The Riverwoman’s Dragon
- Автор: Робб Кэндис
- Серия: Owen Archer #13
- Год: 2021
- Язык: английский
- Год: Severn House
- ISBN: 978-1-4483-0563-6
- Жанр: Исторические детективы
Электронная книга - «The Riverwoman’s Dragon». Краткое содержание книги:
When the wise woman Magda Digby is suspected of murder, Owen Archer sets out to prove her innocence in this intricately plotted medieval mystery.
May, 1375. Owen Archer returns from London to find York in chaos. While the citizens are living in terror of the pestilence which is spreading throughout the land, a new physician has arrived, whipping up fear and suspicion against traditional healers and midwives. With the backing of the new archbishop, he is especially hostile towards Magda Digby, the wise woman who has helped and healed the people of York for many years. At the same time, Magda is uneasy about the arrival of two long-lost kinsfolk. Though they say they are seeking her help, she senses a hidden agenda.
Magda’s troubles deepen when she discovers a body in the river near her home – and finds herself under suspicion of murder. Days later, fire rips through a warehouse in the city. Amongst the charred debris lies the body of a man – not burned, but stabbed in the back. Could there be a connection to the corpse in the river?
Determined to prove Magda’s innocence, Owen sets out to find answers – but the more he uncovers, the deeper the mystery becomes…
Lucie walked over to take his hand. ‘It is ever so. And men of the Church are ever ready to point at women and absolve men. Come. Let us hear Michaelo’s news.’
Michaelo set aside a bowl of ale and rose with grace from his seat near the fire in the hall, bowing to them. ‘Forgive the intrusion, but I felt you should hear of Einar’s behavior tonight.’
‘Trouble?’
‘Distress. I told him how Asa had walked onto the ship to attend Jack Fuller. How she had called for help guiding him home, and then stayed with him even though Master Bernard might return and take umbrage at her presence. He groaned and kept muttering, “No, no, I must stop her.” Thinking to comfort him I told him I understood that he feared for her, that the Death might take her. But he corrected me. “She means to punish him for using her and then throwing her aside.”’
‘Punish Bernard?’ Owen asked.
‘Yes. He would say no more, but his mind was not on the folk we attended tonight. I wished he would go to her.’
‘And did he?’
‘No. He went to Dame Magda. Seeking her advice.’
‘I hope that is true.’ Another thread tangling the riot in his head. Bernard had used Asa? He remembered what Magda had said, that the leech might have sought Asa’s advice. ‘I mean to call at the Fullers in the morning. After Guthlac’s burial.’
‘Have a care,’ Michaelo said softly. ‘I would not have you fall ill.’
‘Nor I,’ said Lucie.
Once again he promised not to cross the threshold. ‘I am moved by your concern, Michaelo.’
‘You have much work to do,’ said the monk.
‘I do. And there will be much more.’ He told him about the incident with Goodwife Keene. ‘We have gone far beyond a few troublemakers.’
‘As I said, you cannot be spared.’ Michaelo rose as if to leave.
‘Stay a moment,’ said Owen. ‘There is something I would like you to hear. It will not take long.’
Kate knocked, then entered with a jug of ale and two additional bowls. ‘I thought you might have need of this. And I will bring bread and cheese if you like.’
‘Bless you, yes,’ said Lucie.
Settled near the window for the refreshing evening breeze, Owen told them of what he suspected regarding Bernard.
‘A physician in London. The need to flee,’ Michaelo said. ‘You are thinking of Monsieur Ricard’s execution for treason against Prince Edward. That Alan was in his household and changed his name as he fled.’
‘Am I too eager to make a connection?’ Owen asked.
‘Eager?’ said Lucie. ‘I cannot think you welcome such trouble in the city. I, too, thought of him.’
‘I question the prince’s choice in men for the search,’ said Michaelo. ‘That they would lose the trail when he has done everything to be conspicuous.’
‘Not his intention, I think,’ said Owen. ‘At St George’s Field he exchanged angry words with Gavin Wolcott, accusing him of endangering him by spreading rumors about him.’
‘Gavin Wolcott,’ Lucie whispered.
