Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [184]
‘Why?’ said John le Grant. He had always got on well with Gelis van Borselen, ever since she came to the battlefield at Nancy three years ago, and especially since she got himself and Tobie and Robin into Bruges that God-awful night. In fact, his life had turned round since then. He had replaced Astorre and his company with another: with young Kathi and Robin; with Tobie and Clémence; with Adorne and Sersanders and Berecrofts, and best of all with the sea, and all the friends he had made there. He spent most of his time in Leith. He was best pleased, although he would not admit it, when Gelis and Nicholas were at the Leith house, working with him. The news of Sandy’s crass raid, and Nicholas’s even crasser involvement had roused him to fury: he had fulminated round Robin’s chair until even Kathi grew dizzy and told him to stop. And Nicholas wanted to see him.
‘Why?’
‘He’s dying, perhaps? Or he thinks I’m pining, and wants to send me a token of undying love? Or he just wants some fresh shirts. How would I know?’ asked Gelis. She sounded as caustic as ever, but looked edgy.
John said, ‘It’s all right. Give me something of Jodi’s. That’ll cheer him up.’
AT THE CASTLE, Nicholas wasn’t locked in, but there was a guard outside the door, half asleep. Inside, Liddell and Nicholas were gambling with the brat, young St Pol. Nicholas said in a welcoming way, ‘John. Did you bring any money?’
‘Some,’ said John cautiously. Liddell, a big, good-looking man, looked worn but reasonably cheerful; Nicholas looked bland. The brat, vivid and bright-eyed, looked triumphant.
‘He’s winning,’ said Nicholas, indicating St Pol with a nod. ‘But that won’t last long. Go on, then. Sit down. We need a fourth.’
John said, ‘Gelis thought you wanted some shirts washed.’
Nicholas looked surprised. He said, ‘Well, I could send her some, but they do them very well here. Little thistle stitched in the corner, and a crown on the tail. Is that all the money you have?’
‘No. But I need—’
‘Put it all out,’ said Nicholas. ‘I’ll write you a note. My God, who would have thought you so mean?’
‘He’s an Aberdonian,’ said Henry de St Pol quickly.
‘And you’ve just lost that round. So go on, what happened?’
The youth had been telling some story. He continued with it, glancing at John every now and then, and eventually forgetting him as the narrative rose to a crescendo and fell apart amid interruptions and arguments. It sounded normal, like anything you would hear round a garrison fire. The game ended and another began. When John left, eventually, it was dark and the youth Henry helped him down to the gateway. No one had mentioned guns.
He found his way to Gelis’s house, and she led him in and put him to bed. The next morning, he came down, holding a paper.
Gelis said, ‘It’s all right. I read it last night. He owes you two pounds, and you have to make some enquiries at Leith, while I find out when and how Sandy could have communicated with the family of Elizabeth Monypenny, wife of John Preston. How secure is that prison?’
‘It’s not a prison,’ John said. ‘They’ve just made Albany stay in his own apartments, and put a guard on the door. That is, if he escapes, in theory the King can tell the English Wardens how annoyed he is, and that he will bring him back as soon as possible.’ He paused. ‘I’d better get down to Leith.’
‘Yes, you had,’ Gelis said. ‘Where is John of Mar?’
‘Don’t ask,’ said John le Grant. ‘Just don’t ask.’
ALEXANDER, DUKE OF ALBANY, escaped, with the help of his excitable brother, just as soon as it dawned on him that he was not in course of receiving a rap on the knuckles, but was about to be incarcerated for some considerable time. In the guise of a grim, long-nosed woman, he rode out of the Castle with Johndie Mar and down to Leith, where a small boat waited to take him out to a larger.
As he had feared, at the last moment Johndie tried to come with him. Two of Sandy’s helpers stood on the shore, holding Johndie’s arms, while Sandy’s oarsmen pulled off and began to move for