‘And if a poor man is cheated by a rich one, what’s he to do? He can’t afford to go to court.’
‘He can go to Poor Man’s Pleas,’ I said. ‘I agree the poor are disadvantaged in the law. But the law can still bring justice. That is its purpose.’
Barak looked at me askance. ‘You’re a simpler man than I thought if you believe that. But then you’d see things from the viewpoint of a man of means, one who can tilt his cap at a fine lady of title.’
I sighed. Why was this converse, like every other I had with him, turning into an argument? We had reached my garden, and I stepped through the doorway without another word. Inside I found a note from Joseph, bemoaning the fact I had no news for him. He reminded me, as though I needed telling, that Elizabeth would be back in front of Forbizer in just a week. I crumpled the note angrily. I considered asking Barak if he thought it safe to go back down the well tomorrow night, but thought it better to leave that request till later. Pox on the fellow and his moods.
I told Joan to bring us an early supper. Afterwards I walked back up the road to Lincoln’s Inn, but although all the places of business were long shut the padlock was still on Bealknap’s door. I returned home and told Barak we might as well ride down to the tavern; there was no point in waiting any longer for Bealknap.
THE GIANT’S BONE I had set swinging still turned to and fro in the dim light, creaking ominously in its chains. A man sitting alone at a table eyed it with drunken, puzzled intentness. Barak reappeared and set two mugs of beer before us.
‘The landlord says Master Miller and his friends don’t usually come in before eight.’ He took a long draught of beer, wiping his hand on his sleeve. ‘I’ve been a bit of an arsehole this afternoon, haven’t I?’ he added unexpectedly.
‘You could say that.’
He shook his head. ‘It was the earl,’ he said, lowering his voice. ‘God’s wounds, I’ve never seen him in such a parlous state. We mustn’t repeat a word he said about the king. Saying he could have no more children - Jesu.’ He looked nervously around, though no one was near.
‘Why in God’s name did he tell us?’
‘To scare us. Make us privy to his own dangerous words.’
I shook my head sadly. ‘I remember the earl when I first knew him ten years ago. He was only Wolsey’s secretary then, but you could sense the power in him. The confidence, the force. Today he seemed - desperate.’
‘I think he is desperate.’
I leaned close, lowering my voice to a whisper. ‘But Cromwell can’t fall. Half the king’s council are tied to him and London’s a reformist city—’
He shook his head sadly. ‘Londoners are fickle as seed. I should know, I’ve lived here all my life. No one will help the earl if the Howards turn the king against him. Christ alive, who would dare defy the king?’ He blew out his cheeks, then shook his head. ‘Did you hear Norfolk referring to my Jewish name? He must have a list of the earl’s people.’ He laughed hollowly. ‘Maybe he’ll put me in the Domus to be converted. They still put the odd shipwrecked Jew in there, I know.’
‘But your family converted hundreds of years ago. You’re as much a member of the Church of England as I am.’
He smiled sardonically. ‘When I was a boy I remember at Easter the priest always gave a sermon about how the Jews crucified Our Lord, how wicked they were. Once I let out an almighty fart; I’d been holding it in specially and it was a ripper. The priest looked up and all the boys sniggered. My mother gave me a real beating when we got home. She didn’t like my father talking about how he was descended from Jews.’ His voice took on the bitter note it had whenever he spoke of her. ‘I want another drink.’
‘We may be here some time before these sailors arrive. We should stay sober.’
‘My head can take some more. I need it. God, I’m supposed to see my girl later, but I don’t feel like it. I’ve no taste for women tonight.’
‘She’ll think you’ve tired of her,’ I said. I wondered if Barak was one of those who, finding the conquest of women easy, treat it as a light business and never form a lasting relationship. It was of a piece with his restless, roving nature.
He shrugged. ‘Perhaps I am.’ He changed the subject. ‘You’ll be seeing your friend Lady Honor again tomorrow.’
‘Yes. At the bear-baiting.’
‘I haven’t been to a baiting for an age. Last time I went to the bull-baiting a great bull tossed one dog so high people in the street saw it above the top of the stadium. It made a real mess when it landed again.’