Heartstone (21 page)

‘It is a hard journey to make in these times,' she said.

‘We have travelled harder and longer,' Barak said. ‘To York, where I met you.'

‘You'd better not meet anyone else in Hampshire,' she said in mock-threatening tones, and I realized she had decided my plan was for the best.

‘I won't.'

She looked at me. ‘What if the French invade near where you are?'

‘Hoyland, the place where we are going, is some miles from the coast. And I have just had another thought. There must be many royal post riders taking messages up and down between London and the troops on the coast. Trained men, with relays of horses waiting for them, and priority on the road. I am sure I could arrange with Master Warner for letters to go back and forth that way. At least you can send each other news. And I want to keep in touch with Warner.' I smiled. ‘It will do no harm for me to receive one or two letters with the seal of the Queen's household.'

‘What about your house?' Tamasin asked. ‘That pig of a steward?'

‘I will have to ask Guy to take charge of the household. I didn't want to trouble him, but I see no alternative. And I want him to keep an eye on someone for me.'

‘Ellen?' Barak asked.

‘Yes.'

‘That woman,' Tamasin said. ‘She only brings you trouble.' I did not reply, and she looked at Barak again. ‘This is the only way to stop you being conscripted, isn't it?'

Barak nodded. ‘I think so. I am so sorry.'

Tamasin looked at me again. ‘Hurry back as soon as you can.' She clutched her husband's hand tighter. ‘Keep him safe.'

‘And you keep my son safe,' Barak said. ‘My John.'

Tamasin smiled sadly. ‘My Johanna.'

THE FOLLOWING morning I returned to the Bedlam. I knew Keeper Shawms usually took a long lunch at a nearby tavern and was unlikely to be there. Hob Gebons answered the door. He did not look pleased to see me.

‘God's nails! He told you to stay away! If he finds you—'

‘He won't be back from the tavern for an hour.'

‘You can't see her. He's ordered her kept tied up till this evening. No visitors.'

‘It's you I wanted to see, Hob. Come, let me in. Everyone that passes through the yard can see us talking. It's all right, I'm not after information.'

‘I wish I'd never set eyes on your bent back,' Hob growled, but he allowed me to follow him inside and into the little office. I heard a murmur of voices from the parlour.

‘How is she?'

‘Taking her meals. But she hasn't said a word since Sunday.' He gave his hard little laugh. I bit my lip; I hated the thought of Ellen being tied up, and because of things I had said to her.

‘I am going away tomorrow. For ten days or so.'

‘Good.'

‘I want you to ensure Ellen is well looked after. That she's allowed to go about her business again. If she - if she becomes wild again, stop her being ill-treated.'

‘You speak as though I run this place. I don't.'

‘You are Shawms's deputy. You have day-to-day care of the patients and can make their treatment better, or worse.' I reached into my purse and held up a gold sovereign. Gebons's eyes fixed on it.

‘There's another if I come back and find she's been well treated.'

‘God's teeth, you're willing to spend enough money on her.'

‘And I'm going to arrange for my doctor friend to visit while I am away and write to me about her progress.'

‘That brown-faced fellow you brought when Adam Kite was here? He used to scare the patients.'

‘Make sure he is allowed to see her.' I waved the coin.

Hob nodded. ‘Where are you going?' he asked.

‘To Hampshire, to take depositions in a case.'

‘Make sure the Frenchies don't get you. Though my life would be easier if they did.'

I handed over the coin. ‘Can I see Ellen? Not to talk to her, just see how she is?'

Hob hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. ‘Just as well for you the ones that aren't locked up are having their lunch in the parlour under Palin's eye.' He stood. ‘Quick, now.' He gestured me out, and led me down the corridor to Ellen's closed door. He pulled back the viewing hatch. Ellen was lying on the bed, in the same position as on Sunday, her bound hands in her lap. She seemed not to have moved at all. She stared at me, that same fierce accusing look. It unnerved me. It was as though a different person from the Ellen I knew lay there.

THAT AFTERNOON I visited Hampton Court again, climbing the stairs to Warner's office. He was silent when I told him the investigation was to proceed, and looked relieved when I said that Paulet would countenance no further pressure from the Queen.

‘You are sorry this matter is going ahead.'

‘To be honest, yes. Though I am concerned for you as well. There is some news I should tell you. The King and Queen are going to Portsmouth next week, to review the King's ships that are gathering there. Half the Privy Council are going too. There is a great flurry at Whitehall to get everything organized, as you may imagine.'

‘If the King and Queen are going there, it sounds as though the spies' reports were true and the French are heading for Portsmouth.'

‘So it would seem. There is a great fleet gathering at the French Channel ports. It is as well you are going tomorrow, you will probably be on your way home again before the royal party gets to Hampshire. Your old friend Sir Richard Rich is to go too. I hear he has been given a position organizing supplies for the soldiers and sailors.'

