Heartstone (Matthew Shardlake #5)(165)

‘A local yeoman. He had been contesting attempts by Master Hobbey to enclose Hoyland village.’

‘You believe him innocent?’

‘Yes. There is no real evidence.’

‘Is there any evidence against anyone else?’

I hesitated. ‘No.’

‘Then he will stand trial. The truth will be investigated there.’

‘He is in prison now. I have offered to take up the villagers’ case at the Court of Requests.’

‘You have been busy,’ Warner said sarcastically.

The Queen said, ‘And the man found dead at Rolfswood, the father of your – friend – in Bedlam. What will happen there?’

‘There will be an inquest. I do not know when.’

The Queen looked at me. ‘Then that will be the time to ferret out the truth. As for Hugh Curteys, whatever corruption there may have been in the administration of his lands, if he does not wish to pursue the case, there is nothing to be done. Matthew, I know you never like to let a matter rest once you have taken it up, but sometimes in this life you must. These matters will have to await due process. And you should not be here. The French are coming, there could be mortal danger.’ She raised a hand and pinched the bridge of her nose.

‘Are you all right, your majesty?’ I asked.

‘Tired, that is all. The King slept badly last night and called me to talk with him. Often now he cannot sleep from the pain from his leg.’

‘You do not know how difficult life is for the Queen just now,’ Warner said angrily. ‘Why do you think the King has left her here today? I will tell you,’ he went on. ‘Because if, which God forbid, he should be killed or captured in these next few days, the Queen will be Regent for Prince Edward as she was when the King went to France last year, and she will have to deal with all of them. Gardiner, Norfolk, the Seymours, Cranmer. And Rich.’ He moved a step closer to his mistress, protectively. ‘These last two years she has kept her patronage of you as unobtrusive as she can, lest the King remember your past encounter and be annoyed. And now you stay in Hampshire against her wishes, you come swaggering in here, making ridiculous accusations against me – ’

The Queen looked up and now she was smiling faintly. She put her hand on Warner’s sleeve. ‘Come, Robert. Swaggering is something Matthew does not do. Leave us to talk, just for a few moments, then take Matthew out and he can make haste straight back to London.’

Warner bowed deeply to the Queen, then walked stiffly away without another look at me. The Queen nodded to the maids-in-waiting and they stepped to the shade of the doorway. She looked at me, the half-smile still on her face.

‘I know you meant well, Matthew. But never forget that, as the Gospels tell us, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.’

‘I am sorry. Sorry that I accused Master Warner, and sorrier that you have cause to be angry with me.’

She looked at me intently. ‘Do you see that I have cause? After you disobeyed me?’

‘Yes. Yes, I do.’

She nodded in acknowledgement, then looked down at her dog. ‘Do you remember that day at Hampton Court?’ she said in a lighter tone. ‘The Lady Elizabeth was with us. She liked your answers to her questions, she told me later. I think you made a friend there. She does not like everyone, I can tell you.’

‘I have remembered it too, these last weeks. You told me she was reading Roger Ascham’s Toxophilus. It is a great favourite of Hugh Curteys’ too. He lent it to me. I confess I found it a little – self-satisfied.’

‘I have met Master Ascham. He – he is one who does swagger.’ She laughed. ‘But he is a learned man. The Lady Elizabeth has expressed a wish to correspond with him. She is such a remarkable child. Master Grindal is teaching her well, he is one of those who believes a woman may learn anything as well as a man. That is good. I often wish I had had a better education.’ She smiled again, and a little merriment came to her eyes. ‘Though I wish Elizabeth would not swear like a boy. I tell her it is not ladylike.’ The Queen looked round the little garden; sunlight came through the trees, making patterns on the ground as the breeze shifted the branches. Birds sang softly. ‘This is a peaceful little place,’ she said wistfully. ‘Tell me, what is Hugh Curteys like?’

‘He is somehow – unreadable. But he still mourns his sister.’

Her face clouded again. ‘Many in England may be in mourning before long. I wish the King had never – ’ she cut herself short, biting her lip, then reached out and touched my hand. ‘I am sorry I was vexed, Matthew. I am tired.’

‘Should I leave you, your majesty?’

‘Yes. I may go to my chamber and rest. But I pray God we may meet again, safe, in London.’

I bowed and stepped to the door. I was full of gratitude for her forgiveness, and deeply sorry now for my accusations against Warner. I might have gained a friend in little Lady Elizabeth, but I had lost one, too. Then I frowned. Something was nagging at my mind. Something the Queen had said about Elizabeth. The maids-in-waiting moved aside to let me pass, dresses rustling. Inside, Warner waited, his manner still cold and hostile.

‘Robert,’ I said, ‘I apologize again—’

‘Come, you should leave, now.’

We went back up the stairs I had descended in such fear. ‘Master Warner,’ I said when we reached the top. ‘There is one last question I would ask, if you will?’