A Murdered Peace
- Автор: Робб Кэндис
- Серия: A Kate Clifford Mystery #3
- Год: 2018
- Язык: английский
- Год: Pegasus Books
- ISBN: 9781681779270
- Жанр: Исторические детективы
Электронная книга - «A Murdered Peace». Краткое содержание книги:
England still in tumult at the start of the fifteenth century, as Kate Clifford finds herself working to prove the innocence of her longtime confidante.
It is deep winter in York, 1400, the ground frozen, the short days dimmed with the smoke from countless fires, the sun, when it shines, low in the sky. It is rumored that the Epiphany Uprising, meant to relieve the realm of the Henry the usurper and return King Richard to the throne has, instead, spelled his doom. As long as Richard lives, he is a threat to Henry. So, too, the nobles behind the plot. The ringleaders have been caught, some slaughtered as they fled west by folk loyal to Henry, and the king's men now search the towns for survivors.
A perilous time, made worse for Kate Clifford by the disappearance of Berend, her cook and confidante, shortly after Christmas. Her niece saw his departure in a dream – he said he was honor bound to leave. Honor bound – to a former lord? One of the nobles who led the uprising? Is he alive? She is hardly consoled when Berend reappears, wounded, secretive, denying any connection to the uprising, but refusing to explain himself. When he is accused of brutally murdering a spice seller in the city, Kate discovers a chest of jewels in his possession. Some of the jewels belong to her old friend Lady Margery, wanted by the king for her husband’s part in the uprising. For the sake of their long friendship, and the love she and her wards bear for him, Kate wants to believe his innocence. So, too, does Sir Elric. And he has the powerful backing of the Earl of Westmoreland. All she need do is confide in him. If only she trusted her heart.
“I would, but he is not here,” said Colin with an apologetic shrug.
“Ah. Then if you will tell him I wish to speak to him.”
Colin was about to answer when he glanced at someone who had just come up behind Kate and said, “And just like that, he appears.”
Turning, she found herself face to face with Sir Elric, who smiled as he greeted her with warmth, then crouched to greet the hounds. There was a time not so long in the past when they would have growled at him as they had the king’s man, baring their teeth, sensing Kate’s distrust. But as she’d grown more trusting of the knight, so had they. They sniffed his face, the hands he rested on his thighs, and then Ghent nudged him with his head.
“Do give their ears a rub. They sense Colin Merchet’s disapproval and could use some affection.”
“It’s not I who disapproves,” Colin protested.
Elric glanced up at the taverner. “Disapproval? Merchet, how can you look on this fine pair and not admire them? What problem do you foresee?” He rubbed Ghent’s ears, then Lille’s.
“They are dogs,” Colin said with a shrug.
“They are indeed. Your point?”
“We do not allow dogs in the tavern. Dame Bess’s orders.”
“No wonder the stable lad is so busy chasing rats,” Elric muttered. After one more affectionate rub for each, praising Lille and Ghent as both brave and gentle, Elric rose and turned to Colin. “I vouch for these noble hounds, Merchet. They are better trained, better behaved than most humans, and are worthy guests of your tavern.”
“I pray you forgive me, Sir Elric, but my granddam has never permitted dogs in here.”
“If you turn them away, you turn me away, for Mistress Clifford is my dear friend.”
His dear friend, Geoff repeated in her head with a chuckle.
You may be amused, but his friendship has proven useful, she noted to Geoff.
“My granddam will have my head,” said Colin, shaking his head at Elric.
“Then you have little to lose, for she will either way. You might recall that Dame Bess was eager for my patronage. She will not be so sanguine when I ask her to give me the bill. But so be it.” Elric shrugged and turned to Kate, his back to Colin, his eyes laughing. “You had suggested an alternative lodging in the city. Is it still available?” Clearly he expected to win this.
“It is indeed,” she said, making as if to depart with Lille and Ghent.
“No, I pray you, be not so hasty. I will make this right,” said Colin as he stepped aside, motioning them to enter. “Forgive my hesitation, Mistress Clifford.”
Kate inclined her head, acknowledging his apology.
“I regret that I returned to the inn only to fetch something from my chamber,” said Elric. “I must be away to a meeting.”
