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Pembroke noticed. “You were there?”
“No.”
“Did you know men who were?”
“Yes.” He considered that was enough of an answer.
Pembroke leaned forward. “Then you know?”
“I know cavalry in a crowd is rarely neat.”
Pembroke nodded. The lightness had vanished from him.
“What about Scotland?” Baines asked.
“What about it?”
“The rising.”
“‘Tis madness.”
That surprised him. “You approve of reform but condemn rebellion?”
“Must those be contradictory?”
Baines thought of Judith. “No.”
Pembroke picked up the abandoned book. “Violence gives frightened governments permission to attack. Then everyone behaves in a worse manner.”
That was nearly intelligent. Baines disliked when suspects became reasonable. “Do you read the radical papers?”
“Occasionally.”
“How do you obtain them?”
“My man brings them when he goes into Newcastle.” Pembroke looked at him.
Baines changed course. “What else is there to do for amusement around here? Does the village offer aught in the way of entertainment?”
Pembroke shook his head. “Just the usual village tavern, I am afraid.”
“Gambling? Cards?”
“I cannot say. I am poor at both.”
“Women?”
“I am even poorer still with them.”
Baines grinned as he stood up. “I shall remember not to be your partner at cards. I shall take myself off to the village, nevertheless. If I happen upon a radical circular, I shall bring it for you.”
Pembroke was sympathetic and travelled among precisely the sort of gatherings Renforth was interested in. Yet there was something too open about him. Gentlemen who enjoyed opinions as much as Pembroke did seldom concealed them well.
Baines considered the idea as he excused himself.
The village proved more inviting than Pembroke’s description had suggested, although Baines suspected this reflected less upon the village than upon Pembroke’s inability to discover amusement without assistance. The Black Lion stood opposite the smithy, its sign depicting an animal which might have been a stag, and Baines entered to find a respectable fire, several occupied tables, and the sort of sudden silence which announced a stranger.
He ordered ale and carried it towards the hearth, where three men regarded him with open curiosity.
