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.
“Two feasts?”
“Isabella’s idea. But you see I have much to do in a few days.”
“And the king’s men. You would not exclude them?”
“Well, no, of course not.”
“I should think Sir Elric will also be invited to the first feast.”
“I had not thought to invite him, but if he is in the city …”
“Perhaps as my escort?”
A hint of a smile as he nodded. “I begin to see the benefit. But how would I get word to you? I myself have not the time …”
“I am looking for a groom, a lad to train up as a servant. Can you suggest one?”
“What has this to do with what we’re discussing?”
“I need someone to be here when Matt is at your house receiving his morning and afternoon report from your manservant Roger. Or from Tib, if you prefer.” A lesser servant in William’s household.
“It would needs be Roger. I can trust him not to gossip.” He held out his cup once more. “I believe I need what remains in the jug you have on the cupboard.”
Kate obliged him, handing him the ornate pewter tankard, though she teased him about too much ale being inadvisable before a night of lovemaking.
He growled.
She laughed. “So do we have an agreement?”
“The Earl of Westmoreland is so concerned?”
Kate leaned forward, making certain she had William’s attention. “I tell you this in confidence – Lionel Neville found himself caught up in this trouble. Sir Ralph’s kinsman. It seems he was with Merek when the man was attacked. He went to his aid and was wounded for his troubles.” She tilted her head, raised an eyebrow.
“Lionel intervened? Astonishing. But, Christ’s blood, the man has a penchant for sticking his nose in the wrong feed bags.”
“So. Will you do this?”
“I must think.” He rested his head back against the chair. “The groom part is simple. Tib has a brother, Cuddy. He’s a good lad, clever – as far as Isabella is concerned, too clever. She washed his mouth with soap one too many times and they mutually agreed to part ways. I liked the lad and promised to find a place for him.” William opened one eye and smiled at Kate. “He would suit your unusual household.”
“Send him by, the sooner the better.” She waited, but he closed his eye once more and seemed to nod off. “William, do we have an agreement?”
William grunted. “My cunning cousin.” He sat upright, frowning. “How can you be so certain Berend is innocent?”
“We believe in him.”
“We?”
“Sir Elric, Bess Merchet, and me.”
“You delight in unlikely pairings, cousin. As if all life is a merry jest. I take it Sir Elric will come directly from the castle to report to you?”
“I don’t know. Much depends on whether or not the sheriffs will agree to his taking responsibility for Berend.” And Berend agreeing to it, she thought.
“You will send word to Griselde about what Sir Elric learned at the castle? I can check with her in the morning as I depart the guesthouse.”
“It would be much more efficient for me to send Matt to your house. Mid morning. And then he can return with his new helper, Cuddy. That is, if you are able to arrange that so quickly?”
“Of course. I am glad to find work for the lad. Matt will tell me all?”
“Yes.”
William nodded. “Agreed.”
In the kitchen, the contents of the pot Marie and Petra were taking turns stirring now gave off a spicy aroma that made Kate’s stomach grumble. It had been a very long day with too little food and too much wine.
“Is Master William going to help Berend?” Marie asked.
“In his own way, yes, he will,” said Kate. “As is Sir Elric.” She motioned Matt and Jennet to step outside, and told the girls she would be back in a moment.
She told them that the king’s men were in the city, staying with William. “We need to warn Sir Elric of all this. It might help him. Which of you will go to York Castle?”
Matt straightened up, excited, but then deferred to Jennet.
Jennet shook her head. “Better for you to go. With your long legs, you will be swifter. But stay a moment. I have something you might need.” She disappeared into the kitchen.
“Sir Peter Angle and Captain Crawford – Elric might know these men,” said Kate. “He can use their respect for Westmoreland to influence them. And, Matt, you will soon have a lad to help out – Cuddy, from the Frost household.”
By the beatific smile she could tell that Matt believed this day to be one of his finest.
“I will be fleet of foot, Dame Katherine.”
Jennet rejoined them, holding out a leather traveling pack. “If Elric succeeds in releasing Berend into his custody, our friend might need a disguise.”
“A disguise for Berend?” Kate asked.
Jennet shrugged. “Yes. Take it, Matt. But do not leave it behind. It’s good cloth.”
Matt promised to return it, either on Berend or in the pack.
“You are armed?” Kate asked.
“Both daggers.”
“Good. Godspeed.”
As they watched him lope away, pulling his hastily donned cloak closer round him, they both whispered prayers that Elric would be successful in arguing for Berend’s release.
“I never would have believed that haughty knight would use his earl’s influence to help us,” said Jennet.
“He respects Berend.”
Jennet turned and looked Kate in the eyes. “And you, Dame Katherine. This may not work out as he hopes, yet he risks his lord discovering how he used his name. He would not take that risk for Berend alone.”
“He might soon regret that.”
“Not if he is the man I believe him to be.”
“Betrayal undermines the strongest relationship. I would not blame him for shunning me ever after.” Kate slumped against the doorframe, weary to the bone. “But at the moment my mind is on the guesthouse. Pray God Griselde has the sense to keep Margery quiet tonight. William and Drusilla know her well. They know her voice, how she moves. May God watch over Margery this night.”
“It is not like you to leave it to God,” Jennet noted.
Kate bestirred herself. “No, it is not. Stay with the girls. I will leave the hounds as well. If Elric comes, keep him here until I return.”
11
A Lie, However Well Meant
After the meeting with Katherine and Bess at the York Tavern, Elric welcomed the late afternoon chill. It cleared his head as he turned onto Stonegate. Walking down this street beside Katherine was fresh in his mind, flanked by her noble hounds, her movements graceful, with a rhythmic quality not unlike dance. Beauty and strength in motion. And, considering her keen mind and martial skill, he was glad to be on her side. More than glad. If he succeeded in freeing Berend and proving his innocence, would she …? Might they …? Pah. This was not the time for such dreams. Nor could he shrug off the feeling that she was up to her usual tricks, telling him partial truths.
Shaking his head at himself he turned down Davygate. Not so busy as earlier, the shops closing, people hurrying home to the warmth of their fires. As he approached Jon Horner’s house he slowed his pace, seeing in the dusky light that Kevin was in conversation with a handsome woman who seemed vaguely familiar. He did not wish to interrupt, but the cold and his mission made him keen to reach the castle.
Kevin happened to glance his way, raising his hand in greeting, and the woman turned to see who approached.
“Sir Elric, if I might introduce the widow Wheeldon,” said Kevin.