To Lie with Lions - Dorothy Dunnett [101]
The business being gun-casting, there was plenty of hard work to do, and meticulous planning. When it shifted to the new boat-yard, it was scarcely less strenuous. By the time the sufferer was ready to go back, the cold had gone and the marks on his face were hardly noticeable. He had said nothing that was not to do with the work, but of that he had said a great deal to the point. John gathered that Crackbene had been left in attendance in Edinburgh, but would shortly set sail as was planned. It would be necessary soon to be seen to be divining, with which Father Moriz could concern himself or not, as he pleased.
Father Moriz was at present with the Cistercians in Culross, conducting an experiment with a pump. John thought that, with Nicholas in this mood, it would be as well if Moriz stayed there. He did not discuss either Nicholas’s son or his wife, whom he assumed to be at the bottom of this displacement. He did enquire about the future of the lady Mary, who was known to have come back to Scotland.
Nicholas, his face smeared, had sat back and picked up a beaker. He was drinking water again. ‘The King will keep her fast until he’s persuaded her that she’s Tom’s only chance, and that if she leaves, he’ll make sure that Tom dies. In any case, Edward will only wait so long to see if she’s coming, and then he’ll get rid of poor homeless Thomas.’
‘You helped her leave Scotland,’ John said. He was not in the business of protecting the sensibilities of Nicholas.
‘She would have left anyway. The King knows that. And I got her a nice home with Adorne.’
‘So now she stays indefinitely locked in the Castle?’
‘Not necessarily,’ Nicholas said. ‘In fact, she’s probably left there already. I’ve suggested she moves into the High Street with Gelis.’
‘What!’ said John.
Nicholas looked at him. ‘You remember. Gelis used to be one of her ladies. The nurses will help, and the nuns. Adorne will have no more to do, and the children will love it. Margaret, Jordan and James.’
‘Does she know?’ John le Grant asked.
‘Gelis? She will by now,’ Nicholas answered.
It had been left to Govaerts to carry the message to the dame de Fleury in her new house in the High Street, which she had occupied for less than a week.
The prospect didn’t entirely displease him. He felt some slight proprietorial interest in the King’s sister, whom he had helped originally to escape, and had never formed a close relationship with the wife and child with whom the padrone had saddled himself. Now, when he called with his message, it was as if the Lady had fathomed its contents. Or perhaps it was lack of sleep and not shock which gave her skin its extreme pallor. She was a very fair girl, with a tart way about her.
She said, ‘You have something to tell me.’
‘I have two messages, my lady,’ he said. ‘One from his grace the King, and one from your husband, to be passed to you at the same time.’
She said, ‘You have heard from M. de Fleury?’ And then: ‘No. He would arrange it beforehand. What is it?’
‘A great honour, madame,’ Govaerts said. ‘The King proposes that his sister the Countess of Arran should leave the Castle and come to lodge with you here. She will bring her household and children. The message from M. de Fleury endorses this. He relies on you. No expense is to be spared.’
‘You mean he suggested it,’ the Lady said. She was gazing past him. There was a commotion, he realised, in the doorway. The Lady added, ‘And when will the Princess arrive?’
Govaerts had no need to answer. ‘Tomorrow,’ said Katelijne Sersanders, whipping past him and planting herself on a seat, having snatched up the sewing which occupied it. ‘You didn’t know? He didn’t tell you? And of course, he’s got himself safely out of the way. You’ll have to do it. I can help you.’
Of course,’ said the Lady. She was quick to recover, you could give her that. She said, ‘She stayed with your uncle and aunt. I’m surprised –’ She broke off.
‘It’s because of Aunt Margriet