“Marriage,” Sobriety was gabbling, “should not be taken lightly in hand or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.’”

“No!” She screamed it, wrenching one arm free and clawing back at Grimmett who grabbed her wrist and twisted it, but had to lower his knee to regain his balance.

“‘It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication, that such persons as have not the gift of continency, might marry…’”

The candles burned high, throwing grotesque shadows on the dark panelled walls. Grimmett forced his knee between Campion’s thighs again, pushing it higher.

Sobriety Bollsbie inquired if any present knew of any impediment why these two should not be lawfully joined in matrimony. Goodwife shook her head, Campion screamed, but it was all the same to Sobriety Bollsbie.

“Scammell Samuel, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife?”

Scammell nodded. “I will.”

Sobriety looked at the girl who seemed to be leaning backward with one leg cocked in the air. Her face was screwed up in hate, while Grimmett’s face grinned over her shoulder. Sobriety knew better than to show surprise. “‘Dorcas Slythe. Wilt thou have this Man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?’” He did not wait for an answer, but simply read on faster and faster, wanting only to finish and collect his fee.

Grimmett was forced to bring his knee down when the moment came for the ring to be put on Campion’s finger. He thrust her left arm toward Scammell and Goodwife came to help, unbending the fingers and holding them toward her master. Sobriety watched with relief as the ring was pushed on to her finger. “Forasmuch as you and you,” he could not be bothered with names now, “have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company…” he saw a flicker of light through the window to his left, but he was close to the end now, “and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same…”

“Fire!” Scammell shouted.

Sobriety shouted louder. “‘I pronounce that they be Man and Wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Amen!’”

He dived for Grimmett’s bag, ignoring the pandemonium, and grabbed the first bottle by the neck.

They were married.

Far ahead Toby could see the great shape of London Bridge, a dark mass dotted with yellow candlelight from hundreds of windows above the white tumbling where the river piled against the bridge’s piers. He had just begun to hear the rush of water compressing itself through the narrow arches when his boat turned toward the city bank.