Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [169]
The bastard, indeed. There was nothing to be done.
‘And Berecrofts?’ Nicholas said. It was not yet time to be human, but he could legitimately ask, and sustain the answer, and get Tobie to help him, very soon.
‘Ah, Berecrofts,’ Kilmirren said. ‘Our crippled friend Robin of Berecrofts deceived us all. A condition of helplessness is, of course, disarming, but sometimes deceptive. The young man tricked his family and actually ensured that he would be taken to Beltrees. He left a message for Andro.’
‘Why?’ Henry said.
‘He felt Master David here threatened his family. I am not sure I agree. I have always believed a sustained plan to be beyond our dear David. However. He guessed that David dreamed of confronting de Fleury, and was willing to assume the position of hostage.’
Wodman said, ‘It was quite a sacrifice.’ He was looking at Jordan de St Pol.
‘Oh, his chances were better than you might suppose,’ the fat man said. ‘Which reminds me. This interview, so far as it has gone, represents one generous undertaking I have given: that David could remain, as he has done, to confront de Fleury in person, and even to fight him, without hindrance, if that was his choice.’
‘I don’t remember agreeing,’ said Wodman. ‘Or Nicholas.’
‘How strange,’ said the fat man. ‘Perhaps this was because your agreement was not deemed to be necessary. David? I offer you justification, or single combat with this—what shall I call him?’
‘Knight?’ said Wodman.
‘Of course. Of the Unicorn. A curious order of horse. David? What do you choose?’
‘To fight,’ David said. Justification meant execution under the law. His delicate features were set.
‘With what weapon, if any?’
‘With one dagger each. There is a pair over there.’
There was a slender box on the same table that Wodman had stood behind. If Nicholas and Simpson were going to fight, the centre of the room would have to be cleared. Nicholas slowly rose. He had not yet agreed; but as the old man had pointed out, agreement was not necessary, any more than victory was sure to be recognised. Outside the door were Kilmirren men, and inside were St Pol and his grandson. This was a duel which neither antagonist might win.
Simpson was smiling at Nicholas. He said, ‘Supposedly so brilliant, my dear; yet you could not foresee this? Shall we choose our weapons together?’ He had kicked off his soft boots and risen, collected and lithe in the long hose and white shirt and russet tunic. His feathered brows above his dark eyes were raised in amusement, but there was no colour in his fine skin.
Nicholas said, ‘If you had taken ship, you would be free.’ The windows, now, were as bright as the candles. Wodman, with a glance at the old man, had begun to lift away stools and coffers. After a moment, Henry helped him. Henry, too, was keeping an uneasy eye on his grandfather.
David Simpson said, ‘Free for what?’ He paused and added, ‘I became very tired with some of the things that you did, you and your friends. You should have listened to me. I could have told you something worth hearing.’
‘Surely not,’ Nicholas said. It was unwise, he knew. The more he heard, the less likely he was to survive. Suddenly, he realised that this was why David was talking.
David said, ‘What would you like me to tell you? About your birth? You are a bastard. About this embittered old patriarch who set us all to spy on his family? St Pol will kill you if I don’t. But before he does, ask him about his dead wife and the old woman, Bel. Or ask Andro Wodman what it is he isn’t telling you.’
They had arrived at the table. Jordan de St Pol stood behind it, with his ringed hands on the box. Nicholas recognised one of the rings. He bore the mark of it on one cheek.
Nicholas turned to David Simpson. He said, ‘If you know me, you know that none of these things matter.’ He was not really addressing David Simpson. He was speaking to Henry.
Simpson said,