Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [300]
By the third day of June, King Edward had covered a quarter of the distance to Scotland, arriving with his royal protégé in Northamptonshire, where he was joined at the old family castle of Fotheringhay by his brother Dickon of Gloucester, newly back from a probing raid into western Scotland. Thirty years ago, Dickon had been born here at Fotheringhay. Over three hundred years ago, David of Scotland had owned the castle and all the lands round it. Now, in freshly built rooms, three men drew up a treaty; and King Edward went home. Nine days later, the army resumed its march north under the supreme command of Richard of Gloucester; and by the eighteenth of June, it had arrived at its half-way encampment at York, ready to join its northern contingent.
By then, news of its advance had been carried to Scotland, and the King was immediately told. Neither the public nor the King was informed of the possible implication of Albany. Edinburgh glittered with steel, and Julius hammered on Robin of Berecrofts’s door.
The door was jerked open, not by a servant, but by Nicholas, breathing quickly. Behind him, Robin’s voice died. Julius said, ‘I heard you were here. I have to speak to you, alone.’
The voice behind resumed calling. ‘Really? Can’t you trust even cripples, these days? Take him away, Julius. I expect they’re going to carry me off with the children in any case.’
Nicholas said, ‘He’s drunk. I’m sorry. You’ll have to come in. How bad is it?’
Julius said, ‘Too bad to risk having it known.’ Robin was shouting again.
Nicholas said, ‘I can’t leave him. Come in. It’s what he needs, to know that he’s trusted.’
Julius said, ‘You don’t know what you’re risking.’ He was mortified. Robin and Moriz and John never stopped talking of war. Now it had come, he didn’t see why Berecrofts couldn’t pretend to behave like a man.
Nicholas looked fed up as well, and sounded it when he turned back to Robin. ‘Have you stopped? Julius has come to us for help. It’s a crisis. Do you want to hear, or would I be better off with the bloody children?’
It seemed a bit harsh, but Robin’s voice stopped. Then he said, ‘My cup’s empty.’
‘So it is,’ Nicholas said. He jerked his head, and Julius followed him back into the house, closing doors. Robin looked terrible: his hair wet, his face rigid and white. He was sitting, propped up as usual, and Nicholas was refilling his cup. Nicholas said, without turning, ‘You’ve heard something?’
‘Liddell has heard something,’ Julius said. ‘He’s asked me to pass it to you.’
He saw Robin’s eyes open, and Nicholas himself turned slowly, nursing the flask. He said, ‘He’s realised what you’re doing?’
‘No,’ said Julius. ‘But he trusts me to be discreet. Albany is over from France. The English did invite him, as Kathi heard in the booths, and now he’s marching with Gloucester. He’s asked Liddell to give you a message.’
Robin’s eyes were fixed on Nicholas, and Nicholas glanced down. Then he sat. ‘What?’
‘Albany wants to see you,’ said Julius. ‘In York. He’s told Gloucester how you helped him in Dunbar. Gloucester wants information. What the garrisons are. What support Sandy can expect. How to get rid of the King.’
Robin said, ‘I’m going to be sick.’
‘I think we all are,’ said Nicholas. He got a bowl and held it, helping Robin. He didn’t look as if his mind was on what he was doing. He said, ‘As we thought, then. England has invested in Sandy, but not just to help them take Berwick and one or two castles. He wants the throne, and they’ve promised to help him.’ He put the bowl down and gave Robin a towel and sat again.
Julius said, ‘According to Liddell, Sandy doesn’t know what he wants.’
‘Oh,’ said Nicholas.
Robin said, ‘No. No, Nicholas. Jamie Liddell and Sandy are both using you. Sandy can’t make up his mind, and Jamie thinks you will help him. Liddell wanted high office for Sandy, but not fratricide.’
‘A lot of people think the King has committed fratricide,’ Julius said. ‘Albany might get more support than you think. Or maybe you can persuade him to change his mind. He could get back all his old appointments