Page 72 of The Armor of Light

She lowered her voice, though there was no one nearby to hear. ‘The bishop’s wife.’

Spade felt a mixture of eagerness and trepidation. Just to see Arabella was a thrill, and now she was asking for him. But their attraction to one another was dangerous. All the same, he was not going to refuse her summons. ‘Right away,’ he said, and he hurried across the rain-swept courtyard with Kate.

When they were inside Kate said: ‘She’s upstairs, door on the right. No one else is up there.’

‘Thanks.’ Spade climbed the stairs. The three rooms on this floor were bedrooms, but were mainly used as changing rooms for customers. Arabella was in the largest room, standing by the bed, wearing the check coat Kate had made from Spade’s cloth three years ago. Spade said formally: ‘Mrs Latimer! This is an honour.’ She was agitated, he saw.

In a low voice she said: ‘Shut the door.’

He closed the door behind him. ‘What’s the matter?’

‘Jeremiah Hiscock is to be flogged for possessing a seditious pamphlet.’

‘I know. His wife just told me. News travels fast. Why are you so concerned?’

She lowered her voice to a frantic whisper. ‘Because you could be next!’

The fact that she cared so much touched Spade’s heart. But was she right to worry? Was he breaking the law? He did not have seditious materials in his possession, but he was certainly involved in organizing a meeting that might criticize the government, question the wisdom of the war against France, and argue for republicanism.Whether that was a crime was not clear, but justices had wide powers to interpret the law as they pleased.

Flogging was a painful and humiliating punishment. But he could not back out of the Socratic Society now. Hornbeam and Riddick were bullies and crooks and they could not be allowed to rule Kingsbridge as if they were royalty. ‘I don’t think I’m in danger,’ he said to Arabella, managing to sound more confident than he felt.

‘I can’t bear the idea!’ she said, and she threw herself into his arms. ‘I’ve thought about your body so often and so long, and now I can’t stop imagining your skin torn and gouged and bloody.’

He hugged her. ‘You really care,’ he said, bemused by the strength of her passion.

She stepped back and wiped her eyes. ‘You have to give up the Socratic Society. It’s going to cause trouble. The bishop says the justices won’t allow it.’

‘I can’t give it up.’

‘That’s just your pride speaking!’

‘Perhaps it is.’

‘But really, does all this revolutionary talk do any good? It just makes people discontented with their lot.’

‘Is that what the bishop says, too?’

‘Well, yes, it is, but isn’t he right?’

‘He doesn’t understand. People like us cherish the right to have our own opinions and express them. You can’t imagine how important it is.’

‘You saypeople like you. Do you think I’m different?’

‘Well, yes. You’re the bishop’s wife. You can do what you like.’

‘You know that’s not true. If I could do as I like I’d be in that bed with you.’ She gazed at him, and he marvelled at the wonderful orange-brown colour of her eyes. ‘Naked,’ she added.

This was extraordinary. He had never heard any woman speaklike this, let alone a bishop’s wife. He felt exhilarated beyond measure. He said: ‘That would be worth getting flogged for.’

She stepped closer and unbuttoned her coat. It was an invitation, and he stroked her body, exploring the curves, feeling her warm flesh through the dress. She looked into his eyes as he touched her. He felt sure they were going to make love now, here, on the bed.

Then he heard Kate’s voice outside saying: ‘You can try it on up here, Mrs Tolliver.’

Spade and Arabella froze.

There were footsteps on the stairs, and another voice said: ‘Oh, thank you.’

Spade turned to the door. It was closed, but there was no key in the lock. He saw that Arabella had turned pale. He stood with the toe of his boot against the bottom of the door, to prevent it being opened.