Edward Marston - The Owls of Gloucester

But Owen’s face suddenly clouded as he remembered the taunts and beatings he had suffered at Kenelm’s hands in the past. He drew away at once. There was nobody with whom he could share his secret, least of all a novice who disliked Owen’s one true friend.

‘Tell me,’ urged Kenelm. ‘What did you and Brother Nicholas do?’

Owen gave an enigmatic smile.

‘You wouldn’t understand,’ he said.

Gervase Bret was so tired on his return from their ride that he took a short nap in his chamber. Awaking refreshed, he went out to see what arrangements had been made for a meal that evening and was alarmed to find Ralph Delchard sitting motionless higher up on the staircase with his head in his hands.

‘Are you hurt?’ he said anxiously, rushing up to him. ‘What happened, Ralph? Did you have an accident?’

‘Yes, Gervase.’

‘A fall down the steps?’

‘A bad collision with our host,’ said Ralph, waving him away and hoisting himself to his feet. ‘You won’t see the bruises.

They’re all on the inside. The sheriff knows how to deliver a hard punch.’

Gervase was astonished. ‘Durand actually struck you?’

‘Only with his tongue, though he would have been happy to use the flat of his sword against me. And against you, Gervase,’

he added, ‘for you are as guilty as I am.’

‘Guilty of what?’

‘Trying to do the sheriff’s work for him at the abbey.’

‘Ah! He’s found out.’

‘Bishop Wulfstan told him, apparently. Not the first time the Church has landed us in trouble. Durand was beside himself and who can blame him? In his place, I’d have been just as furious.’

‘What did he say?’

‘That we were to stop interfering with his duties.’

‘We are too far into this investigation to pull out now, Ralph.’

‘I know, but I felt it wise not to mention that.’

‘Is he aware of what we managed to find out?’

‘Yes,’ sighed Ralph. ‘We were accused of withholding evidence.

But for our positions, that offence would land us in serious trouble. As it is, our punishment was no worse than having our ears chewed off. Well,’ he said on reflection, ‘my ears, anyway. Is there anything left of them?’

Gervase nodded. ‘I’m sorry that you had to bear the brunt of his displeasure, Ralph. I’ll make a personal apology to him and see if I can calm him down a bit.’

‘Take your time. At the moment it would be like putting your head into a lion’s mouth. Wait until the sheriff has stopped roaring.

But I’m glad you’ve appeared at last,’ he said, touching his friend’s arm. ‘The steward was here a while ago with a message for us.’

‘Are we to dine in the hall again?’

‘No, Gervase. A banquet is being prepared for the King and we are not bidden. The steward told us to order what we desired and it will be served in the anteroom.’

‘In the circumstances, that may be just as well.’

‘Yes, it will keep us clear of Durand.’

‘Have you placed an order yet?’

‘I’m still composing it in my mind, Gervase,’ said Ralph with a grin. ‘It’s a choice between sheriff’s head on a plate or bishop’s tongue in a rich sauce. It was Bishop Wulfstan who informed against us. He ought to be silenced in perpetuity.’

‘Who discussed our involvement in the case with him?’

‘Canon Hubert. He probably preached a sermon.’

‘But he is so discreet as a rule.’

‘Not when he has an abbot and a bishop to impress,’ noted Ralph. ‘All discretion goes out of the window then. Hubert seeks preferment. He’d strip naked and dance a jig for them if he thought it would gain their approval. Still,’ he said, shaking himself, ‘enough bleating. I got no more than I deserved. And I’m not unaccustomed to being shouted at by irate sheriffs. On to other matters.’

‘You haven’t told me what undertakings you gave.’

‘None, Gervase.’

‘Didn’t the sheriff demand a promise from you?’

‘He tried to put the fear of death into me and assumed that would be enough. Durand doesn’t believe that we would have the gall and the stupidity to continue with our enquiries into the murder.’

‘Do we?’

‘What do you think?’

‘I still have the gall.’

‘Well, I can provide the stupidity.’ They laughed quietly. ‘But we must proceed more cautiously than ever. Without the blabbing mouth of Canon Hubert to land us in the dung heap.’ He looked up the stairs with some trepidation. ‘I’d better tell Golde where we are to dine.’

‘Before you do, answer me this.’

‘Make the question simple. I am quite befuddled.’

‘Something has been preying on my mind since our journey this afternoon. It was that remark of the lord Hamelin’s about needing to get back to Gloucester.’

‘What of it?’

‘How did he know of the King’s visit?’

‘From that pompous, puffed-up reeve, I expect.’

‘But how did Nigel himself find out? He is hardly an intimate of the sheriff’s. Nigel resents his power. My guess is that Durand told nobody apart from us. Not even the lady Maud, probably.’

Ralph quailed. ‘Let’s not discuss the question of wives.’

‘But you take my point?’

‘I do, Gervase.’

‘The lord Hamelin is concealing something from us.’

‘While distracting our attention with the lady Emma. If a general meeting of the Council has been summoned, he might have a legitimate reason to come to the castle. But that does not seem to be the case. Apart from Bishop Wulfstan, I know of nobody else who has been called here. The lord Hamelin will repay careful watching.’ His eyes rolled. ‘So, of course, will his wife. On which rather sensitive topic,’ he said with another glance up the stairs, ‘you’ll have to excuse me.’

‘I will see you both in the anteroom.’

‘I hope so.’

While his friend descended the stairs, Ralph went slowly up them, praying that the interval of time had helped to soothe Golde. Instead of entering the chamber, he knocked tentatively on the door and awaited her response. It was immediate.

‘Who is it?’ she called.

‘Me,’ he said with contrition.

The door opened at once and she pulled him gently inside.

‘You’re my husband, Ralph. There’s no need to knock.’

‘I didn’t wish to intrude.’

‘On what?’

‘Nothing,’ he said, brightening at her friendly manner.

‘Where have you been?’

‘Suffering at the hands of Durand, my love. And please don’t ask me why because it’s too painful to relate again.’ He shut the door and gave a shrug. ‘I came to say how sorry I was.’

‘I, too, am sorry, Ralph. I spoke out of turn.’

‘No, Golde. Your rebuke was well deserved.’

‘It gave me no pleasure to administer it.’

A sheepish grin. ‘I certainly had none in receiving it, I can tell you.’

‘Can we put it behind us?’

‘Only if you forgive me.’

‘In time, perhaps.’

‘I’ll settle for that.’ He took her in his arms and sealed their reconciliation with a kiss. ‘It will not happen again,’ he said. ‘As proof of which, I can tell you that the King is not expected until after nightfall.’

‘Why so late?’

‘He wishes to slip into the city unobserved, Golde. Whatever business brings him needs to be cloaked in secrecy for some reason. When I say that, I have said all that I know myself.’

‘I believe you.’

‘Beyond the fact that it affects us. A royal guest will naturally take precedence and a feast is being prepared in the hall. We three have been asked to eat separately in the anteroom.’ He indicated the door but Golde did not move. ‘Are you not hungry, my love?’