodging. I have other friends, too—” He fell silent abruptly, apparently seeing from her expression that far from being intimidated, she was about to order him out and call for help. “Wait.” He smiled and held up a placating hand. “I am willing to pay.”

Draping the horse’s rein over his arm, he pulled open his purse and poured some coins out into his hand. Since Magdalene suspected he would not obey her, and at the moment she had no way to enforce her order, she did not bid him go. And then she saw among the coins a heavy ring, and a bicolored ribbon, red and probably white, although that was so dirty it looked gray, attached to a badge.

[page]Magdalene pretended to watch as he picked out three silver pennies, a half penny, and six farthings, but she was trying in swift glances that did not long rest on the object to make out the badge. It seemed to be a simple cinquefoil; unfortunately, that sign appeared on so many shields that it meant little beyond that he was a member of a Household.

Her alarm was growing steadily. Why should the man put away his helm and shield and take off his badge and colors when it was plain he did not care that she saw the latter? If he was not hiding them from her, then from whom? Even as she came forward, hand outstretched to take the coins, a false smile on her lips, she determined to send Dulcie to collect a few Watchmen to sit in her garden until she was sure whether she would have to rid herself of this visitor by force.

No, not the Watchmen. If they attempted to interfere, a knight could likely overawe them. William…but William was too far away. By the time Dulcie got to his lodging, it might be too late, and she herself dared not go out to hire a horse or a messenger; she did not trust what this creature might do, and Ella was too timid to resist. Bell. Bell was surely back from St. Paul’s by now.

Having taken the money her unwelcome guest proffered, Magdalene directed him to the stable and pointed out the door of the house, which she entered. She hurried to her chamber, cut a small piece of parchment and wrote: “A man has come saying one in the bishop’s Household recommended my house. I cannot believe this and do not trust him. Come and look at him—Magdalene.”

This she folded small, sealed, wrote “Sir Bellamy of Itchen” on the surface, and carried out to the kitchen, where she pushed the note into Dulcie’s hand. Seizing the maid by the shoulders, she said right into her better ear, ‘Take this message to Bell in the bishop’s house. Bell. Bishop’s house. Do you understand?”