Court of Conspiracy (23 page)

Chapter Twenty-Six

The next morning, Pippa made her feelings plain. Luke was pleased he was not one of the heavy iron pots crashing onto the table. As if to emphasize her point, she made frumenty. Not for the first time, he thanked the Lord he had never succumbed to the marital yoke. He ate bread and cheese in silence and went through to the shop early. Robin could deal with her.

He practiced what he privately called his “disappearing” spell before raising the shutters. He must ask Master Dufay how to judge if he was performing it correctly. After all, if he could see his own feet, perhaps the spell had not worked at all. In his heightened state of vigilance, he could not afford the anxiety of wondering if he was visible. Was he supposed to feel differently?

His deliberations were interrupted by the rising cadence of voices in the kitchen. With an angry sigh, he stalked through to find Pippa and Robin in the middle of a heated debate. So intense was their anger that neither of them noticed him at all. Luke took a slow step forward. Still they did not appear to observe him. He looked down. He could see himself quite clearly. Were they unable to because they could not or because they were too engrossed in their argument?

“How would a mere child like you know about the feelings of adults?” Pippa said, throwing up her arms.

“If it makes one as addlepated and moony as you, I don’t want to.” Robin sat stolidly on the bench.

“You wait til it happens to you. You won’t be so high and mighty then.”

“Men—proper men, don’t go around sighing like a dizzy-eyed wench. We have more weighty matters on our minds.”

“Aye, like where your next meal is coming from. Shift yourself and go and find me sage and bay leaves.”

Luke went through the motions of removing his “cloak” and strode to the fireplace, making both of them jump in sudden fright. His satisfaction that they had not seen him was tinged with consternation when he discovered Ajax’s leg was not healing at all. They needed Dufay. Now. Ajax’s well-being was so closely tied to Pippa’s that he knew he could not delay. The leg should have healed overnight. It had not.

“We must take Ajax to Master Dufay, this instant, Pippa. Robin can consider the weighty matter of cleaning out the ashes. We need soap.”

Their walk to Dufay’s house began in an uncomfortable silence. Pippa almost dropped Ajax when she tripped over a tree root near the yard gate. Luke stopped her from falling and Ajax whimpered. They had passed the stable block without exchanging one word before it occurred to Luke that Pippa was not sulking, but was too upset to speak.

“I am sure Master Dufay will be able to help Ajax,” he said. “Despite Master Peveril’s protestations of love for you, there was no love in the kick that broke the dog’s leg. I hope he does not deal out the same remedies to his own dog.”

“I can forgive Geoffrey many things, but not that,” Pippa said. “In a way, Ajax helped me to say goodbye to him. I do not think I would have been able to do that alone.”

Luke could not help the arrow of pain that ran through him. “I know you suffer much, Pippa, but you did right. And I am very proud of the way you confessed your sin regarding Bertila. This has hurt her more than we can ever know.”

“I am aware of that, Luke, and I am ashamed. When I was away from Geoffrey, I could see that it was not right or just, but as soon as I came near him, it was as if my mind was wandering, lost in fog, and he was the only person who could lead me out of it.”

Luke shook his head, but said no more.

Dufay looked bedraggled and half-asleep when he answered his door, and Luke wondered if the Elemagus had worked late or overslept. As it was, he glanced from Luke to Pippa without saying a word, then stepped back and pulled the door wide, taking in a deep breath as they passed.

“I assume you are not here for your next study session, Master Ballard, and I would fain know what is wrong with Ajax.”

Pippa curtsied. When she lifted her head, her eyes were full of tears.

“Sir, I would not come for myself, having disgraced your hospitality as I did, but Ajax is hurt and Master Ballard says you are the only person who can help.”

She held out the greyspring to Dufay, who took him and carried him to the workroom, laying him gently on the clean rushes. Hera came across to sniff at Ajax and both she and Joss stood over him in what Luke could only conclude was protection. Dufay stroked his hands across the injured dog quietly and delicately, his eyes closed.

“I think his leg is broken,” Luke said. “That I could feel, but despite my best endeavors, I cannot mend it.”

“You are right. This has come from a grievous blow.” Dufay opened his eyes and even Luke stepped back when he saw the black anger flashing from them, an anger that was directed at Pippa. “How did this happen?”

Pippa opened her mouth, but nothing came out. It was Luke who replied, trying hard to keep his voice neutral.

“Pippa met Geoffrey Peveril last night to end their relationship. She held out against all his blandishments and, in revenge, he kicked Ajax.”

“I hope that will teach you, madam, that a fair face can conceal a black heart. You must learn that our greysprings’ health mirrors our own. We call them into being, and because of that, they are part of us. Ajax is as much a part of you as Hera is of me or Joss of Luke. If you suffer, your greyspring suffers and, in the same balance, if your greyspring is hurt, so are you. Do you understand?”

“But my leg doesn’t hurt.”

Dufay sighed. “I did not say the injuries would be identical, simply that your health and his mirror each other. You do not have a broken leg, but did you by any chance, hurt your feet either last night or this morning?”

