The Pardoner's Crime by Keith Souter

couple of goblets of fine spiced Bordeaux wine, he was able to settle back and enjoy the conversation along the table. He nibbled cheese and sliced apples and listened to Lady Katherine discourse upon the concept of original sin and the need to resist temptation. He smiled as she pushed her goblet forward in the direction of the butler in the expectation that it would be replenished.
    Then while Lady Alecia enquired of the prioress about some priory matter he took the opportunity to talk with the beautiful Lady Wilhelmina. To his delight he discovered that she was knowledgeable about many things, including art, music and falconry. He was surprised to learn that she was well-schooled in writing and that she could read both Latin and Greek, as well as speak French.
    â€˜My mother taught me,’ she explained, catching Richard’s look of surprise and his fleeting glance in her father’s direction . ‘She has a wonderful mind, Sir Richard. It is a pity that in this day a woman is only permitted to develop accomplishments in the homely arts, or in making babies!’
    He looked at her in wonder, scarce knowing how to reply.
    â€˜Or rather, in making male babies!’ she went on, with some spirit. She sipped some wine. ‘If things were different I would like to study the law.’
    Despite himself an indulgent smile formed on his lips and he saw a spark of ire flash in her eyes. He immediately regretted having drunk more wine than he should, for he had let his guard down.
    â€˜Do you not think that a woman has the wit for law, Sir Richard?’ she challenged.
    â€˜Oh many women most assuredly would,’ he returned, sympathetically. ‘It is a shame that men have not the wit to let them.’
    She smiled up at him, her eyes fixing his keenly. ‘And you, Sir Richard. Do you have the wit? Would you be prepared to do a battle of wits with a – mere woman?’
    He found the way that her lips curled into a smile utterly beguiling. He was about to reply when Sir Thomas clapped the nun’s priest upon the back and immediately reached for one of his bells. As it rang out the chatter from the other tables abruptly halted, as did the music from the minstrel’s gallery and the room went quiet.
    Sir Thomas heaved himself to his feet. ‘My guests, I trust that you have enjoyed your meal, your wine and the company. You will all, of course, enjoy the hospitality of the Hall, the Great Chamber next door and the rooms below this for the night.’ He grinned affably. ‘I would not wish you all to get in trouble by trying to get back into Wakefield after the eight o’clock curfew.’
    Laughter echoed to the high rafters.
    â€˜My purpose in inviting you all here this evening was twofold. First to let you see and perhaps afterwards talk with Sir Richard Lee, who will be advising me in legal matters at the Manor Court in the next few days. And second, I wanted to bring all of the main people involved in the Wakefield Mysteries.’
    Richard pricked up his ears. At last, he thought.
    â€˜Representatives from the burgers, all of the guilds, the clergy and the constables of three of the town wards are here tonight.’ He spread his hands to indicate the Prioress and the nun’s priest at either end of the high table. ‘And Lady Katherine the prioress of Kirklees Priory and Father Daniel, the playmaker are here to tell us about the final preparations for the Wakefield Mystery plays that are being performed on Corpus Christi Day itself.’
    Richard listened and silently cursed himself for a fool for not realizing what the Deputy Steward had been referring to by ‘the Mysteries’. He listened as first the prioress, then Father Daniel explained how each guild would be responsible for the putting on of various scenes of the Biblical story, plays and tableaux of which he had written the directions and dialogue of at least half.
    â€˜This man is a genius with