Leo watched quizzically. ‘Gone,’ he declared.
Yes, she thought, but he was dominating her again, and would soon be in her body again. Her feelings were so mixed and troubled that she honestly did not know in which one to have complete faith.
And now she had to go to St Andrew’s, to learn what Tal had to say. The apprehension she had lost on entering this house was suddenly found again, with such awful clarity that it was like an icy hand clutching at her stomach. And yet, what could possibly be wrong?
Chapter Twenty-Two
The clatter of the royal departure had barely faded when Tom escorted Cicely along Hallows Lane towards St Andrew’s. She was hooded, cloaked, almost to being shrouded, but beneath it, her composure was in tatters. Being with Henry again had brought back all the uncertainty, unwanted feelings … and guilt.
They reached the church, to find it locked, with a guard who had instructions to admit only her. Oddly, he put a finger to his lips and opened the door as softly as he could.
Tom was suspicious, and without warning grabbed the man by the throat. ‘What is going on?’
‘Please, sir! I act for the lady’s cousin!’
Cicely’s heart leapt. Jack? But then alarm set in. Or … might it be Edmund again?
Tom was not easily convinced. ‘Describe him.’
‘Dark-haired, dark-eyed, and—’
When Cicely nodded, Tom released the man, who immediately rubbed his throat. But he managed to speak. ‘I am to admit you as quietly as possible, my lady. That is all. He paid me well to disobey my original orders.’
‘Original orders?’
‘To make a great noise about closing the door behind you, my lady.’
‘Who ordered you to do that?’ she asked.
‘I do not know his name. In his fifties, very active. He wears a crucifix and a wheel of St Catherine.’
Tal! But why would Jack countermand Tal’s order? She looked anxiously at Tom, who nodded reassuringly. ‘I will wait here, my lady. You need only call me.’ He patted the dagger on his belt.
She turned to the guard again. ‘Is my cousin inside?’
‘I believe so. I … do not really know. He only told me what to do and paid me to do it. And now, I am not staying around to be punished by either or both!’ Without warning he dashed away, disappearing across the cobbles towards Puddle Dock Hill.
Cicely looked at Tom. ‘What should I do?’
‘Who do you trust most, my lady? The man named Tal, or your cousin?’
‘My cousin,’ she replied without hesitation.
‘Then I will make sure no one hears the door close behind you.’
She stepped in, and Tom pulled the door so softly that she was hardly sure herself if he did it. But the daylight was shut off as well, and she was in the dim, echoing silence. The smell of incense, beeswax candles and old stonework was soothing, but there did not seem to be anyone about, let alone Jack or Tal. There was some daylight, finding its cold, pale way through stained-glass windows, and glimmering on the altar, candlesticks and costly vessels.
She was on the point of returning to Tom, when Jack emerged from behind a column close to the newly built sacristy on the north side of the altar. His eyes were bright with warning as he tapped a finger to his lips, and then beckoned. When she reached him, he caught her hand, pulled her into the shadows, and there embraced her tightly.
‘Oh, sweetheart, I was afraid you would not come after all,’ he whispered.
She whispered too. ‘But … I am to meet Tal.’
‘I know.’ He nodded towards the sacristy. It was unusual for a church to have such a thing, for they were usually the domain of cathedrals and abbeys. The door was closed upon whatever was inside, but she became aware of the low murmur of male voices.
‘Who is in there?’ she breathed.
‘Tal and Pasmer, but they have not begun yet because they still await Henry’s French secretary, Étienne Fryon, who will arrive by the sacristy’s outer door.’
‘Fryon? But—’
‘He is our spy. Well, our aunt, Margaret of Burgundy’s spy.’ Jack glanced at the sacristy door. ‘Tal hoped his business with them would be over and done with long before now, so he could meet you. He must be hoping you will be very late indeed. I am glad his timing has been ruined, because it gives me the chance to speak to you first. Now we can both listen when Fryon finally condescends to turn up. It is far better that you hear everything yourself, not have it relayed by me.’ He searched her face. ‘What is wrong? Has something happened?’
‘I have not recovered from the shock of Henry coming to Hallows Lane.’
He gazed at her. ‘Henry? You did not expect him?’
