[Roger the Chapman 05] - Eve of Saint Hyacinth Read Free

taken to make sure he had her message aright. She's a good child, and even though she can neither read nor write - well, who amongst us can, eh, chapman? - she does her best to let her father and me know where she is. For the gentry are forever trotting around the countryside, like they can't be still for a second. Not that Duchess Cicely's greatly given to such junketing, by all accounts, but I dare say she feels she should be in London in time of war.'
    I nodded. 'She would no doubt wish to see her three sons safely off to France. And it makes sense that Duke Richard will be staying with her at Baynard's Castle. He always does so when he's in the capital.'
    'You know that for a fact, do you?' my hostess asked and, glancing round, I saw that her smile was slightly mocking.
    'So I've been told by those that might be reckoned in the know,' I answered. Once again I felt that to admit to having met His Grace of Gloucester twice, and to having been of service to him on both occasions, would embroil me in lengthy explanations which, anxious to be on my way, I would rather not embark on. 'That was an excellent meal, Mistress, even better than it smelled; something, half an hour ago, I would have deemed impossible. Now, to complete our business!' And I picked up my pack, opening it and spreading its contents out on I he table.
    In payment for the food she chose a small, carved wooden bobbin containing three needles and a spool of line white thread which might, I considered, have cost her somewhat more in the market-place than she would have charged me for the plate of pig's trotters. However, l had suggested the bargain and could not cavil at it now.
    She cast a longing eye over my other wares, particularly struck by a pair of scented leather gloves the deep, rich colour of violets. Like my warm leather jerkin, lined with scarlet, I had obtained them in exchange for more necessary goods, this time from the wife of an impoverished gentleman living in Dorset. The lady had been loath to part with one of her few remaining pieces of finery, but the family had fallen upon hard times and needs must when the Devil drives. I was pleased to think that I had dealt generously with her.
    Mistress Gentle sighed regretfully, running one fingertip over the soft, silk-like sheen of the leather, but decided that the gloves would be of no use to her.
    'John would most certainly buy them for me if I asked him,' she assured me earnestly, 'but when would I have cause to wear such things?' She regarded her red and work roughened hands for a disparaging moment, before thrusting them into her apron pocket. 'No, they'd be laid away in lavender and never see the light of day. Put them back in your pack, chapman, before temptation gets the better of me and I persuade my husband, contrary to his good judgement as well as my own, to purchase them.' She looked on wistfully as the gloves were folded away again, before adding with sudden inspiration, 'When you leave here, go to Chilworth. The chandler's ford's not more than five or six mile north by east of S'ampton and I'd lay money you'll find a willing buyer in Lady Wardroper. Very proud of those delicate white hands of hers, she is. And she has an elderly, doting husband in Sir Cedric.'
    I thanked her for her advice and took my leave. She seemed a little reluctant to let me go and, I fancy, would have detained me further but that a shout from outside warned her of the advent of yet another diner. I shouldered my pack and followed her to the door, where I made my escape. The two goodwives had by now departed and the butcher was standing in the mouth of the alleyway, touting for trade. We exchanged a few words and I congratulated him on the quality of his meat, but he was too busy watching out for fresh custom to waste much time on one already satisfied.
    'Your wife advises me to make for Chilworth Manor,' I said as a parting shot and he nodded.
    'You'd probably be wise to do as she says. Sir Cedric's very plump