Sovereign ms-3 Read online

  ‘Who?’

  Barak looked around the refectory, then at Tamasin. It seemed he could hardly bring himself to speak. Then he said, ‘Remember that popinjay Thomas Culpeper, that was at the cockfighting yesterday with Dereham?’

  ‘Ay. You said he was one of the King’s bodyservants.’

  ‘Bodyservant. He’s that all right.’ Barak gave a bark of nervous laughter. ‘He was standing just inside the doorway. Taking his leave of the Queen.’

  ‘The Queen?’

  ‘Queen Catherine herself. I didn’t recognize her, but Tammy knows her well enough by sight.’

  Tamasin nodded. ‘It was her, sir. And Lady Rochford standing beside her.’

  I stared at them in horror. ‘Do you realize what you are saying?’

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Barak gave that hoarse croak of a laugh again. ‘I’m saying the Queen was showing the most notorious rake at court out of her privy chamber at past one in the morning.’

  ‘Jesu.’ I remembered that first morning at King’s Manor, Lady Rochford pestering Craike about doors and locks in case the Queen needed to escape a fire.

  ‘You haven’t heard the worst,’ Tamasin said heavily. ‘They saw us.’

  ‘What!’

  ‘Culpeper saw us first,’ Barak said. ‘He turned and looked at us and stood rooted to the spot. Then Lady Rochford leaned out and stared at us; Jesu did she look angry. And frightened. She pulled the Queen in – she gave a startled little cry – and slammed the door. Young Culpeper just stood there like a ninny, he’d no idea what to do. Then he doffed his cap and turned and walked away.’ He gave that strange harsh laugh again. ‘Doffed his cap.’

  I reached and took a swig of ale, for my mouth had gone dry. I thought a moment, then turned to Tamasin. ‘How was the Queen dressed?’

  She saw what I was aiming at. ‘Fully. In a yellow dress, one of her finest. Her face was made up and she wore a necklace and earrings.’

  ‘No evidence they’d been romping, then. In fact, if she was fully dressed, and her face painted, that’s evidence they hadn’t.’

  Barak shook his head. ‘It doesn’t matter. Culpeper had been in her rooms at one in the morning. That alone is enough to lose him his head.’

  ‘And the Queen hers. She’d not be the first. Lady Rochford too. Jesu, why would that woman risk her life by getting involved in this?’

  ‘Heaven knows, sir,’ Tamasin said wearily. ‘Perhaps it is as some say, she is half crazed.’

  I frowned. ‘Are you sure Culpeper was leaving? Could he not have just called for some reason? He knocks and they answer the door?’

  Barak shook his head impatiently. ‘If someone knocks at the kitchen door at one in the morning, are the Queen and her principal lady in waiting going to come down and answer?’

  ‘No, they’re not. It looks bad, I agree.’

  ‘There have been rumours among the ladies,’ Tamasin said. ‘That Master Culpeper and the Queen had some affection before she married the King. And that she and her secretary, Master Dereham, had a dalliance when the Queen was a girl. Dereham and Culpeper dislike each other. But no one suspected she would -’

  ‘She must be mad,’ Barak said, clenching his hands.

  ‘Jesu,’ I said. ‘If the Queen announces she is pregnant, the child may be Culpeper’s.’ I bit my lip, breathing hard. ‘That fits exactly what Oldroyd said. “No child of Henry and Catherine can ever be true heir. She knows.” He meant the Queen.’

  ‘Exactly,’ Barak said. ‘This could have been going on for months, what if somehow the northern conspirators got to hear of it? Jesu.’ He shook his head in amazement. ‘Has Culpeper been foolish enough to tup the old man’s ewe?’

  I nodded slowly. ‘If there were an announcement the Queen was pregnant and this came out, imagine how it would weaken the King. Remember when we brought that box in – Lady Rochford and Dereham saw it. What you saw casts a new light on that fact.’

  ‘Perhaps that confession you saw was written by someone who saw them together, like us,’ Barak said.

  ‘No.’ I shook my head, frowning. ‘Blaybourne’s confession was years old. And the Titulus dates from 1484.’

  ‘You said there were other papers, that you never saw.’

  I nodded slowly. ‘Yes. There were.’

