“I will question Wilkin again, see if he can remember more of Mauger’s appearance, though I am doubtful he will recall much. The last time he saw Rivelar’s elder son was many years ago.”
Nicolaa nodded. “And the aspect of a man can change drastically as he becomes an adult-his height increases and his beard will thicken. Unless he had some deformity or a visible blemish, he may look completely different. But it will be worthwhile to try, for we have a difficult task before us.”
“It would be wise, Wife, if you and Richard were careful of what you eat and drink until Mauger is found,” Camville said gruffly.
“We will be, Gerard, and I will especially ensure that Richard abstains from drinking the honeyed wine of which he, like Haukwell, is so fond.”
The castellan stood up. “I owe you an apology, de Marins. I should not have doubted your instincts when you told me you believed the potter was innocent.”
“I doubted them myself, lady,” Bascot replied. “Had Gianni not made an observation that directed me to the truth, I would still be doing so.”
“Then I will ensure the boy is rewarded for his quick intelligence,” Nicolaa promised him.
Twenty-nine
Early the next morning, Nicolaa De La Haye sat with her son, waiting for Reinbald to respond to a summons she had sent asking that he attend her that afternoon to discuss the purchase of a quantity of wine for the castle store. Richard had been apprised of the situation the night before when his father sent for him to come to the sheriff’s private chamber while Bascot was still there. He had listened in dismay as the Templar repeated his proofs of Mauger’s guilt and was shaken when he realised the danger that Nicolaa was in. “You must stay in the company of either Father or myself at all times, Mother. To do otherwise will put you in great peril.”
“Then you can help me prepare the list of those within the castle household who fit Mauger’s description, Richard,” Nicolaa said lightly, trying to alleviate the fear she saw in her son’s face. “I do not think your father would have much liking for the task.”
It was this list they were studying as they were waiting for Reinbald, Richard eschewing his favoured honeyed wine and sharing a flagon of tart cider with his mother as they considered each of the names that had been put down. There were many, for old age, death or injury often gave need for replacement.
After they had spent an hour at the task, Nicolaa laid her pen down with a sigh of frustration. “This would be far more profitable if we had some sort of description, Richard. While we can eliminate some as being too old, or too young, the rest are such a motley crew of differing physiognomies that it becomes almost impossible to eliminate any of them.”
“I agree, Mother,” Richard replied. “A description of fair skin and brown hair does not give much guidance.”
“I have been trying to remember John Rivelar’s appearance and that of his son Drue, although it cannot be taken as certain that Mauger will resemble either of them closely. It is possible he may take after his mother, but I was told that she has been dead for many years, and so any details of her aspect are lost to anyone’s memory.”
“I recall that Drue was small and dark, but his father was not. They would not have been taken as father and son at a cursory glance,” Richard said.
“Just so,” Nicolaa agreed. “Let us hope the potter will be able to give de Marins details that are more helpful.”
At that moment, a servant knocked at the door and told his mistress that Reinbald had arrived. When the merchant entered, his younger nephew, Harald, was with him, carrying a flagon of Granarde wine in the crook of his arm. Nicolaa looked at Richard and her son grimaced before reluctantly giving a nod. Although neither of them had much regard for Ivor Severtsson, especially after Bascot had told them what Roget had learned about him, it seemed it would be necessary to include his brother in the conversation they intended to have with his uncle.
Reinbald doffed the tasselled cap of brocaded silk he wore and bowed low to the castellan and her son. “I was pleased to learn that you are interested in the wines that I offer, lady, and have brought one for you to taste in the hopes that it will tempt your palate.”
“I am afraid, Master Reinbald, that I asked you here for quite a different purpose than the one which I stated in my message,” Nicolaa told him. “While both my son and I would be more than pleased to sample your wares, we have a much more serious matter than the purchase of wines to discuss.”
Both of the men were startled by her words, but when she bade them sit down and hear what she had to say, they complied, albeit with wary expressions on their faces. As Nicolaa explained the discovery that Wilkin was not guilty of attempting to murder the members of their household and who they believed had done so instead, Reinbald’s face became grave.
“If what you suspect is true, lady, then my wife, myself and Harald are all still at risk from this man.”
“I am afraid so, merchant,” Nicolaa replied. “And that is why it was necessary to use the precaution of a ruse in my summons to you. There was a need to alert you to the danger and find a way to circumvent it, but if we are to apprehend this man, it is vital that our suspicions are kept secret.”
Nicolaa gave the merchant a conciliatory smile as she added, “I feared the danger of the situation might prove a little too much for your wife to withstand, and so decided to talk to you privily.”
“But how can we defend ourselves, lady?” Reinbald said with some agitation. “This man has gained access to our home before, without any of us having knowledge that he had done so. He may do so again.”
“We are well aware of that, merchant,” Nicolaa said dryly, “and that is why you are here, to discuss how we may provide you with protection without it seeming to be done.”
Harald had remained silent throughout the exchange between Nicolaa and his uncle, but now, with a steadiness in his pale blue eyes, he said, “Would it not be easier if my aunt and uncle were to leave Lincoln for a time, Lady Nicolaa? My uncle often goes to London and even farther afield to purchase wine for his stores. If he made it known that he was leaving town for such a purpose, and taking my aunt with him, none would suspect that it was not the truth.”
“But I never take your aunt Helge with me on such trips,” Reinbald protested.
“She is always begging you to do so, Onkel, and every time you refuse. Now you must pretend to indulge her. It will keep you both out of harm’s way, even if it is only for a short time.”
“And what of you, Harald?” Reinbald objected. “Will you remain in Lincoln and expose yourself to the danger alone? I am not sure I can allow such a thing.” The merchant’s consternation was palpable.
Harald gave his uncle a reassuring smile. “ Onkel, it is far easier to protect one person than three, especially if one of those three is a woman. I do not need to spend much time in our house; I will be in the wine store during the day and, if necessary, can spend the nights with Bedoc.” Harald glanced at Nicolaa and Richard. “Bedoc is our clerk and lives above the storehouse. He has two dogs who keep watch over the premises at night. I will be perfectly safe there.”
“But you are Ivor’s brother,” Reinbald reminded him. “This man may decide that you would be a fair exchange for his own brother, whose death he believes Ivor caused. He may not use poison next time but attack you with a knife as he did when he killed the fishmonger’s assistant. It is a quick matter to stab a man in the street and disappear in the crowd around him.”