The Apothecary’s Apprentice 46
The Apothecary's Apprentice
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- 1. The Apothecary’s Apprentice 46
Thomas sketched a bow and launched into his spiel.
“Thomas Tewke, at your service. Sir, I speak on behalf of a dear friend, Jennet Parry, assistant to Henry Gryce.
“She fears she is being coerced by the apothecary into an unwanted marriage.”
“I do know of the girl. Coerced, you say?”
“She believes she is to be reported for ill doings to the guild that governs her given trade. I know how it feels to be wrongly accused. Jennet is innocent.”
“The sire is a rabble rouser,” Venables stated.
“I disagree, sir. Ned Parry is a man of principle.”
“The girl is the same. Does not know her place, though I would never blight a lass’s future.”
“Father, I beg of you,” Honoria pleaded. “The Parry girl was once good to me. Let this rest.”
Venables turned back to Thomas, but he was distracted, his attention captured by a painting in an ornate frame over the fireplace.
It depicted a young woman, gentle in expression, dressed in a gown of an earlier fashion.
At her throat gleamed a necklet of tiny diamonds and sapphires.
“God in heaven!” Thomas exclaimed in a voice that was disbelieving. “It is she!”
Venables was perplexed.
“You know the lady? She was cousin to my late wife. Her name was Genevieve. She was wed to John Fiennes.
“’Twas a notable Ludlow family and the marriage was a happy one, blessed by the birth of a son, though there is a tragic ending.
“They were returning home from a visit here when the carriage overturned. They lost their lives. The child would have been around two summers in age.
“Unhappily, he was never found. It was assumed he’d wandered off into the forest and fallen prey to wild beasts.”
Thomas shook his head.
“Nay, sir. He was rescued by goodly folk who meant well. That child was me, and here is the proof of it.”
Thomas withdrew the pouch containing the damaged necklet, which he held up for all to see.
Anthony, now alert and taking everything in, gave a spluttered cry.
“May God forgive me, I have wronged my own kin!”
“Wronged?” Thomas stared at him, comprehension blazing. “You! It was you that reported me to the League of Herb Gatherers?”
“I meant no harm. Father, I did not think there would be such repercussions.
“I was in the tavern and overheard a drapery merchant grousing over an altercation with a herb gatherer fellow. I acted out of envy. The girl Jennet spoke so fondly of him.”
Venables groaned.
“Anthony, you had best leave us. I shall address this later. Seems your tricks have led you into deep waters this time.
“Honoria, go with your brother. I would speak with our guest alone.”
Honoria hustled her twin from the room.
Once the door had closed behind them, Venables poured wine and handed Thomas a brimming goblet.
“It appears that you have been sorely wronged. Unresolved mysteries now come to light.
“I take it you were found by the herb gatherer company and brought up as one of their own.”
“That is correct, sir.”
Venables studied the damaged necklet.
“’Twas a favourite with your mama. ’Twas our wedding gift to her.”
His gaze shifted to Thomas.
“You have your mama’s eyes and your papa’s features.
“Come and be seated. We have much to talk about,” Venables went on. “You are heir to a modest property outside Ludlow.
“There are moneys held in trust in the event of such as has now transpired. ’Tis not a huge fortune, Thomas, but adequate for need.”
Shaken from what had befallen, Thomas was glad to take the weight off his weakened limbs.
What shone through the extraordinary events of the hour was that he was in a position to speak openly of his feelings to Jennet.