  ‘Perhaps about the Queen and Culpeper.’

  ‘Sir,’ Tamasin ventured. ‘I do not understand what is this Titulus, nor this Blaybourne.’

  I looked at her. I was so shocked by what they had told me that I had mentioned the contents of the casket without thinking. I had put her in even more danger than she was in already. All three of us were in danger now; we had to pool our resources. I took a deep breath.

  ‘Jack and I found a box with papers in it, which were stolen later. In the glazier Oldroyd’s house.’

  ‘I know. That was when Jennet and I were questioned.’

  ‘Someone killed him because he had it. And is now, I think, trying to kill me because I saw what was inside. Saw only a small part, though they will not know that.’ I told her about the attacks on me at King’s Manor and at the camp, about Blaybourne’s confession and the Titulus, adding that I had found another copy in Wrenne’s library. Her eyes widened.

  ‘Jesu,’ she said quietly. ‘What have you got into?’

  ‘The biggest pile of shit you ever saw,’ Barak answered starkly.

  I looked round at a noise from the far end of the refectory. The soldiers had risen wearily to their feet and were making their way to the door, leaving us alone but for the servant. He had fallen asleep on his table, head pillowed in his arms. I turned back to Barak and Tamasin. The strained expressions on their faces made both look years older.

  ‘What do we do now?’ Barak asked. ‘Report this to Maleverer?’

  ‘Not just yet,’ I said. ‘There is only your word for this. They’ll deny it. You’ll just get into trouble, perhaps serious trouble, for nothing.’

  Barak leaned forward. ‘But if there’s a connection between the Queen and Culpeper and the papers in that casket, Lady Rochford could be behind these attempts on your life. She will redouble her efforts now.’

  ‘No.’ Tamasin spoke quietly. ‘The Queen would never involve herself in murder. Of that I am sure. She is a kind, generous woman – no, girl. In some ways she is very innocent.’

  ‘She’s part of the vipers’ nest that is the court,’ Barak said.

  ‘But that’s just it, she isn’t. She’s a silly innocent girl, everyone says so. She’s at sea, she must be, or she wouldn’t be as foolish as she has been.’

  ‘But Lady Rochford looks capable of anything,’ Barak replied. ‘Look at her history.’

  ‘And yet I cannot see her being behind these attacks,’ I said thoughtfully. ‘She does not strike me as a careful organizer.’ I considered a moment. ‘Tamasin, what do you think Lady Rochford will do now? About what you and Jack saw?’

  ‘The Queen would decide, surely,’ Barak said.

  Tamasin shook her head. ‘The Queen will take Lady Rochford’s advice, I think.’ She looked at me. ‘If I were her, I think I would try and scare us into silence, or buy it.’

  I nodded. ‘I think you are right. I think we wait and see if she approaches you. What we do after that can depend on what is said. If we are not approached, and especially if anything more is attempted against us, we go to Maleverer. On Monday. And meanwhile we stick to safe places.’

  ‘I think we should go to Maleverer now,’ Barak said.

  ‘No. Not without evidence. Not when you and I are in trouble already. Can you imagine how the King would react if this story were brought to him, and turned out to be untrue? It would be our heads in danger then.’

  I turned to Tamasin. ‘We’ll walk you back to the manor. Will the soldiers let you in at this hour?’

  ‘Ay. There’s more than one girl sneaks out at night.’

  I smiled wryly. ‘The morals of the court.’ I turned to Barak. He still looked dubious. Then he saw something behind
us; his eyes widened and his lips set.

  ‘Too late,’ he said.

  I turned quickly. Another troop of soldiers had come in, Sergeant Leacon at their head. We stared as he left his men and marched up to us, his pike grasped firmly. He looked at the three of us in puzzlement.

  ‘What’s amiss? You all look startled as dogs cast out of a window.’

  ‘Nothing, sergeant, we-’

  ‘You are supping late.’

  ‘We got to talking. We should go to bed.’

  ‘There is something I must mention to you, sir. In confidence.’ The sergeant inclined his head. I got up and followed him. His soldiers, I saw, were crowding round the servant, who had woken up and was serving them beer. I realized they had all just come off duty; they had not been sent to arrest us after all.

