She looked at me desperately. 'They'll hang me, or more likely burn me. They'll accuse me of witchcraft because I killed that cock.'
'Listen,' Mark said. 'When we reach the boat we can tell them not to wait, leave tonight. Then he won't get away with his pestiferous gold. They won't want to wait on a murderer.'
'Yes,' she said eagerly. 'We can do that.'
'He will still be at large,' I said.
Mark took a deep breath. 'Then you must catch him, sir. I am sorry.'
'We must go now,' Alice said urgently. 'The tide will be turning.'
'There is time. It is eight by the abbey clock, half an hour to full tide. We still have time to get across the marsh.'
'Across the marsh?' I said, unbelieving.
'Yes,' Alice said, 'by the path I showed you. The boat is waiting in the estuary.'
'But you can't!' I said. 'Have you not seen the weather? The snow is almost melted, the marsh will be naught but liquid mud. I came in through the channel this afternoon, I saw what it was like and it'll be worse now. Meltwater is pouring off the Downs. And there's a heavy mist coming down. You'll never make it! You must believe me!'
'I know the paths well,' she said. 'I can find my way.' But she looked uncertain.
'Mark, in God's name believe me, you will go to your deaths!'
He took a deep breath. 'She knows the way. And does not death wait for us here?'
I took a deep breath. 'Let her escape. Let her go now and take her chance where she will. I will say nothing of your involvement, I swear. God's death, I'm telling you I'll be an accomplice after the fact, I'll put my own life at risk for you both! But don't go out on the marsh!'
Alice looked at him desperately. 'Mark, don't leave me. I can get us through.'
'I tell you, you can't! You haven't seen what it's like out there!'
He looked between us, his face an agony of indecision. I see it now, and think, how young he was, how young to have to decide his fate and hers in an instant. His face set hard and my heart sank.
'We must bind you now, sir. I will try not to hurt you. Alice, where is your nightshirt?'
She took the garment from under her pillow, and Mark cut it into long strips with his dagger.
'Lie on your front, sir.'
'Mark, for pity's sake—'
He grasped my shoulder and twisted me over. He bound my arms fast behind me, then my legs, before rolling me over again.
'Mark, don't go out there—'
They were the last words I ever said to him, for then he stuffed a great rag of the shift into my mouth, nearly choking me. Alice threw open the door of the little cupboard and they bundled me inside. Mark paused, looking down at me.
'Wait a moment. His back troubles him.'
Alice watched impatiently as he took the pillow from the bed and wedged it behind me, supporting my back as I lay crouched in the cupboard. 'I am sorry,' he whispered. Then he turned and shut the door, leaving me in darkness. A moment later I heard the outer door close gently.
I wanted to vomit, but I knew if I did I would surely choke. I leaned back against the pillow, taking deep breaths through my nose. Alice had said Brother Guy would not look for her until she failed to appear in the dispensary at seven. I had eleven hours to wait.
CHAPTER 32
Twice during that long, cold night I thought I heard distant shouts; people would be looking for Mark and me, and for Edwig as well. Somehow I must have slept, for I had a dream of Jerome's face looking down at me as I lay tied, cackling maniacally, then woke with a start to the thick darkness of the cupboard and the bonds chafing at my wrists.