Heartstone (Matthew Shardlake #5)(201)

EVENING WAS drawing on. I stood in the parlour, looking out at the garden. Guy had been with Josephine in the kitchen, easing her back into her life, getting her to prepare dinner with the boys. He came back looking thoughtful. I smiled. ‘I will need a new steward now. How would you like the job?’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘I think going back to medicine may be easier.’ He hesitated, then said with unexpected diffidence, ‘I thought of returning to my house next week.’

‘I will get the boys to clean it out first. They and Josephine.’ I looked at him seriously. ‘Will she be able to manage without Coldiron?’

‘It will not be easy. If you could get some kindly decent old fellow to take Coldiron’s place, that might help, give her a sense of order. She will need that, for a time at least. And you need a man in charge of the household, otherwise there may be gossip about you and her.’

I nodded, smiling. ‘I think young Simon is the one with an interest there.’

‘I have noticed that. I think you should tell him she needs help, but peace and quiet too. He is a good lad, I think he will understand.’

I sat down. I was silent a minute, then said, ‘Well, I have seen to Coldiron. But there is something else I have to deal with.’

‘Ellen?’

‘While I was away I discovered what happened to her. She was raped. One of the men involved is dead, the other now in a position where he can do her no harm. And the Queen is taking over payment of her fees.’

He gave me a long, steady look. ‘What happened in Hampshire, Matthew?’

‘It is a long story. I may have a new patient for you if you want him, by the way, a sad unhappy boy, badly injured by an arrow.’ I looked at Guy. ‘He did a terrible thing, it preys much on him. He is – well, he is very sick in his mind. But he was injured trying to save my life, and Barak’s.’

‘Is it Hugh Curteys?’

‘No. His name is David Hobbey. Guy, I will tell you everything, but first I must go to the Bedlam, tell Ellen she is safe. And free.’

‘Be careful with her, Matthew. And I am not sure she can ever be free.’

‘Before I had only questions for her, now I have answers. It must be me who does this.’

‘You know she has been in love with you.’

‘Then I owe it to her to make clear, at last, that there is no hope for us there.’



I FETCHED Genesis from the stables and rode across to the Bedlam. Hob Gebons opened the door to me. His heavy face fell. ‘You’re back.’

‘Yes. And I would like to talk to Keeper Shawms.’ I lowered my voice. ‘I know everything about Ellen now, Hob.’

The keeper was in his office. I sat down without asking. Shawms stared at me, a calculating look on his fat, stubbly face. He had on the same stained jerkin he was wearing when I had left. I wondered, where does he spend all the money he gets?

He grunted. ‘Metwys has been to see me.’

‘Let me guess what he said. Ellen is now under the protection of the Queen, who will meet her fees from now on.’

He nodded. ‘That’s right. How d’you swing that?’

‘By finding the truth about who raped Ellen nineteen years ago. It was the one who paid her fees, Philip West. He is dead. Another man was involved, but he can do her no harm now she has the protection of Queen Catherine. Did Metwys tell you who he is?’

‘No. And I don’t want to know. Will Ellen leave now?’ he asked. ‘I don’t mind, she can go when she likes if the Queen wishes. There’s no – ’

‘No order of lunacy, nor ever was. I know that too. Beatrice West must have paid the warden well to take her in, all those years ago. Arranged by Sir Quintin Priddis I have no doubt. You would like her out of your hair now, I dare say. Well, I would like her to leave too, but I doubt she will.’ I leaned forward. ‘Make sure that she is well treated, and pay her, too, for the work she does, or I will ensure the Queen hears about it.’

He looked at me, shook his head. ‘You’re a persistent devil, aren’t you?’

‘Yes.’ I stood. ‘And now, where is she?’

‘In her room. Look, I don’t want you upsetting her again. That doesn’t do anyone any good.’

‘She needs to know where she stands. Goodbye, Master Shawms.’



I LOOKED THROUGH the bars of Ellen’s door. She was sitting on her bed, quietly sewing. Her expression was sad, but composed. I remembered the terror in her face the last time I had seen her. I would not bring her to that again, I swore.

I knocked and went in. She looked up. Her face went hard and cold.

‘Good day, Ellen,’ I said.

‘You have returned,’ she answered evenly.

‘Yes. This morning. Have you been well treated while I was away?’

‘Yes. Gebons has been unusually friendly. I wondered if you had paid him to be.’

‘I wanted to see you were not mistreated while I was away.’ She did not reply. I asked, ‘Has Master Shawms said anything to you?’

‘No.’ She looked apprehensive. ‘About what?’

I drew a deep breath. ‘Ellen,’ I said gently, ‘I do not want to rake over the past again.’ A tense watchfulness came into her face. I continued, ‘But I have been to Sussex. You are safe now from those men.’ I had decided to say nothing of the discovery of her father’s body. ‘The Queen herself has taken responsibility for your fees. And if you ever want to leave here, you can. You are free, Ellen.’