A Twisted Vengeance
- Автор: Робб Кэндис
- Серия: A Kate Clifford Mystery #2
- Год: 2017
- Язык: английский
- Год: Pegasus Books
- ISBN: 9781681774756
- Жанр: Исторические детективы
Электронная книга - «A Twisted Vengeance». Краткое содержание книги:
As the fourteenth century comes to a close, York seethes on the brink of civil war – and young widow Kate Clifford, struggling to keep her businesses afloat, realizes that her mother is harboring a dangerous secret…
1399. York is preparing for civil war, teeming with knights and their armed retainers summoned for the city’s defense. Henry of Lancaster is rumored to have landed on the northeast coast of England, not so far from York, intent on reclaiming his inheritance – an inheritance which his cousin, King Richard, has declared forfeit.
With the city unsettled and rife with rumors, Eleanor Clifford’s abrupt return to York upon the mysterious death of her husband in Strasbourg is met with suspicion in the city. Her daughter Kate is determined to keep her distance, but it will not be easy – Eleanor has settled next door with the intention of establishing a house of beguines, or poor sisters. When one of the beguines is set upon in the night by an intruder, Kate knows that for the sake of her own reputation and the safety of her young wards she must investigate.
From the first, Eleanor is clearly frightened yet maintains a stubborn silence. The brutal murder of one of Eleanor’s servants leads Kate to suspect that her mother’s troubles have followed her from Strasbourg. Is she secretly involved in the political upheaval? When one of her wards is frightened by a too-curious stranger, Kate is desperate to draw her mother out of her silence before tragedy strikes her own household.
No merchant would find that a puzzling question. “A man who has reasonable work is not likely to decide to risk more than the very occasional pilfering of small items. What you describe is far too bold for a man working alone. Robin must have known he would eventually be caught.”
He shrugged. “I know nothing of how they work.”
Incurious employer. Unless Paris himself had hired Robin to siphon goods from the merchants who leased space in his warehouses.
“I have not convinced you,” said John. “Am I still welcome at your guesthouse?”
Interesting that should be his concern, considering he had no mistress at the moment. “Not with Agnes Dell. She has chosen to live as a beguine. Celibate, chaste. I advise you to disregard any rumors to the contrary. Have you a new mistress?”
“No. But – you saw Beatrice, how frail she is. A man has his needs.”
Kate had often regretted including him on her list of clients, but she had considered him useful at the time. She had thought she might lease some space in his warehouse on the corner. And she thought it wise to befriend her neighbors. At the time she had been indifferent to Agnes Dell. “You will remain on my list as long as I do not discover you’ve lied to me.”
John Paris shifted, uncomfortable in his chair. “I have not lied to you,” he said. “You don’t think I am somehow involved?”
She did. But she chose not to say so. Glancing down at his desk, she noticed that he was copying accounts from notes to a ledger much like some of Simon’s, those recording his business partnerships with Thomas Graa. And the powerful, wealthy Graa had a particular interest in warehouses. “I believe you once told me you were factor to one of the aldermen.” She lied. He had never admitted he was not his own man. “Was it Thomas Graa?”
“Why do you ask?”
“He might have some insight into Robin and his fellows.”
“If you should ask him–”
“Graa?”
A nod. “He will–” A great sigh. “He does not know about Robin, Carter, and Bran. I made up the difference in money to hide my mistake. If he were to lose confidence in me, there are many who would gladly take over the managing of his warehouse.”
Kate almost pitied him, but she sensed he still held something back. At least she had the names of the three men Paris had caught.
“What can you tell me of Bran and Carter?”
“Only that they were willing to do the work.”
“Carter – was he a carter? That’s surely not his Christian name?”
A shrug. “He went by Carter.”
She let him stew in silence for a few moments, then said, “Might I ask, how did you come to own this property?”
“Own this property? Oh, no, no, I pay your brother-in-law Lionel Neville a sizable rent.”
God help her. Of course he did. “And the warehouse belongs to Thomas Graa?”
A nod. “He sold the property with the two houses to Lionel when he and your late husband thought to live near each other. But then they had a falling out and Lionel leased the property to Leonard Dell and me.”
“Do you also work for Lionel?”
A sharp shake of the head.
“If I find that you have lied to me …”
A cough. “I put aside fine items I know he would like.”
