The Service of the Dead
- Автор: Робб Кэндис
- Серия: A Kate Clifford Mystery #1
- Год: 2016
- Язык: английский
- Год: Pegasus Books
- ISBN: 978-1-68177-175-5
- Жанр: Исторические детективы
Электронная книга - «The Service of the Dead». Краткое содержание книги:
Expertly recreating the social and political upheavals of late medieval Europe and the increasing power of the wealthy merchant class, acclaimed author Candace Robb introduces a new series starring Kate Clifford, a woman forged on the warring northern marches of fourteenth century England.
Political unrest permeates York at the cusp of the fifteenth century, as warring factions take sides on who should be the rightful king – Richard II or his estranged, powerful cousin in exile, Henry Bolingbroke. Independent minded twenty-year-old Kate Clifford is struggling to dig out from beneath the debt left by her late husband. Determined to find a way to be secure in her own wealth and establish her independence in a male dominated society, Kate turns one of her properties near the minster into a guest house and sets up a business. In a dance of power, she also quietly rents the discreet bedchambers to the wealthy, powerful merchants of York for nights with their mistresses.
But the brutal murder of a mysterious guest and the disappearance of his companion for the evening threatens all that Kate has built. Before others in town hear word of a looming scandal, she must call upon all of her hard-won survival skills to save herself from ruin.
Kate asked if she would prefer to be alone.
“Not at all. Did you know Alice?”
Kate shook her head. In truth she had known her only as William and Isabella’s victim. “I know that she once served in my cousin’s household. William Frost.”
“She did indeed. I took Alice in when your cousin’s wife Isabella put her out on the street. I assisted at the birth of her son, and arranged for his adoption by her married sister.”
“A son.” Kate sat up. William and Isabella had only a daughter, Hazel, an invalid. Her cousin was devoted to his daughter, but yearned for a son. “I did not know of your part in her story.”
“No one knew I cared for her here. I put out a rumor that Joan del Bek had taken Alice in. It is what everyone wanted to believe, and so they did. Alice served me for several years. She was a good companion for my youngest daughter. I thought she had put the past behind her. Not so. Eventually her heart betrayed her. She let William know she was still here, and that he had a son.”
Kate wondered whether Dean Richard had known what she might learn here. “How is it that William did not adopt the boy?”
“I made certain he could not, not without going to great expense, which would alert his wife. He would not want that. Even if he did wish to pursue custody, Alice’s sister, Tessa, swears he will never win it.”
Had this something to do with all that had happened?
“I am sorry if I sound as if I blame your cousin,” Jocasta said. “He has done much good for the city. In his relationship with Alice he was no different from many other men.”
Kate did not trust herself to speak wisely about her cousin at the moment. “God smiled on Alice to provide you as her protector.”
“God guided me in this. I take no credit for it.” Jocasta gestured to the servant to refill their goblets. She noticed Kate put a hand over hers. “You are wise. Have you any knowledge of how it was between Alice and William of late? Might he have summoned her to the city?”
God forgive me for my lies and silences with this good woman. “I had not realized they were still entangled. He did not speak of her to me. I assumed it was William who provided her with the house in Beverley. But was it you?”
“No, it was your cousin’s largesse, an attempt to ease his guilt. And, I believe, he hoped that he might visit his son there.”
“That is where her sister lives?”
“No. They live just downriver from Bishopthorpe. A cousin lives in Beverley, so Alice had a connection with the community. And it is my understanding that the child often visits her on market day, with her sister.”
“Someone must tell Tessa and the cousin of Alice’s death.”
“I shall speak with one of the friars who assists me in my work. I think he will be willing to take word to Alice’s sister and her cousin. And I will see to her burial, of course. Her kin might bide with me to attend the requiem.”
“They will come?”
“If the snow continues, I doubt the cousin will, but her sister will come if her husband agrees to it.”
“He was not fond of Alice?”
