'Mark said you had a swain, a woodsman who died in an accident.'
'If he had not I would be secure in Scarnsea, for landlords do nothing but cut down woods these days. Instead I am in this place.' Tears appeared in the corners of her eyes and angrily she wiped them aside. I would fain have held her to me and comforted her, but I knew it was not my arms she wanted.
'I am sorry. It is in the world's nature that often we lose those we love. Alice, it may be the monastery has little future now. What if I were to try and find a post for you in the town, through Justice Copynger? I may be seeing him tomorrow. You should not be here, where these terrible things are happening.'
She wiped her eyes and gave me a strange look, full of feeling. 'Yes, I have learned here the depths of violence in mankind. It is a frightening thing.' I see that look before me now as I write, and shiver at the memory of what was to come.
'Let me help you away from it.'
'Perhaps, sir, though it will be hard to pay that man respect.'
'I understand. But, I must say again, it is the way of the world.'
'I am afraid here now. Even Mark is fearful.'
'Yes. And so am I.'
'Sir, Brother Guy said some other things were found in the pond as well as the girl's body. May I ask what they were?'
'Only a robe, which seems not to hold the clue I hoped for, and a sword. I am having the pond drained to see what else may be there.'
'A sword?'
'Yes. I believe the one that killed Commissioner Singleton. It had a maker's mark that should make it possible to trace, but I would need to go to London to follow that up.'
'Don't go, sir, please,' she said with sudden feeling. 'Don't leave us. Sir, I beg forgiveness if I have been impertinent with you, but please do not go. It is only your presence here that ensures my protection.'
'I think you exaggerate my powers,' I said gloomily. 'I could not save Simon Whelplay. But I do not see how I could get there in this snow without taking a week upon the road, and I do not have that amount of time.'
Her face filled with relief. I ventured to lean over and pat her arm. 'It touches me that you have such faith in me.'
She withdrew her arm, but smiled. 'Perhaps you have too little faith in yourself, sir. Perhaps in other circumstances, without Mark—' She left the sentence unfinished, lowering her head demurely. I confess my heart was thudding. We stood on the knoll in silence for a moment.
'I think we should go back now,' I said, 'rather than try to reach the river. I am expecting a message from the Justice. And, Alice, I will do something for you, I promise. And — thank you for your words.'
'And you for your help.' She smiled quickly, then turned and led the way back down to the bog. The return journey was easier; we had only to step in the footprints made earlier. Following behind her, I gazed at the back of her neck, and once I nearly reached out and touched it. I reflected that it was not just monks who made fools of themselves and could easily turn into hypocrites.
An awkwardness had descended on me, and we said little on the way back. But at least it felt a warmer silence than on the way out. At the infirmary hall Alice left me, saying she had duties to attend to. Brother Guy was dressing the fat monk's leg. He looked up.
'You have returned? You look cold.'
'I am. Alice was very helpful, I am grateful for her assistance.'
'How is your sleep?'
'Much improved, thanks to your good potion. Have you seen Mark?'
'I passed him a few moments ago. He went into your room. Take the potion a few more days,' he called after me as I left the hall, trying to decide whether to tell Mark of my talk with Alice. I reached our room and opened the door.
'Mark, I have been out—' I broke off, staring round. The room was empty. And then came a voice, from the empty air it seemed.
'Sir! Help me!'
CHAPTER 24