The Midwife's Tale(29)

Edward looked away before answering. “I know that St. Paul says we are by our nature children of wrath. It is only by the grace of God that each of us does not commit such a wicked act.” Such sophistry enraged me all the more.

“Answer the question, Edward! Do you really believe that Esther killed her husband?”

Edward sighed heavily. “What I think is immaterial. The court heard the evidence against her, convicted her of petty treason, and sentenced her to die. That is all that matters.” He took me by the arms and looked in my eyes. “Bridget, I am sorry. There was nothing I could do.”

I believed him. “How long will they wait to hang her? I should like to visit her.”

Edward exhaled slowly and once again looked away from me. “The Lord Mayor refused to hang her. She will be burned.”

I felt the strength leave my body, and I sat down on the sofa. Burning? Witches and heretics—those rebels against God—often died by burning, and deservedly so. And while I knew the law prescribed burning for servants or wives convicted of petty treason, I had never heard of such an awful sentence being carried out.

“Is the Lord Mayor so vindictive?” I whispered.

“These are difficult times,” Edward replied. “The Lord Mayor wishes to uphold the divine order as best he can.”

“And since he cannot defeat the rebels outside the walls, he wishes to burn one within them?”

“That is the sum of it, yes.”

“So she has confessed?” I asked.

At this, he looked distinctly uncomfortable. “Erm, no, not yet. The ministers are still talking with her, trying to convince her to do so. I do hope she does. She should acknowledge her sins before her execution. This actually brings me to the reason for my visit. The city requires your services. After she was sentenced, Esther Cooper claimed to be with child. She is pleading the belly.”

At this I nearly laughed out loud, for I realized what Esther meant when she said we would discuss her case soon. I quickly turned away so Edward wouldn’t see the smile that flitted across my lips.

“And why have you come to me for this service?”

“She insisted that you are her midwife. The Lord Mayor wanted to send a woman of his own choosing, but I prevailed upon him to grant Esther this one request. In any event, you must examine her to see if she truly is pregnant. The Lord Mayor believes she is merely trying to delay her execution. He is quite furious but cannot risk the death of an innocent child.”

“Very well,” I said. “When should I visit her?”

“The Lord Mayor would like justice to run its course as swiftly as possible. He asks that you visit her today, if you can.”

“I take it she is being kept at the Castle?”

He nodded curtly. “I have already sent word to the Castle guard to expect you, and I brought you a letter from the Lord Mayor.” He handed me a sheet of paper with an ornate wax seal on it. “The jailor should give you free access to her.” I took the letter and read it over. Everything seemed to be in order.

“I’ll examine her on one condition,” I said.

“What is it?”

“You must promise that nobody will question my verdict in this matter. If I say she is with child, she is with child.”

“I give you my word.” He paused. “Incidentally, he will pay you fifteen pounds after you complete your work.” I looked at Edward in shock. Fifteen pounds was an outrageous sum for a single visit. “He also asked me to emphasize that he appreciates your efficient service.”

I did not have to ask what the Lord Mayor meant by “efficient.” The money was a bribe and a threat; and he would have his burning, or I would feel his wrath.





Chapter 8


After Edward left, I summoned Martha. “I need you to accompany me to the Castle to visit Esther Cooper,” I said.

Martha raised her eyebrows in surprise. “How did she manage that?”

“By pleading the belly. They cannot execute her if a midwife confirms that she is with child. She requested that I come to the Castle and examine her.”

“Nicely done,” Martha said with an admiring smile. “I wouldn’t have thought a wealthy woman like her would think to play that card.”

“When we get to the Castle the two of you can discuss criminal strategies,” I joked. “If we prove her innocent, you can become brigands together.” Martha smiled thinly. “For now, fetch my valise. I’ll need it for my examination.”

While Martha gathered my tools, I told Hannah to pack a meal of pork, bread, and cheese for us to take to the gaol. I could not imagine her jailor made a point of feeding her well, so she would rely on her friends for necessities. We also brought a pot of ale and a small ham as “gifts” in case her jailor proved uncooperative.