When I came to, I was lying on the floor and the hall was almost empty. Lady Anne stood nearby, and Megan was wiping my brow with a wet cloth. I tried to sit up.

“Slowly,” cautioned Lady Anne. I grasped Megan’s arm, and found it was possible, just, to get to a sitting position.

“Whew!” said Megan. “My lady, you don’t think…?”

“There’s a little time.” It seemed Lady Anne understood the half-spoken question. “They must drink and eat, and they’ll want to confer. The folk must be fed. Molly has set out a good spread for them in the kitchens. We can at least manage hot water, and a comb, and a clean gown, I think.” Megan scuttled off and the two men guarding the door made no attempt to stop her.

“You’d better drink this.” Lady Anne’s tone was severe as she placed a cup of water in my hands. But I could not hold it I was shaking so badly, and she had to place it against my lips.

“You’ll be given an opportunity to defend yourself this afternoon,” she said bluntly. “Not all these accusations are true. Many are based solely on fear and superstition. You know what will happen, if you remain silent.”

I gave a nod. What was the point? I was found guilty, and my penalty chosen, before ever I set foot in that room. None of it mattered. All that mattered was staying alive long enough to finish the last shirt.

Lady Anne frowned. “I cannot forgive what you have done,” she said. “If they determine you guilty, there is no doubt you will be put to death. I must accept their decision and defer to their wisdom. At the same time, I cannot allow a prisoner so ill fed, so dirty and unkempt in my household. A certain standard must be kept, or we are indeed no better than your own people. I was advised the arrangements for you were adequate. My informant clearly set somewhat different standards from my own.”

At that moment there was a small commotion at the door and a familiar figure burst in, ignoring the guards, her soft features a picture of angry distress. “Jenny! Oh, look at you! Oh, my Lady, how—”

“Hush, woman.” Lady Anne grasped Margery’s arm firmly, halting her flight across the room. “See, here is Megan with some things for us. Take Jenny into the anteroom there, and help her change that gown. It’s fit only for the midden. Don’t try to talk to her. You should not even be here. These are formal proceedings. You must be gone before Father Dominic returns.”

Between them, Megan and Margery changed my gown, and washed my face, and sponged the worst of the filth from my body. There were small creatures crawling in my hair.

“Oh, Jenny,” Margery whispered to me, while Lady Anne stood nearby and pretended not to hear. She slipped the dirty clothes over my head, with never a twitch of the nose to be seen. “Oh, look at you. You’re as thin as a specter. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”