‘Certainly not. He told Bess he wished to come but she saw fit not to mention it. He found out she had already left, and was not best pleased when he arrived. They do hate each other so. However …’ She raised her hand to show him the emerald. ‘I am to be back in the fold.’
‘We will speak of it later. For the moment, I wish you to be strong, and not make a sound when I tell you something.’ He put a hand over her mouth. ‘Sweetheart, I fear Leo may be in danger of abduction.’
Her eyes widened, and he kissed her forehead to lessen the harshness. Only then, when he knew she would be quiet, did he take his hand away. ‘You may have to send Leo away, somewhere Tal is not to learn about. Somewhere Tom Kymbe can see he is safe, but not Friskney. You do trust Tom?’
‘Yes. Completely.’
‘And me?’
‘Do you really need to ask that?’
He smiled, and bent to kiss her on the lips, but then they heard the muffled sound of a door opening and closing in the sacristy. The voices of Tal and Pasmer became louder, clearly annoyed with the tardy Frenchman, who protested in return.
As they argued, Jack manoeuvred Cicely closer. ‘Be ready to get into the shadows again as quickly as possible. Do you understand? If Tal realizes his plan is known—if plan it is—he may take Leo before Tom can get the boy away.’
The voices became clearer, and were not guarded, because it was believed the porch door’s closing would be easily heard. John Pasmer was indignant, not with Fryon, but with Tal. Clearly there had been an earlier disagreement.
‘And you refuse to say who it is?’
Tal answered. ‘Because I do not know! God above, sir, how can I tell you what is as much a mystery to me? Someone tried to poison Tudor, and came close to success.’
‘Please, Maître Pasmer, Sir ’Umphrey is right, the poisoner—God smile upon ’im—is not from among our ranks.’ Fryon’s voice was low-pitched and heavily accented.
Pasmer responded. ‘What does it matter now? Whoever it is has failed. And Sir Humphrey says he has now received all the irrefutable evidence of the Breton matter. We have to act upon it, unless, of course, you wish to withdraw?’
Fryon was offended. ‘Mais non! I resent the suggestion that I would be’ave in such a way!’
Tal, who had evidently been seated, got up, his chair scraping. ‘I am quite prepared to proceed, but I also reserve the right to act on my own if necessary. We must be decisive, and make certain there is no swift attempt to crown Arthur in his father’s stead.’
‘You are certain of these facts from Brittany, Sir Humphrey?’ Pasmer asked.
‘Oh, yes. History is about to repeat itself, this time at Tudor’s expense. I have all the documentation, statements, everything. We can now be sure of plucking both him and his spawn.’
Jack whispered, ‘I have not seen it, but Tal says it is all we need.’
The Frenchman spoke again. ‘You ’ave the notices ready, Sir ’Umphrey?’
‘Yes, more than enough. Every church in London will have one fixed to its door, and so will the most important in the rest of the realm.’
‘Where do you keep them? Somewhere truly secret, I trust?’
‘Here, together with all the documentation. You know the place, and I alone have both the key and the secret of how to open it up.’
>
Pasmer was on edge. ‘What of money? You seem to think we have enough, Sir Humphrey, but I am not so sanguine. I am only prepared to donate what I have agreed all along, not a farthing more.’
‘Do not fret, merchant, for I have something I intend to sell, a solid gold chalice, Saxon, set with pearls, diamonds and a large, rare sapphire. It is very old and valuable, and will bring goodly funds. So do not fear I intend to impose upon your poor, thin purse.’
Pasmer shuffled. ‘And you swear upon all the angels that Lord Lincoln has survived after all?’
‘You can count upon it, but he is hardly going to broadcast his whereabouts. He lies low, and advisedly so.’
Fryon spoke quietly. ‘I think maybe it is time I tell you there is a new ’ope in Burgundy. Someone ’oo may be senior to Lord Lincoln.’
Stunned silence followed, before Tal answered. ‘And the name of this new ’ope?’
There was a note in his voice, something small but telling to Cicely. She remembered he had spoken to Francis in Calais, and Burgundy had been mentioned. ‘There are whispers that do not amount to rumours, if you understand what I mean. An atmosphere.’ He had clearly said the same to Jack, who was not surprised by the course the conversation was taking.
