‘Do you have any reason for thinking this is so?’ I queried.
‘I’ve no proof, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s just a feeling that his sentiments underwent something of a sea change after we returned to England in that spring of 1471.’
‘In what way?’
Timothy looked nonplussed for a moment, then shrugged. ‘He was quieter, slyer, less eager to jump to the defence of all things French. At times he even went so far as to vilify them in no uncertain manner. But perhaps,’ Timothy admitted candidly, ‘it might never have occurred to me that he was trying to throw sand in our eyes had my predecessor in this job not put the idea into my head, when he resigned the office to me. “Watch Ralph Boyse,” he said, and gave me his reasons. He was a shrewd man and I respected his judgement.’
Lionel began heaving himself to his feet. I rose and offered him my arm. ‘I must go and beg an audience of the Duke,’ he panted, when at last he stood upright, disdaining my help and leaning heavily on his crutch, ‘before he leaves for Westminster.’
‘You’ll not get him to alter his mind and tell the other Squires,’ Timothy warned him. ‘He was reluctant from the first even to allow you into my confidence. It was only after much persuasion that he agreed that one of you four should know. And now that our number has been enlarged by two, he’ll be even more reluctant. However, if you’re set on trying I wish you luck, because you’ll need it. Wait, and I’ll call a page to assist you down the stairs. And keep a sharp look-out. You don’t want another accident.’
‘Which reminds me, Master Arrowsmith,’ I said, ‘before you go there’s a question I must ask you. On each occasion when you fell, who had brought the message summoning you to wait upon the Duke?’
Lionel looked astonished. ‘Why, one of the pages of course! Who else would be employed to run such errands?’
‘The same page both times?’
He furrowed his brow. ‘I can’t remember. Probably not. I shouldn’t think so.’
‘Then do you know the name of one, or either?’ And when Lionel expressed indignation that he should be expected to recollect the names of any of the numerous pages who teemed about the place like rabbits in a warren I went on, curbing my impatience, ‘But would you recognize one or both of them again?’
‘I dare say I might do that,’ he condescended.
‘Then if you do, ask who it was who gave them the messages.’
Once more Lionel expressed surprise. ‘Could it have been His Grace, do you suppose?’ he asked with heavy sarcasm.
‘It could have been,’ I replied, keeping a tight rein on my temper. ‘But if that should not be the case it would be interesting to know who did. And it would be even more interesting if it were to prove to be the same person on both occasions.’
‘Ah!’ He looked a little sheepish and his manner became a shade less abrasive. ‘I see where your reasoning is leading.’ And not before time, my fine master, I thought, but was careful to let nothing show in my face. ‘Very well,’ he continued, ‘if I recognize either lad, or discover anything of note, I’ll tell Master Plummer here and he will, in turn, pass it on to you. Because from henceforth, chapman, you are a mere Yeoman of the Chamber and it won’t do for us to be seen gossiping together. Now, Tim, will you please send for someone to assist me to the Duke? And chapman, stay out of sight until we’ve gone. Stand behind the door, where no one can see you.’
I did as I was bid and waited until a page had been summoned to assist Lionel to the Duke’s tiring chamber where, a broken treble informed us, His Grace was changing his clothes before his daily visit to his eldest brother. I waited hopefully for some exclamation of recognition on Lionel’s part, but none came. Obviously this lad was not the page who had delivered one or both of the vital messages.
When the door was shut again upon us I turned to Timothy Plummer. ‘In view of what Master Arrowsmith has just said it would also be as well if you and I are not seen too often together. It will only arouse suspicions if the protocol of the household is broken.’
Timothy nodded vigorously. ‘Just what I was about to point out myself. But we must have a means of communicating with one another. Therefore I suggest we enlist young Matthew Wardroper. He’s already in our confidence and only too anxious to be of help, and there will be nothing improper in a Yeoman of the Chamber approaching a Squire of the Household. Moreover, no eyebrows will be raised if Matt is seen in frequent conversation with Lionel, who is known to be his kinsman. So if you have anything to impart, or a message of any urgency, you will inform young Wardroper, who will tell Lionel, who will pass it on to me. I shall reverse the process to get in touch with you. Now, is that quite clear?’
‘Perfectly,’ I assured him. ‘But I have serious misgivings as to how I shall perform in my new office.’
Timothy dismissed my fears with an airy gesture of the hands. ‘Nonsense! You’ll soon learn. Just watch the other Chamber Yeomen and do as they do. And no one will expect a greenhorn to do everything right first time. Now, I’ll take you to the steward. Remember, he only knows what my lord Duke has told him, that you are being rewarded by a position in the ménage for previous services rendered to His Grace.’
I pulled down the corners of my mouth. ‘Then I shall pray that I solve this problem swiftly, not just for Duke Richard’s sake, but also for my own. The sooner I’m back on the open road again and under no man’s jurisdiction, the happier I shall be.’
Timothy laughed. ‘I’m not surprised you quit the cloister, chapman. A man who can’t abide any discipline but what he chooses for himself would never have made a monk.’ He set a hand to the door-latch. ‘By the way, your pack has been fetched from Philip Lamprey’s and has been stored for the time being in a closet near my room. However, before we go to France next Tuesday I’ll make sure it finds a more permanent resting place until you can reclaim it.’
I stared at him, suddenly uneasy. ‘Before we go to France?’ I echoed.
‘Unless, of course, you’ve resolved the mystery by then. If not, then I fear you must go with us, unless you desire to wash your hands of the matter. Which would be your right if you chose to do so.’
‘No… no.’ I shook my head slowly. I could not possibly abandon Duke Richard to his fate, as long as it might lie within my power to prevent the harm which threatened to befall him. But I had not foreseen a journey to France. Foolish of me, no doubt, for it had been repeated a number of times within my hearing that the royal brothers would cross the Channel on the fourth of July. And today was Wednesday, the twenty-eighth of June… It seemed highly improbable, however, that I should have found an answer to the riddle by then. Yet my time was limited. The Eve of Saint Hyacinth was only seven weeks distant.
‘Very well!’ Timothy sounded relieved. ‘You must be prepared to cross to France with the rest of the household. Now, follow me and I’ll take you to the steward’s apartment.’