Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [342]
Nicholas said, ‘He also gave one to me.’
‘But you started it. What got into you?’ Tobie said. ‘You know he’s an inquisitive idiot. Now he’s in the Floory Land, swearing to get his own back. You ought to see him. If you can’t see him, Moriz says he thinks he can calm him.’
Nicholas said, ‘I was upset. I’ll put it right when I get back. I was going to tell Gelis. I am about to be launched into the arena for another public calamity.’
‘Well, that was part of the scheme,’ Tobie said briskly. Behind the briskness, there was worry. ‘I assumed you would go, in due course, if you were in shape for it. A lot of people like Gelis and Robin and Abbot Archie have put in some hard work convincing the town what to do next. We’re lucky we’ve got Tom Yare and Wattie Bertram to deal with. Everyone knows everyone else, and they’ve argued it through with the Council.’ He broke off. ‘But you’re not going at once?’
‘In the morning.’ Nicholas was looking at Gelis. She returned the look with what she hoped was wry acceptance. Anything else would make it unbearable. She saw, with sudden misgiving, that Tobie’s agitation had grown. She tried to send him a message. Please, no. Leave it.
Tobie said, ‘And when will you be back? Nicholas, I don’t want to assail you with it just now, but you have just lost your son. Gelis and I know it, and Moriz. Are you going to leave Henry to be committed without you? Not only committed, but unclaimed?’
Cry mercy, Nicholas had said. But Tobie had rights as well. There was a space. Then Nicholas said, ‘All through last night, he was mine. The old man should have them both now.’
‘And Henry will be buried as Simon’s son?’ The pupils of Tobie’s eyes were sharp, and black, and fierce. ‘You know what else I am saying? Publish the proof that Henry is yours, and you also prove to the world who you are. It can’t harm anyone now. If your son was the image of Simon, then you must be Simon’s legitimate son.’
There was another silence. She could only imagine what answer Nicholas would choose. He said eventually, ‘No. If Henry is at peace, let his mother rest there as well. I am destroying the evidence.’
Tobie had paled. He said. ‘I have a copy. So has Moriz.’
Nicholas said, ‘You are my friend. I am not threatening you. I can only ask if you will do the same.’
Tobie said, ‘Dear God. Nicholas? Let me ask Moriz.’
‘I think you will find,’ Nicholas said, ‘that Moriz will agree. But ask him. I have to go very soon.’
His voice was flat. Tobie said, ‘What doctoring have you had since the river? Let me look.’
Few had the courage to refuse Tobie that kind of demand. Nicholas submitted, and when it was over, Tobie left, taking Gelis. Despite himself, Nicholas held her for a long time, silently, at the door, before he relinquished her finally. When he returned to his chair, he found it beyond him to sit down, whether with studied ease or without. But that passed.
He was to establish himself at the commandeered Priory at Haddington tomorrow, but did not expect to stay long. He had not seen his son Jordan. He had asked Gelis to have him kept safe.
Different men; different sons. He remembered de Lannoy’s wistful prayer (Your praise, my perfect joy) to his son.
Your praise, my perfect joy; and may we go together to Paradise, at the last.
They tried to stick in his mind, but he would not let them.
BY THE DAY following his crass fight with Julius in the High Street, the English command knew that Nicholas de Fleury had not died in the River Till but was alive, and could be assumed to have passed on all that he had found out in York. The Duke of Gloucester, hearing that, turned pale with rage. ‘I cannot believe this. De Fleury is alive, and no one knew? No one told me? We have crossed into a country where all our plans are already known; our strength; our intentions? Send me the man who said this fellow is dead. He will answer for it!’
Two servants limped,