‘There is more.’ Owen told them all that Gemma had confided, as well as Magda’s news of Beatrice and Lettice’s fears.
‘A web,’ said Lucie. ‘All spun by the same spider?’
‘Or several conjoined for mutual benefit,’ said Owen.
‘Shall I compose a letter to the prince?’ asked Michaelo.
‘I would hope to have this resolved long before a letter might reach him, he acts, and his men arrive, but yes. At least he will be alerted. Thank you for offering.’
Michaelo rose, bowed. ‘I shall bring the letter in the morning. We might discuss it while we watch the burial.’
When he was gone, Lucie began to pace. ‘Asa and Bernard, or whoever he is. He was here weeks before she arrived with Einar. Can that mean something?’
‘I wish I knew.’
Lucie continued to pace. Owen settled back to fill his stomach.
‘The day went well?’ he asked.
‘I am pleased to say the shop was busy, and no one made a fuss about waiting. I turned away a few who asked me to act as midwife, assuring them that there were sufficient experienced midwives in the city. But hearing of what happened to Goodwife Keene I wonder if they will hesitate to attend births until – until what? I pray for the city.’
‘You have all you can do to care for the shop,’ said Owen. ‘You cannot add midwifery to your tasks.’
‘No. Nor was I tempted.’ She held out her hand. ‘Shall we go to bed, my love? I missed you last night. After I show you how much, we might talk more.’
Owen thought that an excellent plan.
Magda had sensed Einar’s agitation from the doorway, but continued ladling stew. He sat down and took the bowl she offered but forgot about it on his lap, letting it cool as he began to unburden himself.
‘Asa has– Do you know the Fullers? He’s a–’
‘Riverman. Yes.’
‘Fuller’s ship docked today. Asa was on the staithe and heard that he was unwell, no one would help him, fearing the Death. Brother Michaelo assisted her in helping him home. Asa means to bide there, caring for him. I cannot– I must stop her.’
‘Did she not tell thee that was her wish, to help those all other healers shunned?’
‘She said nothing of it to me. But Bernard? No. If it were anyone else I would admire her action. But the leech. I do not trust her motive.’
‘Dost thou know what it is? Or art thou guessing?’
‘In truth, I am guessing. She’s kept much from me. For a long while in Lincoln she said nothing of her work with Bernard.’
‘She worked with him?’
‘Yes. And now hates him for taking her up and then discarding her.’
‘In what way did he take her up?’
‘He proposed they work together, that they would share what they knew, each would learn. Asa feels he received all the benefit for he knew little more than bloodletting. And then he left Lincoln without a word.’
‘That is why she cursed his family when she found him.’
‘You know of that?’
‘Such loud words spoken on the street – all York heard the tale of the gray-haired healer shaking her cane and calling down curses on him and his kin.’
‘And now she pretends to help them. But that is not her intent. We must stop her.’
‘With or without Asa, the family will feel cursed. Jack Fuller has brought home the manqualm. His beloved daughter, gentle, frail Cilla, may succumb. Thou dost not necessarily know Asa’s heart. She might choose to do for the Fullers what Bernard cannot. Prove her worth to the city while shaming him.’
‘I wish I could believe that would satisfy her. But I cannot. I should have told all that I knew to Captain Archer.’
‘Go to him in the morning. Tell him all you wish him to know.’
‘Will you come with me?’
‘No. This is thy mission, not Magda’s.’
‘At least let me tell you–’
‘Eat now. When Magda changes thy bandage, that will be the time to talk.’
11
Whose Vengeance?
A summery morning had coaxed Owen out into the garden, where he had walked the paths, collecting debris, plucking out stray weeds before breaking his fast. He paused beneath an apple tree, remembering his first spring in this garden, the feeling of having come home after years in the service of the old duke. This tree had reminded him of his mother, how she pampered and tended the fruiting trees in their small garden. How closely he had watched her work, just as his children followed Lucie around the garden, curious and eager to help. His precious little ones. What were Gwen, Hugh, and Emma doing now? Were they playing in the old orchard at Freythorpe? Did they think of him? He bowed his head when the bells rang for Guthlac’s mass, saying a prayer for the man’s soul.