Heartstone

'Didn't like the look of him at all. What's his history?'

'I've asked around Lincoln's Inn. He's a London fellow, his father was some sort of clerk. He did well at his examinations and chose to specialize in land litigation and the Court of Wards. He's a strange one; it's as though he knows no other way of being than aggression. Yet from what he said he'll miss his wife and children.'

'If not him, then who was it set those boys on you? And I still think there is something suspicious about Michael's suicide.'

I considered. 'There is no evidence for that. All we have is an empty room.'

'I suppose if those boys really wanted you out of the way they would have killed you, or hurt you badly.'

'Yes.' I looked at him. 'When we go south you are not to go chasing trouble. This man Warner has promised me can come with me to where Ellen lived when I go there.'

'You're still going to look into that?'

'Oh, yes.'

He raised his eyebrows. Then he said quietly, 'Tamasin must have the final word on this. Will you come home with me?'

* * *

HALF AN HOUR later we were back at Barak's house, in the little parlour. Tamasin sat opposite us. Through the window bees hovered over her pretty flower garden.

'You must decide, Tammy,' Barak said.

She sighed deeply. 'Oh, Jack, if only you had dealt with that man civilly in the first place—'

'Tammy, I am more sorry than I can say.'

'With luck,' I said, 'we may be back in under two weeks. Well in time for the birth.'

She looked at Barak. 'At least I wouldn't have to put up with your fussing around.' Her tone was light but I could see she was blinking back tears. And I knew how frightened they both were that this baby might be born dead like their first, and how much they needed each other now. But I could see no better plan. Barak reached across and took Tamasin's hand.

'It is a hard journey to make in these times,' she said.

'We have travelled harder and longer,' Barak said. 'To York, where I met you.'

'You'd better not meet anyone else in Hampshire,' she said in mock-threatening tones, and I realized she had decided my plan was for the best.

'I won't.'

She looked at me. 'What if the French invade near where you are?'

'Hoyland, the place where we are going, is some miles from the coast. And I have just had another thought. There must be many royal post riders taking messages up and down between London and the troops on the coast. Trained men, with relays of horses waiting for them, and priority on the road. I am sure I could arrange with Master Warner for letters to go back and forth that way. At least you can send each other news. And I want to keep in touch with Warner.' I smiled. 'It will do no harm for me to receive one or two letters with the seal of the Queen's household.'

'What about your house?' Tamasin asked. 'That pig of a steward?'

'I will have to ask Guy to take charge of the household. I didn't want to trouble him, but I see no alternative. And I want him to keep an eye on someone for me.'

'Ellen?' Barak asked.

'Yes.'

'That woman,' Tamasin said. 'She only brings you trouble.' I did not reply, and she looked at Barak again. 'This is the only way to stop you being conscripted, isn't it?'

Barak nodded. 'I think so. I am so sorry.'

Tamasin looked at me again. 'Hurry back as soon as you can.' She clutched her husband's hand tighter. 'Keep him safe.'

'And you keep my son safe,' Barak said. 'My John.'

Tamasin smiled sadly. 'My Johanna.'

* * *

THE FOLLOWING morning I returned to the Bedlam. I knew Keeper Shawms usually took a long lunch at a nearby tavern and was unlikely to be there. Hob Gebons answered the door. He did not look pleased to see me.

'God's nails! He told you to stay away! If he finds you—'

'He won't be back from the tavern for an hour.'

'You can't see her. He's ordered her kept tied up till this evening. No visitors.'

'It's you I wanted to see, Hob. Come, let me in. Everyone that passes through the yard can see us talking. It's all right, I'm not after information.'

'I wish I'd never set eyes on your bent back,' Hob growled, but he allowed me to follow him inside and into the little office. I heard a murmur of voices from the parlour.

'How is she?'

'Taking her meals. But she hasn't said a word since Sunday.' He gave his hard little laugh. I bit my lip; I hated the thought of Ellen being tied up, and because of things I had said to her.

'I am going away tomorrow. For ten days or so.'

'Good.'

'I want you to ensure Ellen is well looked after. That she's allowed to go about her business again. If she—if she becomes wild again, stop her being ill-treated.'

'You speak as though I run this place. I don't.'

'You are Shawms's deputy. You have day-to-day care of the patients and can make their treatment better, or worse.' I reached into my purse and held up a gold sovereign. Gebons's eyes fixed on it.

'There's another if I come back and find she's been well treated.'

'God's teeth, you're willing to spend enough money on her.'

'And I'm going to arrange for my doctor friend to visit while I am away and write to me about her progress.'

'That brown-faced fellow you brought when Adam Kite was here? He used to scare the patients.'

'Make sure he is allowed to see her.' I waved the coin.

Hob nodded. 'Where are you going?' he asked.

'To Hampshire, to take depositions in a case.'

'Make sure the Frenchies don't get you. Though my life would be easier if they did.'

I handed over the coin. 'Can I see Ellen? Not to talk to her, just see how she is?'

Hob hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. 'Just as well for you the ones that aren't locked up are having their lunch in the parlour under Palin's eye.' He stood. 'Quick, now.' He gestured me out, and led me down the corridor to Ellen's closed door. He pulled back the viewing hatch. Ellen was lying on the bed, in the same position as on Sunday, her bound hands in her lap. She seemed not to have moved at all. She stared at me, that same fierce accusing look. It unnerved me. It was as though a different person from the Ellen I knew lay there.

* * *

THAT AFTERNOON I visited Hampton Court again, climbing the stairs to Warner's office. He was silent when I told him the investigation was to proceed, and looked relieved when I said that Paulet would countenance no further pressure from the Queen.

'You are sorry this matter is going ahead.'

'To be honest, yes. Though I am concerned for you as well. There is some news I should tell you. The King and Queen are going to Portsmouth next week, to review the King's ships that are gathering there. Half the Privy Council are going too. There is a great flurry at Whitehall to get everything organized, as you may imagine.'

'If the King and Queen are going there, it sounds as though the spies' reports were true and the French are heading for Portsmouth.'

'So it would seem. There is a great fleet gathering at the French Channel ports. It is as well you are going tomorrow, you will probably be on your way home again before the royal party gets to Hampshire. Your old friend Sir Richard Rich is to go too. I hear he has been given a position organizing supplies for the soldiers and sailors.'

'After the accusations of corruption against him last year?'

'The king always valued expertise.'

I took a deep breath. 'Well, I have to go. The die is cast now. Will you be accompanying the Queen south?'

He nodded.

'I was going to ask if you could arrange for letters to me and Barak to be brought to Horndean, near Hoyland, using the royal messengers.'

'I can do that. And if you wish to write to me, messengers will be calling on the royal party as it journeys south.'