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.
“On our long journey he saw to our safety, and I am grateful.”
Both turned to watch as the long, slender blades cut through the rough fabric of Werner’s clothes, revealing a well-muscled body riddled with sores. Kate reached out to touch them, then looked more closely at the undergarment he wore beneath his shirt. “A hair shirt. Penance,” she whispered.
Sister Clara crossed herself, and, as she bowed her head, a sob escaped her. “Such a good man.”
Kate wondered. A good man? Or had he donned the shirt when he feared for his own soul – perhaps his own life? Many turn to piety in fear, including her mother.
A gust sent the lamps sputtering as someone opened the garden door. Kate turned and, seeing Sir Elric with Phillip, hurried to greet the newcomers. That they were together made her heart race. More trouble. She embraced Phillip, then anxiously looked him over. His workaday tunic and breeches were soaked from the downpour. To be out in the storm, and after such a murder.
“We must get you out of those wet clothes,” she began.
Phillip shrugged out of her grasp. “Not now.”
Sir Elric was shaking his head as he looked toward the sisters kneeling over the corpse. “Another death.”
“Werner, the other servant,” said Berend. “Murdered. His throat slit.”
Taking off his hat, the knight crossed himself. “By the rood, this is an evil business. I was on my way with news of my own when I caught sight of young Phillip hastening in the same direction.” He nodded to the boy. “Tell them.”
Phillip shifted on his feet, water seeping onto the floor from his wet shoes. Tempted to suggest he remove them, Kate bit her tongue.
“I wanted to tell you before I began work – Griffin met with Dean Richard again last night, and this morning, when I went to the mason’s lodge, the dean’s carts were gone. The men said Dean Richard and Dame Helen left just after sunrise.”
Werner was murdered and her uncle fled. Is that how it was? But why? “Uncle Richard met with Griffin in the minster?”
Phillip nodded. “Again, it was late. Master Hugh is worried about a settling in a corner of the east end, so he is up late every night with the other master masons working on a solution. Dame Martha wanted him to have a cloak and a flask of brandywine to warm him – the stones of the minster keep it cool, and drafty at night. As I passed through the nave I saw Dean Richard and Griffin sitting in one of the chantry chapels again, talking softly. The dean seemed upset.”
“And Griffin?” Kate asked.
Her mother glanced up from her prayers, watching them.
“He looked weary,” said Phillip, “rubbing his face as if to keep himself awake.” The boy’s attention kept straying toward the sisters cleaning Werner. “Do you think Griffin knew? Was he telling the dean of the murder?”
“I would have expected Griffin to tell Dame Eleanor rather than Dean Richard,” said Kate. Her mother rose. “How late was this?” Kate asked.
“Before midnight,” said Phillip.
“Then they met before Werner was attacked,” said Kate, assuming that what had wakened her and the hounds in the night had been the moment Werner was murdered. Had Griffin and her uncle met to plan it? An unwelcome suspicion. Kate thanked Phillip for bringing the news. “Go to the kitchen where it’s warm. Dry yourself–”
“I’m not a child,” he grumbled.
Reluctantly, Kate desisted, instead turning to Phillip’s companion. “And you, Sir Elric? What is your news?” From the corner of her eye she observed her mother approaching, her head tilted as if straining to overhear their conversation.
“My men report that Sir Alan left your tenement early this morning, his esquire and manservant with him, carrying their packs. Moving with stealth. At Toft Green he met up with the men Thatcher had been cooking for – though Thatcher himself was not in the party. They headed out the gates just ahead of your uncle’s carts. Or with them. My men say they all seemed to know one another.”
Sir Alan? Is that why he wore no badge; he did not wish her to know that he was a Clifford retainer? She glanced at Berend, who was staring down at the ground, shaking his head. Eleanor stood directly behind him, craning her head forward. Why would her uncle wish to hide Sir Alan’s affinity from her?
“I am surprised to learn that my uncle might be traveling with Sir Alan,” said Kate.
“So much early morning activity after a murder in the night.” Elric shook his head. “Though I cannot yet see the connection, I cannot help but think one led to the other.”
Eleanor finally spoke up. “Ever since I saw Sir Alan in High Petergate I have been certain it was not the first time we met, but I could not remember where it might have been. Now I do. He was one of the retainers escorting your father’s cousin Thomas, Baron Clifford, to our hall years ago, on one of his last visits before his death. Sir Alan was clean-shaven then, a rather handsome young man.” Eleanor touched Sir Elric’s arm. “When your men saw the travelers by Micklegate Bar, did they have a woman in their company? Nan?”
“My men said nothing of a woman. It is possible she was in one of the carts.”
Kate wished her mother had shared her suspicions about Sir Alan earlier. Why wait until now? “What else do you suspect, Mother?”
“I fear Griffin has uncovered a Clifford plot against Ulrich’s men and he is in danger. Help him!”
“A Clifford plot against Ulrich’s men? Did you suspect this all along? But what had my uncle to do with your late husband?”
“Not necessarily your uncle the dean, but the family. I– I have feared this.”
Most infuriating of women. All this time she had feared – what? “Precisely what do you think happened?”
Eleanor shook her head but said nothing.
“Why did you not–” Kate bit her tongue. Not now. She looked to Elric and Berend. “We must follow them. I want to know what they are about. Or what they have done.”
“Katherine, is that wise?” Eleanor asked. “Let Sir Elric and his men go after them.”
Kate could not look into her mother’s eyes. She would spit at her. “Wise or no, I am going, Mother.”
Elric bowed to Kate. “If you mean to catch up to them, we must make haste. I can have horses awaiting you outside Micklegate Bar within the hour. Provided I ride with you. And Berend?”
Kate nodded. “Berend as well.”
“What about me?” Phillip asked.
Kate wanted to tell him to stay here, get out of his wet clothes, but she did need him. My Lord, watch over him. “Return to the minster yard,” she said. “Watch the deanery. If you see any sign of Griffin–” She looked to Elric.
“My men are searching the house Sir Alan vacated.”
“You took it upon yourself to search the house? Why all this interest?” Kate demanded.
“Forgive me, but it seemed wise to make certain the missing maidservant was not tied up, left there to starve. The earl charged me with keeping peace in the city.”
“And to make note of the knights’ alliances, no doubt,” said Kate.
“That as well.” Elric turned to Phillip. “I have men standing watch at St. Mary’s Abbey – in case someone wants to silence my man Kevin. Go to them with any news.”
Phillip nodded. “I will.”
“Who will see to us?” asked Eleanor.
“Jennet will be next door, guarding Marie and Petra,” said Kate. “Shelter in my house if you feel unsafe.”
“And the hounds?” asked Eleanor.
“They will come with me,” said Kate.
“I suggest you keep Friar Gerald here, Dame Eleanor,” said Elric. “The threat of a curse will scare off the likes of Bran and Carter. All the others are leaving – the knights and soldiers are clearly on their way to wreak havoc elsewhere.”
Dame Eleanor sniffed at his reassurance, but prayed aloud that God would watch over them, and then withdrew.