Paul Doherty - The Devil's Hunt

‘Continue,’ Corbett said, wary lest Ranulf be provoked.

‘The years passed,’ Lady Mathilda continued. ‘The college grew from strength to strength. My brother and I spent all our wealth. Then Henry grew ill, and when he died, this pack of weasels turned on his memory.’ Her voice rose to a mocking chant: “‘We don’t want this and we don’t want that!” “What a name for an Oxford college!” “Shouldn’t its statutes of government be changed?” I watched them,’ she added contemptuously. ‘I could see what was going on in their heads: as soon as I died and my body was dumped in some grave, they’d begin to dismantle Sparrow Hall and re-fashion it in their own way. I appealed to Edward for help but he was too busy slaughtering the Scots. I asked for confirmation of my brother’s foundation charter, only to receive a letter from some snivelling clerk saying that the King would attend to the matter on his return to London.’ Lady Mathilda paused, breathing quickly. ‘Where were the King’s promises then, eh, Corbett? How could he ever forget what the Braose family had done for him? Never trust a Plantagenet! One afternoon I was in the library, leafing through that book you found in Appleston’s chamber and the memories flooded back.’ She shook her head, lips moving soundlessly, as if unaware of Corbett.

‘And you decided to become the Bellman?’ he asked.

‘Yes, I thought I’d raise the demons in the King’s soul. So I began to copy out the proclamations. It took days, but about a baker’s dozen were done and Master Moth was despatched to display them.’ She smiled grimly. ‘Poor boy! He didn’t really understand what I was doing but he was the perfect weapon. If he was stopped he could act the beggar. Who’d ever be suspicious of a deaf mute? I showed him the mark of the bell and he carried a little bag of nails and a mallet.’ She clapped her hands in glee. ‘Oh, I felt such relief!’ She smiled in satisfaction. ‘Then I wrote to the King telling him about the traitor at Sparrow Hall and that I would search him out.’ She pursed her lips. ‘Oh, I had his attention then! The King was all ears! There were couriers and letters sent under the Privy Seal to his “dear and loyal cousin Mathilda”. I never meant to kill,’ she added as an afterthought, ‘but I made a mistake. The King might have been frightened but Copsale wasn’t. He was intent on changes here and he didn’t like me. Everyone knew he had a weak heart so his death would not appear suspicious. I raided Churchley’s store room of potions and helped Master Copsale to his higher reward.’ She shrugged. ‘I thought it would end there,’ she continued in a matter-of-fact voice. ‘I really did, but old Ascham was sharper than I thought. He was suspicious of both Appleston and me: he began to hint and make allusions, sometimes I would catch him watching me at the table. He had to die. It was so easy. I slipped into the garden with Master Moth. He tapped on the shutters, and when Robert opened them, I loosened the bolt, threw in that note, closed the window and slammed the shutters close: the bar, freshly oiled by Master Moth, fell into place.’

‘And Passerel?’

Lady Mathilda smiled. ‘At first I couldn’t understand the meaning of what Ascham had written but then I saw how I could use it. I realised Passerel might have learnt something from Ascham. Our bursar was an agitated little man and forty days in a lonely church can be a powerful prick to the memory.’ She shrugged. ‘The rest you know. I really thought it would end with Appleston’s death.’ She wagged her finger at Corbett. ‘But, of course, you changed all that: the King’s clever, little crow hopping about, protected by his bullyboy.’

‘Why did you kill Maltote?’ Corbett asked grimly.

She raised her hand in a mock innocent gesture but her eyes showed no contrition.

‘The Lord be my witness: I told Master Moth never to be taken.’ She straightened in the chair, smoothing out the pleats of her dress. She breathed in noisily, her eyes never leaving Corbett. ‘You have my confession, master clerk. So what will happen now, eh? Edward will not put me before the King’s Bench. He’ll remember the old days — ’ she preened ‘- and the good service I did for the crown: I am afraid it will be some nunnery for Lady Mathilda.’

‘I need some wine,’ Ranulf interrupted. ‘Sir Hugh, a cup of claret?’

Corbett was only too pleased to have Ranulf out of the room.

‘Yes,’ he replied.

‘And one for me, lackey!’ Lady Mathilda snapped.

Ranulf glanced at Corbett who nodded.

‘And don’t worry,’ Lady Mathilda called after him, ‘there’ll be no more poison.’

Ranulf left, and Lady Mathilda started to rise.

‘Madam, I would prefer it if you sat.’

Lady Mathilda did so.

‘Can I remind you, clerk, that the King addresses me as “His loyal and dearest cousin”, not to mention your promise of mercy. I do not want to be arrested by that buffoon of a sheriff but taken to Woodstock. I’ll go in black, and throw myself at the King’s feet: he’ll not forget Henry or his Mathilda.’

The door opened and Ranulf returned. He served the wine. Corbett sipped his and Lady Mathilda drank greedily as Ranulf sat down with his back to the door. She looked over her cup at Corbett.

‘You’ll take me to Woodstock, Corbett. You promised me mercy and I know that your word is your bond. You’ll repeat your promise before the King: Edward will understand.’

‘And Master Moth?’ Ranulf interrupted.

‘He will accompany me: he’s my servant.’ She didn’t even bother to turn her head.

‘Bullock is downstairs with Master Moth,’ Ranulf announced. ‘The sheriff wishes to have words with us; he said it was a most urgent matter.’

Corbett looked at Lady Mathilda. He felt uneasy. Ranulf’s silence and grim face made the hair on the nape of his neck curl in fear.

‘Take him with you,’ Lady Mathilda said.

‘Oh, don’t worry!’ Corbett rose to his feet. ‘Ranulf is very particular about the company he keeps. We’ll take the key out and lock you in.’

Ranulf looked as if he was about to refuse but rose to his feet. He took the key out of the lock and opened the door. Corbett was half-way through before he realised his mistake. Ranulf gave him a push, sending him hurtling across the gallery. The door slammed shut, and was locked and bolted.

‘Ranulf!’ Corbett threw himself against the door but the metal embosses on the outside only hurt his shoulder. ‘Ranulf!’ he shouted. ‘For the love of God, I order you to open!’

Inside the chamber, however, Corbett might have been at the furthest end of the earth. Lady Mathilda half rose in alarm. Ranulf pushed her back in the seat. She watched his hand go to the hilt of his dagger.

‘You’ll not kill me?’ she whispered. ‘Not an old lady? The King’s dear cousin? You’ll not draw your steel on me?’

‘I’ll not stab you,’ Ranulf replied, coming to crouch beside her chair, his cup of wine still in his hand. ‘I want to tell you, Lady Mathilda, that you are no woman! You have no soul! You seethe with malice and hatred.’

‘And I toast you, Ranulf-atte-Newgate.’ She put the cup to her lips and sipped. Her eyes rounded in alarm as Ranulf, with a vice-like grip, seized her hand. He stood up, pushed back her head, forcing more wine down her throat.

‘And Ranulf-atte-Newgate toasts you!’ he hissed. ‘You asked for wine, you bitch, now drink deep of the poison!’

She struggled but Ranulf held her fast.

‘You killed my friend, you malicious, murdering bitch! And, when I’ve finished with you, I’ll settle with Master Moth as well!’

Ranulf ignored the pounding on the door and Corbett’s yells from outside. He held the cup firm, his eyes glaring in fury.