  Leacon looked at me seriously. Always when we had met before he had been open and friendly, but now I sensed something wary, almost hostile, in his manner.

  ‘One of my men reported there had been some trouble outside Broderick’s cell,’ he said. ‘Between you and gaoler Radwinter.’

  ‘Ah,’ I said. ‘That.’

  ‘I should report it to Sir William Maleverer. But my man said that Radwinter provoked you.’

  ‘Yes, sergeant, he did. But I should not have let him.’

  ‘I will say nothing for now. I do not want trouble with Radwinter, and Sir William has enough to occupy him. But I must have your assurance nothing like that will happen again.’

  ‘It will not.’

  He nodded.

  ‘How does Broderick fare? I should have visited him today.’

  ‘The same.’ He gave me another measured look, then made a little bow and went off to rejoin his men. I went back to Tamasin and Barak.

  ‘What was that about?’ Barak asked.

  ‘My fight with Radwinter. He says he won’t report me if I don’t let Radwinter provoke me again. Well, I have other things to think on now.’

  We walked Tamasin back to King’s Manor. All was dark and silent; a gold half-angel ensured Tamasin was admitted by the guards. Barak and I walked back to the lodging house. I went to bed, but it was long before I slept.

  SUNDAY MORNING dawned fine. I was dressing in my cubicle when Barak knocked at my door.

  ‘That cook’s outside, Master Goodrich.’

  I finished dressing hurriedly and stepped out. He was standing by the door.

  ‘How is your son?’ I asked.

  ‘Better, sir, but he’s a nasty gash on his head. I’ve told him not to work again today.’

  ‘Thank God it was no worse.’

  ‘True. But, sir…’

  He looked at me. I wondered if he was going to ask for money, and slipped my hand to my purse. The cook shook his head.

  ‘I only wanted to ask – who would do such a thing? Is my boy safe?’

  ‘I am sure he is, Master Goodrich. The person who struck your boy down was after me. Rest assured, we will find who is responsible.’

  ‘It ought to be reported, sir. With the King himself here…’ He cast a look of mingled awe and fear in the direction of King’s Manor.

  ‘Leave it with me. And my good wishes to your boy.’

  I watched as the cook walked off towards the camp. Barak joined me. ‘Is he all right?’

  ‘Ay. Come, let us get some breakfast.’

  We began walking to the refectory. Outside, among the animal pens, I saw that one pair of bears’ cages was being taken to pieces by some workmen under the bearward’s supervision. I stopped and looked.

  ‘He killed six dogs before the King and was left standing,’ the bearward said to me. ‘But then he died most honourably.’ He gave a satisfied smile. The other cage was still occupied; the surviving bear was awake, lying curled up in a corner on the floor, its back to us. The creature shifted its position and gave a low, whimpering groan. Its coat was slashed and stiff with blood in several places.

  ‘Will that one fight again?’ Barak asked.

  He studied the bear professionally. ‘Ay, he’s fit for another bout. They’re strong brutes.’

  I walked away, suppressing a shudder.

  IN THE REFECTORY we ate in silence, among courtiers and servants breakfasting before church. I thought of the day before. Those quiet hours in Wrenne’s library seemed far off now.

  ‘I don’t like leaving Tamasin alone at the manor,’ Barak said at length. ‘It worries me.’

  ‘I believe this way is best, Jack, we mustn’t act precipitately.’

  He shook his head. ‘I can’t think straight after last night. Are you going to church? They’re doing Mass in shifts at St Olave’s.’

  ‘No. I can’t face it.’

  ‘I don’t want to sit cooped up here all day.’ ‘I know somewhere we can sit and watch what goes on.’ I led him to the bench where Tamasin and I had talked two nights before. Crowds of people were going in to the first service at St Olave’s. The whole atmosphere at St Mary’s had changed now the King was here: people moved and talked quietly, sedately.

  A little group of courtiers appeared, and I recognized some of the young men who had been at the camp two nights before. Dereham was among them; he flicked me a contemptuous glare as he passed. Culpeper, I saw, was not with the group.

  ‘I wonder where the King and Queen will be hearing Mass,’ Barak said.

