Noah tapped his foot on the floor.
Thomas stared at him until he stopped. ‘Very well, Bess. I know you stole Samuel Carter’s sword from his bedchamber. Please explain how and why you did this?’
The girl appeared resigned and then even relieved, Noah thought. Well, thank Christ for that.
She sighed. ‘I told Ma what Master James did to me, Sir. How he forced his self on me.’ She sniffed and blew her nose on Hal’s now rather soggy handkerchief.
‘Go on.’ Thomas said, gently.
‘I said how he kept telling the mistress I were sped … well, I were coz I’m married a course. I were worrit like, for if they believed im, I would lose my post. Married girls is not allowed as maidservants, Sir.’ She seemed not to know what to say next.
‘And then did you not tell the same thing to your husband?’
‘Oh
