‘I did not know that,’ Crispin admitted.
‘When I asked you about his hoard the other day you mentioned nothing of this.’
‘That was before my conversation with the secretary.’
Robert looked from one to the other. ‘But Ronan has plagued me and my fellow merchants in the city and collected fees, valuable items … You say he was not authorized? Have we been robbed?’ He hissed a curse.
Crispin rubbed what was left of his right arm. ‘I have no proof, but considering Neville’s behavior before becoming archbishop I would guess Ronan had been engaged by him, but that now, under the watchful eyes of his powerful brother, he has abandoned his partners in crime.’
‘I smell a cunning squirrel hiding away a winter’s worth of feasts before the first snow,’ Robert growled.
Owen had ample evidence of that in the cache he’d hidden at Jehannes’s home. ‘How did he behave when shown proof the order was cancelled?’
‘He seemed confused, but tried to hide it with fresh accusations. I ordered him out and warned him not to return or I would have a word with Master Adam, his precentor. He warned me that a goldsmith depended on a good reputation and he could ruin me. But I waved the proof before him and opened the shop door, loudly ordering him out. When he insulted my wife, he went too far.’ Clenched fists, a red face, the man’s passion was clear. Yet not for a moment did Owen consider Robert as Ronan’s murderer. He had known him too long,
‘Did you know of this psalter?’ Owen asked Crispin.
‘I guessed he kept some record of the accounts he claimed to be monitoring, but no, I’d never heard of the book.’
‘I believe it is what your men were after when Beck surprised them at Ronan’s lodging.’
‘Porter and Diggs? You are certain it was them?’ Poole’s tone held no surprise.
‘As of this afternoon, yes. Beck recognized Diggs’s voice when he escorted Leufrid into Jehannes’s kitchen to pray over the injured man. The way his twisted mouth shapes his words. Diggs had no cause to speak. He meant to frighten Beck, but his arrogance betrayed him.’
Crispin merely nodded. ‘I have no trouble believing it, and the account book would be something Neville would wish to retrieve. But it is not the only book they want. They believe Ronan had in his possession something belonging to the woman you have sheltered. A prayer book illustrated with crows. Sir John’s wife, Lady Maud, a Percy by birth, says her sister gave it to her ward, Marian Percy, when she took vows at Wherwell Abbey. They want the book, and they want the nun, who has been missing since Pentecost. Your fair singer, if I am not mistaken, now hiding in the archdeacon’s house. Hence their interest.’
So they had recognized her. Owen cursed under his breath. They knew. And Crispin had already heard.
‘They believe Ambrose Coates means to use her to bargain with Sir Thomas Percy, her guardian, Lady Maud’s brother. I want to help.’
‘Help?’ Owen asked.
‘I understand your wariness. But I am sincere. Call it atonement for my past sins, proof to the citizens of York that I am a man they can trust, a man worthy of Muriel Swann and the child she carries.’
‘The Nevilles are the new power in the city,’ said Owen. ‘Why would you cross them?’
‘They have yet to earn the trust of the citizens,’ said Robert. ‘My tale should make that clear.’
This would be the time for the shower of needle pricks to warn him away, but Owen felt nothing, nothing but the importance of moving fast. He regarded Crispin, noticed how much more at ease he seemed than the last few times they met. A man at peace with himself. ‘I intend to move Dame Marian to St Clement’s Priory tonight.’
‘I had much the same idea, except that I think tonight might be too late,’ said Crispin. ‘I intended to escort my mother there in a few days. I propose that I escort her there as soon as possible, with the Percy woman attending her.’
‘It might work,’ said Owen. ‘No one would expect the woman to be entrusted to you. Might I suggest the addition of Alisoun Ffulford? Your mother trusts her as a healer, and knows she is an excellent, fearless shot. In the event you are set upon.’
‘The young woman who saved my mother’s life? I welcome her,’ said Crispin.
‘How will you move the young woman from the archdeacon’s?’ asked Robert.
‘In the guise of a man,’ said Ambrose, the first words he had spoken since arriving. ‘She is accustomed to playing the part. Once she reaches your home, she transforms into a serving maid.’
‘Are you—’ Crispin leaned over to Ambrose, touched his temple, held up his fingers to show a dark smudge. The heat in the room had caused the dye to bleed. ‘You are the white-haired musician, Ambrose Coates.’
‘And if I am?’
‘The captain says you are not spying for the French. What, then, did you want with the Nevilles at Cawood?’
‘I learned of the captain’s new connection to Prince Edward, so I headed north. Hearing of a gathering of Nevilles at Cawood, I thought I might glean something of use to the captain to offer in exchange for an introduction to the prince.’
‘York seems an odd destination for a mission to Prince Edward,’ said Crispin. ‘You wish an introduction to him? Why? I should think he has his choice of musicians. Why not stay at the French court?’
‘A tale for another time,’ said Owen as he rose. ‘Your offer is generous, Crispin.’
‘I would rather not include Ambrose in the scheme.’
‘I have no intention of further endangering Dame Marian,’ said Ambrose.
‘Then why are you here?’
‘It seems the company of musicians and players with whom Dame Marian traveled is in the city,’ said Owen. ‘Ambrose knows them well enough to help me track them to their lodgings.’
‘You think they mean trouble?’ Crispin asked. ‘Why?’
‘Too curious about Marian and Ambrose. I want to know why,’
