Chapter Twenty-eight

 

And yet it is wonderful to see how this false notion of pleasure bewitches many who delight themselves with the fancy of their nobility, and are pleased with this conceit—that they are descended from ancestors who have been held for some successions rich, and who have had great possessions; for this is all that makes nobility at present.

Utopia by Thomas More (translated by H. Morley)

 

Kilburne had been easy to get rid of. He was so shocked by Merden’s death, it had been a simple matter for Parker to steer him to his chambers to collect himself before he called his men to move Merden’s body.

Parker hoped he would be sufficiently occupied for some time. He reached the top of the wooden stairs and opened the door into the White Tower. The gloom of the inside enveloped him, and he stood still a moment to get used to it.

A guard at a table stood, and saluted him. “The Cardinal is up on the second floor, working in the vestry.”

Parker nodded his thanks. Walked past and up the central staircase. He wondered where Kingston was in all this. But the Constable of the Tower would not be concerned with so lowly a prisoner as Susanna, not with an efficient captain like Kilburne to rely upon.

He moved softly up the stairs, not sure if Wolsey would have his men standing outside or in the vestry with him.

There was a soft scuffle of feet just ahead, as if someone had heard him, and stopped dead.

He lunged forward, leaping up the steps, and slammed into—

“Parker.” Susanna went limp against him, and he could feel her whole body shaking. “I thought . . .”

Parker tightened his hold on her, his mind not quite sure of the evidence in his arms.

“You are all right.” He wanted to laugh it out loud, but forced himself to whisper in her ear.

“Jean is above, looking for the Mirror in the State apartments.”

If he didn’t have to choose between killing Jean and getting Susanna out of the White Tower safely, he would have taken the stairs without a second thought, knife in hand.

“We need to get you to Kilburne. I have the writ from the King. Wolsey can do nothing to you, and tonight, if he still has no proof against you, he has to let you go.”

“I need to get to Durham House, not back to Kilburne.” She looked wild, her hair half-fallen from its neat twist, her eyes wide. “We have to get to Fitzroy.”

He frowned. “The King will understand your delay on the portrait, and it will be one more mark against Wolsey for causing it.”

“No, not to paint him.” She raised her eyes upward, to the State Apartments. “Jean told me a nobleman has contracted an assassin to kill Fitzroy. I have the letter he was given as proof.”

Parker choked. “An assassin?”

“Yes, someone offered the job to Jean but he turned it down. But he swears someone else would have taken it. And it must be done before the seventh day in June.”

Parker heard the door open above, and the murmur of voices. Kingston and Wolsey. So that is where the Constable was.

He gripped Susanna’s hand and climbed the stairs to the landing, felt her resist a moment, and then place her trust in him.

It would be best to get this confrontation with Wolsey over with, and he could ask for no better witness than the Constable of the Tower.

“Parker.” Kingston gaped at him as they stepped into view. Wolsey stood behind him, his eyes hooded. “There seems to be some confusion about a certain prisoner . . .” Kingston tailed off as he noticed Susanna.

“There is no confusion, sir.” Parker pulled the hard-won writ from his pouch, and presented it. “The truth of the matter is, the Cardinal acted unwisely, and from false information. He made an arrest before ascertaining any facts, and when the King demanded he produce proof or release Mistress Horenbout tonight, he decided to extract a false confession from her with torture, rather than lose face. I appraised the King of this, and he has made his opinion on the matter clear.”

Wolsey’s cheeks burned with sudden colour.

Kingston took the writ and read it slowly. Looked between the two men.

The silence stretched, uncomfortable and heavy, and eventually Kingston cleared his throat and shifted in place. “It seems clear enough the King wishes no harm come to his painter, and unless the questions you have to put to her are in my office, and without force, Cardinal, I suggest she be returned to the Lieutenant’s Lodgings, which I hear from Kilburne was the Queen’s choice of accommodation for her.” He bowed to Susanna and she curtseyed back. “Apologies that my wife and I have not had the chance to visit you yet, mistress.”

“It is quite all right, sir.” Susanna ignored Wolsey. “As it happens, the Cardinal’s arrival interrupted a schedule set out by the King, for me to attend to his son, Henry Fitzroy, at Durham House this afternoon. I am busy painting a portrait of him, and the King is anxious for me to continue work on it.”

Kingston looked to Wolsey as if expecting him to deny it, but when he again said nothing, the Constable blushed. “I will need to speak to Kilburne about this. But if that is what the King requires, by all means, you should continue as usual.”

“My thanks, sir.” Susanna dipped in another curtsy. “I am eager to get back to work.”

Parker noticed a quick movement overhead. Jean was in the shadows above, watching them.

“Kilburne is dealing with the death of one of his men, sir.” He spoke to Kingston, but he kept Wolsey in his line of sight. “A guard named Merden. He was discovered in an unused house next to the Lieutenant’s Lodgings.”

Kingston gasped, and Wolsey snapped to immediate attention.

“That would have been your doing, Parker.” Wolsey could barely speak, rage distorted his mouth so badly.

“Captain Kilburne and I noted the man entering the Lodgings and followed him inside. We were together when we discovered the body.” Parker held Wolsey’s gaze while he spoke.

“I will confirm that with Captain Kilburne, but it does seem clear you are not responsible.” Kingston gave Wolsey a strange look. “I notice you’ve requested Merden’s services most often, of all the men here, Your Grace. I am sure it is merely grief that causes you to lash out so.”

“The Cardinal is surely bemoaning the waste of so valuable a man.” Parker spoke without inflection, and Wolsey spun around and walked back into the vestry. Slammed the door shut.

Kingston’s eyes went wide.

“With your permission, I will accompany Mistress Horenbout to Durham House in Captain Kilburne’s stead, sir.” Parker spoke with respect. He intended to go with Susanna, whether Kingston gave his permission or not, but this mess was not of the Constable’s making. His powers ended at the walls of the Tower, and nothing could prevent Parker from accompanying Kilburne, if Kingston insisted his captain make the trip.

“That would be delicate, sir. As I am to understand she is your betrothed.” Kingston looked agonized.

“Yes, she is. And if I fail to return her, my place at court is gone and her life is forfeit. You could have no better guard for her than I.”

Kingston was silent and in the heavy pause, Parker heard the faintest shift of cloth from above. Jean biding his time, waiting for his moment to escape without notice.

“What you say is true, but if you fear her life is forfeit anyway, that there is a chance of her guilt, then you could just as easily escape with her. And I would be held accountable.” Kingston lifted his head and looked Parker in the eyes.

“True. If you want Kilburne to take her, then that is your prerogative.” Parker dipped his head.

“I would feel better about it. I am sorry, Parker.”

“I will take her to Kilburne immediately.” Parker held out his arm to her, but as she took it, Kingston coughed.

“I would feel more at ease if one of my guards accompanied you—”

“I will take them, if you will, my lord.” Jean swooped down the stairs, and stood in the half-shadows.

Kingston started, and recovered when he saw the uniform. “Aye. That would be most useful.”

Parker held himself still. Having a guard who was not a guard escort them would be most useful, indeed.

Even if it that guard was a murdering bastard.