“A pity,” said Kate.
“Indeed.” Elric bowed. “I would fain have whiled away an hour in your fair company.”
“But it is no matter. I had a question, that is all.” She drew him away from the hovering taverner, briefly describing the two men.
Elric thanked her for the news. “If they are the king’s men we’re expecting, I am glad to be forewarned.”
“So you know nothing of them?”
“No. I will find out and send you word.” He quickly bowed to her and strode off across the tavern to the corridor beyond.
“I pray you, Mistress Clifford, do have a seat by the fire and dry your skirts. I will bring you a bowl of ale.”
It was inviting, now she was here. “And some water for Lille and Ghent?” Kate asked.
“Of course,” said Colin, now eager to serve. “In truth I found it hard to part with my own dogs when I inherited the tavern. Granddad had not warned me that Granddam’s rule would apply to my dogs.” He bustled away, returning with the ale, quickly followed by a large bowl of water, and two sizable ham hocks on a platter. Ghent and Lille sat up sharply as they smelled the peace offering.
Kate thanked the taverner for his generosity and nodded at the bowl of ale in her hands, which she found a perfect blend of bitter and sweet, and thick yet not chewy. “Your granddad’s recipe?”
Colin nodded with pride. “Best in shire, maybe best in the realm. Granddad was so revered for his ale that folk came from all corners of the North to attend his requiem.”
Tom Merchet had died before Kate arrived in York, but she had never heard a cross word about the man, and there was no question this was the best ale she’d ever tasted. The Merchets were respected in York. She had been remiss in not befriending them. She must correct that. Shaking her head at Colin’s offer of more ale, Kate was gathering the hounds’ leads when Elric returned, nodding with satisfaction to see Lille and Ghent finishing off their treats.
“You’re a good man, Merchet,” he said, just as the outer door opened and Douglas, Stephen, and Wulf entered the tavern.
Elric greeted them with a puzzled shake of his head. “I thought to meet you later.”
“We have something for you,” said Douglas. “Thought it should not wait.”
As Kate bent to slip the hounds’ leads into their collars she overheard a little of Stephen’s report to Elric, her ears pricking up at “Lancastrian livery” and “Ouse Bridge.”
Elric caught her eye and motioned her over.
“They would state only that they came to York in pursuit of three folk, a woman and two men, perhaps her menservants,” Douglas was saying.
Margery, Carl, and–? Kate tried to quiet her mind so she could listen.
“The important thing is the king’s men are in York, and need watching,” Elric said to his men. “Why is Kevin not with you? Did he follow them?”
“We’ve not seen him this morning, captain,” said Stephen. “We’re hoping he’s not run off with young Marie Neville. Dame Katherine will have her hounds after him if that’s so, eh?” He grinned at her.
“Poor man. He would soon come back of his own accord. The child has sharp teeth,” Kate said, and was laughing with them when she noticed a shadowy figure standing quite still in the kitchen doorway. Guessing it to be Old Bess, she thought it wise to take her leave. “Forgive me, but I must be off.”
Kate glanced back as she led Lille and Ghent toward the outer door and saw that it was indeed Bess Merchet, now standing in the room, the ribbons on her white cap trembling as she looked aghast at the dogs. She called sharply for Colin.
As the door closed behind Kate she heard Elric using his most silken tone with the elderly taverner. Crossing the yard, she smiled to herself, imagining him charming Old Bess out of her anger.
Old Bess is hearing too much. How much does Elric tell her?
I thought you trusted him, Geoff.
So far as a knight can be trusted. He owes everything to his lord. As does Berend?
As he did, Geoff. I would think Berend owes nothing to his lord’s son. Why would he answer his summons?
If he did, Kate. We don’t know.
God help her. Berend’s disappearance was painful, but Elric’s revelations, and seeing Berend this morning, having him flee from her, the possibility that he was running from the king’s men … She did not know what she felt. Anger? Frustration? Fear?
Dare I trust Elric? With my secret guest?
I suppose you must wait and see. At least you know you can trust Kevin, Geoff assured her. He might be of help, and I’ve no doubt he will warn you if his captain does anything that might bring you harm.
But would he disobey the command to search for Lady Margery?