Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [160]
‘You gave it him?’ the King said. A great flush had spread over his face.
‘Master Simpson gave it to him,’ said Adorne. He looked at the kneeling man, who slowly rose. ‘He hoped to remove both my lord’s brothers and their friends, as well as myself, the King’s servant. There would remain David Simpson, spokesman for a Bishop, and the King’s sole close adviser.’
There was a silence. John of Mar had stepped to the floor and rolled over. He then attempted to walk. Adorne continued in the same civilised voice. ‘His sight is blurred and his senses distorted: he does not know what is real. It is dangerous. He should be watched until he recovers.’
The King said, ‘This drug is known in your family?’ His voice was strained.
‘It is found in convents, your grace. A member of my Genoese kindred so used it, when she resorted to perpetual fasts and became a religious visionary, in response to her husband’s philandering. It has no bearing on this, except that it suggested a drug and a trick that would implicate me. I must say again: my lord of Albany is quite innocent of plotting against you, and so are de Fleury and myself. The plot is Simpson’s alone.’
‘So you say,’ said the King. ‘We find it difficult to imagine why. And what of the pendulum? What was this fateful message that the pendulum was supposed to deliver? What of that?’
Nicholas answered. ‘It was meaningless, sire. The so-called magic was just Simpson’s device to fill time until the drug took effect. Then he could denounce his personal enemies as poisoners. My lord of Cortachy and his family. Others who had offended him in Egypt. My wife and myself.’ His attention, Tobie saw, was half on the door. Someone had gone to call up the Guard.
‘He accused my brother,’ said the King. He searched behind him, and finding his gown, dragged it on over his shirt. Then he strode to the steps and set foot on them. Albany moved away from the throne. James said, ‘Was this what you wanted? Perhaps Simpson wanted his enemies dead, but perhaps you did as well? With your King gone, you would never need to wait for orders from me. Then you could challenge your counterpart Gloucester as much as you like, and waste the country’s strength in picking fights with those allies you don’t agree with.’ He was shaking.
‘No,’ said Albany. ‘Yes, I enjoy fighting and you don’t. Yes, I want to fight. No, I didn’t plan to kill you. Can’t you understand? Can’t you understand what we’re telling you?’
Nicholas suddenly moved. Tobie saw that the royal Archers had come and were thrusting through the door, no doubt expecting some band of assassins. He discerned, among the silvery helms, the determined fair face of Henry. Then he saw Andro Wodman attempting to enter and being stopped. The Conservator made a single, violent sign towards Nicholas, who started towards him and found his arms pinned at his back.
The King said, ‘Not yet, sir. No one leaves yet.’ Henry, sword in hand, had noticed Nicholas, and Gelis behind him. His face changed. His captain, looking about, also came to a halt.
William Scheves said, ‘We are glad you have come. No one is armed, apart from Simon Preston’s own men. A circumstance has arisen which needs resolving, and until that is done, his grace would prefer that no one leave the castle. By your leave, my lord?’
It was bold, for Scheves himself was still under suspicion. He stood, as he had throughout, on the ascent to the dais, although he had descended two steps so that the King, sitting abruptly, was still his superior. Without his ceremonial robes, Will Scheves of the pleasant long face and round shoulders had reverted to a different, well-practised authority: that of the efficient physician-dispenser, the well-read natural statesman who had long served the King. The King looked at him for a space, and then nodded.
Nicholas bit his lip. David Simpson, by the King’s vacated chair, bent and straightened, causing a threatening