‘Well, I already know of the “impression”, Master Fryon,’ Tal proceeded. ‘It is something and nothing, as even my contact, who is constantly at court in Bruges, has told me. With all due respect, I prefer something more tangible.’
Fryon was a little disgruntled. ‘Well, to me it was a strong impression, gained when last I was in Bruges.’
‘And may I ask why you were there? On Henry’s business, perchance? You being his French secretary and spy?’
‘I spy against ’im, not for ’im. The duchess is my true mistress, as you know well, Sir ’Umphrey. I make no secret of it to you. Do not suggest that I am an enemy in your midst, for I am not.’
Pasmer was anxious to soothe the suddenly troubled waters. ‘Please, gentlemen, do not let us fall out.’
Tal spoke deliberately into the ensuing silence. ‘Well, I for one do not care what “news” there may be from Burgundy, even if it concerns the sons of King Edward IV, because I regard all of his children to be illegitimate. There is still Warwick, of course, but his cause has been irreparably damaged by calling himself Lambert Simnel, and further by the rout at Stoke Field. He no longer acknow-ledges his lineage anyway. He prefers to be the sow’s ear to the silk purse. To me, Richard III’s was the only true claim after Edward’s death, and therefore it is his line to which I still owe my entire allegiance.’
Cicely felt as cold as ice, and sensed the shock of Pasmer and Fryon. Pasmer became mystified. ‘But Richard’s direct male line ends with John of Gloucester, who is illegitimate and rendered half-witted by Tudor. Richard wished the Earl of Lincoln to be his heir.’
‘Gentlemen, Richard left another legitimate son. The only problem is that he is as yet a very small child, little more than a babe.’
Pasmer was confounded. ‘Let us be clear here, Sir Humphrey. It is your intention to rid the land of Tudor and his issue, not in support of Jack de la Pole, but to put an as yet unnamed child on the throne instead? And you expect our entire organization to support this anonymous candidate? Give money for him? Raise men for him? Risk lives? Sir, many feel they risk enough if it were to be for Lord Lincoln, but for an anonymous infant—?’ The skinner’s dismay was palpable. ‘And you think Lord Lincoln will stand idly by and let this happen?’
‘Yes, Pasmer, because he accepts that his own claim is inferior. Inferior. Do you understand?’
Now Fryon expressed annoyance. ‘You knew of such a boy, Sir ’Umphrey, and ’ave not said anything until now? How can we be sure ’e is as legitimate as you say?’
Pasmer had been thinking. ‘Sir Humphrey, are you saying that King Richard married again in the short time between Queen Anne’s death and his own? That is impossible!’
‘Just as Edward IV promised marriage to my sister, and then turned it into full marriage by bedding her, Richard promised marriage to this boy’s mother. And left flesh-and-blood proof that he had bedded her as well.’
Cicely listened in dismay. Tal was ignoring everything she had begged of him.
Fryon was astonished. ‘And Lord Lincoln agrees with this?’
‘Yes.’
She looked at Jack, who met her gaze apologetically. ‘Yes, sweetheart, I do. Being Lord Protector is what I seek now. Only for Leo will I stand aside.’
‘Why will you not identify this boy?’ Pasmer asked curiously.
‘Because very few know of his existence and that is how it should remain for as long as possible, to protect him from Tudor, and because I wish to convince his mother that putting him on the throne is the only honourable course to take. Never underestimate a mother in defence of her child. She fears for his safety, and would shield him, but he is not hers, he is England’s. Yet I respect her, and if she can be persuaded to this course, I will feel a lot better.’
‘Sir ’Umphrey, why not take the boy from ’er and proceed anyway?’ Fryon suggested pragmatically.
‘That would be a last resort.’
‘Which you ’ave thought of already.’
‘Yes.’
Jack closed his eyes. ‘So I did not misunderstand,’ he breathed.
Cicely was devastated. If she would not give her permission, Tal intended to kidnap Leo!
Jack pulled her closer. ‘We can confound him, sweetheart, by removing Leo before Tal knows anything.’
‘I knew I should not trust him!’ she whispered vehemently.
