A Vein of Deceit by Susanna Gregory

Author:Susanna Gregory [Gregory, Susanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780748124367
Google: 5HM0AgAAQBAJ
Amazon: B004BDOK6C
Publisher: Sphere
Published: 2010-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

The inside of Withersfield Manor was as neat and pleasant as its outside. There was a huge hall on the ground floor, with two chambers for sleeping above it – one for Luneday and his woman, and one for their servants. The stone floor was strewn with rushes, and the walls had been painted with hunting scenes. A fire blazed merrily in the hearth, large enough for all to enjoy its warmth. Cynric and the students retreated to the far side, where the book-bearer honed his sword and entertained Valence, Risleye and Tesdale with yet another account of Poitiers.

‘Withersfield is a jewel in the Suffolk countryside,’ boasted Luneday, as he handed goblets of mulled wine to Bartholomew and Michael. The brew was rough, but the scholars were cold and thirsty, so did not mind. ‘Of course, you do not need me to tell you that, since you have ridden through it. You will already have seen that it is a foretaste of Heaven.’

‘You have not told us your business in the area, Brother,’ said Margery, more inclined to fish for information than to dispense it. ‘Why have you come all this way?’

Bartholomew glanced at Michael, and saw him consider his options: launch into an enquiry about the five marks Wynewyk was supposed to have given Luneday, or wait until morning. The wrong questions might cause Luneday to take umbrage and order them to leave – and the weather was worsening. But postponing the matter might mean an opportunity lost and never regained.

‘My College has done business with Haverhill for years,’ began Michael, evidently deciding to put duty before comfort. ‘Coal, timber, pigs—’

‘Pigs?’ echoed Luneday, raising his eyebrows. ‘Haverhill cannot have sold you pigs, for they do not own any worth mentioning. Are you sure about this?’

‘No,’ said Michael. ‘A colleague named Wynewyk made the arrangements, but he is dead.’

Bartholomew was watching Luneday closely, but the lord of Withersfield Manor showed no spark of recognition at Wynewyk’s name. A fleeting frown crossed Margery’s face, but the physician could not tell whether it was significant, or whether she was merely searching her memory.

‘I am sorry to hear that,’ said Luneday. His tone was bland, impossible to interpret. ‘However, if he bought pigs from Haverhill, then perhaps it is just as well – he cannot have been a sensible man.’

‘How about if he had done business with Withersfield?’ asked Michael innocently.

Luneday smiled again. ‘Then he would have been very wise.’

‘Our Master, Ralph de Langelee, is always telling us that Withersfield is the only place to come for pigs,’ Michael went on, pushing the matter further. ‘It is a pity Wynewyk did not listen to him.’

‘It is indeed,’ agreed Luneday. He smiled again. ‘But I like the sound of this Langelee.’

‘He is a great philosopher and a man of outstanding wisdom.’ Michael faltered when Bartholomew choked into his wine. The physician was glad the students were not within earshot; they would have laughed openly, thinking the monk was making a joke.

‘Then he should have come to trade in person,’ said Luneday, standing to pound on the physician’s back.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.