Candace Robb - The Riddle Of St Leonard's

‘Who told you I took their lives?’

‘Finn.’

Anneys turned her head away. ‘God blessed me with such loyal children.’

‘Judith and Finn both helped you.’

‘Greed inspired them, not love. Finn ruined it all. Hiding the chess set in that man’s garden. But for that, no one would have questioned the deaths at the hospital.’

‘Why murder Julian and Laurence? You had what you wanted.’

‘Send Don Erkenwald to me. I would be shriven.’

‘I thought God had allowed you this vengeance.’

A shadow of uncertainty in the red eyes. ‘It was a sign from God that Judith was here.’ Anneys coughed, pressed her head back into the pillow. ‘Leave me.’ Her breath was ragged.

Owen bowed to her. ‘This death is far gentler than the execution you deserve.’

The lay sister, who had hurried over to give Anneys some wine, begged Owen to go.

He did so, gladly. Even on the battlefield one saw remorse in the faces of the enemy — but he had sensed none in either the woman or her son.

Don Erkenwald stood without, making a show of speaking with Topas. He quickly broke away from his conversation and joined Owen. ‘Did she confess?’

‘She wants you to hear her confession.’

‘But she is excommunicate. She murdered within the hospital.’

‘She does not seem to know that.’

‘I cannot reveal what she says.’

‘She is guilty, I have no doubt. A cold woman.’

‘You are weary of this.’

‘I am sick at heart. This is when I most miss soldiering. A practice yard is what I need. A straw man to attack until my arms give out.’

‘Have His Grace’s retainers no such place?’

‘They do. But Sir Richard awaits me.’

‘And His Grace.’

‘ Jesu .’

Douglas opened the door to Owen. ‘Sir Richard paces his parlour awaiting you.’

‘I have much to tell him. Is it true His Grace also attends your master?’

‘Yes. And he is in a rage.’

‘You have heard the cause?’

‘A barge with stones for the minster’s Lady Chapel arrived at St Mary’s dock, as is customary for work on the cathedral. But permission to unload has been refused until the day after tomorrow. His Grace and Abbot Campian had words. Apparently the abbot said the city had no need of His Grace’s “self-serving gesture”, that the pestilence was withdrawing from York because of Brother Wulfstan’s selfless work among the dying. And that Wulfstan had given his life for the people- You see the thrust of the insult.’

Owen wished he had witnessed it. ‘Tomorrow they bury Wulfstan. I understand the abbot’s wish to halt such activity until afterwards. His Grace did not?’

‘To be fair, His Grace arrived already in mourning. Queen Phillippa is dead, God grant her peace.’ Douglas bowed his head, as did Owen. ‘His Grace has vowed to complete the chapel in her memory, and by Martinmas.’

‘That was ever a foolish goal.’ Owen took a deep breath. ‘This is my purgatory, Douglas. Announce me.’

Ravenser spun round when Owen was shown in. The master’s dress was not so gay as was his custom, his eyes were bright with tension. ‘So? Is it true? You have the pair who tried to destroy this hospital?’

Owen bowed to him, then Thoresby, who stood with his back to the window that looked out on the garden. ‘I have much to tell, Sir Richard.’

‘You are thirsty?’

‘I am in sore need of brandywine.’

Ravenser nodded to Douglas, who slipped from the room. The master motioned to Owen to sit. Owen glanced at Thoresby, who was still standing.

‘Sit, Archer. Forget that I am here.’

Not something Owen thought possible, but he settled into a cushioned chair; the wagon seat had been far less comfortable than a saddle.

Ravenser settled across from him. ‘I understand Judith Ffulford was the daughter of the woman Anneys. Was it the death of the woman’s son at the orphanage that turned them against St Leonard’s?’

‘Their purpose had naught to do with the hospital, Sir Richard.’ Slowly, in detail, Owen repeated what he had learned about Anneys and Finn.

Ravenser shook his head and drummed his fingers throughout the report, but saved his comments till the end. Such as they were. ‘Faith, she seemed a respectable widow. And he is a clerk, you say? He might have found honest work.’

‘Some folk find thieving easier, Sir Richard.’ Would he not comment on the grim single-mindedness of Anneys, a woman so poisoned with hatred, and the children who accepted it?

‘How did it further their cause to spread scandalous reports of the hospital’s finances?’

Indeed, he was like his uncle, concerned only about his career. ‘That had naught to do with them. I believe it was Honoria de Staines gossiping with her … admirers.’

A sniff from Thoresby’s direction reminded Owen of his presence.

Ravenser glanced at his uncle and reddened. ‘Continue, Captain.’

So the Master of St Leonard’s was embarrassed to discuss this in front of his uncle. Then why had he not seen Owen in private? Puzzling, but distracting. Owen wished to make his report and be done with the wretched business. He told Ravenser of Honoria’s problem with the late mayor, and Cuthbert’s sympathy.

‘So she has kept her vows?’

‘I cannot say that, Sir Richard. She apparently kept company with much of the council at one time or another.’

Ravenser had sunk down into his chair and pressed his temples. ‘Don Cuthbert said she wished to change, to devote herself to God. How could I have believed that?’

Thoresby took a comfortable chair beside Owen, steepled his hands, and proceeded to stare at his nephew.

Ravenser bowed to him. ‘You warned me. I might have been ruined by that harlot. I shall send her back to her father’s house.’

‘And what of Don Cuthbert?’ Thoresby asked.

Ravenser looked startled. ‘What of Cuthbert?’

‘Surely he is no longer to be left in command in your absence?’

‘He is a good man.’

‘Are you blind? Do you not see how all this is the result of the canon’s poor judgement? Neither Mistress Staines nor the woman Anneys should have been accepted into this hospital.’

For a long moment, Ravenser stared at his uncle. Then he said simply, ‘We shall discuss this later. Cuthbert is not the captain’s concern.’

Thoresby grunted, but settled back in his chair.

Owen thought it a remarkable victory for Ravenser.

‘What of the woman’s health, Captain?’ Ravenser resumed. ‘Is she likely to die of the pestilence?’

‘Aye. There is little hope for her.’

‘Good. But what of this Finn? The city gallows? The minster gallows?’

‘I must speak to you about that.’ Owen relayed Wulfstan’s request.

Ravenser shook his head. ‘Impossible. The man is excommunicate, as is the woman: such is the fate of any who enter any property of the hospital to do violence, or to loot or burgle.’ He almost smiled.

But Owen could not allow Ravenser his comfortable response, even to help him save face with his uncle. ‘I think not, Sir Richard. It seems he entered the hospital grounds only to deliver Brother Wulfstan’s bag to Anneys.’

‘He murdered Hotter in the man’s house, which was deeded to us when he became a corrodian.’

‘Ah. Then you are right, it is impossible.’

‘Perhaps not,’ Thoresby said. ‘It depends on the wording of the deed. The property may have remained in the corrodian’s possession until his death.’

Ravenser did not acknowledge his uncle’s interruption. ‘I do not like this scheme, Captain. Walter de Hotter’s family will not like it.’ He took a deep breath, rose and walked to the window.