“And price them low?”
A shrug. “A man does what he must to keep his landlord happy.”
“What else?”
“An errand now and then.”
“What sort of errand?”
“Delivering letters, for the most part. He does not like to travel through the Forest of Galtres, fears encountering robbers, so he sends me to his cousin’s men at Sheriff Hutton.”
More and more interesting. “In the past few weeks? Since the duke’s landing?”
John started to rise, but when Lille sat up he thought better of it. “Not of late.”
“Yes or no, John. I am not desperate for your patronage.”
“Yes. One letter. A week ago. I do not read them, I swear. I cannot tell you what–”
“Lionel sent you out there within the week? And you handed the letter to whom?”
“Sir Elric.”
“Did he seem eager for it?”
“I interrupted his dinner. He took it from my hands and waved me off to the kitchen for refreshment before my return.”
“Did you deliver an answer?”
John shook his head. “Dame Katherine, I am trusted by this man.”
“And so you shall remain. But the next time you have a letter, I want to know.”
“I cannot.”
Kate rose. “Have you any charges outstanding at my guesthouse? If so, make certain you have the money to hand. I will expect it within two days. Or I shall speak with Thomas Graa.”
“Why do you want to know about the letters?”
He was angry now, feeling used.
Kate shrugged. “I am a Neville, and Nevilles spy on each other.” She smiled. “Nothing dangerous. It is a game with us.”
He was sweating now. But he nodded. “I will tell you when I’ve one to deliver. But you will not touch it.”
“You are an honorable man, John Paris.”
He bowed, oblivious to the insult.
She thanked him and took her leave. Robin, Carter, and Bran. Bran. The name Nan’s mother had whispered to Jennet. It was he who had come for Nan. She shook her head as Alonso glanced up from where he was helping Beatrice eat. Kate called out a farewell and herded Lille and Ghent out the door. As she stepped out into the darkening evening she took a deep breath, relieved to depart that dreary house.
11
Poisonous Roots and Penances
Evening was settling in. Though the gathering clouds were still lit by the setting sun, down on the ground there was little light. Lille and Ghent flanked Kate as she moved down the alleyway between her mother’s house and John Paris’s. Though disturbing, the visit had been well worth it for many reasons – she had names for Robin’s cohorts, and a connection between Lionel and Sir Elric through Paris. Much to consider, including warning the beguines about the rumors being spread about them. So much turmoil. It was as if the contest between the royal cousins had poisoned the land. Unholy alliances running underground like the roots of invasive weeds were sending up shoots everywhere. Lionel, Elric, Griffin, Werner, John Paris, Nan and her lover, Beatrice Paris – Isabella Gisburne Frost? Her uncle, the dean? Her mother? Could she trust any of them? When even the anointed king might be toppled by men’s ambitions, where was the healthy heartwood?
“Who goes there?” a man’s voice demanded.
For a second Kate’s heart jumped, until she recognized Matt’s voice. He must be watching the Martha House. “It’s Dame Katherine.” She reached the edge of the house and stepped into the light from his lantern.
“God go with you, Dame Katherine.”
“By your presence I assume Griffin has not returned?”
“No. Jennet told us you were paying John Paris a visit. Was he of any help?”
“I have the names of two of Robin’s cohorts – Bran and Carter. Do either of those names suggest anyone to you?”
Matt seemed about to speak, but hesitated. Then, “I wonder. Could Bran be Brandon, the lout Seth’s father hired last Michaelmas? Was about to send him packing when he disappeared. With a few of Seth’s father’s best fletching tools.”
“I hope so. And I hope Seth would be able to recognize him.”
“Oh, I expect so.”
“Any news of Nan?”
“No. Nothing.” As Kate continued on into the garden, Matt added, “Sister Agnes wishes to speak with you.”
Complain, more like. “Tell her to come to my house. I’ve been gone too long.”
She pushed open the gate, allowing Lille and Ghent to precede her into her own garden and through the open door of the well-lit kitchen. For a moment she simply stood in the doorway, drinking in the looks of joy mixed with concern on the faces of her loved ones. Marie scrambled to her feet and poured Kate a bowl of ale. Petra shifted to the floor, offering Kate her seat. Berend sat back, his muscular arms folded over his chest, shaking his head; he’d been worried. Jennet poured a bowl of water for the hounds.