‘Too distracting?’ Ravenser took a seat opposite Owen.
Owen nodded. ‘I should accomplish little work in this room.’
‘Perhaps that is why the Irish are so difficult to rule. They are too distracted with their dreams.’
‘These are Irish embroideries?’
‘I was up in Ireland for a short time.’
‘They say the Irish are much like us.’
‘I forgot. You are Welsh.’
‘Also difficult to rule. Also dreamers.’
Ravenser shrugged. ‘I want to hear about Captain Sebastian.’
Owen told him of the conversation in the church.
Ravenser sniffed. ‘Arrogant traitor. Why should such as he expect knighthood?’
‘He is an excellent captain, they say. Men have been knighted for less.’
Ravenser studied Owen. ‘But not you, eh? Ever resent that, Archer?’
Owen laughed. ‘A Welsh longbowman? Knighted? I was never fool enough to expect it.’
Ravenser did not join in the laughter. ‘Yet the old Duke and my uncle entrust you with delicate business. You are an odd one not to resent that.’
‘I have a good life, Sir Richard. Far better than I ever dreamed. What do I need with the responsibilities of paying for the mount, arms and livery of squires and soldiers?’
Ravenser grunted. ‘What of the stewards of Scarborough, the Percies? How did they behave?’
‘They have learned, I believe with the help of gold, to look away from the transgressions of the Accloms and Carters, the governing families of the town who happen to be smugglers and thieves. Sir William explained the need for compromise. If he did so with them, most like he also did so with Sebastian. And Sir William has not informed Matthew Calverley of his son’s murder. He thinks it was Accloms or Carters who ordered Hugh’s death. Best to remain silent.’
‘I see.’ Ravenser pressed his fingertips together and closed his eyes. ‘You speak of a powerful family, Archer.’ A vein on one eyelid twitched.
‘Put aside what I have said if it disturbs you, Sir Richard. I offered it as an explanation, not a battle cry.’ Owen had no desire to take on extra investigations — he was ready to be done with them all.
Ravenser nodded, then glanced round to make sure no servants were present. ‘And what of Maddy’s murder?’
Owen told him about Jack. ‘I am sorry I let him get away. Edmund believes the man is following us, awaiting his opportunity to attack. Alfred and I are beginning to believe him.’
‘You have seen signs of pursuit?’
‘No. ’Tis just a sense of eyes at our backs.’
‘Good.’ Ravenser pushed his chair back from the table. ‘It is time we were off to St Mary’s.’
‘I thought the vicar was to come here.’
‘It appears that Thomas has an ague. We must speak with him in his bedchamber.’
Neither the priest nor the gravedigger had been forthcoming with any new information, though both recognised Edmund, which removed any doubts Owen might have had about Edmund’s story.
‘He stood there with his friend, very respectful, looking very sad,’ the priest said.
Before returning to Ravenser’s, Owen chose to walk from North Bar to Longford’s house with Edmund as guide. One of Joanna’s stories had been that she had lost her way. He wanted to see if that was likely. It was just Owen and Edmund on this pilgrimage. Alfred had been sent off to a tavern to sit quietly and hear what he might.
Edmund led Owen off the main street into a small churchyard. An oak shaded it, and a well tempted the thirsty. ‘This is where she lost the Magdalene medal. Stefan came here and retrieved it from the priest.’
‘Now there is someone who might have something interesting to say. How did Stefan find him?’
Edmund shrugged. ‘I did not accompany him. I never thought to ask.’
Owen stepped into the church, a cool, dark womb smelling of candle wax, incense, and damp stone. It reminded him of Lucie’s suggestion to seek quiet in the minster. He would do that later. An old woman knelt by a statue of Mary.
‘God be with you, good wife,’ Owen said. ‘I seek the priest of this church. Do you know where I might find him?’
‘He’d be at minster most days, being a canon,’ the woman said, never moving her eyes from the statue.
Owen had forgotten the priest might be a canon of Beverley. He could ask Ravenser about him. Back outside, Owen nodded to Edmund to lead on to Longford’s house. The way was not complicated. If Joanna had become lost, it was for some reason other than a few false turnings. The house was visible from the main street they had followed from North Bar.
Edmund stood by the door, watching Owen pace the main room. ‘What do you expect to find?’
‘Nothing. I am sure what is to be found here has been found. I just wanted to see it. See whether I might learn anything of Longford from his house.’
‘So what do you learn here of him?’
‘The walls are scarred and pocked; the chairs and table have been mended more than once. I would guess he has a fierce temper. Perhaps when he drinks alone.’
Edmund nodded. ‘You have learned something of him. Will feels God cheated him with the leg. All those years of soldiering and then to fall off his horse escaping a cuckolded husband and crush his leg.’ Edmund grinned at Owen’s look of surprise. ‘You didn’t know?’
‘No one has talked much about Longford the man, just his connection with du Guesclin, with Captain Sebastian, Joanna and Hugh Calverley. .’ Owen shook his head. ‘Fleeing an angry husband. An embarrassing end to a career.’
‘Will brags about it, his wild wenching, his derring-do. But it is a curse to him.’
Owen had seen enough. ‘Is there good ale to be had in Beverley?’
‘I shall show you my favourite inn.’
They had not far to go. The taverner paused as they entered, eyeing Owen’s patch and scar. Then he recognised Edmund. ‘Been a long while. Is Longford back, too?’
‘Nay. I am on other business. Travelling with Captain Archer here, former captain of archers for the old Duke of Lancaster.’
The taverner’s eyes opened wider. ‘You fought with Henry of Grosmont?’
Owen was accustomed to this response. It usually earned him excellent service in the hope of a good tale or two. ‘That I did.’
‘Then why in God’s name are you travelling with the like of Edmund here? Outlaws they are, same as the one came asking about him.’
Edmund tensed. ‘Who was that?’
‘The one came with you last time. When you were looking for Stefan.’
‘Jack?’
The taverner shrugged. ‘Can’t say as I remember a name.’
‘When was he here?’ Edmund asked.
‘Yesterday. Early in the day.’
‘Have you seen him since?’
The taverner shook his head, turned back to Owen. ‘So why are you travelling with Edmund?’
‘The King has welcomed his friends back to his service.’
The taverner’s eyes opened wide, shifted from Owen to Edmund and back. ‘Then ’tis true what they say, our King is desperate for gold to fight King Charles.’ He shook his head. ‘Hard times are upon us when our King needs the likes of Will Longford.’
After Owen had sent off the taverner with a firsthand account of one of the old Duke’s lesser-known exploits, he and Edmund settled down to judging the ale.
‘Too bitter, but smooth, clean.’ Owen nodded. ‘I could drink another.’
Edmund drained his cup, called to the taverner for another round. ‘Told you he was behind us.’
‘He’s in front of us now. Biding his time, I think.’
When the taverner came with the pitcher, Owen asked, ‘This man asking after Edmund. Did he ask after anyone else?’
‘A one-eyed archer — yourself, I should think — Longford, Stefan. . and a nun, God help us. I asked did he mean the one who died and was resurrected in Our Lady’s mantle. He said was none of my business, which I took as a yes.’
Owen thanked him for the information.