The Unconventional Maiden

by June Francis

  Beth took a step back. ‘Who started such a rumour?’

  ‘Who can say? But it’s also being said that during her absence you and Gawain grew fond of each other. Is this the truth, Beth?’

  ‘He is my guardian, so it is natural that we grew close during that time,’ said Beth in a low voice. ‘My father and brother had both been murdered and I needed a man’s protection.’

  ‘Pip and Chris both believe it to be more than that between the pair of you. I need to know the truth, Beth.’

  She was silent, wondering how much she could trust Nick. She had a great respect and liking for him, but if she told him the truth then it would give him a reason to believe that Gawain might have possibly murdered Mary. She did not believe it for one moment. If Mary had made it her business to seek out Father Hugh and tell him of her conversation with Gawain, then the priest might have killed her.

  ‘It is true that Gawain and I care for each other. Mary told him that the man for whom she left him was her true husband, their having made vows when they were children. Then Mary returned and Gawain was determined to have the marriage annulled, believing her to have committed bigamy. He had a missive that she sent him and this he showed to Cardinal Wolsey. There is no reason for him to murder her. I deem the person guilty is the one who killed my half-brother Jonathan and my father because they knew something about him that would ruin him.’

  ‘Do you have proof of this?’

  ‘Not yet, but Mary told Gawain that she had seen the suspect with my brother and they were quarrelling. Surely someone must have seen what happened at Raventon Hall?’ added Beth.

  ‘One would think so, but people seem to believe there were no witnesses to what happened.’

  ‘Were there any visitors to Raventon Hall that day?’

  Before Nick could answer there came the sound of barking and an angry voice outside. Beth and Nick turned and stared at the door as it was thrust open.

  ‘That dog should be destroyed,’ said Father Hugh in a furious voice, entering the room, clutching a torn sleeve. He ripped off the strip of dangling cloth and flung it on the floor.

  He was the last person Beth expected to see and she was glad that she did not have to face him alone. Yet what was he doing here? Surely it could be no coincidence that he should call here on the day she had received the news that Mary was dead and Gawain and the girls missing.

  Father Hugh stared at Nick. ‘Do I know you?’

  ‘I saw you recently at Greenwich,’ replied Nick. ‘And, if I rightly recall, the experience was not a happy one.’

  Father Hugh’s lips tightened. ‘You’re one of the Hurst brothers. What are you doing here?’

  ‘I deem that to be none of your business,’ drawled Nick.

  ‘If you’re part of this plot, I could make it my business,’ blustered the priest. ‘When did you last see Sir Gawain?’

  ‘That I cannot remember,’ said Nick, giving him a contemptuous look.

  Father Hugh glared at him and then turned his attention to Beth. ‘And you, Mistress Llewellyn?’

  Beth’s heart was beating so heavily that she felt a need to place her hand over her breast. ‘I have not seen him for several days,’ she said breathlessly. ‘I don’t believe Sir Gawain is involved in any plot.’

  ‘The king has issued a warrant for his arrest.’

  The colour drained from Beth’s face and she reached out and clutched Nick’s sleeve and his arm went round her. ‘For what reason?’ he asked.

  ‘The murder of his wife,’ said Father Hugh, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the pair of them.

  ‘I don’t believe it,’ said Beth, recovering herself. ‘What proof have you?’

  ‘You think I would tell you so you can run off and warn him in order for him to try to overset what I have to say,’ he sneered. ‘The pair of you want to get married so he would rid himself of his wife. Now tell me where he is or you will be arrested too.’

  ‘Mistress Llewellyn does not know where Sir Gawain is so that could prove difficult,’ said Nick.

  ‘And how do you know that?’ asked Father Hugh, turning on him.

  ‘Because she had no knowledge of what happened at Raventon Hall when I arrived here,’ said Nick. ‘And let us be honest, I did not witness what happened—all I have heard are rumours. So tell us, how do you know of them?’

  ‘I will not tell you anything,’ said the priest, clenching a fist. ‘But I warn you, Master Hurst, if you try to get in my way by protecting this young woman and concealing Sir Gawain’s whereabouts from me, then he will not be the only man to go to the gallows.’ He turned on his heel and the skirts of his robes whirled about his ankles as he hurried from the room.

