The Murders of Richard III - Elizabeth Peters [60]
Sir Richard’s slumber was sound; it took Thomas some time to rouse him, and several minutes more to explain their present errand. Strangways was on his feet by that time, and when Thomas had finished the American exploded angrily.
“Damn, I might have known. Weldon, you’re a hell of a jailer. Or are you setting me up as a patsy?”
“You are jumping to conclusions,” Weldon said. His voice was blurred with sleep. “We all drank too much. No doubt Philip has fallen asleep somewhere.”
“Then let’s find him,” Jacqueline said.
In the hall they encountered an unexpected note of comedy. A procession winding its slow way across the marble floor. It was led by Mrs. Ponsonby-Jones, supported by Wilkes and one of the menservants. Her arms hung over the men’s shoulders and her feet dragged. She was crooning quietly to herself, interrupting the monologue from time to time with a hoarse chuckle.
When he saw his employer, Wilkes stopped. Mrs. Ponsonby-Jones, suspended, hung like a massive red effigy. The butler’s face flushed with chagrin. “Sir Richard, I am sorry to have—”
“You seem to be doing splendidly under the circumstances,” Weldon said with a flash of sour amusement. “Carry on, Wilkes.”
“Yes, Sir Richard.”
The intertwined trio gallantly tackled the stairs. Following behind, one of the huskier servants carried Percy. The boy was upside down over the man’s shoulder; the view presented to the onlookers was appalling. The servant touched his forehead to Sir Richard, who nodded formally. Bringing up the rear was Liz, stumbling and hazy-eyed. Sir Richard moved like a boy, putting his arm around her waist. She leaned against him and yawned.
“So sleepy,” she murmured. “Carry me.”
Sir Richard looked as if the idea appealed to him. Before he could carry out the suggestion, Jacqueline spoke.
“If she can’t walk, prop her up against the wall and leave her,” she said sharply. “We must find Philip.”
“Phil?” The girl blinked. “What’s wrong with Phil? Has something happened?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” said Jacqueline.
“I’ll help her upstairs first,” Weldon said.
“No,” Liz was waking up. “No, I won’t go up, I want to know what’s happening.”
“Come on, then.”
From the head of the stairs the butler’s voice floated down to them.
“I beg your pardon, Sir Richard, but if you are looking for Mr. Philip—”
“Have you seen him?”
“Perhaps half an hour ago I encountered the gentleman going in the direction of the library. He spoke to me; something—” The butler’s voice broke in a grunt and a gasp of pain. A deep feminine chuckle reverberated; Wilkes could be heard savagely admonishing his assistant.
“Wilkes!” shouted Weldon.
“I beg your pardon, Sir Richard. Lady Isobel is at your—”
“Never mind Lady Isobel. What did Mr. Philip say to you?”
“It was not entirely clear, Sir Richard. Something to do with the date of the death of Queen Elizabeth.”
“Thank you, Wilkes. Carry on.”
“Thank you, Sir Richard,” said the butler faintly. The sound of elephantine progress resumed along the hall above.
“Queen Elizabeth Woodville, of course,” Weldon explained, turning to the others. “It is interesting that Henry the Seventh did not put out the story of Tyrrell’s confession until after the boys’ mother—”
“Now that’s a good example of how you people try to find hidden meanings in meaningless events,” Strangways interrupted.
“Are you going to stand here all night arguing?” Jacqueline demanded. “Or shall we resume the search?”
“Surely there is no need for concern,” Weldon said. “We will no doubt find Philip napping over a volume of fifteenth-century history.”
Jacqueline didn’t wait; she had already turned and was marching down the corridor, her purse swinging in a rhythm that threatened nameless things. The others followed more leisurely, so that when Jacqueline threw open the door to the library she was the first to see what was within.
The sight struck her like a physical blow. Thomas saw her body stiffen and sway. The purse fell from her arm and hit the floor with a squashy thud.
Thomas ran. Jacqueline moved jerkily to one side