The Unquiet Bones by Mel Starr

Author:Mel Starr [Starr, Mel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Historical, Mystery
ISBN: 9781854248855
Publisher: Monarch
Published: 2008-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

I pointed Bruce toward home. He knew a stable and respite from the snow awaited him, so ploughed resolutely through the drifts.

The spire of the Church of St Beornwald was invisible in the falling snow, but as I approached the town, well past the ninth hour, I heard, over the sighing wind, the slow steady tolling of a passing bell ringing from the tower. Someone in Bampton was dying this cold evening.

Wilfred took Bruce when I entered the castle gatehouse and told me that Lord Gilbert wished to see me immediately upon my return. I walked across the castle yard, ankle deep now in mud and slush. John the Chamberlain set off to seek Lord Gilbert while I brushed snow from my threadbare cloak and stomped my boots clean. As I did so, feeling began to return to my frozen feet.

“Ah…what news, Master Hugh?” Lord Gilbert hailed as he approached across the now-empty hall. He led me to the solar before I could answer and bid me warm myself at the fire. We sat before the blaze, and I related my discoveries to him.

“You are no better informed of Sir Robert’s death than before your journey, then?”

“No,” I agreed. “I fear not, but those who knew him think it likely his habits had much to do with his death.”

“Well, no matter,” Lord Gilbert commented. “You have done well on the other business. I think we know what happened to the lass from Burford, and how she came to be here.”

“You believe the testimony against Thomas Shilton strong enough to prosecute him?”

“Do you not?” he replied, with one quizzically raised eyebrow. (It was this skill of his I was trying, with little success, to emulate. Perhaps it is a talent inbred only in the nobility.)

“I see no other likely culprit,” I agreed, “yet I admit to misgivings.”

“Why?” Lord Gilbert was not pulling at his chin. I thought this significant.

“I have met the man. I said once before, you may remember, that he seems incapable of such a crime.”

“What do you think me capable of, Hugh?”

He caught me unready for such a question. I was silent.

“I am a calm, reflective man, am I not? Most of the time?”

I agreed that this was so.

“But in battle, when my blood was hot, I have hewed men limb from limb with no regard. Is there a thing which raises a man’s blood more than battle?”

“Jealousy, perhaps,” I answered.

“Precisely,” he said, and smacked me on the knee. “You take my point readily.”

“Then what is to be done?” I replied.

“Your discoveries and the verdict of the coroner’s court must be presented to the sheriff at Oxford. I have delayed departure for Goodrich long enough. I will leave justice in your hands, Master Hugh. When the weather improves you must go to Oxford.

“I will send Arthur and two others with you. An unaccompanied bailiff is more easily dismissed than a man who commands a retinue. I know Sir Roger.”

I nodded understanding of what was expected of me.

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