Free The Nine Giants by Edward Marston

the occasional free meal. Ashway pushed the last mouthful down his throat then emptied his tankard after it. He gave a monstrous belch, laughed merrily and broke wind. It was time for them to sit back in their carved chairs and preen themselves at will.
    ‘My mayoralty has been a triumph,’ said Pugsley with easy pomposity. ‘I have grown into the role.’
    ‘It fits you like a glove.’
    ‘This city has cause to be grateful to me.’
    ‘Your bounty is in evidence on all sides,’ noted the other. ‘You have founded schools, built almshouses and donated generously to the Church.’
    ‘Nor have I been slack in my love of country,’ said the fishmonger piously. ‘Queen Elizabeth herself – God bless her – has been ready to borrow Pugsley money for the defence of the realm. English soldiers are the salt of the earth. I feel honoured that I was able to put uniforms onto their backs and weapons into their hands.’
    ‘A knighthood was a fitting reward, Luke.’
    ‘Sir Lucas, if you please.’
    ‘Sir Lucas.’ Ashway fawned obligingly. ‘The pity of it is that you cannot remain in place as Lord Mayor.’
    ‘Nothing would please me more, Rowland.’
    ‘We have all been beneficiaries of your term of office and are like to remember it well.’
    ‘There is more still to come. I value friendship above all else and set a true value on it. Aubrey and I were discussing the matter only this morning.’
    ‘Aubrey Kenyon is an upright man,’ said the brewer. ‘His opinions are to be taken seriously.’
    ‘That is why I always seek them out. My Chamberlain is always the first person I consult on any subject. He is a complete master of the intricacies of municipal affairs and I could not survive for a second without him.’
    ‘You are in safe hands, Sir Lucas.’
    ‘None safer than those of Aubrey Kenyon.’
    ‘Indeed not.’ Ashway did some fishing of his own. ‘And you say there is something in the wind for me?’
    ‘A small reward for your unfailing loyalty.’
    ‘You are too kind.’
    ‘A trifling matter to a man of your wealth but it may bring some pleasure. You will acquire the control and rent of certain properties in your ward. My Chamberlain advised me on the form of it and he is drawing up the necessary documents.’
    ‘I must thank Master Aubrey Kenyon once again.’
    ‘Where I command, he takes action.’
    ‘Your Chamberlain is truly a paragon.’
    ‘I would trust him like my own brother.’ Pugsley took another sip of brandy then appraised his companion. ‘Does your business still thrive, Rowland?’
    ‘Assuredly. We go from strength to strength.’
    ‘Feeding off the drunkenness of London!’
    ‘Stout men need strong ale. I simply answer their demand.’
    They shared a chuckle then Pugsley fingered his chain with offhand affection. ‘I have felt happy and fulfilled as never before in this office,’ he said. ‘Would that I might stay in it for ever!’ A wistful sigh. ‘Alas, that is not to be. Election has already been made.’
    ‘
I
did not vote for him, that I swear.’
    ‘Others did.’ Pugsley’s sadness turned into cold fury. ‘It is painful enough to have to retire from office but to be forced to hand over to Walter Stanford is truly galling. I detest the man and all that he represents.’
    ‘You are not alone in that, Sir Lucas.’
    ‘He is unworthy to follow in my footsteps.’
    ‘As for that young wife of his …’
    ‘It ought not to be allowed,’ said the other in a fit of moral indignation. ‘A man should pay for his pleasures in private, not flaunt them before the whole city of London!’
    ‘She is a pretty creature, though, I grant him that.’
    ‘Stanford is bestial!’
    ‘He is not Lord Mayor yet.’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Many a slip ’twixt cup and lip.’
    Sir Lucas Pugsley sat upright in his chair and spat out his words like a snake expelling its venom.
    ‘I would do
anything
to stop him!’
     
    Fine weather and high expectation saw large crowds of