Checkmate - Dorothy Dunnett [124]
‘Do you mean that anyone is?’ said Marthe coolly. ‘Perhaps he’ll take all his difficulties to Catherine d’Albon, but I shouldn’t count on it. How did Archie find out?’
There were some facts about Lymond that Adam was not prepared to betray to his sister.
‘By accident,’ said the artist briefly. ‘We know the kind of life Francis has led. Concussion also does curious things.’
‘These are the reasons a layman would give,’ Marthe said. ‘I think you should tell us what the prophet of Salon-de-Crau has diagnosed.’
Adam looked at Philippa, who had said nothing. ‘I can’t tell you Archie’s commentary,’ he said, ‘because it was frankly unrepeatable. But Nostradamus said, according to Archie, that the Gods sell the goods that they give us. We had been shown a fine instrument. But the bow could be overlong bent; the harp lose its voice if its strings were not loosened.’
‘I hope he said so in Francis’s hearing. Poor Archie,’ said Marthe. ‘Did he say what should be loosened? His morals?’
‘His further pronouncements,’ said Adam, his colour a little heightened, ‘were confined to lofty admonitions. Francis was to be encouraged to identify the source of his anxiety and assisted to deal with it. Archie, naturally enough, has not brought himself to ask the comte of Lymond and Sevigny what his worries are. He wouldn’t do it if God sent him his pardon. Nor would any of us.’
‘But of course, we know them, don’t we?’ said Marthe. ‘His family. His thwarted ambition in Russia. His frustration over his divorce. But you say that is to be settled.’
‘At Easter,’ said Philippa. ‘If … the war goes well.’ She sat flat-backed, her hair laced in a caul, and considered the matter, Adam thought, as if it had to do with the fate of a stud groom. ‘And once he has his freedom, of course, he will be able to leave for Russia if he wishes, singing the Hosanna. If he doesn’t wish, he will presumably marry Catherine d’Albon, which should have the effect of loosening somebody’s tension, if only Catherine d’Albon’s. The only remaining problem is the family one, which is precisely what I came to see Marthe about.’
Adam stood up. The fire had burnt low. The brilliant light in the uncomfortable room revealed traces of dust and of disrepair, eloquent of the crown’s somewhat niggardly hospitality as well as Marthe’s careless keeping. He said, ‘This is private to you and to Francis, but I agree with Jerott. He asked me to come here and put it to you. If you know anything that will help the rift between Sybilla and Francis, you must act on it.’
‘Do we?’ said Marthe to Philippa, her blue eyes shining, her hair a bright nimbus in the candlelight.
‘No,’ said Philippa flatly.
‘Then there is no need for Mr Blacklock, surely, to dine alone while we discuss it. You know my happy estate I take it, Mr Blacklock? The tactful term is cloud-fallen. It means begotten in unlawful bed, of free parents. How free is a matter to which Philippa has been devoting her spare time unstintedly. Stay and listen.’
Philippa said, ‘Adam has done enough for the Crawfords without supping off their dirty linen. I am going. I only want to pose you one question. Marthe, do you know, or does Adam, if an old lady from Flavy-le-Martel has been brought to see Mr Crawford?’
Marthe, her eyes narrowed, stared back at Philippa. But Adam answered at once. ‘Of course. You knew he was going there. You didn’t hear then, that he arrived and walked into an ambush? Someone had told the Spaniards he was coming. They took him to Ham, and he escaped shortly afterwards. The old lady, I’m afraid, died in the fighting. He has written you a note about it.’
The sealed paper was inside his pourpoint. He brought it out and laid it on the lap of Francis’s titular wife. She made no effort to open it. She said instead, ‘I didn’t know he was going there. He told me he was going to send for her.’
‘He did?’ said Adam incredulously. Then he paused and said, ‘Well, his letter may tell you more about it. He hopes, by the way, that Queen Mary will now agree to release you. If she does, I’m to take you to England.