“He considered her an embarrassment to the family. As so many who manage to climb to some level of comfort, he is fiercely protective of his respectability. He worked hard to afford a small holding and fears that a connection with a fallen woman will cause him to lose everything.” Jocasta excused herself, rising to address the women now filing out of the buttery. “Go to the kitchen, where there is ale and food for you. I leave it for you to decide among yourselves who will sit with Alice tonight.” As she turned back, she passed the leather-bound trunk holding the clothing Kate had brought. Lifting the items one by one, she fingered the cloth, shook out the clothes to examine the tailoring. Returning, she smiled and kissed Kate’s hand. “Bless you. I know several men who will benefit from those fine garments. They are your late husband’s clothes?”
“Some. The ones I hid from his brother Lionel. There are other pieces I will save for Phillip, things that can be cut down to fit his smaller frame.”
“The Nevilles. I have little to do with them. But your late husband was not quite like the rest of his family. He was generous to the poor, and was often at church. My husband was fond of him. As of course you know.” Her glance was suddenly sly.
By that Kate guessed her hostess meant to acknowledge that her husband patronized the guesthouse on High Petergate. Kate felt suddenly awkward, unsure how to respond.
Jocasta leaned to touch Kate’s cheek. “Forgive me, I did not mean to cause you discomfort. When God called me to this life of ministry, I assured Edmund that he was free to see to his needs, asking only that his affairs be ones of mutual consent, with widows of his own class, if possible. I did not wish him to harm a young woman, as did your cousin.”
“We are alike in that.” Kate put aside the brandywine. So much to take in, so much to consider. “I will inform my cousin about Alice’s murder,” she said, meeting Jocasta’s steady gaze. “And I will attend the requiem.”
“Oh, my lovely Katherine, yes, I welcome your company. God put us in each other’s path for a reason today.”
Kate rose. “I should be at home in case anyone has news of Phillip.”
“My people will watch out for him, Katherine. I pray he will soon be returned to you, safe and sound.”
As Jocasta rose to embrace Kate, the courtyard door opened, spilling in cold air.
“My dear Jocasta, is it true? Has that poor unfortunate Hatten woman been murdered?” Edmund took a step back as Kate and Jocasta separated.
Jocasta nodded gravely. “Alice has come back to us for burial, husband. You know Katherine Clifford, I think?”
He nodded gruffly, searching Kate’s face.
“I brought some of Simon’s warm clothes for the poor,” Kate explained. “And now I must hurry away and see to my household.”
“Ah.” Hand to heart, he bowed to her. “My wife will see that they are given to those in need, Dame Katherine. You are most generous.”
“She is,” said Jocasta.
“The sun has set,” Edmund added. “Do you need an escort?”
Kate thanked him for his concern, but she assured him that Lille and Ghent would be sufficient escorts for so short a journey.
“I prefer to see you safely home. It will be my pleasure.”
The portly man, already red-faced from the walk from his warehouse near the river, clearly imagined her a helpless woman. As she called to Lille and Ghent and secured their leashes, Kate smiled to herself, imagining Sharp’s surprise if he witnessed her drawing out her axe to defend herself against an assailant. She guessed she was far more able to defend herself than he was. But she appreciated the gesture, and guessed that it had more to do with wanting to ask her just what she had told his wife about the guesthouse.
Jocasta accompanied them out onto the cobbles, embracing Kate in farewell. As soon as Kate stepped away, Lille and Ghent each barked once, straining at their leashes. Familiar barks. She searched the twilight until she spotted Berend leaning against the small gateway into the courtyard.
“It seems I have an escort.” She indicated Berend to assure Edmund he had nothing to worry about.
“Ah,” he nodded, flustered. “Well then, God go with you, Dame Katherine.”
“And with you, Master Sharp.”
The night sky was clear, the stars coming sharply into focus. No snow for now, but the cold penetrated Kate’s thick leather boots. “You might have come within to get warm,” she said as she joined Berend.