A Poisonous Plot

‘It does not matter,’ said Anne, now draped decorously in her husband’s cloak. ‘I wanted a new kirtle anyway, and this gives me the excuse to indulge myself.’

‘It does matter,’ fumed Edith. ‘It was not the act of a gentleman.’

‘No, it was not,’ agreed Rumburgh, scarlet-faced with shame on his wife’s behalf. ‘And if my gums did not pain me so much, I would challenge Segeforde to a duel.’

‘There is no need for reckless heroics, dear,’ said Anne, patting his arm kindly.

‘And it is not as if they have never been flaunted before,’ muttered Yolande. ‘Such as when she appeared naked in the mystery plays last year. It caused quite a stir.’

‘It did,’ agreed Michael, then felt compelled to add, albeit unconvincingly, ‘though I was not there myself, of course.’

At that moment, a contingent of Austins arrived.

‘What has happened?’ asked Prior Joliet in a shocked voice. ‘We have been regaled with such dreadful tales! Townsfolk say that Segeforde molested a helpless lady, while Kellawe informed us that she whipped off the dress herself.’

‘She did not!’ cried Rumburgh. ‘What terrible lies!’

‘We will have to decant to the Fens now,’ said Almoner Robert sombrely. ‘The town will never forgive Segeforde, and the University will never forgive Anne.’

‘Never,’ agreed Hamo.

Then Shirwynk called out from his brewery door, evidently reluctant to move closer lest Edith should decide to take issue with him for his role in the affair. ‘Sue them, Rumburgh. Just as they are suing Frenge for having a little fun in King’s Hall.’

‘The “fun” you encouraged,’ said Michael, stalking towards him. ‘No, do not deny it — I have a witness. That was not the act of a friend.’

‘Frenge was his own man,’ said Shirwynk defiantly. ‘He could have refused.’

‘When he was drunk? Moreover, I find it suspicious that you consulted a lawyer just after Frenge died. Stephen says you went to hire him to sue King’s Hall, but if I find out that you actually quizzed him about inheriting Frenge’s half of the brewery, you will be in serious trouble.’

Shirwynk shot him an unpleasant look, then bellowed at Rumburgh. ‘Are you content to let a scholar rip the clothes from your wife in a public place?’

‘It was hardly-’ began Michael.

Shirwynk overrode him. ‘It was a clear case of assault, and dozens of witnesses will concur. If you have any respect for your wife, Rumburgh, you will restore her good name with a lawsuit.’

‘Do not bother, dear,’ said Anne to her husband. ‘It would be so tedious.’

‘You are a very wise lady,’ said Robert, smiling approvingly. ‘A lawsuit would drive yet another wedge between University and town. Besides, I doubt the compensation you would win would be worth the inconvenience of a trial.’

‘Compensation?’ echoed Anne sharply. ‘You mean money?’

Alarm suffused Robert’s face and he began to gabble. ‘Very little, I imagine. Certainly not enough to warrant the trouble.’

‘A paltry sum,’ put in Joliet quickly. ‘Especially to the wife of a rich burgess. Mere pennies.’

‘Rubbish,’ yelled Shirwynk. ‘Zachary is a wealthy hostel. You will be awarded a fortune.’

‘Do not listen to him,’ ordered Michael. ‘He wants you to sue a University foundation because King’s Hall is prosecuting him. His advice stems from a desire for vengeance.’

‘So what if it does?’ asked Shirwynk, still addressing Anne. ‘It does not detract from the fact that a lawsuit is an easy way to swell your coffers. Stephen will take the case, I am sure.’

‘Well, now,’ said Anne, exchanging a greedy glance with her husband. ‘I did suffer when Segeforde hurled himself at me. Perhaps we had better pay Stephen a visit.’

‘No, you will not,’ said Edith firmly. ‘A quarrel with Zachary will do no one any good, least of all us. The University is our biggest customer — we cannot afford to offend it.’

‘You will not need its custom if you win funds from Zachary,’ coaxed Shirwynk.

‘We will make far more money by keeping its good graces,’ argued Edith. ‘There is-’

‘The dyeworks will make more money: you will not,’ called Shirwynk. ‘Be a man, Rumburgh. Take what is rightfully yours.’

‘I shall,’ declared Rumburgh, grabbing Anne’s hand and beginning to tow her towards the High Street. ‘We shall begin proceedings today, while memories are fresh.’

Michael watched Rumburgh and Anne go with a sense of helplessness, while Shirwynk filled the street with mocking laughter. Robert began to edge away, his face a mask of dismay, but Michael rounded on him before he had taken more than two or three steps.

‘What were you thinking, to mention compensation?’ he snarled. ‘Surely you must have realised what their reaction would be?’

‘I was praising her prudence,’ said Robert defensively. ‘Of course I did not predict that the pair of them would be seized by a sudden rush of greed.’

‘Go home,’ Michael ordered crossly. ‘And please watch what you say in future, especially to townsfolk.’