The Witching Pool: A Justice Belstrang Mystery (Justice Belstrang Mysteries Book 2) by John Pilkington (love letters to the dead .TXT) 📗

I gave a nod. Mistress Mason, for her part, said nothing further, but sat down heavily beside her husband. But if she was moved to tears, she would not allow them. She was a spirited young woman, who had won not only my sympathies but my respect too.

And all at once I knew my course was clear, as I believe I had known since I spoke with Edward Mason that afternoon. As I now knew that I would not be riding to Powick in the morning with Doctor Boyd, to attend the inquest of Susanna Cobbett.

‘If I might venture an opinion, Mistress,’ I said, ‘your husband did right in coming to me, instead of going to the Guildhall. There’s little he could have done for his mother; he might even have been refused leave to see her. You are in a dangerous place, and what paths exist – if indeed there are such – are hidden from you. The Justice who will try Agnes at the Assizes is unknown to me; he may be of the sort who will take against her on sight. But if you’re willing, I will visit her in the morning and see how the land lies. Thereafter, if I believe there is a chance of acquittal, I will try to carry the business forward. Though I must forbear to raise your hopes. This is a delicate matter, for which-’

But my speech was stilled, for at once Isabel Mason got up and bent to clasp my free hand in both of hers. With such precipitation, I might add, that I was hard pressed to avoid spilling the contents of my mug over my knees.

‘May the Lord bless you, Master Belstrang,’ she burst out. ‘For I expected help from no-one – let alone one who once sat as a magistrate! You’ve brought us hope – precious hope, in our darkest hour…’ She looked away. ‘But we cannot pay you, sir. It pains me to say it, but…’

‘Isabel!’

Edward Mason spoke sharply. At last finding his voice, along with some of his self-worth, the man stood up, took his wife by the shoulders and eased her gently back to the settle. He was not angry: his concern had to do with her condition. As she sat down again, he gathered himself and turned to me.

‘Our blessings on you, Master Justice,’ he said. ‘Along with our heartfelt thanks, no matter what befalls us. Howsoever you advise us, it shall be done – this I swear.’

‘Well, you must know that I cannot make any promises,’ I replied. I was moved not only by the couple’s plight but by their faith in my powers, which I knew were somewhat slight. ‘But I will poke about, as folk say I do, and, well…’

With an attempt at a smile I trailed off, drained my mug and rose to my feet. ‘I can only urge you not to lose hope,’ I ended, only too aware of how lame the words sounded.

Thereafter I took my leave of them as dusk was falling, and was soon urging Leucippus to a canter, back towards Powick and thence home.

An urge was upon me to help this family if I could. Yet quite soon a gloom stole over me, when I thought on the promise I had made for the morrow. Somehow, I had taken it upon myself to visit a woman accused of murder by witchcraft – one who, in the eyes of just about everyone from the Mayor down to the lowliest beggar, was in all likelihood already adjudged guilty.

This was a cloud, I realised, that would take some effort to shift.

THREE

The next morning was breezy, and somewhat advanced before I at last rode over the bridge and entered the city by the West Gate. For in truth, I had little appetite for the task ahead.

Worcester was a-bustle, with people of every rank going their ways, a few of them recognising me as I walked Leucippus through the streets. Doing my best to seem of good cheer, I returned their salutations before dismounting and finding a horse-holder. I then made my way to the Guildhall on foot and spoke briefly to the porter. Once inside, I sought out Sergeant Lisle. By good fortune he was found, and after an exchange of greetings, away from the eyes and ears of clerks and others who passed by, I came to the matter in hand.

‘Agnes Mason?’ The tall sergeant, solid and heavy-bearded, never seemed to change with the passage of years. Eying me shrewdly, he raised an eyebrow. ‘Might I ask what brings you to see her, Master Justice?’ Lisle was another of those who used my former title as a mark of respect, which was not displeasing to me, coming from him.

‘I’m acquainted with the family,’ I said. ‘They’re much dismayed. I understand it was you who arrested the woman?’

‘I did. I was told to take men with me and expect resistance, but there was none. She came as meek as a lamb.’

‘Well now, what do you make of the business?’ I ventured. There was no need to waste words with Lisle, though he appeared to dislike the question.

‘I don’t quite take your meaning, sir.’

‘What I mean, sergeant, is do you believe she’s a witch?’ I returned. ‘That she would cause a young girl to lose her senses and drown herself? For I’ll admit I find it unlikely. What could she possibly gain by such a deed?’

‘Master Justice…’ the other gave a sigh and shook his head. ‘You know better than to ask such things of me. I’m not paid to have opinions, only to do my office.’

‘I ask not as a former Justice, but as a friend, if I might call you so,’ I told him. ‘We’ve known each