‘What did you intend to do with Ambrose?’
Licking his lips, Gabriel rasped, ‘The enthronement. All the Northern families would be coming. Keep watch, deliver him up to the Percys. Deliver both.’
Owen took out the shears, began to cut away the sleeve around the arrow. ‘Where did you plan to keep Marian until then?’
‘With Tucker the fiddler. Gave the goodwife coin to take good care of her.’
Alisoun brought the kettle to add hot water to the bowl.
‘Take good care?’ Owen said. ‘Why not St Clement’s Priory, where she need not pretend to be a lad, where she would be safe?’
Gabriel opened his eyes wide. ‘You are angry. How can I trust–’ Noticing Alisoun’s hands on him he tried to wrench away his arm.
‘Do not be such a fool,’ she said in an even tone. ‘I am cleaning the wound.’
He watched her closely for a moment.
‘St Clement’s,’ Owen prompted.
‘We did not think of the nuns.’
Good at tracking, too inexperienced to plan the rest. Not surprising. The wound clean, Owen summoned Ned to hold Gabriel’s legs, asked Alisoun to hold his shoulders while he pulled the cushions away. Once the man was lying flat, Owen cut the shaft as close to the arm as he dared, then, while holding down the arm with his knee, pulled out the rest. Painful, but quick. Gabriel shrieked and kicked Ned in the mouth.
‘Now you see why I had you remove his boots,’ said Owen.
Ned muttered a curse as he sat back to nurse his jaw. Gabriel moaned and thrashed.
‘Be still while Alisoun cleans it and wraps it in a poultice,’ Owen said.
‘You cannot keep me here.’
‘I do not intend to. Where are you lodging?’
Closed eyes, tightened mouth.
‘Then I will take you to the castle.’
‘Holy Trinity Priory.’
‘Good. I will deliver you to the infirmarian at the priory.’
‘Might I see her? I need to know why he jumped. If she pushed him. What happened.’
‘When the infirmarian judges you fit, you may return. I suggest that you knock on the door and make your request with courtesy. Until then, she is under my protection.’
‘You will take the credit.’
Owen chuckled. ‘No, young Gabriel, I assure you that the tale is yours to tell to her family. You have much to explain.’
‘We found her!’
‘And I would guess by the welts on her wrists and ankles that Rupert had no intention of delivering her safe to her family. I would guess he meant to throw her off the roof. Had you two been in the chapter house before?’
‘I was never there.’
‘But he?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘You each went your own way in the city?’
‘At times.’ Gabriel caught Owen’s arm as he began to rise. ‘Will I heal?’
‘Be still and receive our ministrations with good grace. The more patient you are, the better the outcome. Tell me about the prayer book.’
‘A small thing, but Lady Edwina claims it has value. She commissioned it for Dame Marian, a gift when she took her vows. My lord Percy called it “a choir of crows.” The illustrations. Said it was his sister’s jape, the sisters being crows cawing around Dame Marian, the nightingale.’
‘When was it lost?’
‘At Tucker’s. According to Dame Marian, Ambrose believed their host stole it, claims he followed him to Ronan’s lodgings. He believed that the vicar either bought it from Tucker or advised him as to its value.’
‘Did you retrieve it?’
‘No. We might ask Dame Marian. She might have overheard Ambrose meeting with that vicar.’
A choir of crows. Magda had called Thoresby the Old Crow. By extension all clerics were crows to her. And nuns? Lady Edwina shared her humor. ‘Did you see the prayer book?’
‘How would I?’
Gabriel looked up as Alisoun knelt to his wounded side. ‘How can she do that? Shoot me, then tend me?’
‘Ask her.’ Owen rose. ‘I will return for you in a little while.’
He went over to talk to Ned, giving him a simple task. Once they had deposited Gabriel in the infirmary, Ned was to find Hempe and tell him what they’d learned about Dame Marian and the Percys, and ask him to speak with Tucker’s wife, Judith, about Gabriel’s claim he gave her money to care for Marian. If true, she was not dependent on Tucker’s work for a while. He might become informative after a night in the castle. When Ned had accomplished the task, he was to return to the infirmary.
‘I count on you to return to your senses. I understand how you feel, but I cannot condone it. Consider what you have just heard, all that the young woman suffered at the hands of an unwanted suitor.’
Ned bowed his head.
‘Alisoun is her own woman. Show her your best self. Respect her right to her own choice.’
‘I have been a fool.’
Owen did not argue that. ‘Return to your watch on the house and shop. I will come for you when Gabriel is ready to be moved.’
Lucie had heard much of their conversation. Now she smiled as Owen approached.
‘Might we leave Alisoun with Gabriel and go to Marian?’ he asked.
She hesitated, searching his face for a sign of what he hoped to accomplish. Her own anger at the presumption of men sounded a warning in her head that Marian had suffered enough of men’s company for a long while. Yet, hearing his talk with Ned she knew that Owen had been much moved by Marian’s story. Still … Lucie drew him out to the hall where they might speak in private, settled on a bench near the window.
‘Why now?’ she asked gently. ‘Why you?’
‘I understand your hesitance. I mean to recount Gabriel’s story. Whether or not she chooses to correct, add, that is for her to decide. She deserves to hear what he said of her.’
That seemed fair. Lucie agreed, beginning to rise, but Owen stayed her.
‘Ned is not the only one with much to learn from the story of Phillip’s and his brother’s transgressions against Marian. Watching how Ned watches Alisoun reminds me how I watched you, how I yearned to possess you. I was fortunate. Somehow I earned your love. But I see how it poisons love to think of possession. What she suffered. What right had he to pluck her away? To decide for her?’
Lucie had never loved Owen more than she did at this moment. She studied him as she thought what to say.
‘If I–’ he began.
She pressed a finger to his mouth. Shook her head. ‘If you express this to her, I believe she might be inspired to trust us. To trust you.’ She took his hand. ‘Come. Let us meet with Dame Marian.’
Setting aside the basket of needlework she had carried from the nursery, their guest sat with hands folded in her lap, head bowed, listening to Owen’s account, occasionally nodding. Lucie had chosen a seat to the side, allowing him to have his say. She was there if Marian wanted her, but she wished the woman to hear how a man might respond to the story.
Arriving at the end of Gabriel’s account, Owen said, ‘We wanted you to know what he said of you, what he might tell your aunt and uncle. And I wished to say …’ He paused. ‘As a man I recognized myself in Phillip’s and Rupert’s behavior, and I am ashamed for us all. Forgive me for threatening you last night.’
Marian looked up, startled. ‘No, Captain. You are nothing like them. Nothing. But …’ She caught her breath, tears welling in her eyes. ‘Bless you,’ she whispered.
Lucie moved to sit beside her, gathering her into her arms, holding her as she wept. ‘Perhaps we should leave now,’ she whispered when the storm passed.
‘No. I pray you, stay.’ Marian sat up, wiping her eyes. ‘Gabriel and Rupert did find me in Cawood. They had heard about me at a tavern there, and that the company I was with were to perform at the palace. All the village were talking about it. At the palace they recognized Master Ambrose as well.’