A Mortal Bane(122)

In the morning, Bell went to the bishop’s residence. He told Guiscard de Tournai, who was presiding at the table near the entry as usual, that he wished to report his change of lodging. When Guiscard went to the bishop’s chambers to announce him, fury swept Bell at his own stupidity. How could he not have noticed that Guiscard so often held that place? Well, he had noticed, but thought it a kind of silly pride, a desire to be known as Winchester’s gatekeeper. Bell bit his lip. Perhaps Meulan was not the only contributor to Guiscard’s purse. Others might want to know who came to see Winchester, and sometimes even learn for what purpose.

With some effort, Bell subdued the desire to pick Guiscard up and kick him out of the house. Simultaneously, he wondered if he could convince Winchester not to dismiss the man. If Guiscard were sent away, word would get back to Meulan. Would he connect that with Sir Raoul? Would that spoil William of Ypres’s plans to use Sir Raoul? Bell’s preoccupation permitted him to manage a civil nod as he passed Guiscard to climb the stair to the bishop’s private apartment. The door was open; he entered and closed it behind him.

Winchester pushed aside a plate of cheese and smoked eels and looked up as Bell crossed the room. “You do not look happy, Bell,” he said.

“Guiscard de Tournai is in the pay of Waleran de Meulan and perhaps others,” he said, and went on to tell Winchester about Raoul de Samur’s revelation of his “friend” and how he had been involved.

Winchester sighed. “I am very sorry to hear this.”

He looked disappointed, and he had had so many disappointments recently that Bell became angry again. “Do you want him beaten soundly before I cast him out?”

“No, no.” The bishop sighed again, then signaled Bell to get a stool and sit down. “The fault is as much mine as his.”

“Do you mean, my lord, that you did not pay him quite enough to furnish him out in silks and velvets and diamonds and gold? I have not found you ungenerous.”

The bishop put a hand on Bell’s arm and patted it. “No, not that.” He smiled thinly. “I knew he was venial and ambitious soon after he applied for a place in my Household and that I could not trust him enough to advance him and that he would likely resent that. I should have dismissed him, but he is clever and useful, so….” He shook his head. “But I am not a fool. I have known of his connection with Meulan for some time. However, the bond works both ways. To make himself more valuable, Guiscard has come to me from time to time with this and that tidbit. From the false hints and tales, I have learned much, and some tales he told were even true and still useful.”

Winchester raised a brow as if daring a man of honor to find fault with his acceptance of Guiscard as he was and his use of the man. Bell laughed.

“I am greatly relieved,” he said. “I had to tell you, of course, but I believe Lord William intends to release Sir Raoul on the understanding that he is to play Guiscard’s role in Waleran de Meulan’s Household. I suspect Lord William would not be pleased if Guiscard is dismissed.”

The bishop shrugged. “I am sure Sir Raoul is not the first, nor will he be the last, that William of Ypres uses. And, to speak the truth, it is better for me if Guiscard is not exposed. I would hate to have to look for a new spy in the Household. Now, are you any closer to who murdered Baldassare?”

“Possibly, but not to his pouch—unless the murderer did take it and we can squeeze its whereabouts out of him when I lay hands on him. It begins to look as if Richard de Beaumeis might have killed Baldassare.”

[page]“Beaumeis?” Conflicting emotions passed over the bishop’s face—anger, satisfaction, and then a reluctant doubt. “I would not think he had the courage.”