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.
“Your physician? You are concerned for your health?”
“Isabella is. To keep the peace, I bow to my wife’s loving concern.”
Loving – that was not a word Kate would ever associate with Isabella Frost. “What inspired her concern?”
“Since my return from Westminster she has noticed a change in my sleep. She finds me walking about our chamber talking nonsense. I have much on my mind, I told her. Participating in a parliament of such significance, a new king come to the throne in such wise–”
“Turning the former king’s nobles against him, threatening civil war, yes, there must have been much to discuss in Westminster,” said Kate.
“Have a care how you speak of King Henry’s accession, cousin. There are spies all about us.” He gave her a warning look as he settled down on the high-backed chair, adjusting his brocade jacket, flicking imaginary specks from his rich brown leggings. Elegantly garbed for an evening spent under silken bedclothes.
“Royal spies, yes. I did wonder whether you will continue your trysts with Drusilla,” she said, goading him.
He looked at her askance. “Of course I will, cousin. Why would I not? I have needs–”
“Yes, you have often said. But as mayor, and as you owe it to King Henry’s favor, you must have a care. It is said His Grace is a pious man.”
“He is. But he understands. He himself has a mistress.”
“His Grace is, at the moment, a widower. Your wife is very much alive.”
William was shaking his head. “You distract me from my purpose. I am here about the murder of the spice seller. And Horner. And Berend being taken into custody.”
“Of course.” She handed him the cup of ale and settled across from him.
He lifted the cup to her as if to toast. “You will not partake?”
“I am still warm with Bess Merchet’s brandywine.”
“Old Bess at the York Tavern? I did not know you were friends. But she is a good person to know in this part of the city.”
Kate nodded. “About Berend.”
“Yes. His situation is grave. He stands accused not only of the recent murders, but of joining the son of his former lord in the plot against the king. He was seen at Pontefract, and in Oxford, meeting with Salisbury. Pontefract, Katherine. Had he attempted to free the deposed king? Would Berend do such a thing?”
“No, he would not.”
“So say you. But the king believes otherwise. I have come to warn you, Katherine, for the sake of your name, and your wards, their futures, you must cut off all association with Berend.”
He might as well tell you to cut off your right arm, Geoff mumbled in her head.
“Is this not all rumor?” Kate asked.
William sat back with an air of self-satisfaction, taking the time to cross one leg over the other. “I heard it from the king’s own men. Two of King Henry’s trusted retainers arrived today. I have invited them to bide in my home.”
“Sawyer and Parr?”
“Who? No. Sir Peter Angle and Captain Crawford, I’ve already forgotten the captain’s given name. Who are these others?”
Kate waved away the question. “Why are they here?”
“I am not privileged to say …”
“Have they come in pursuit of Lady Kirkby?”
A look of surprise. “Why– How did you know?”
“Sir Elric.”
“Ah. Westmoreland’s man. Yes, of course, he would be privy to such information.”
“Is she in the city?”
“They believe so, but they have yet to apprehend her.”
God be thanked. But Kate’s hands had turned to ice. “And they told you about Berend?”
“They overheard my man Roger informing me that the sheriffs had him in custody. When they heard his name they grew excited. They are convinced that it was Berend who had escorted Lady Kirkby here after their cohorts were caught and executed in Cirencester. Will you promise me to stay out of this? Let the sheriffs and the king’s men do their work?”
As if she’d ever had a choice to do so. “The sheriffs have already bungled it, William. Sir Elric is at the castle as we speak, determined to find the real murderer, or murderers, and prevent any more violence in the city.”
“Sir Elric? Why?”
“He has been charged by Ralph Neville, Earl of Westmoreland, to keep the peace here.”
“That is for the sheriffs and the mayor and council.”
Kate almost laughed at William’s expression, righteous indignation, insult … But she restrained herself. “I thought that as well, but ever since the rift between the royal cousins the earl has kept a close watch on York, with Sir Elric as his lieutenant here. You will want to stay in Elric’s good graces.”
“In his good graces,” William sputtered, his feathers now quite ruffled.
She had best smooth them. This was not the time to let her cousin walk away in anger. She needed his cooperation. “I only meant, he is one of the earl’s favorites, and a knight, William. Though citizens of York see you as the highest dignitary, come Candlemas – or the day after, one such as the earl sees you as yet a commoner. You have the king’s support, but Earl Ralph sits at his right hand at feasts.”
A shrug of concession. “It is true.” He sipped the ale and stared into the fire. “Back to the matter at hand,” he finally said, “I cannot have you rushing to rescue a traitor.”
“Berend is no traitor. He condemned the plot against the king and his sons.”
“Then what was his–” He looked up sharply. “You have already spoken to him?”
“Briefly. Before the deaths of Merek and Horner.”
“And you did not give him up?”
“I said, before the deaths.”
“Murders. Did you not know he was wanted for treason?”
“Not at that time,” she lied.
William leveled his gaze at her. “When I told you the king’s men were here you mentioned two names. Who are they?”
“Parr and Sawyer?” Here was information he would find valuable, that she might offer as a concession. She told him what she knew of them, omitting their interest in Merek’s goods. She did not want the king’s men on a treasure hunt.
He looked suitably concerned. “How dare they invade your home and threaten your guard dogs! I will inform His Grace’s men. They sought Berend and Lady Margery?”
“Yes.”
“They will be found and apprehended, I promise you.”
She did not argue, merely nodded, as if grateful, soothing William’s pride.
He murmured more reassurances as he lifted the cup to his lips. Finding it empty, he set it on the arm of the chair. Kate rose to fetch more, but he shook his head.
“So. Will you promise to keep your distance from Berend?”
“In truth, that depends on Sir Elric, what he learns at York Castle.”
“Why should it depend on him?”
“We have an agreement. Or rather, I have one with Westmoreland.”
“Oh? You never said.”
“And now I have. I – keep him informed of the mood in the city, amongst the merchants.”
“Ah.”
She could see him reviewing in his mind what she might have reported about him.
“You have no need for concern, cousin.”
A little tweak at the corners of his mouth. “Perhaps I will take a wee dram more.” He handed her his cup.
She filled it, handed it back. “About my agreement with the earl. It would help me if you would keep me informed of what the king’s men do, where they go, to whom they speak. Sir Elric will want to know what they know. What they think they know.”
“And why would I do that?”
“As I said, Earl Ralph has the king’s ear. When you wish a favor for the city …”
William uncrossed his legs, adjusted his sleeves. “The day after Candlemas I will be entertaining all of York, Katherine, with a late dinner for the freemen of the city and their families. The following day I hold a feast for the council.”