Page 35 of A Column of Fire
‘Is that all?’ Rollo said sceptically.
‘I promise you. I simply have to tell Ned.’
‘Don’t let him touch you.’
‘Go and stand by the bishop’s door.’
Ned and Margery watched while Rollo walked twenty paces then turned round and stood glowering.
Ned said: ‘What happened yesterday, after the fight?’
‘I realized something,’ Margery said, and tears came to her eyes.
Ned had a doomed feeling. ‘What did you realize?’
‘That it is my holy duty to obey my parents.’
She was crying. Ned reached into his pocket and took out a linen handkerchief his mother had made, hemmed and embroidered with acorns. He touched her cheeks gently with it, drying her tears; but she snatched it from him and wiped her eyes roughly, saying: ‘There’s nothing more to be said, is there?’
‘Oh, but there is.’ Ned gathered his wits. He knew that Margery was deeply pious at heart, despite also being passionate and strong-willed. ‘Isn’t it a sin to lie with a man you hate?’
‘No, that’s not part of the Church’s teaching.’
‘Well, it should be.’
‘You Protestants always want to revise God’s laws.’
‘I’m not a Protestant! Is that what this is about?’
‘No.’
‘What have they done? How did they get to you? Were you threatened?’
‘I was reminded of my duty.’
Ned felt she was hiding something. ‘Who by? Who reminded you?’
She hesitated, as if she did not want to answer the question; then she gave a little shrug, as if it did not make any real difference, and said: ‘Bishop Julius.’
Ned was outraged. ‘Well, he was just doing your parents a favour! He’s an old crony of your father’s.’
‘He is a living icon of Christ.’
‘Jesus doesn’t tell us who we should marry!’
‘I believe Jesus wants me to be obedient.’
‘This is nothing to do with God’s will. Your parents are using your piety to manipulate you into doing what they want.’
‘I’m sorry you think that.’
‘You’re really going to marry Bart Shiring because the bishop told you to?’
‘Because God wishes it. I’m leaving now, Ned. In the future it will be best if you and I speak to one another as little as possible.’
‘Why? We live in the same town, we go to the same church – why shouldn’t we speak?’
‘Because my heart is breaking,’ said Margery, and then she walked away.
