‘Are you unwell, my lady?’
‘No.’
‘Do you need a physician?’
‘There is nothing wrong with me.’
‘You seem to be in pain.’
‘I will be fine in a moment.’
‘Is there anything that I can do?’
‘Just sit quietly with me, please.’
She held out a pale hand and Golde took it between both palms.
They sat in silence for a long while. Albreda slowly relaxed. The expression of suffering left her face, to be replaced by a look of regret. When she opened her eyes, they were moist with tears.
‘What is wrong, my lady?’ whispered Golde.
‘I should not have gone to the funeral,’ said the other meekly,
‘but my husband insisted and I had to obey. It was harrowing, Golde. I all but fainted with the agony of it. Nicholas Picard was such a handsome man in the prime of life. My heart went out to his widow, the lady Catherine.’
‘She must be destroyed with grief.’
‘It is beyond bearing. To lose a husband is punishment enough.
To have him cruelly murdered is a tragedy that would overwhelm anyone. I do not know how the lady Catherine maintained her calm.’ She looked at Golde. ‘Have you ever lost a loved one?’
‘My first husband died some years ago, my lady.’
‘Then you know something of grief yourself.’
‘Yes,’ said Golde, unable to resist a gentle reproach. ‘Even though he was only a brewer. He was a good man and a loyal husband.’
‘I offended you on that score,’ admitted the other. ‘When you told us that you carried on his trade, I was condescending. It was unpardonable. I was tense and nervous that night, Golde. I did not behave as a hostess should towards her guests.’
‘Let us put all that behind us.’
‘Please,’ said Albreda, squeezing her hand. ‘I want us to be friends. I need you.’ She gave a sad smile. ‘Have you ever noticed that it is often easier to confide in a stranger than in someone you know well?’
‘Yes, my lady.’
‘I sensed that I could talk to you.’
‘I am listening.’
There was another long pause while Albreda gathered her thoughts. Golde was glad that she had answered the summons.
The awkwardness between the two women was dispelled. The gaunt and stately lady was showing signs of human frailty. Golde felt that she was in a privileged position of trust. She glanced around the apartment. It was a small room with tapestries on all four walls. An archway led to a bedchamber and it was apparent that it was not shared with the sheriff.
‘I love my husband,’ said Albreda defensively. ‘He is a fine man who does a difficult job extremely well. Devon is a large and unruly county. It needs someone as strong and forceful as Baldwin to keep it under control. He has many virtues, Golde. I appreciate them.’
‘That is as it should be.’
‘Yes,’ agreed the other. ‘But is this?’ Her gesture took in the whole chamber. ‘Do you live apart from your husband, Golde?’
‘No, my lady.’
‘Would he be content if his wife did not share his bed?’
‘He would not.’
‘Does he truly care for you?’
‘Oh, yes!’ said Golde. ‘Every day brings proof of it.’
‘Then you are blessed in the lord Ralph. Cleave to him. Live under the same roof as man and wife. There is no pleasure in being a married nun.’ She hunched her shoulders. ‘I was jealous of you at first. You seemed to have what I had always sought and what I might once have had.’
‘My lady?’
‘It is all past now. I must learn to forget.’
‘Forget what?’
‘Past mistakes. Irremediable errors.’
‘I do not understand.’
‘Look at me, Golde. What do you see?’
‘A handsome woman of good repute.’
‘Am I not a sorry spectacle?’
‘No, my lady!’
‘I have heard them sniggering at me. I have seen them shooting glances in my direction. They think me a ridiculous woman, neglected and unloved. Drifting through my days in a dream.’
‘That is unfair.’
‘Yet it contains a grain of truth.’ Albreda sat forward and grasped both of Golde’s hands. She stared deep into her eyes, simultaneously appraising and appealing to her, searching for a reassurance which would allow her to proceed. ‘I sense that you are discreet,’ she said. ‘Are you?’
‘Yes, my lady.’
‘Nothing of what I tell you must leave this room.’
‘You have my solemn oath.’
‘I am letting you see my weakness, Golde. I would not have others see it and mock it. They would not understand. You will.’
She bit her lip before she continued. ‘Do you begin to guess what I am saying?’
‘I think so, my lady.’
‘Today has been a dreadful ordeal for me. I tried to think of others but I kept feeling my own sense of loss. Do you hear me?’
‘Yes, my lady. The lord Nicholas was a friend.’
‘He was more than that to me, Golde.’
‘I see.’
‘It was not as you may think,’ said Albreda seriously. ‘I have been a devoted wife. I have kept my marriage vows and never looked at another man. But a little flame has always burned away inside me. Until today. When Nicholas was lowered into his grave, the flame went out for ever.’
‘Did you love him so much?’
‘Yes, Golde. That was the irremediable error of which I spoke.’
‘What was?’
‘Nicholas Picard once asked me to marry him. I declined his offer.’
Chapter Six
Ralph Delchard and Gervase Bret rode out of the city to inspect the scene of the crime. Trapped in a musty shire hall for most of the day, Ralph found the fresh air bracing, and after the grim visits to a funeral and a castle dungeon Gervase was also glad to exchange Exeter for the refreshing tranquillity of the countryside.
When they reached the wood on the road north, it did not take them long to find the place where the ambush occurred. There were several beech trees but few grew alongside the meandering track and overhung it. They dismounted to examine what they felt certain was the correct spot. Dried blood still clung to the grass and there were signs of a struggle. Twigs were snapped off from a bush, wild flowers had been unceremoniously flattened and the earth was heavily scored.
Ralph knelt down to run an exploratory hand over the ground.
‘This was definitely the place,’ he decided. ‘Ideal for an ambush.’
‘Yes,’ said Gervase, glancing around. ‘Where would the killer have lurked? Every tree could have hidden him.’
‘You are standing beneath the one that did, Gervase.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Look upwards.’
Gervase raised his eyes to the overhanging bough. It was thick enough to support the weight of a man, and the abundant foliage would have provided concealment, but the branch was high above the track.
‘I know what you are thinking,’ said Ralph, rising to his feet.
‘How did the murderer get up there?’
‘Exactly.’
‘There is only one way to find out, Gervase.’
‘Is there?’
‘You or me?’
‘I do not understand.’
‘One of us has to climb the tree,’ said Ralph with a smile.
‘Since you are younger and more agile, I accept your offer to tackle it.’
‘But I did not make an offer.’
‘Surely you wish to spare my old bones?’
Gervase grinned. ‘No,’ he said with a nudge. ‘What I will promise to do is to catch you if you fall.’
‘Get up there, man!’
‘Is that a request or an order?’
‘Common sense. I would climb up it like a bear whereas you can run up it like a squirrel. Go on, Gervase. I’ll warrant you will find something of interest once you work your way out on to the bough.’ He walked to the trunk and linked his hands together.
‘Come, I’ll help you.’
Gervase appraised the tree. It was a fully grown beech, now in full leaf and with boughs reaching out in all directions. There was an air of solidity and permanence about it. After rubbing his palms together in preparation, he steeled himself then put a foot into the cradle made by Ralph’s hands. His friend hoisted him effortlessly up to the first branch. Gervase got a firm grip before swinging a leg up and hooking it over the bough. He made slow progress. Gervase was lithe enough but his work at the Chancery in Winchester gave him little opportunity to develop his tree-climbing skills. Ralph directed him from below, telling him which branch to move to next and urging him on.