Heartstone: A Shardlake Novel

  Reverend Broughton touched her arm. ‘Come, good madam, I would be out of this place. May I accompany you home?’ Bess allowed Broughton to lead her away. In the doorway she turned briefly, smiled at Barak and me and was gone.

  THE COURT DOOR opened, and Dyrick strode towards me. He looked in a cold fume.

  ‘Well, Master Shardlake, it seems we must go to Hampshire.’

  ‘It does.’

  ‘Are you up to such a journey?’ he asked with a hint of a sneer.

  ‘Once I rode to York on a case.’

  ‘I was hoping to spend these next weeks with my wife and children. I have two girls and a boy; during the law term I do not see nearly enough of them. Now I must tell them I have to disappear to Hampshire.’

  ‘We will not be long away. Three or four days there and three or four back if we make haste, a few days in between.’

  ‘You have no family, I think, sir? It is easier for you.’ Dyrick leaned close to me and spoke quietly, fierce eyes on mine. ‘I know why Sir William has done this. Normally he would throw such a tissue of unsubstantiated allegations out at once.’

  ‘Perhaps he wished to do justice.’

  ‘Just now he told me that Mistress Calfhill was for many years the servant of Lady Latimer, as she then was.’

  ‘Even the servant of a Queen may seek justice, I think.’

  ‘This is not justice. It is pestering, persecution.’

  ‘Everyone in Hampshire will get a fair hearing.’

  ‘Sir William told me that while the Queen may press for an investigation she cannot determine the outcome. The help she can give you stops here.’ His voice rasped like a file.

  I met his angry stare. ‘We should consider the practicalities of our journey,’ I said.

  ‘I want to leave as soon as we can. The sooner we start, the sooner we return. And it will take more than three or four days to get there. The roads will be muddy after the storms, and there will be soldiers and supply carts on the roads south.’

  I caught Barak’s eye. ‘I agree. What about the day after tomorrow?’

  Dyrick looked surprised by my ready agreement. I continued, ‘I suggest we take a boat as far as Kingston, that would be the quickest way, then hire strong riding horses so we can make the journey as fast as possible.’

  ‘Very well. I will send Feaveryear down today to hire the horses.’ He turned to the clerk. ‘Can you do that?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘That sounds sensible,’ I said. ‘But horses will be difficult to hire just now. There will be much demand for them.’

  ‘Then we must pay above the normal rate.’

  I hesitated. If we found nothing all those costs would be paid by Bess. Or, rather, by the Queen. But my horse Genesis was only used to short rides and this would be a long one. I had ridden him to York four years before, but that was by slow stages and he was younger then. I nodded agreement.

  ‘Will you bring a bodyservant as well as your clerk?’ Dyrick asked.

  ‘Probably.’ I was thinking about the man Warner had promised me.

  ‘I will not. Feaveryear can do my fetching and carrying. We should travel as light as we can to make speed. I must send a letter by a fast rider to Master Hobbey, so at least he has some advance warning of this nonsense. I suggest we meet in Kingston on Wednesday. As early as possible – I will send you a note.’

  ‘We agree on the practicalities, then,’ I said, trying to lighten the discussion. After all, I would be stuck with Dyrick for well over a week.

  He leaned in close again. ‘Be assured, you will find nothing. And when we come before the court next month I will make you regret this nonsense. That is, unless the French land and we find ourselves cut off in a battle zone.’ He sighed deeply, then looked at me. ‘You could still pull out. Go after your client and advise her she will be bankrupted, which she will. Unless I find evidence the case is being maintained by the Queen, in which case Mistress Calfhill could find herself in prison.’

  I met his gaze. I knew he was bluffing, he would never dare bring the Queen into this. He gave me a final vicious look and turned away. ‘Come on, you,’ he said to Feaveryear.

  Barak and I were left alone in the vestibule.’ Now,’ I said, ‘come. There are things we must discuss.’

  Chapter Eleven

  I TOOK BARAK to a tavern. ‘That was a clever idea,’ he said, ‘getting my name on the order. But will it override Goodryke’s orders?’ The hand that held his mug was trembling slightly.

  ‘Yes. It is an order of the court, instructing you personally to accompany me. Sir William Paulet has more power than any whiffler. Go back to Wards this afternoon and fetch the signed order, then take it round to Carver at the Guildhall. He can show it to Goodryke. And the day after tomorrow we will be gone.’

  ‘Goodryke will know what you’ve done.’

  ‘He won’t be able to do anything about it. Paulet himself will be gone to Portsmouth and the clerks at Wards won’t be interested.’ I smiled bitterly. ‘There’s no money in it.’

  ‘Did the idea just come to you in court?’

  ‘Yes. Thank God Dyrick did not object.’ I looked serious. ‘I know I didn’t want you to come, but it seems the only way to keep you safe. I’ll tell Warner I don’t need a clerk now, though a stout bodyservant would still be useful.’

  Barak looked at me. ‘Tamasin knows nothing about the attack on you, that warning from those apprentices.’

  ‘Then don’t tell her. I’m less worried for my own safety than I was. Dyrick knows I have the Queen’s patronage, and I have no doubt he will tell Hobbey when he writes. If the danger came from them, they’re not going to risk trouble from that quarter. Though I am less and less sure they set those boys on me. Dyrick is a nasty piece of work, but I don’t think he’d do something that could cause him trouble at the Bar.’

  ‘Didn’t like the look of him at all. What’s his history?’

  ‘I’ve asked around Lincoln’s Inn. He’s a London fellow, his father was some sort of clerk. He did well at his examinations and chose to specialize in land litigation and the Court of Wards. He’s a strange one; it’s as though he knows no other way of being than aggression. Yet from what he said he’ll miss his wife and children.’

  ‘If not him, then who was it set those boys on you? And I still think there is something suspicious about Michael’s suicide.’

  I considered. ‘There is no evidence for that. All we have is an empty room.’

  ‘I suppose if those boys really wanted you out of the way they would have killed you, or hurt you badly.’

  ‘Yes.’ I looked at him. ‘When we go south you are not to go chasing trouble. This man Warner has promised me can come with me to where Ellen lived when I go there.’

  ‘You’re still going to look into that?’

  ‘Oh, yes.’

  He raised his eyebrows. Then he said quietly, ‘Tamasin must have the final word on this. Will you come home with me?’

  HALF AN HOUR later we were back at Barak’s house, in the little parlour. Tamasin sat opposite us. Through the window bees hovered over her pretty flower garden.

  ‘You must decide, Tammy,’ Barak said.

  She sighed deeply. ‘Oh, Jack, if only you had dealt with that man civilly in the first place—’

  ‘Tammy, I am more sorry than I can say.’

  ‘With luck,’ I said, ‘we may be back in under two weeks. Well in time for the birth.’

  She looked at Barak. ‘At least I wouldn’t have to put up with your fussing around.’ Her tone was light but I could see she was blinking back tears. And I knew how frightened they both were that this baby might be born dead like their first, and how much they needed each other now. But I could see no better plan. Barak reached across and took Tamasin’s hand.

  ‘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 ha
lf 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.