  ‘Privately at King’s Manor, I should think.’ ‘For security? Keeping safe from the Yorkers?’ ‘Maybe.’ I sighed. ‘I don’t wonder they rebelled.’ Barak looked at me askance. ‘You’re not turning papist, are you?’

  ‘No. I mean, the way they’ve been treated for years. Like second-rate Englishmen.’ I saw Master Craike passing with a group of richly robed officials, and raised a hand in a wave. He hesitated, then came over to us.

  ‘Are you going into church, Master Shardlake?’ ‘Perhaps a later service.’

  He smiled. ‘We have just been up the belltower. Priests are holding open-air Masses all over the camp, ’tis quite a spectacle. Well, I must go, or I shall be late.’ He bowed and hurried off.

  ‘That man has an uneasy air for all his pleasant words,’ Barak observed.

  ‘Ay, he does.’

  ‘We should find out what goes on at this tavern I saw him at.’

  I nodded. ‘Ay. Let’s do that. There’s something Tamasin might find out, too.’

  He looked at me askance. ‘I’ll not have her in danger.’

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  ‘It might be useful if we could find out Master Culpeper’s antecedents. Who his friends and family are. Does he have northern connections, I wonder.’

  ‘I’ll see.’ He frowned. ‘I feel responsible for Tamasin. Involving her in this.’

  I nodded. It was the first time Barak had ever seemed really to care for a girl. ‘I fear she is involved anyhow.’

  ‘I pray this may all be a mare’s nest and Oldroyd’s words meant something different.’ He put his hand inside his shirt, fingering his father’s old mezuzah. ‘If this is about an affair between these two, do you think Maleverer and the King’s men even suspect it?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Is the King impotent, I wonder?’ Barak pondered. ‘All know he has been ill with his leg for years.’

  ‘God knows.’

  ‘Perhaps his seed is thin and weak, old and ill as he is, while Culpeper’s flows thick and strong.’

  I shuddered slightly. ‘I’d rather not think too much on that.’

  ‘Talking of illness, how is old Wrenne?’

  ‘Not good. He was in bed, though he insists he’ll be fit to hear the petitions tomorrow. I said I would go and see him again today. Come with me, at least his house is a place of safety.’

  ‘All right. Here. Look who is coming now.’

  Latecomers were still heading for the church, and among them I saw Jennet Marlin, walking with a couple of ladies I did not recognize.

  ‘Where’s Tammy?’ Barak asked anxiously. ‘Mistress Marlin likes to keep her round
her.’ He bit his lip. ‘Could you ask her? My rank forbids it.’

  I stood up and bowed. Mistress Marlin, in a grey damask dress, the tails of an old-fashioned box hood streaming behind her head, signalled to the other ladies to walk on. She halted and, to my surprise, smiled at me a little nervously.

  ‘Master Shardlake. Are you on your way to church?’

  ‘Ah – no. But I wondered if I might trouble you with a query. Mistress Reedbourne is not with you?’

  ‘No. She is a little ill and has kept to her room.’ She gave that uncertain smile again, then took a deep breath. ‘I spoke harshly to you the other night, sir,’ she said. ‘I wish to apologize. Only, Tamasin has been a good companion to me. But -’ she looked at Barak – ‘I think perhaps she and your man do care for each other, and one should not stand in the way of love, should one?’

  ‘No,’ I said, a little taken aback. This was a change of mind indeed, yet not that dissimilar from my own. Perhaps Tamasin had appealed to her too, charmed her, for all that Mistress Marlin did not seem a woman susceptible to charm. She looked at me seriously with her large brown eyes. ‘I spoke bitterly to you, sir, only because my own fiancé is unjustly in the Tower.’

  ‘I understand.’

  ‘Have you heard any news, sir, of how long the King may be in York?’ She grasped her engagement ring, turning it round and round on her finger.

  ‘No, mistress. No one seems to know. I imagine it all depends on the Scotch King.’

  She shook her head. ‘There is no word of him even being on the road. And there was talk at the manor last night of new raids by the border reivers.’ She looked around her. ‘Oh, I wish I were gone from here.’

  ‘I too.’

  ‘Bernard has still been neither accused nor released. Sir, you are a lawyer, how long can they hold him in the Tower?’

  ‘On the King’s authority, indefinitely. But representations can be made. What contacts do you have in London?’