Alys Clare - The Rose of the World

‘Of course it does!’ Gervase said eagerly. Josse could sense the energy building up in him, bursting for release. ‘We must gather all our men together and head out to the west, towards the Ashdown Forest. We-’

But Josse interrupted. ‘He was taking her in that direction,’ he said gently. ‘The man who abducted her. It does not necessarily follow that whoever now has her has the same objective in mind.’

The horror that lurked beneath his words overcame him briefly. He put a hand to his face, hoping to hide his expression. He was too slow. Abbess Caliste’s voice said calmly, ‘Sir Josse, we must maintain our strength and go on trusting that she will be found safe and unharmed. We are praying for her constantly, and God will hear us.’

He looked up. There was such certainty, such absolute faith in her expression that for a moment he believed her. Then he thought of that lonely, desolate spot where the dead man had been found, and of the miles of empty countryside that stretched away all around it. It was the end of October, and the nights were cold. Rosamund was little more than a child.

He managed a smile. ‘I am comforted, my lady. Meanwhile, we must do everything we can to help ensure this happy outcome.’

Gervase’s impatience had got the better of him. ‘You must excuse me, my lady,’ he said, bowing to Abbess Caliste, ‘for I have much to do if we are to pick up the trail while there yet remains any freshness in it. Now, in addition, there is the problem of how we are to discover the identity of the dead man.’

‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Go, my lord.’

‘I also must leave you,’ Josse said, backing out in Gervase’s wake. ‘I wish to break the news of this death to my household before they hear it from others and — er, and fear the worst.’

‘I understand,’ the abbess said. ‘Give them my love and tell them they are in my thoughts and in my prayers.’

He bowed. ‘I will.’ Then he hurried away.

Josse watched as Gervase shouted instructions to his men. Then they all rode off, the ground vibrating under the pounding hooves. He mounted Alfred, hurried out through the abbey’s main gates and, setting a good, fast pace, took the slope up towards the dense woodland at a canter and headed off beneath the trees. Very soon the track became too narrow and overgrown to ride, and he dismounted, leading Alfred behind him.

He met Helewise on the path that led from the hut in the clearing. She was walking towards him and drew to a halt as he came into view.

‘Josse!’

He was gratified that she looked both relieved and, he thought, happy to see him. ‘Aye. I’ve come from the abbey.’ He told her about the discovery of the body, explaining, as delicately as he could, Abbess Caliste’s theory concerning Rosamund.

She took in his words without speaking. She squeezed her eyes shut at one point, and he feared she would break down, but she regained control. ‘Thank you for coming to tell me,’ she said after a moment. ‘Tiphaine has returned to the abbey — she was heading for the vale, so that’s probably why you missed each other — and she may have more to report when she comes back.’

‘Would you like me to stay with you till she returns?’

He watched her as she considered the offer. It was hard to read her expression, but eventually she shook her head.

‘No. Thank you, but no.’ She took a step closer to him and reached up to touch his cheek. ‘Dearest Josse, there is nothing I would like better than for you and I to walk hand in hand along the track and settle down together in the little hut, fastening the door against the wildwood and all the threats of this world, but it would be selfish in the extreme because everyone in the House in the Woods looks to you for guidance and leadership and they need you.’ She paused. ‘Besides, they know no more of this latest dreadful event but that a man’s body has been found, for, indeed, that was all you knew when you left Geoffroi at the house and collected your horse.’ Absently, she patted the horse’s sweaty neck. ‘You’ve been riding hard,’ she observed.

Josse sighed. ‘Aye, and I’m not done yet,’ he said heavily. He knew she was right, and he must hurry on to the House in the Woods.

There was sympathy in her eyes. ‘Poor Josse.’ Then, brightening, she said, ‘Perhaps there will be news at home! Many resourceful and determined people have been searching for her, and why should not one of them have found some clue as to where she is?’

‘Because-’ He stopped.

‘Because?’

‘They’re all looking in the wrong place!’ he blurted out. His frustration and his anger boiled over. ‘Everyone who has gone out from the House in the Woods, Dominic’s party out to the east and Leofgar’s to the north, they’ll find no trace of her because the accursed, bloody bastard who took her rode off to the west!’ he shouted. Then, hearing the echo of his furious words: ‘I apologize, Helewise.’

‘For calling the man who took my granddaughter an accursed, bloody bastard?’ she asked spiritedly. ‘Josse, I could not have phrased it better myself.’

He opened his arms, and she stepped into his embrace. For a moment they stood pressed together, and she was holding him as tightly as he was holding her. But it was their common distress that united them, and he knew it.

It was he who broke away. He dropped a kiss on her forehead — he was tall, but so was she — and said, ‘Farewell, Helewise. I will return soon, and sooner if there is any news.’

‘I, too, will come to find you if I learn anything,’ she replied. ‘Please explain to Meggie why I’m using her hut.’

He was surprised. ‘You mean you haven’t told her yourself?’

‘No. I haven’t seen her since you and I set out for Tonbridge — ’ she paused — ‘yesterday morning.’ Her face fell. ‘Dear Lord, is it only a day? It seems like months.’

But he hardly heard. ‘She has not been to the hut?’

‘No, Josse.’ She smiled. ‘Don’t worry, she’ll be back at home. Where else would she be?’

‘You’re right,’ he muttered, turning Alfred and pulling on the rein to get him to move off. He tried to squash the twitch of unease that was coursing coldly through him. ‘Come on, Alfred, lift your feet.’

The horse reluctantly got going. Josse turned to look at Helewise, standing alone on the path.

‘Don’t worry,’ she repeated. Then she gave a small wave, turned round and walked away.

The afternoon was drawing to a close as Josse led Alfred into the stable block at the House in the Woods. Will came out to meet him and silently took the horse’s reins from his hand.

‘He’ll need a deal of attention tonight,’ Will observed lugubriously. He glanced at Josse. ‘Like his master,’ he added.

‘I’m all right,’ Josse snapped, twisting round to scowl at Will. The movement tweaked his sore back, and a pain like a red-hot needle flashed right up his spine. ‘Ouch,’ he moaned.

Will watched him sympathetically. ‘Tilly’ll do you a hot poultice for that,’ he said. ‘Good at hot poultices, is Tilly.’

‘Yes, Will, I know.’ She ought to be, Josse reflected, since Meggie was teaching her. ‘Thank you for your concern,’ he added, ‘and I’m sorry I snapped at you.’ His face as impassive as ever, Will nodded an acknowledgement.

Then Josse understood the implications of what Will had just said. Tilly will do you a hot poultice. Tilly was the apprentice; Meggie was the teacher. So why hadn’t Will said Meggie would do it?

He spun round to face Will, sending another knife point of fire through his lower back. ‘Where’s Meggie?’ he asked urgently. ‘Is she here? Is she?’

Will did not meet his eyes. ‘No.’