  Beth released her grip on Nick’s sleeve. ‘I have to find Gawain and warn him!’

  ‘That is exactly what that priest wants you to do,’ said Nick, his brow furrowed in thought. ‘If the king has truly issued a warrant for Gawain’s arrest, then he would not have sent Father Hugh without a couple of yeomen to accompany him and assist with the arrest.’

  Relief flooded Beth’s face. ‘You are saying that the king knows nothing of this and that Father Hugh is trying to set a trap for Gawain?’

  ‘It is possible that his Majesty has been informed, but who would take the news to him? If he does know, then I do not doubt he will want Gawain to be found to prove his innocence. After all, he was still at court a short while ago.’

  Beth knew this to be true and, feeling a little better but still weak at the knees, she sat down. ‘Where can he be? And where is my servant, Sam? He took a message for me to Raventon Hall and was supposed to be escorting Mistress Ashbourne here. Is it possible that he saw what happened and is with Gawain and the children?’

  ‘It’s no good our trying to piece together what happened,’ said Nick. ‘If Gawain and the children are with your servant, then no doubt they will come here eventually.’

  ‘And I will be waiting for them,’ said Beth, tilting her chin.

  ‘Would you like me to stay with you?’ asked Nick.

  She shook her head. ‘I have appreciated your support, but I would not keep you from whatever other business you might have in the city.’

  Nick gave a wry smile and, taking her by the shoulders, kissed her on both cheeks. ‘If they do not arrive, then I suggest you come and stay at our family home in Greenwich. You can inform those in the printing workshop of your whereabouts. If Gawain does send Sam to you with a message, they will tell him where you can be found. I do not like leaving you alone in such circumstances.’

  ‘You are kind, but I must stay here,’ said Beth, her voice softening. ‘Besides, I am not alone. I have Jane and the hound and, if needs must, I can send one of the men when they return from the dinner to fetch Benjamin.’

  Nick nodded and stepped away from her. ‘I bear you a great affection, Beth, but I can see that the death of Gawain’s wife has changed everything. But my offer still holds. If you are in need and others cannot help you, come to Greenwich and I and my brothers will certainly do what we can to support you.’

  She blinked back tears and thanked him warmly and saw him out before going back inside, thinking that it was going to be a very long worrying day if she did not have news of Gawain soon.

  Gawain had left his boat moored at the quayside and had strode up with Sam from the Thames when he noticed Father Hugh hurrying along in front of them. His lips tightened and he laid a hand on Sam’s sleeve and indicated the priest with a nod of his head. Sam nodded and a few moments later they watched him enter Beth’s premises by the front door. The next moment it sounded as if all hell had broken loose and, even from where he stood, Gawain could hear the priest’s shouts of complaint. He grinned, thinking that at least Beth’s other protector was performing his duties satisfactorily. He told Sam to stay where he was and follow the priest when he emerged from the house whilst he went round the back. To his exasperation, he discovered the gates to the yard locked, but at least it told him that Beth was b
eing careful to watch her back. He guessed that he was going to have to climb over the wall.

  Beth noticed Cerberus’s head tilt to one side and she tensed. Until then he had been growling and tearing with his sharp teeth at the fabric from Father Hugh’s sleeve. Now he whined and went over to the door that led to the yard. Obviously a friend, she thought, relieved. Perhaps one of the men was returning early from his dinner. She went over to unlock the door and relief flooded her as she recognised the tall strong figure standing there.

  ‘Beth, love, are you all right? Or is that damned priest hiding somewhere?’

  She threw herself into Gawain’s arms and he hugged her close and kissed her. That kiss seemed to go on for ever and then his mouth lifted from hers and he smiled down at her. ‘That is the kind of welcome I have dreamed of.’

  ‘I am so glad to see you. I have been hearing such rumours that I have been frightened for you,’ she said huskily.

  His expression altered and his mouth was set grim. ‘What did Father Hugh have to say?’

  ‘Not just him, but Nick Hurst who arrived before him. He told me that he had heard rumours that Mary was dead and your aunt was unconscious and that you and the children were missing.’

  ‘It’s true that Mary is dead,’ said Gawain with a sigh. ‘And, God forgive me, when I heard the news, all I could think of was that now I’d be able to marry you without further difficulty.’

