The Riddle Of St Leonard's: An Owen Archer Mystery by Robb Candace

Author:Robb, Candace [Robb, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781446439838
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2011-01-10T16:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

A Clash of Wills

Ravenser sat with elbows on the arms of his chair, hands steepled before his chest. So like his uncle, Owen thought. A deceptive likeness, for he found himself responding to the man as if he were Thoresby and then receiving an unexpected reaction. Ravenser was subtly different from his uncle. At the moment he was politely disagreeing with Owen.

‘You waste your time trying to connect the thefts with the deaths of Hotter, Warrene and Taverner.’

Ravenser’s uncle would have given it some thought.

‘So much trouble erupting independently seems too much of a coincidence, Sir Richard. Not that I am at all certain one follows from the other, or which came first, or why. But so much trouble in so short a time in one establishment …’

A tilt of the head, a nod, as if seeing the point at last. Then a sharper nod. A decision. ‘I trust you, Captain. I shall try to stay out of your way. You are most welcome, I assure you. But then I asked for your assistance, you know. His Grace was not keen when I approached him. He had other plans for you.’

So it was true. Ravenser had requested his help. Still, ‘His Grace takes great pleasure in ordering my life.’

Ravenser gave a surprised laugh. ‘You—’ He shook his head. ‘I am not accustomed to hearing my uncle spoken of in such a way.’

‘I meant no disrespect. He is a great man.’

‘But difficult when in a foul temper. Which he is of late.’

‘He tells me the Queen is failing.’

Ravenser bowed his head. ‘The realm will be the worse for the loss of Queen Phillippa.’

‘His Grace particularly.’

‘And adding gall to his wound, Mistress Alice Perrers gave birth to a daughter.’

‘Has our King sired another bastard?’

‘Perhaps not. Much is made of the fact that she is christened Blanche. They are quite certain she was named for the fair Blanche of Lancaster.’ John of Gaunt’s beloved wife had died the previous autumn. ‘And if so, why? Might Lancaster be the father?’

Owen grinned. ‘Mistress Perrers has a taste for power.’

Ravenser did not smile. ‘And Lancaster a taste for beautiful women. I think it unlikely he would bed Perrers.’

‘But His Grace thinks it possible?’ Owen did. He thought there were few women in the kingdom who wove a more attractive web than Alice Perrers.

‘He thinks it possible indeed. And he is furious. He hoped to enlist the duke’s aid in ridding court of Perrers …’

‘I should think that with Death reaching out for the Queen, the King would depend on Mistress Perrers more than ever.’

Ravenser massaged his temples. ‘God might do better purging court than purging the city of York. Such petty jealousies.’

So he did not approve of Thoresby’s interest in the matter. Owen thought it time to return to the matter at hand. ‘How many know that I am assisting you in this?’

‘Don Cuthbert, the cellarer. Have you been introduced?’

‘We have met.’

Ravenser winced. ‘He is a good man, I assure you, and he has agreed to assist you in any way you request.

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