‘Do not misjudge him. His loyalty to Richard is a match for mine, mayhap even for yours. He honestly and truly believes your son by Richard should be the next king. He has convinced himself about the boy’s legitimacy, and … I am convinced as well.’
‘Oh, Jack—’
He put a finger to his lips again, because Pasmer spoke. ‘It seems so improbable that Richard took a second wife without anyone knowing. Who might she be, mm? There were rumours at Nottingham, concerning the present queen. But that cannot be. She could not have hidden such a secret while anticipating marriage to Henry, but her sister, Lady Cicely, was with child, and present in Nottingham at the relevant time. Jesu, Sir Humphrey, you promote a child born of incest!’
Tal abandoned all pretence. ‘Marriage between uncle and niece is not unheard of, dispensation can be granted. And this uncle and niece were virtual strangers before 1484. Richard was free, and so was she. Marriage was offered and the boy was born. Can you imagine anyone more Yorkist? Richard as his father, Edward as his grandfather and uncle, and Edward’s daughter as his mother?’
‘But—’
‘Enough!’ Tal snapped the word. ‘You are both to hold your tongues until I have been able to clear certain matters.’
Cicely was so upset that she wept silently, and Jack led her quietly towards the porch, which he opened with great care. The ring handle did not squeak, nor did the hinges groan as they went out to find Tom waiting.
Tom was dismayed to see her tears, and Jack had to catch his attention. ‘Tom Kymbe, do you serve any other, apart from Lord and Lady Welles?’
‘No, sir. I serve them alone.’ Tom was clearly disturbed by Cicely’s distress.
‘Something has arisen that requires your loyalty and silence.’
‘I have ample of both, my lord.’
‘I know.’ Jack nodded, and then drew Tom a little aside. ‘My lady has yet to keep her appointment here, because we have had to listen in upon a very private conversation indeed. Now, as soon as you return my lady to Hallows Lane, I want you to prepare to leave immediately, taking Leo with you.’
‘For Friskney?’
‘No, not anywhere that is known. Do you have any trusted relatives who live elsewhere in the land?’
‘Trusted? My cousin, Roger Kymbe, on the Isle of Wight. I lived with him until my father died and I returned to Friskney.’
Cice
ly was anxious. ‘No! My mother’s brother, Sir Edward Woodville, is now Henry’s loyal man and has been appointed governor and Lord of Wight.’
Jack was reassuring. ‘Woodville will not know anything, sweetheart.’ He looked at Tom again. ‘You really have faith in this cousin?’
‘I would trust him with my life.’
‘What are his circumstances?’
‘He prospers, and has a small fishing fleet at Fishbourne, on a creek on the north coast of the island. His family is large, but literate, his children having all been educated by a monk from Quarr monastery.’
‘That is satisfactory to me. I want you to take Leo to him, and then you must return to your responsibilities at Friskney.’
‘You … want Leo to go to my cousin, and be left there?’ Tom was shaken.
‘You will be provided with ample money for Roger’s trouble, but Leo must be taken from London, because he is in real danger of being kidnapped. Do not tell anyone where you are going.’
‘Very well, my lord.’ Unasked questions fought on Tom’s lips, but he did not voice any of them.
Cicely spoke at last. ‘If Mistress Kymbe desires to go with you, please take her, for I know how attached she is to Leo, but I know she finds travelling difficult. She is welcome to stay at Pasmer’s Place with Mary for as long as she cares to, but if she wishes to return to Friskney, I will see that she is taken there in all leisure and comfort. But it is vital that Leo’s whereabouts are not known to anyone else. Tom, I realize that he has become your son as well. You have brought him up as yours, you and Mistress Kymbe, and here I am, desiring you to give him up.’
‘No, my lady, you order me to keep him safe, and that has always been my concern.’
‘My child and I have so much to thank you for, Tom.’
‘I will always do anything for you, my lady. Please know that.’
Their eyes met, and she saw that his were written with his love. How could she have failed to realize before? He looked away quickly, knowing he had given himself away, not only to her, but to Jack as well.
Jack smiled. ‘Kymbe, I do not think there is anything either of us would not do for Lady Cicely.’
It was said with kindness, and he and Tom looked at each other for a long moment. An understanding moment.
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