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.
“Other plans?”
“If he was indeed working with Jon Underhill, or Hubert Bale as your servant Berend knew him–”
She looked up sharply. So he knew about the two identities. And that Jon was the king’s man, Hubert the duke’s? She wondered. But clearly he thought Bale still alive.
Elric was grinning at her surprise. “Yes, this man is known to the former assassin you call your cook. In any case, your man Sam, well, it is possible that Underhill offered him something more interesting than living out his years serving you.”
“Because I am not a Neville?”
A shrug. “He did prove willing to betray you. But to a point. I am quite certain that Lionel is as yet unaware of the clients you regularly host in the house on High Petergate. Sam did not choose to betray you about that.”
She began to protest, but it was foolish. He knew. “How did you learn about my guesthouse?”
“I no longer remember how I learned of it. But I applauded you when I did, Dame Katherine. Your late husband was not an honorable man. He and his brother seem two of a kind. Your secret is safe with me. You have nothing to fear from me on that count.”
On that count. “You think Sam might have left the city in the company of Jon Underhill? Why? What was Underhill’s mission?”
“Sir Thomas Kirkby has not always been a man of peace. My lord earl sent Underhill to gauge the mood of the citizens of York who dine with Lady Kirkby.”
“So that is why he approached William Frost?”
“Yes. An influential, highly respected citizen of York.”
“What do you fear this man has done instead?”
“I have no idea. But I will find out.”
His steely gaze made Kate uneasy. This man would discover everything.
“And if you find my servant, what happens to him?”
“It depends on whether or not he is with Jon Underhill. If he is, he will be brought to me at Sheriff Hutton. If not, he shall be delivered to your doorstep.” He glanced up at Jennet. “The other meat dish now, if you will.”
“I cannot believe that Lady Kirkby’s mission is anything other than what she claims it to be,” said Kate. “Both the archbishop and the dean of York Minster have sanctioned her presence here.”
“One is a Scrope, the other a Clifford. I doubt either of their families would remain neutral in a civil war.”
“And the Nevilles would?”
A cough, a grin. “The earl merely wishes to know which way the citizens of York are bending.”
“I see. So why our meeting?”
“My lord still needs an ear among the citizens of York. I hoped that might be you. Or, if you prefer, you might help me recruit your cousin Frost. No need to decide at once.” He tasted the stew. “I must commend the taverner on his kitchen. The steward of Sheriff Hutton is in need of a new cook. Do you think I might lure the man away from the city?”
“I very much doubt it. He is his own man. His family is here, and the merchants pay him a handsome retainer for his services.”
“Ah. Pity.”
They moved to neutral topics for a while as they ate, such as the long winter, the sudden, welcome thaw, each sizing up the other.
Finally Elric pushed his plate away. He sat back, elbows on the arms of the chair, fingers steepled. He regarded her with cool blue eyes.
She allowed to herself that he was a handsome man, strong-jawed, well-spoken. She had watched him fight, remembered quite clearly his grace in motion, his skill. She was not immune to his charm. And for that reason, and more, she regarded him with great caution, so she fought a smile with his first words.
“I should very much like to have you as an ally, Dame Katherine. I believe we would work well together.”
“No doubt you would like that. But what value should I find in it?”
“Trouble is coming, of that I have no doubt. You have chosen strong servants for your household, and you have powerful kin. But when civil war breaks out, you will need more than a former assassin and the resourceful Jennet to assist you in protecting your wards and your property. Sheriff Hutton might be a place of refuge for you in the storm to come, and the Earl of Westmoreland is certain to stand with the victors.” He grinned at Kate’s snort. “I am not blind to the self-serving nature of the family I serve. Your family by marriage, eh? I offer you protection, including protection from the petty meddling of my earl’s kinsman, Lionel Neville.” His smile was more dazzling than Matt’s.
Time to escape. Kate rose.
Sir Elric rose.
“You have given me much to think about, Sir Elric.”
“One thing more. I give you fair warning that I am investigating any rumors that come to my attention about several matters that touch on your interests. This fire in your undercroft, the deaths of Alice Hatten and her lover, your cousin’s sudden fondness for the Forest of Galtres. I will, of course, share with you anything that I find. I merely mention this to spur your consideration of my offer. Were we to cooperate, we might resolve these mysteries in a more timely manner.” He bowed to her.
Outside, a steady rain fell. Kate was pulling up her hood when Jennet caught her arm.
“Will you work for him?”
“The question is whether I actually have a choice.”
“He knows too much?”
“If he does not now, he soon will.”
“Sam, that crook-pated lout. He told Sir Elric all about us. My background, Berend’s. If we find him at home, warming his feet in front of the fire, I’ve a mind to geld him.”
“We will worry about what to do about Sam in due time. For the moment we have more important things to sort through.” Kate pulled up her hood as she considered where to head. At this time of day, just after dinner, she might find William at home. Watching for puddles, she pushed through the crowds on Micklegate, heading for her cousin’s house.
17
A Comb, a Pair of Gloves
After the rain, the night was cold and clear, the stars bright. Kate shivered as she leaned out the window of her bedchamber, listening to an owl hunting in the gardens across Castlegate. She welcomed the chill wind stirring her hair, cooling her face. She would prefer to walk out into the darkness. She yearned to take the dogs and walk down to the river, but held herself back – the murders, the fire, Sir Elric’s sudden interest – or, rather, the Earl of Westmoreland’s. But it was Sir Elric’s eyes that haunted her, and the sense of coiled life, ready to spring.
For tonight, Kate had sent Jennet back to her own bed in the little house at the street, not wanting to keep her awake with her inability to settle. But, most of all, she had done it to avoid Jennet’s questions, to which Kate had not, as yet, any answers.
She had indeed found William at home. He had understood the import of Sir Elric’s interest. For now he believed himself safe, convinced that the knight had believed his account of brushing off “Underhill’s” offer, with his explanation that he feared he would be in worse trouble with such a man defending him.
“The key is to keep the lie simple. Liars elaborate,” he told Kate. Moments later, his confidence had crumpled. “But if he finds the grave… Why would he think anything other than that I murdered the earl’s man?”
Kate had assured him that he was free to tell Sir Elric about the night at the guesthouse, that he already knew about her clientele.
“But Isabella. If she should learn. Dear God. Whatever he wants of you, Katherine, I pray you, appease him.”
“I stand in awe of the ease with which you ask the women in your life to give themselves freely to those who might help you, cousin. What a heady feeling it must be, your certainty that God chose you for great things, that we have been placed in your path as your handmaidens.” She had goaded him, enjoying his discomfort.