The Turn of Midnight by Minette Walters

Author:Minette Walters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Books

Twelve

IAN HAD BLESSED THADDEUS EACH time he’d answered a question wisely but now, hearing the edge to his friend’s voice, he became nervous that Thaddeus’s patience was wearing thin. In his mind, he begged him not to abandon restraint. There was too much strangeness in the air and Ian, with no reason to doubt that the steward was who he said he was, had even less understanding of why that should be than Thaddeus.

Perhaps Thaddeus picked up on Ian’s silent urgings because he took up his quill and wrote the signature of Athelstan at the bottom of the parchment page before raising his head to look at the imposter. ‘I’ve documented what my men and I discovered in the demesnes we believe to be Blandeforde’s, Master d’Amiens. Some are abandoned and derelict. Some retain small groups of serfs and servants whom God has chosen to spare. They are without guidance because their lords, priests and stewards have died or fled.’ He retrieved the branch from the fire and used its smouldering tip to melt sealing wax on to the page beneath his signature before pressing his ring into the soft surface. ‘If Blandeforde returns, I suggest you prepare him for the news that there’ll be no tax receipts this year. If he does not, you must account to the King yourself.’

The man seemed amused. ‘You expect me to take your word on this, My Lord? You and I are strangers to each other. What assurances can you give me that what you say is true?’

Thaddeus rolled the parchment between his hands and then secured the edge with a second seal. ‘None. The choice of whether to believe me is yours. I tasked myself only with passing on what I’ve learnt. Tomorrow we ride for Sarum so that I can render the same service to His Grace the Lord Bishop. He may not be aware how many of his clergy have died or that tithes will go unpaid.’

There was a brief hesitation. ‘Is His Grace expecting you?’

Thaddeus shook his head. ‘No more than you were.’

‘Why should he grant you an audience?’

‘For the same reason you’ve chosen to speak to me, Master d’Amiens. I’m the messenger who gives information to those who want to hear it.’

‘On whose authority do you act?’

Thaddeus smiled. ‘God’s . . . as do we all.’ He tossed the scroll across the fire to Andrew Tench and settled back against the saddle. ‘Be good enough to hand the parchment to the steward as you leave, Master Tench,’ he murmured, closing his eyes. ‘I believe our business is concluded.’

The guildsmen rose to their feet immediately but the imposter clenched his hands in irritation. ‘I have more questions, sire.’

‘I’m sure you do, Master d’Amiens,’ came the lazy response. ‘Every person we meet has questions. Put them to your priest. I don’t doubt he’ll be able to answer them better than I can.’ He made a gesture of dismissal. ‘Take the path across the cleared land. My soldiers can shield you from the pack in the open, but not if you’re hidden by trees.

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