  She gave him a luminous smile, her arms looping about his neck. ‘So what do we do next?’

  ‘We can marry this day secretly. I want you to bear my name just in case aught should happen to me,’ said Gawain.

  She clutched him tightly. ‘Do not say that! As soon as Nick Hurst informed me of your wife’s death and told of the rumours that she had left you for another man and that we had become fond of each other in her absence, I have feared for your safety.’

  Gawain swore.

  ‘There is more,’ said Beth. ‘Father Hugh told me that the king has issued a warrant for your arrest.’

  Gawain’s eyes glinted. ‘He said it to frighten you.’ A shadow crossed his handsome face. ‘I was nowhere near the house when Mary died. I was on my way back from the Weald and found Tom in the stables. He was making ready the horses to escort my aunt to London. We were met at the front door by the girls, who were almost speechless with shock. They had seen their mother die.’

  ‘So Mary’s death was an accident?’

  ‘No!’ His expression was suddenly fierce. ‘Lydia managed to tell me that she saw a woman hit Mary on the head and send her crashing to the floor. Apparently she was hit again whilst she was down. The children were upstairs with my aunt and they saw what happened. Catherine immediately went to Mary’s aid, only to end up wrestling with the woman. Lydia swore that she was wearing a wig and it slipped. My aunt came off the worst of it and I found her unconscious near Mary’s body. I sent one of the servants to fetch the physician and Tom and I carried my aunt to her bed. I would not have left her without making sure she was well taken care of.’ He made no mention of Mary’s body, which had been placed in the family vault.

  ‘Where are the children now? Were they able to describe the woman?’

  ‘Aye, and interestingly her description fits the one seen going into your father’s tent in France and on the night of the fire,’ he said grimly. ‘Lydia said she was as strong as a man and naturally that set me thinking.’

  Beth nodded. ‘You mean it was a man in disguise and that was the reason for the wig, not that a woman might not have lost her hair due to some foul disease.’

  ‘Aye! If only I had arrived back earlier, I would have caught him in the act and known for certain his identity. As it is, I cannot prove it was Father Hugh.’

  Beth said slowly, ‘Yet it seems extremely likely. At least you have witnesses to prove that you could not have killed Mary,’ she added.

  Gawain’s expression hardened. ‘I want him to pay for these murders and for making you suffer and terrifying the girls.’

  ‘But how can we prove he is guilty?’ she asked. ‘You must admit he is crafty.’

  ‘Not crafty enough. How is it he managed to get here before I did with the news that Mary was dead and the king had issued a warrant for my arrest? The king has moved his court to Westminster. He will return to Greenwich for the twelve days of Christmas. I deem Father Hugh was unaware of the king’s movements, so I doubt even Wolsey knows aught of this, never mind Henry. The only way Father Hugh could have known of Mary’s death was if he was in the vicinity at the time. Possibly Mary wrote to him. We can only guess. I have thought that he might have murdered Mary not only to silence her, but to implicate me. The same with Cedric and the dagger, only his plans didn’t work out the way he wanted. I deem he panicked when he heard mine and the men’s voices outside the hall before he could do anything about the girls.’

  ‘He must have scurried out by another door and instantly begun to spread rumours,’ said Beth, ‘so providing people with a motive for why you should want Mary dead. Yet he must have known you had an alibi and the children witnessed Mary’s murder?’

  ‘Aye,’ he rasped. ‘We have to start a counter-rumour, but must be prepared for him reacting by spreading another to counter ours—maybe that Tom and my children and the servants would cover up the crime because they are in my power.’

  Fear trickled down her spine. ‘People can be so easily convinced that a falsehood is truth if it is repeated often enough. We must catch him before he can react,’ she said swiftly.

  Gawain said, ‘You must not worry for yours and the child’s sake.’ He kissed her tenderly. ‘I have set Sam to watch him. I will know where he goes this day.’

  ‘Good. I have one more question. Where are the children?’

  ‘I wanted them in a safe place, so I took them to the convent of the order of St Clare at Aldgate. The chaplain to the Sisters is a kinsman of mine. He used to be a priest, but is now a Franciscan friar—he is licensed to perform the sacraments. He will marry us this day.’

