A Murdered Peace

“We can try.”

“No, Katherine. I will not spare one of my men on a hopeless mission.”

Stubborn man. “I will find a messenger.”

He reached out to her, taking hold of her arm. “I am not the enemy, Katherine. I never was.”

“Even after my confession?”

“That did not alter my belief in what is right.”

“Then help me save him.” She saw how he tightened his jaw. He would not send anyone to the abbot. Damnable man.

After the midday meal Kate and the hounds headed down Stonegate for the York Tavern, collecting a small crowd all asking after Berend, offering food, prayers, inquiring whether there was anything they might do. She assured them all that their prayers were appreciated and urged them to give the sheriffs any information about the night Merek was murdered, anything anyone saw on or around the Shambles. Their support lifted Kate’s spirits, which had taken a downward turn when she’d heard Matt’s news from the Frost residence.

“Sir Peter hopes the city will turn on Berend, the bastard,” Matt had said. “He’s searching for Parr and Sawyer as well. He’s heard that they were likely in the service of the Earl of Salisbury, thinks they might know who else rode in the company of the earl. And he says they came here chasing some treasure Salisbury sent to York for safekeeping, which Sir Peter claims is the king’s by right. All the rebels’ wealth is forfeit. Master William forbade him to interfere with the city’s search for the murderers of Merek and Horner, but the knight and his captain claim the king’s safety is the higher good.”

Higher good. Pah. And now there he was. Sir Peter stood by the steps to the cemetery in St. Helen’s Square, watching her as she moved away from Berend’s supporters with a benedicite. Arrogant bastard. But better that he serve as a warning. Had she not seen him she might have led him straight to Parr and Sawyer. She turned onto Davygate, heading toward the castle.

She not gone far when Lille growled, alerting her that the knight followed. Glancing over her shoulder, Kate warned the old knight to keep his distance. “She does not know you and considers you a threat to me.”

“Might we talk, Dame Katherine? I will not keep you long.”

She called the hounds to heel.

Sir Peter bowed and introduced himself. With just that brief walk he was quite out of breath. Frail for such a mission. Did the king not realize?

“Ah, yes,” she said. “My cousin’s guest.”

“I ask for your cooperation, Dame Katherine. I have been told you are trusted by Lady Kirkby, who is said to have come to York. And her escort from Cirencester is late of your household. One Berend Osgood. Formerly of the Earl of Salisbury’s household?”

“Berend? No, he did not serve in the earl’s household, but that of the late earl’s father, Baron Montagu. Years ago.”

“That may be true, but he answered the earl’s summons.”

“About that I know only what Sir Elric has told me.” She felt herself trying to breathe for the man.

“If you would simply tell me whether you know who is harboring Lady Kirkby?”

“Then she is in York? I thought it a rumor.” Kate assured him that she would be listening for any news of Lady Kirkby.

“And you will inform me if you hear anything?”

“I should think you would hear first. But if someone thinks to tell me, I will of course send word to your host, my cousin William Frost.”

“I would be most grateful. As to Berend Osgood, you have not spoken to him?”

“I know only what Sir Elric shared about his conversation with Berend at the castle. But I am on my way to speak with him now.” And do, by all means, follow, she thought. It would keep him away from the York Tavern.

“If you should learn anything …” said Sir Peter.

“I would not presume to do your job for you,” she said. “I merely wish to deliver greetings from my wards, who are fond of Berend.”

The knight reached out a hand to Lille, receiving a bark from Ghent and a threatening growl from Lille.

“I warned you.”

“An unusual choice of pet for the city.”

“I have not always lived in York, Sir Peter. I brought them with me from the North. Is there anything else you wished to ask me?”

A formal bow. “No. That will be all. For now. I pray that you see your way to assisting me in my search for Lady Kirkby.”

“Do you doubt my word?” Kate asked, with a teasing smile.

The pale, drawn face colored. Ah yes, the man was susceptible. That was useful information.

As Kate walked on, she regretted telling Sir Peter where she was headed. She had thought to collect one of the beguines at her mother’s Martha House. They had permission to visit Berend. But if Sir Peter’s man chose to follow her to Dame Eleanor’s house and decided to intrude, it would ruin a special treat for Marie and Petra.

Matt would be escorting the girls to the house on Castlegate in a little while. They were to have their final fittings for the white Candlemas dresses Sister Dina was making for them. Tonight, they would hear from the sisters the story of the Blessed Mother’s purification in the temple forty days after giving birth to Jesus. And how all new mothers now went to the church on the fortieth day to give thanks for surviving the ordeal of childbirth. The girls were to stay the night with Eleanor and the beguines, and, in the morning, take part in the candlelit procession to St. Mary’s Church across Castlegate. It was meant to be a sweet interlude in a difficult time. The girls had been excited to be invited by Sisters Clara, Dina, Brigida, and Agnes. It was also the day on which households brought candles to be blessed, to be used in the sickroom during the coming year. Dame Eleanor, guessing correctly that Kate had forgotten to set aside a stock of candles for the ceremony, would provide the girls with a dozen for the occasion. Kate did not want the event ruined by Berend’s and Margery’s troubles. She had even put off disciplining Petra for slipping out of the schoolroom and risking her life. Time for that later.