‘How old-fashioned you are, Nicholas. And how shortsighted. Don’t you see how valuable a woman assistant could be to you? I wouldn’t draw attention to myself. I’ll report back here to you in this garden when I’ve got anything to say. If anyone asks me what I’m doing, I can always say I’m collecting herbs.’
She looked at him so seriously, with just a hint of a twinkle in her eyes, that Nicholas found himself wavering. If there was a conspiracy against the King in this part of Sussex, then it was his job to find out about it and nip it in the bud. Much as he disapproved of the King’s policy against the monks, he’d never be part of a conspiracy to rid the country of a lawfully anointed king. To do that would be to plunge the country back half a century into bloody civil war when Yorkists fought against Lancastrians. But to use a woman … And a young and beautiful one like Jane … No, he couldn’t do it. Except …
‘Come on, Nicholas. Why are you dithering like an old woman? You know it makes sense.’
‘I suppose you could be useful, but this is my investigation, remember. You will only do what I ask you.’
‘My Lord, would I presume to do anything else?’
He looked at her sharply, but she lowered her gaze demurely. ‘I don’t trust you, Jane. There’s more to you than meets the eye. But if you’re going to be my spy, we must trust one another. Has this conspiracy got a name?’
‘I think it’s called Day of Wrath. But usually they use the Latin words, Dies Irae.’
He suddenly felt a surge of fear. This all sounded uncomfortably real. ‘They, Jane? Who are they? You must tell me. My God, Jane, I don’t like this. You should never have got involved in this.’
‘Me? Involved? Oh no, Nicholas, spies never get involved. They only make reports. Don’t worry about me. Besides, I don’t know who the “they” are. I am only telling you what Bess told me.’
‘Then I must talk to Bess Knowles. But be careful, Jane. Make sure you only speak to me about these matters. Now, I must ask you this, where do you stand regarding the King’s plans? Are you for the monks, or do you, like your father, want to see them turned out?’
‘I share my father’s views on reform of the Church. But I shall never agree to the eviction of the monks and the pulling down of their buildings. The Vicar and my father want that to happen. But I respect the monks, and consider Prior Thomas my friend. And of course I am loyal to our King. He might be selfish and ruthless, but he keeps the peace, and who knows, out of all this, something good might happen. Change isn’t always bad. No, I’m for King Henry and I think that in the long run people will look back on his reign and judge him favourably.’
Nicholas stared at his new assistant in amazement. He’d never heard a woman talk like this. Mary had never expressed any opinions, political or otherwise. She’d always followed his lead, and had never once opposed him. But Jane was different. She’d make a deplorable wife, but as a second-in-command in a murder investigation, she might have her uses.
‘Then I am glad we agree on something. Now I must get back to Landstock, and you must return to your father, otherwise he’ll be getting suspicious. I don’t want him to upset our plans.’
‘Father? He’ll do as he’s told. He doesn’t want me to go to the Prior’s supper tonight, but I’m going.’
‘Then I look forward to seeing you there. But you’ll not go on your own?’
‘No, Prior Thomas is sending his carriage for me. Father won’t like it, but his chest is too bad to allow him out at night. The Prior’ll go mad if he disturbs the music with his coughing.’
‘What’s the Prior asking an attractive woman like you to supper for? That man’s the limit.’
‘Because I’m good value, I’d say.’
‘Good value? What the hell do you mean?’
‘I can sing. And he’s got some new songs composed by Josquin Després which Brother Benedict brought over from France. Prior Thomas thinks together we’ll make fine music. I’m looking forward to it.’
‘Why not let me come and collect you?’
‘Because my father will have a fit. He’ll think you’ve got designs on my virtue. He can’t object to me going in the Prior’s carriage.’
Nicholas looked thoughtfully at his new assistant. ‘You’re an amazing woman, Jane, and I shall enjoy getting to know you better. I look forward to hearing you sing tonight. Now let’s see if we can cure your father’s cough. You must look after him, you know; he so obviously cares for you.’
‘I’ll always look after him. Difficult as he is, I love him. And he’s all I’ve got.’
‘From now on Jane, consider me your friend.’
‘Thank you, my Lord, I’m honoured,’ she said as she dropped him a curtsy.
* * *
Back in the house, Landstock had come to the end of the servants’ interviews. He was deep in conversation with the Coroner when Nicholas came into the study. Nicholas knew the Coroner well. He was an elderly man, with a scholarly stoop, and a long, thin face with the lugubrious eyes of a bloodhound.
‘We’ve done all we can, for the moment,’ Landstock said briskly. ‘Nothing much has come out of the servants’ statements. They all agree with Giles that Matthew must have heard a disturbance and went out to see what was up. He never came back. Hardcastle,’ he indicated the Coroner, ‘has reported a verdict of murder by person or persons unknown, and it’s my job to catch the thieves and present them to you for the preliminary hearing. Then it’s off to Marchester Assizes and a swift death up on the Heath.’
‘You make it sound quite straightforward, Sheriff. Has anyone found signs of a break-in?’
‘No, but Joshua and Giles definitely say they heard something.’
‘Hmm … not enough to establish a motive. However, at least we can rule out the servants. They all have water-tight alibis and can vouch for each other, I suppose?’
‘Oh yes. They all seemed to be where they should be. This is an outside job.’
‘There’s one other thing that bothers me,’ said Nicholas thoughtfully, ‘it might not be important, but I’m puzzled by the way Matthew was killed. Would common thieves bother to strangle someone who’d interrupted their work? It seems more likely to me that they’d turn round and hit him over the head. Strangling someone as strong as Matthew wouldn’t be easy. Matthew was a tough man, and he’d go down fighting. Strangling implies premeditation. I think someone was lying in wait for him. Someone jumped out on him and seized him round the throat.’
‘I’m inclined to agree with you, my Lord,’ said the Coroner, coming to life. ‘But why should anyone want to murder someone as harmless as your steward? If we rule out thieves then we are without a motive and that’s very undesirable. The Sheriff’ll get nowhere without establishing a motive.’
‘It seems to me that you want to tidy this case up just too neatly,’ said Nicholas severely. ‘First, find the facts, then establish the motive. Not the other way round.’
‘Oh yes, my Lord. Certainly, my Lord. I shouldn’t have spoken.’
‘Well, forget it. And now I expect you could both do with some refreshment. Something to drink? And a slice of ham to go with it?’
‘If it’s no trouble, my Lord.’
‘No trouble at all, Coroner. You’ve had a long, hard morning’s work and there’s a brisk ride ahead of you. Now when can I bury poor Matthew? I can’t keep him in the chapel for ever?’
‘As soon as you can make the arrangements,’ said Landstock. ‘We’ve finished with him. Now we’ve got to get on and find the thieves. Shouldn’t take us long. Someone, somewhere, always seems to see something suspicious and is willing to spill the beans. Particularly when there’s a reward offered.’
Chapter Four
A pity the King wasn’t here to enjoy this meal, thought Nicholas, as Brother Cyril plunged his knife into the rich suet crust of the great pie, releasing a delicious aroma of rabbits and chickens stuffed with dried plums and raisins, cooked slowly in red wine. He would have enjoyed it enormously. Nicholas was hungry. It seemed a long time ago since he’d eaten his last proper meal at Court, and yet it was only yesterday. And now he was drinking the King’s health in a fine claret, polishing off the pie, and gleefully anticipating the arrival of the suckling pig.