  ‘Without banns?’

  ‘Aye.’ He chucked her under the chin.

  ‘He can be trusted?’

  ‘You doubt my judgement?’ said Gawain, raising an eyebrow. ‘Not all priests are corrupt and live in sin and luxury.’

  ‘Of course not! I have always admired the Franciscans for their way of life,’ she said.

  He released her at the sound of footsteps outside. ‘There are matters I must see to now, but I will return at dusk. Wear your prettiest gown and don’t forget a warm cloak and to pack extra clothing.’

  Gawain exchanged greetings with a couple of the men as they entered and slipped past them, hurrying down the yard. Beth prayed he would be careful and watch his back. After a few words with her employees, she hurried upstairs to speak to Jane. Her heart was aflutter at the thought that tonight would be her wedding night and that her child would bear Gawain’s name.

  Beth had been pacing the floor for the last half-hour. She felt as tense as a coiled spring despite her trust in Gawain to keep his word that they would wed that day. She had told the men to go early and soon it would be dusk. Jane was sitting in front of the fire, stirring a pan of pottage, her eye half on the hound. Both women knew that he would alert them to any visitors, welcome or not.

  ‘You will be all right here?’ asked Beth.

  ‘I’ll be fine, Mistress Beth. I just wish I could come with you and see you wed,’ said Jane, sniffing back a tear.

  ‘We shall see what Sir Gawain has to say when he arrives,’ said Beth.

  Not for one moment had she considered keeping the truth from Jane, knowing that she would support her in whatever way was needful. The maid had helped Beth into a gown of saffron linsey-woolsey with a low square neckline, trimmed with lace. The removable sleeves were full and attached at the elbow with ribbons.

  There were also ribbons in her chestnut hair that she had left loose. She was wearing stout boots because she did not want her fine leather shoes spoil
t if she went and stepped in something nasty in the dark, so she had placed the latter in a drawstring cloth bag. She also had a blade in a leather sheath attached to her belt from which also hung her purse. Her hooded thick winter cloak was ready at hand for her to snatch up the moment Gawain came for her.

  Suddenly Cerberus’s head shot up and he stood up and whined. Instantly Jane removed the pot from the fire and looked at her mistress. Beth picked up her cloak with a hand that quivered and wrapped it around her. She told Jane to wait at the top of the stairs. Then she hurried downstairs with the dog at her heels. ‘Who is there?’ she called.

  ‘It is I, Gawain.’

  Hastily Beth opened the door to his shadowy cloaked figure and instantly Cerberus pushed past her and went out into the yard. Gawain smiled at her. ‘I am glad to see that you are ready.’

  ‘Aye, but Jane wishes to come. Is that acceptable to you?’

  ‘Of course she can come,’ said Gawain. ‘Benjamin is also accompanying us.’

  Beth called up to Jane, who instantly seized her cloak and came running down the stairs. The three of them stepped outside and Jane made a grab for Cerberus’s collar, but the hound dodged her. ‘Bad dog,’ scolded Jane. ‘You must go back inside.’

  ‘Leave him be, Jane,’ murmured Beth. ‘Is he not my guard dog?’

  ‘Indeed, he is,’ said Gawain. ‘Let him come with us.’

  Beth drew her cloak tightly about her against the cold wind. Gawain took her hand and drew it through his arm. ‘Benjamin, you have your orders.’

  Benjamin slipped away and the hound followed him. Jane clutched her mistress’s cloak. ‘Don’t want to lose you in the darkness,’ she whispered.

  ‘Just let us not draw attention to ourselves,’ murmured Gawain. ‘Don’t talk unless it is needful.’

  So they did not speak as they made their way through the dark narrow streets. Beth was aware of the sound their footsteps and their breathing, as well of the hound growling in his throat every now and then when close by there came a slithering or a scurrying of feet. Several times she was tempted to glance over her shoulder, knowing there was always the chance of attack by footpads if one was out after dusk. She was glad of Gawain’s muscular arm beneath her fingers and remembered that time in France when she had been tense with nerves and shock and depended on the strength of this man to protect her. She thought of her father and hoped he could see her from heaven and be pleased that she was marrying the man to whom he had entrusted her future.