The Midwife's Tale(89)

“I imagine she objected.”

“Mrs. Hooke’s fury was something to behold, my lady.” Anne’s eyes grew wide at the memory. “I have never been called such horrible names. I had never even heard such language. She screamed and screamed. James had the worst of it. She broke his nose with a Bible.” As much as I regretted Anne’s fate, I had to suppress a smile at the scene she described.

“What happened then?” I asked.

“I continued my work,” she said. “She could not dismiss me, for she knew I would say her son was the father of my child. She promised that she would give me five pounds after the baby was born, but only if I swore never to lay the child on James. She told me to pick another servant from the neighborhood, and father the child on him.” Such arrangements were not uncommon, of course. Only the Lord knew how many bastard-bearers fathered their children on innocent men in exchange for a few pounds.

“When did you have the baby?”

“Mrs. Hooke and one of the other servants delivered me the night you saw me in the Pavement. I wanted to call for my mother and for a midwife, but she would not allow it. She said she was as good a midwife as any in the city, but in truth, my lady, she was hard and cruel.” I nodded. I had seen the bitter fruit of her labors. “Once I was delivered, James was very loving towards me. He said he would convince his mother to let us marry. He even brought a present for the baby.” Her chest heaved as she sobbed into my shoulder for a time. I stroked her hair and tried to contain my own tears. Once she had regained her breath, she continued. “On Thursday, James brought me supper and bid me sleep. When I awoke, James and the baby were gone. I haven’t seen him since. They locked the door to my chamber and the other servants only opened it to bring me food and empty my chamber pot. I begged them to bring me my baby, but they refused. Then Mrs. Hooke came to me and told me that he was dead. Oh, my lady, it was horrible!”

Anne dissolved into tears again and I held her as she cried. For a time I mourned with Anne, but soon my wrath at Rebecca Hooke overcame my grief at Anne’s loss. Now I had no doubt that Rebecca had killed the child, perhaps even with her own hands. But I also saw how difficult it would be to obtain justice for Anne’s son, and this realization infuriated me all the more.

After a hitching sob, Anne looked up at me. “My lady, are you unwell?”

I realized that my face betrayed my anger and tried to compose myself. My first priority had to be helping Anne, not bringing down Rebecca. “I am sorry, Anne. Yes, I’m fine. Tell me how you came to the Castle.”

“I knew that they had murdered my baby, and feared they would kill me as well, so I decided to escape. The window of my chamber opened onto the roof next door. Last night I climbed out and jumped to the street. I went home—I had to see my mother. But I knew the Hookes would try to find me, so I fled.”

“And that’s when you decided to escape the city?”

“I was going to London. They would never have found me there,” she said wistfully. “But the guards captured me, and sent me here.”

I puzzled for a time over what I should do next. I could probably arrange for Anne’s release from the Castle, but to what end? I didn’t know if Rebecca Hooke really planned to kill her, nor did I want to find out. Until the siege lifted, the safest place she could be was in her cell.

“Anne,” I said, “I know these are not the most comfortable quarters, but you are safe here, and for the time being you should stay. I will speak to the jailor and he will treat you well. For a start, he will provide you with a blanket and food immediately. I will see what I can do to secure your safe passage to London, but it will take time.”

“Thank you, my lady.” She wiped her cheeks with her sleeve.

I knocked on the door, and Samuel opened it and let me out. “You may tell your captain that she is not a spy,” I said.

“He’s unlikely to take your word for it,” he replied. “Who is she?”

“She is a maid who hoped to go to London. Nothing more.”

“So you will ask the captain to release her?”

“Er, no,” I said. “It would be better if she stayed here for the present.”

“If she’s just an innocent maid, why do you want her to stay here?” he asked. He was suspicious but clearly sensed an opportunity to make some money.

“I am not at liberty to say.” I handed him a small purse full of coins. “But I know her well, and give you my word that she is no spy.”

“Would you put that in writing? For the captain, I mean? If I tell him, he’ll laugh, but if it comes from a gentlewoman like yourself, it’s a different matter.”