Owen and Lucie settled on a bench a little away from the others, listening, watching. Dame Marian’s hands danced in the air as she sang a verse, marking a rhythm, the highs and lows, the gestures as graceful as her voice. The children repeated the refrain. Gwen made it through without a stumble. Hugh managed almost as well. Emma sang her own tumbling melody. Dame Marian sang another verse.
This time she sang the refrain with the children. At the end, she noticed Lucie and Owen.
‘We must pause here,’ Marian said to the children.
‘Will you teach us another before you leave?’ Gwen cried.
‘If I have the time, of course, my love.’ Kissing Gwen on the forehead, then Hugh and Emma, Marian joined Lucie and Owen. ‘I have a message for you, Captain. Lady Maud says to beware her husband, he poisoned a maidservant at Cawood for helping Master Ambrose, and he has his eyes on you. He will not rest until he knows what brought the musician to England.’
Lucie touched Owen’s arm. Of course she felt the threat.
Thanking Marian for the warning, Owen said, ‘I have something for you.’ He drew the prayer book from his scrip and handed it to her.
‘My choir of crows!’ Tears welled in Marian’s eyes as she ruffled the pages, then pressed it to her heart. ‘How might I ever repay you for all you have done?’
‘Pray for us, Dame Marian,’ he said.
‘I will. Always.’
‘Will you return to Wherwell?’ Lucie asked.
‘I will accompany Lady Maud south. I must at least see Dame Eloise. But her health no longer permits her to carry out her duties, and Bishop Wykeham’s protégé has taken her place. I–’ Marian blushed and looked away.
Having long experience of Bishop Wykeham, Owen could well imagine the arrogance of anyone considered his protégé. ‘You might not stay?’
‘I am not certain. Lady Maud says Archbishop Neville will accept me back into the order to appease my uncle, but Mother Isabel believes Bishop Wykeham should be consulted as he heard my vows at Wherwell.’
‘Wykeham might prefer you beholden to Neville,’ said Owen, ‘so that his protégé is not threatened by your return.’
‘All that is out of my hands,’ said Dame Marian. ‘I am theirs to command.’
‘And if you are accepted back into the order but find the situation at Wherwell difficult?’ Lucie asked.
‘Mother Isabel is of a mind to have a trained cantrice at St Clement’s. Lady Maud has told her she could find no one better trained for such a position than I have been. Dame Veronica, the precentrice, welcomes the possibility of lightening her duties.’ A little smile.
‘How wonderful for us,’ breathed Lucie.
18
A Prayer for Harmony
Brother Henry welcomed Owen into the abbey infirmary with a serene smile. ‘The fiery-haired Gabriel has been claimed by his lord, a not entirely cordial reunion. But you will find the musician deep in conversation with your friend Dom Antony. A most learned man, your friend. Sir Lewis Clifford and Sir Thomas Percy were here as well, much moved and angered by the lengths to which the French have gone to protect themselves from the prince’s military prowess and the love he inspired in the Aquitaine.’ All serenity had vanished as the infirmarian led Owen to Ambrose’s bedside, where Dom Antony sat on a stool beside the sleeping man making notes on a wax tablet, unaware he had company.
‘Well met, old friend,’ said Owen.
Antony glanced up. His eyes warmed and a smile softened his chiseled features as he rose to embrace Owen. ‘All in the realm are indebted to you, my friend,’ he said. ‘The information Ambrose brings us is inestimable. Though perhaps too late to benefit the prince’s health.’
‘Too late?’
‘Ambrose tells me Dame Magda is uncertain that the effects of such a poisoning with mercury can be reversed after so long a time. I believe she is right.’
Difficult to hear. ‘When would have been soon enough?’
‘When the prince began to weaken. Long before he returned to this country.’
Ambrose had opened his eyes. ‘All my hopes come to naught,’ he whispered.
‘Ah. You waken again.’ Antony resumed his seat beside the pallet. ‘No, my good man, no. His Grace will see that God is not punishing him for his work, but that it was men who cursed him. That will be a comfort to him, his family, and all whom he has served, and who serve him.’
Owen watched as Antony worked his magic, easing Ambrose’s concerns, assuring him that the king and all the realm would thank him for his selfless act in bringing this information from the French court.
In a little while, Brother Henry insisted that Ambrose be permitted to sleep, he was still weak.
‘Bless you, Owen,’ said Ambrose.
‘Be well, my friend.’
Antony pressed Ambrose’s hand. ‘I will return.’
Brother Henry hastened the two away, promising them they could return on the morrow.
As they stepped outside, Antony mentioned that Ambrose had confided in him about his lover. ‘Denis has joined our party. A steadfast love such as his is to be admired and respected.’
Owen smiled. ‘I am glad. He will need your protection if His Grace is indiscreet.’
‘His temper, yes. I had thought of that. France will wish to silence both men.’ Antony cleared his throat. ‘Ambrose asked whether I knew anything of Martin Wirthir.’
‘Do you?’
‘The king’s men hunt him in Wales. He proves elusive.’
Not surprising. ‘Did you tell Ambrose?’
Antony nodded. ‘He grinned, as you just did.’
‘Did I?’
Antony grunted. ‘Sir Thomas wishes to thank you for protecting his ward. Are you in a hurry to be elsewhere?’
‘No. I would like to meet him.’
Owen and Antony were shown into the abbot’s hall. Sir Thomas Percy turned from a window and cleared a scowl from his face to greet Owen with warmth, expressing his eternal gratitude for protecting his ward.
‘Marian has been through a terrible ordeal,’ said Sir Thomas. ‘Though I seem to recall she once dreamt of traveling about with a company of minstrels.’ An impish smile that surprised in the scarred, square-jawed face, and then faded as he condemned the brothers Phillip and Rupert for all they had put her through. ‘I cannot thank you enough for shielding her from those who would use her as a pawn. Lewis Clifford regrets your offending John Neville, but I applaud you. The man thinks far too much of himself.’ He motioned for them to sit with him, calling to a servant to bring wine. ‘And I apologize for the oafish Gabriel. The young man needs humbling. A battlefield, I think.’ He nodded as if to himself.
And so it continued, Sir Thomas managing to carry on a conversation of one, until Owen excused himself. Antony walked out with him.
‘As you can see, the Percys are grateful to you. However, the Nevilles might prove less cordial, though Sir John values all you discovered about the murdered vicar. He knows to keep an even tighter grip on his brother the archbishop.’
‘What I know of Alexander Neville suggests his elder brother has failed to control him in the past.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Am I to be chastened for annoying Sir John?’
‘It is true that the prince wishes you to walk softly round the Nevilles, else you will hear nothing of their movements. But the circumstances warranted your actions. There is time. I have arranged for a dinner after the enthronement, before Sir John and Lady Maud depart. I pray you and Lucie attend.’ Antony paused. ‘Let me correct that. I insist that the two of you attend.’