‘After the accusations of corruption against him last year?'

‘The king always valued expertise.'

I took a deep breath. ‘Well, I have to go. The die is cast now. Will you be accompanying the Queen south?'

He nodded.

‘I was going to ask if you could arrange for letters to me and Barak to be brought to Horndean, near Hoyland, using the royal messengers.'

‘I can do that. And if you wish to write to me, messengers will be calling on the royal party as it journeys south.'

‘Thank you. By the way, I no longer need a clerk but would very much welcome a trusty strong fellow to accompany us on our journey.'

‘I have a good man I can let you have. I will send him to your house tomorrow.'

‘Thank you.'

‘Safe journey,' he said.

I bowed. ‘And to you.'

THAT EVENING I spoke to Guy. I had already told him the outlines of the Curteys case and he knew I might have to go to Hampshire. I had been dubious about asking him to look after both Ellen and Tamasin, but to my relief he seemed pleased to have some responsibilities again. He said he was happy, also, to take charge of the household while I was away. I began to think, he is coming out of his melancholy. I had to tell him of Ellen's outburst, and I warned him not to press her about her past, which he agreed would only do harm just now.

I spent the next day in chambers, placing my papers in order and leaving instructions for Skelly. The last two days had been beautiful; the stormy weather seemed a distant memory. I hoped fervently that the good weather would continue.

I left chambers late in the afternoon. As I walked across Gatehouse Court, I thought again of Dyrick. I did not relish the time I must now spend with him and his strange little clerk. At least Barak would be with me. And I had sworn to myself that I would not involve him in my investigation of Ellen's past.

I was not pleased, on entering the house, to see Coldiron bent at the closed parlour door, obviously listening to a conversation within. He jumped up. ‘I thought I saw mouse droppings on the floor,' he said quickly.

‘I see nothing,' I answered coldly.

He put his hand to his eyepatch. ‘My vision is not what it was, with only one eye.' He smiled obsequiously. Since the letter from Hampton Court his manner towards me had become full of awed respectfulness.

‘I am going away tomorrow,' I told him, ‘for ten days or so. To the south coast.'

He nodded eagerly, bringing his skinny hands together and performing a half bow. ‘Is it royal business, sir? To do with the war, perhaps? Setting those Frenchies to rights?'

‘Legal business.'

‘Ah, I wish I was still young enough to fight those French gamecocks myself. As I did at Flodden. When I cut the Scotch King down the Earl of Surrey himself praised me—'

‘Arrangements will need to be made for while I am away—'

‘You can rely on me, sir. I'll keep everyone in order. The tradesmen, the boys, JoJo—'

‘I am leaving Dr Malton in charge of the household.'

I enjoyed the sight of his face falling. He said in a whining tone, ‘In my last place the steward was in charge when the master went away.'

‘When there is a gentleman staying in the house, like Dr Malton, he should be in charge.' Coldiron gave me one of his quick, vicious looks. ‘Now, I am hungry,' I said lightly. ‘Go and see how supper is progressing.'

I entered the parlour, curious to see what he had been listening to. Guy was sitting at the table with Josephine. She had bared her right arm, showing a blistered red mark running from her hand up her wrist, which Guy was bathing with lavender oil. Its smell filled the room.

‘Josephine burned her hand,' Guy said.

She stared at me anxiously. ‘I am sorry, sir, only good Dr Malton offered to help—'

‘I am glad he did. That burn looks nasty.'

‘It is,' Guy said. ‘I do not think she should use the hand for a little while. She should put oil on it four times a day.'

‘Very good.' I smiled. ‘Do light work only till Dr Malton orders otherwise.'

She looked frightened. ‘But Father—'

‘I will speak to your father. Do not worry.'

Josephine looked between me and Guy. Tears came to her eyes. ‘You are so kind, sirs, both of you.' She rose, knocking a stoppered bottle of ointment off the table. Guy caught it deftly and handed it to her. ‘Keep this safe,' he said.

‘Oh, thank you, sir. I am so clumsy. I am so sorry.' She curtsied, then left the room with her hurried little steps. Guy looked at me seriously.

‘That burn is three or four days old. She says her father told her to go on working. She must have been in agony handling things.'

‘He is a brute. Guy, are you sure you are willing to have charge of him while I'm away?'

‘Yes.' He smiled. ‘I think so.'

‘Handle him as you think fit. I will arrange for a new steward as soon as I return, then he can go.' I hesitated. ‘Though I am concerned for Josephine.'

‘She relies on him so utterly.' He looked at me. ‘I am not sure she is quite as stupid as she seems. Only used to being afraid.'