moment, had he not called out again. 'Come in, damn you. I haven't got all night.'
Perversely, it was that very element of command that generations of lords and villeins had instilled in her to obey which made her right hand drop from the hilt of the dagger and fumble for the latch on the door. She raised it without being able to stop herself.
Osborn was sitting on a bench on the opposite side of the small chamber, his back resting against the wattle and daub wall, and his drawn sword across his knees. He was alone, but was clearly taking no chances.
'Close the door, woman.'
Elena, trembling, did as she was bid, and turned back to him. The only light came from a single lantern hung by the door, but it was just enough to illuminate a long, narrow chamber with a great mound of hay heaped against one end. At the other end several thin straw pallets were piled against the wall, together with a heap of stained blankets and sheepskins which had seen much use. But beyond the bench which Osborn occupied, there was no other furniture.
'What are you standing there gaping for?' Osborn said. 'I was told you have information for me concerning my brother. Let's hear it.'
Elena opened her mouth, but no words emerged. This wasn't the way it was supposed to happen. Talbot had told her that Osborn was expecting information, but it hadn't even occurred to her to plan what she might say. All her thoughts had been on striking the blow.
'I . . . I . . . shall I fetch you some wine, master, if we are to talk?'
'I don't want wine, girl. I want information. Tell me what it is you know.'
When she still made no answer, he sighed impatiently. 'I know what will loosen your tongue.' He picked up a small leather bag from the bench beside him and fished out a small gold coin. 'That's what all you Jews want, isn't it, gold? Give you people anything that glitters and suddenly you remember everything. A miracle, isn't it?'
For a moment Elena couldn't think what he was talking about, then she remembered the amulet Ma had fastened around her neck. Perhaps he recognized it, or he had been told to expect a Hebrew woman.
He must have mistaken her expression, for he added. 'Don't worry, you shall have your gold, and more besides, if what you have to tell me discovers my brother's murderer. Here!'
He tossed the coin towards her, but her hand had once again reached for the hilt of the dagger inside her cloak and she made no attempt to catch the coin. It fell with a clink on to the boards.
'Pick it up, girl, go on, grovel for it.'
She bent, trying to feel around for the coin without taking her eyes off Osborn, but it had rolled away and she couldn't find it.
Osborn was watching her curiously. 'Have we met before? I can't recall speaking to any of your faith in Norwich, though I've run my sword through plenty of them in the Holy Land.'
Elena turned away, trying to hide her face on the pretext of searching for the coin.
'Leave that,' Osborn ordered impatiently. 'You can search for it later. Tell me why you've dragged me from my warm fireside to this beggar's hovel. And I'm warning you, girl, if you've been wasting my time, you will pay dearly for it.'
Elena didn't rise, still trying to keep her face concealed in the shadow of her hood.
'I'm ... I am afraid if I tell, the murderer —'
'I'll see you come to no harm,' Osborn broke in impatiently. 'Just give me his name and I promise you he'll be in the dungeons of the castle by daybreak.'
'But
'Speak, girl! Believe me, I am more to be feared than any murderer. If you don't tell me what you know I will take you to the castle myself this very hour. And I can assure you, there are men there who know how to persuade a stone to speak.'
A voice was pounding in Elena's head. Do it! Do it now before it's too late. You've killed two men before, this time it should be easy... like poking a hole in jellied brawn.
But Osborn was still sitting on the bench facing her, his drawn sword across his knee.
I've killed two men before. I can do it. I can do it!
Talbot's voice growled through all the others clamouring in her head — You've seen the other