Disorderly Knights - Dorothy Dunnett [248]
‘To plot with you against Gabriel?’ said Richard. ‘You can do that without me.’
But Sybilla had risen, and although still very pale, had crossed to where Lymond stood. ‘We reserve judgement,’ she said. ‘But the facts about Joleta are a little in your favour; and we know your trouble about Richard’s honest face. On the other hand, I am a great dissembler. You couldn’t have a little conference with me?’ And as Lymond shook his head, she sighed. ‘In that case, I shall wait until tomorrow. I shall come to Boghall, Francis; and Richard will ride with me, if necessary roped by the heels.’
He was fleetingly amused, but left at once, after the briefest of leave-taking. It was then that Sybilla began to shake, and Richard, cursing with extraordinary vigour, lifted her gently from her chair and holding her tightly, took her to her room.
*
The next day, drawn by heaven knew what premonition, Gabriel returned from Falkland to St Mary’s. The warmth of his welcome, as ever, brought light to his face and, his hand on Jerott’s shoulder, he heard in silence the full story of Thompson’s illicit voyage and the hounding of the Magdalena by the pirate Logan. His dark face blazing at the recollection, Jerott said, ‘Thompson was magnificent. If the Irish boats hadn’t encircled us, to finish with, we would have got free without fighting at all. As it was we did escape in the end, although he lost his guns. We may not have had much of a voyage, but by God, it gave them all a taste of the sea. They want to go back. Randy Bell says he’s going to become the first medical corsair.’
‘I saw him,’ said Gabriel. His smile, as clear as always, had still something a little tired and a little anxious in it; and Jerott was reminded that of course, from authority’s point of view, the incident had been damaging to St Mary’s. His thoughts must have been transparent, for Gabriel said, ‘The Queen Dowager is concerned about how we behave. She will learn, if we are careful, that we are to be trusted.… Where are the others who were with you? Where is Francis?’
Jerott grinned. ‘We thought a little judicious dispersal might be a good thing, in case we were visited with any official complaints. As the respectable member of the sea-going party, I stay to rattle my rosary in their faces. Lymond.…’ He paused. ‘He should be here tonight. He sent word that he meant to call at Midculter on the way.’
‘To see Joleta?’ Graham Malett’s face, suddenly, was cloudless. ‘Then he is safe. The child will help him. He would let me do nothing at Falkland.’
‘Was it unpleasant?’
‘We have been given an ultimatum. No more slackness, no indiscipline, no brawling for a month, and Francis will have the opportunity of his life: to lead St Mary’s in a great expeditionary force to France.’ He was silent for a moment, and then said, ‘It was unpleasant, for he is not humble, and he would admit to nothing; and the Irishman Cormac O’Connor, whom the Queen Dowager respects, quarrelled with him in public.… That must be resolved. In the meantime.…’ He broke off. ‘He did go to Midculter?’
Jerott was not, by then, the only one within earshot. There was a shadow of uneasiness, no more, in the big room. They were all aware of the rumour that Lymond was not permitted in his own home any more. Jerott said, after a pause, ‘Possibly to see his mother. He may not spend much time with Joleta.’
‘But he will hear news of her,’ said Gabriel. ‘If I’d known.… It doesn’t matter.’
‘What?’ said Jerott quietly.
‘Oh, I might have asked him to bring her back. There is so much to do … and we must have no trouble. I have to stay. What I am trying to say, so incoherently,’ said Gabriel, smiling, ‘is only that I haven’t seen Joleta for a month. I miss her.’
‘But that’s simple,’ said Jerott. ‘I’ll fetch her for you. Now.’ And disregarding loftily all Graham Malett’s protestations,