‘He would not even have told us that Mair had a lover if I had not drawn it out of him by a ruse,’ replied Fidelma. ‘He refused to give a name. He said that he had sworn an oath to Mair not to tell who it was. She wanted a certain message delivered. Idwal refused to take it. That letter was to her lover.’
Elen lowered her head sadly. ‘He is a very moral boy. That’s a further reason why he could not have killed Mair.’
‘Granted that, do you know who this lover was?’
‘I do not. She was very secretive. She only told me of how it was, that first night. You know, the way girls talk about their relationships. The way it felt. Mair was very cynical. She was actually poking fun at this nameless lover. She told me that he was very clumsy and not at all expert in the techniques of love.’
‘And was Mair such an expert at the techniques of love?’ inquired Eadulf cynically.
Fidelma suddenly leant forward towards the girl, her eyes searching. ‘Brother Eadulf does have a point. This conversation you say you had with Mair, was that truly the time when she lost her virginity or had she had experiences before?’
Elen considered the question carefully, realising the implication, and then she shook her head. ‘At the time, she was boasting about losing her virginity. She was always a flirt. Always attracted to men — older men at that. As I recall, it was the first time that she had talked about sex, but I think she was implying that her lover was elderly and clumsy and that she felt superior to him.’
‘Elderly?’ Fidelma sat back thoughtfully. ‘As Mair was very young, it might be someone who was merely older than she was.’
‘Elen, you have absolutely no idea who this man was?’ demanded Eadulf.
Elen shook her head firmly.
‘Think carefully,’ he pressed. ‘This might be the very man who killed her if, as you claim, your friend Idwal did not.’
‘I do not think Mair’s lover killed her.’
Eadulf was sardonic. ‘Another emotional deduction, I presume?’
‘Not so,’ replied the girl with some spirit. ‘You see, I believe that I was supposed to be the victim that day.’
Chapter Thirteen
There was a moment of utter silence. Even as Fidelma was about to form the question that Elen’s statement obviously demanded, there was a noise outside the room. Gwnda came through the door and paused. He looked anxious.
‘They have-’ he began, saw Elen and stopped abruptly. Then he said: ‘Elen, please leave us.’
‘But, father, what-’ the girl began to protest.
Gwnda stamped his foot on the floor, a strangely petulant action which caused Fidelma some amused surprise. She had heard of people stamping their feet in annoyance but this was the first time she had actually observed such a demonstration of emotion.
‘Go to your room, at once!’
Reluctantly, the girl rose, glanced at Fidelma with a look which seemed to indicate that she wanted to continue the conversation with her, and withdrew.
Gwnda waited until she had gone. ‘I didn’t want the girl to hear,’ he explained brusquely.
‘That much was obvious,’ Fidelma assured him dryly. ‘What is it that Elen should not hear?’
‘The boy-’
‘Do you mean Idwal?’ Eadulf interrupted.
‘Idwal. He has been found.’
Fidelma rose immediately. ‘Then we need to ask him some questions immediately,’ she said decisively.
Eadulf was also rising when Gwnda made a negative gesture.
‘It is too late for questions. I said that the people would be angry when they heard of Brother Meurig’s death. Iorwerth and Iestyn led the crowd. They. . they have lynched the boy.’
‘Is he dead?’ asked Fidelma after a pause. She realised that the question was superfluous as soon as it came to her lips. Of course the boy was dead. Gwnda’s face confirmed it.
‘I have rebuked Iorwerth and Iestyn for what they have done,’ said the lord of Pen Caer. ‘I have accepted that it was not done within the law. But I believe it was a just outcome and will explain as much to King Gwlyddien’s chief
‘Does it?’ Fidelma’s anger was clear in her voice. Eadulf shifted his weight uncomfortably.
‘It is, indeed, a sad story,’ Gwnda went on, oblivious of the glitter in her eyes. ‘I am only sorry that the matter resulted in the death of such a learned
‘That is certainly to be regretted.’ Fidelma’s voice was dangerously brittle.
Gwnda clapped his hands and Buddog entered a moment later. He demanded mead be brought.
‘I have had the boy’s body taken to Elisse the apothecary. He will see to it that the boy is buried properly. At least, here is an end to the matter,’ he said, seating himself. ‘My daughter knew Idwal,’ he added, as if by way of explanation. ‘I didn’t want her to hear what happened just yet.’
‘She will soon find out,’ Eadulf pointed out.
‘Indeed, but I will find a gentler way of telling her. I needed to tell you both immediately.’
‘It is outrageous that people have taken the law into their own hands,’ Fidelma said, her anger a little more under control now. Eadulf had thought she was going to explode in fury but she seemed to be fighting the emotion. ‘Do you still intend to prohibit me from making inquiries about the death of Mair and Brother Meurig?’
Gwnda seemed astonished. ‘Inquiries? But we have resolved this matter. Not in accordance with law, but it is resolved.’
‘I have not resolved it.’
Gwnda frowned in irritation. ‘I have already told you that you have no jurisdiction in this. The matter, so far as I am concerned, is now ended. I will send to the abbey of Dewi Sant to inform the court.’
Fidelma stood with head bowed in thought. ‘Very well; yet you have no objection to my pursuing inquiries about Llanpadern.’
Gwnda was suspicious. ‘You know I do not. You have the permission of the king.’
‘Then I shall continue to pursue those inquiries.’ She turned and motioned to Eadulf to accompany her, leaving Gwnda gazing in annoyed perplexity.
Outside Eadulf examined her with a baffled expression. ‘What was that supposed to mean?’ he asked.
Fidelma smiled wanly. ‘I intend to question Iorwerth and Iestyn.’
‘But Gwnda said-’
‘Gwnda said that he had no objection to my pursuing inquiries concerning Llanpadern. You will recall that Idwal passed through Llanpadern on the morning Mair was murdered. What concerns Llanpadern might concern Idwal.’
She turned into the kitchen and sought Buddog. ‘Where can I find the lady Elen?’ she asked.
The blonde woman shook her head. ‘She left the house when her father arrived. I do not know where she has gone.’
Fidelma compressed her lips in annoyance but thanked the woman.
‘A pity,’ she said to Eadulf after they had left the kitchen and stood outside in the yard. ‘I want to hear what she meant by saying Mair was killed in mistake for her. Until we can find her, let us go down to Iorwerth’s forge and have a word with this outraged smith.’
Eadulf moved reluctantly after her. ‘I doubt if Gwnda is going to interpret matters in the same light.’
‘Probably not,’ agreed Fidelma briefly. ‘That is why I still want you to ride to the abbey of Dewi Sant tomorrow and secure Gwlyddien’s authority for me. Gwnda’s prohibition must be cancelled. In the meantime, let us see what Iorwerth says about Idwal’s death before you leave.’
Eadulf was glum. ‘I do not like to leave you here on your own.’
‘But the permission of Gwlyddien is now necessary and urgent.’
