Edward noisily tapped his fingers against the quilted arm of his chair.
‘Lapwing,’ Corbett insisted, ‘he provoked that riot. So did Staunton and Blandeford. In the end, sire, you achieved what you planned: the total destruction of two of London’s most violent gangs. But Lapwing should pay for what he did, as should Staunton and Blandeford.’
‘Lapwing is to be released,’ the King snapped, ‘and restored to office. Staunton and Blandeford are good, faithful servants of the Crown.’
‘Innocents died that day,’ Corbett continued as if talking to himself, ‘poor men and women hastening about their God-given lives. Some were going to the stalls, others to church to pray. They were slaughtered like pigs, the women raped and abused.’
‘Sir Hugh. .’
Corbett slipped the chancery ring off his finger and took off the delicate silver chain around his neck. He placed these carefully on a nearby footstool and rose.
‘I’ll not be going to Kent, sire.’
‘Hugh?’
‘I have resigned from office. I am tired, sick at heart and weary. This is finished and so am I. It’s time for me to be gone.’
‘Hugh, for the love of God, don’t leave me. Not you.’ Edward slammed down his goblet and sprang to his feet, fingers tapping the hilt of his dagger.
‘Really,’ Corbett smiled thinly, ‘will it come to that one day? Sire, I bid you good night.’ He turned and walked out of the chamber, letting the door slam shut on Edward’s shouts.
Ranulf, waiting outside, sprang to his feet.
‘Sir Hugh?’ He stared anxiously at his master’s grim face. The door to the Jerusalem Chamber was flung open and Edward stormed out.
‘Hugh, please!’
‘Master?’
Corbett ignored the King. He clasped Ranulf on the shoulder.
‘As you said, old friend, you have your tasks, I have mine. You know where I am going; you may follow if you wish.’
Edward grasped his arm, but Corbett shook him off, not even bothering to look at him. Then he started purposefully down the darkening gallery, the King’s passionate pleading echoing after him.