Checkmate - Dorothy Dunnett [44]
Even to Marthe, born of guile, the honesty of that severe, painted brown gaze must have been palpable. She said, ‘It’s true? You have no interest in him? But everyone either abominates Francis Crawford or longs to possess him. I wonder why you alone should be immune. And if you are … Why are you wasting your life in this tedious search for our parentage?’
Philippa released the bandaged arm. ‘Madame la Maréchale also diagnosed it,’ she said, ‘as a case of Irene and the Emperor Leo. But it’s very much simpler and duller. Mr Crawford’s family think his proper place is at home in Scotland. I agree with them. And while his birth is in doubt, he won’t go there.’
‘I didn’t suspect him,’ said Marthe, ‘of such childishness.’ She no longer looked contemptuous; only thoughtful. ‘Then for yourself, you do want to remarry?’
‘Well, I should prefer not to remain a lifelong spinster,’ said Philippa tartly. ‘But as I said before, I am in no great hurry. Mr Crawford is. There is literally nothing he will not do to have his marriage dissolved, as you notice.’
‘It seems a pity,’ said Lymond’s step-sister. ‘So far as I can see, this marriage should be as convenient for him as any other. Why break it? He can find elsewhere all the pleasures he wants: I take it you wouldn’t grudge them to him? Or does lack of love not exclude jealousy?’
Cornered, Philippa considered her answer. One could remain silent. One could claim, without truth, to be jealous. One did not say, to Marthe or anybody, that since one was a schoolgirl of ten, one had watched the deepening bond between Francis Crawford and one’s mother.
‘Would you have married M. Gaultier?’ said Philippa shortly.
*
By the time Lymond came back, alone, she had completed her search of the panelling and had spread her chief discoveries on a long coffer cleared for her by Marthe, her self-possession once more in evidence. It was, appropriately, a wedding chest, chastely painted with garlands, cupids and large-nosed persons engaged in prenuptial activities of unlikely but harmless intention.
Lymond heeled the door shut and stood watching her.
Marthe straightened, her arms full of silver. ‘Where is Jerott?’
‘Where hast thou hung the carlish knight? And where bestow’d his head? Drunk as a wheelbarrow,’ said Lymond. ‘I thought you would approve. And it’s ever so much kinder than handcuffs. What have you discovered?’
Before Philippa could answer: ‘You will find him on your doorstep tomorrow,’ Marthe said. ‘Begging to be re-admitted to the great corps of St Mary’s.’
‘As the gentleman said, Though you were not roasted, madam, it was a pity you had not been a little scorched,’ Lymond remarked. ‘He has asked me already. I have told him that he may join me, on condition that he brings you along with him. I see no reason why your inconvenient responsibilities should fall on my shoulders. What have you found?’
With regret, ‘Almost nothing,’ Philippa said. ‘Again. Some of the books you might expect. A few drug pots and nasty packages. Some horoscopes of well-known nonentities. All the signs of the Zodiac. If you’re the first of November, you’re Scorpio. A large reporter of his owne Acts. Prudent of behaviour in owne affairs. A lover of Quarrels and theevery, a promoter of frayes and commotions. As wavery as the wind; neither fearing God or caring for Man.’
‘Better,’ said Lymond coldly, ‘to be stung by a nettle than pricked by a rose. What does your panegyric say?’
‘I’m not going to tell you,’ said Philippa. ‘But although the horoscopes are mostly missing, she kept a ledger of subjects and birth dates. You and Marthe are both in it.’
‘Well?’ said Lymond. ‘New gripes of dread then pierce our trembling breasts. Tares or wheat?’
‘No information at all except birthdates. You and Marthe aren’t twins. She was born in ‘24, two years before you. But there’s no sign of a surname for her.’
It was obvious that he did not care. But he said, ‘And no clue therefore to Marthe’s parents, or the Dame de Doubtance’s family?’
‘None,’ said Philippa. ‘There was a nephew of the Lady’s called Cholet, but