Pippa’s face showed her astonishment. “Aye, I tripped over this morning.”

“Quite.” Dufay rubbed his hands together as if to warm them. Taking a deep inward breath, he passed them, palms downward, above and along the length of Ajax’s body. Luke saw the tension drain from the dog and his eyes close. Dufay eased the broken leg into line and circled the break with one hand, muttering an incantation. After a few moments, the air above his hand grew red and solidified into a sphere small enough to fit into his palm. With his free hand, Dufay took hold of the sphere and crushed it to powder. Then he sprinkled it onto the dog’s leg. The red dust sank into the fur and vanished, leaving no trace.

Dufay stood up. “We will leave him to sleep it off. Hera and Joss will stay with him and come to us if there is need. Let us go and have a drink.”

Without being asked, Pippa busied herself with ale. She left Luke and Dufay chatting at the table and moved about tidying and collecting the ale barm from the barrel. “I see you have no bread, sir. Would you like me to make some?”

“I would prefer you to sit for a few moments.” Dufay waited until she seated herself next to Luke on the bench opposite the Elemagus. “I am more than a little worried by both of you,” he continued.

“Why?” asked Luke.

“Have either of you been into the palace in the last day or so?”

“Aye, both of us.”

Dufay’s face cleared. “That accounts for it, then. You both reek of diablerie, and there are enough black thoughts and actions going on in the royal court to deflower St Agnes.”

He stood up. “I will need to cleanse you both before we do another thing. You’d best go and wash. I’ll find some clean smocks.”

Luke, ready first, took only a few moments to purify, but Pippa appeared to be more of a struggle. She stood quietly enough whilst Dufay cleansed Luke, but when both men turned round, she was swaying with her eyes half-closed, shaking her head in a negative. Was that the aftermath of her upset over Ajax, Luke wondered, or something much more unsettling, such as the influence of Geoffrey Peveril? He could see a question in Dufay’s eyes, too.

“What about using the garnet?” he suggested.

“It will not be strong enough. I need to use the
veritas
spell.” Dufay’s shoulders sagged.

“
Veritas
spell? I have not heard of that.”

“No,” Dufay said. “It is seldom performed because it is extremely complicated and leaves the elemancer so fatigued as to be open to attack. I have only used it once.”

“Am I permitted to ask?” Luke said.

Dufay sighed. “It was many years ago when I had only just achieved Dominus status. Usually it is only an Elemagus who performs this spell, such is its power. I was asked by...no, that is a confidence too far. You will shortly be a Dominus, Luke, and will have to know the basics of it.”

“It must have been a serious matter for you to attempt it, sir.”

“I cannot tell you directly what happened, but let us say that when his late majesty was pursuing the annulment of his marriage with Queen Katherine he needed to know, for the sake of a quiet conscience, the truth regarding her first wedding night with his brother.”

“And that was when you used the spell before?”

“Aye.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Understand what?”

“If you did the late King such a signal service, why are you not lauded at court and living in luxury?”

“It was offered. But I am not a man of action, performing daring deeds and glorying in popularity. I prefer the quiet life, my books and my work. I feel more comfortable and effective pursuing my studies of numerology and astronomy. It is the balance, Luke. Physical action on one side and delving deeper into theories on the other. Both serve to check the enemy.” Dufay looked at Pippa. “Now I must prepare. I will put her into a sleep until I return. Wait here.”

It was almost an hour before he came back in, dressed in the brilliant gold-and-green robes of an Elemagus. With him he carried a small flask. “Before we begin, have you noticed a proliferation of crows just lately?”

“No.”

“Keep a look out for them.”

“Why?”

“I do not want to commit myself just yet, but please tell me if you see two or three accompanying you.”

Luke nodded and watched Dufay guide the still-sleeping Pippa to a chair opposite them. He took the top from the flask and held his palm down over the open neck. Slowly his hand appeared to be coated with a bright blue film. Bunching his hand, he opened his fingers and made a throwing motion into the girl’s face. Pippa, eyes still closed, took a deep breath. The blue sparkles of light entered her open mouth, her nose and her ears.

Dufay watched her for a few moments, then nodded. He was about to begin his questioning when Luke tapped his arm.

“Ask her what her name is.”

After a fleeting look at the apothecary, Dufay turned back to Pippa. “What is your name?”

“Philippa Gardiner.”

Dufay glanced again at Luke, who was biting his bottom lip and staring at the girl. Collecting his thoughts Dufay turned once more to Pippa. “Why did you tell everyone your name was Garrod?”

“I did not want to be found.”

“By whom?”

“My aunt and uncle.”

“Why?”

“They were hateful. I ran away.”

Luke could keep silent no longer. “Where are your parents?”

“Dead.”

Dufay took a breath, but Luke raised his hand and the Elemagus frowned and then nodded.

“Where do your aunt and uncle live?”

“In Suffolk.”

“Why did you tell me you lived in Norfolk?”

“I did until my parents died.”

“Where?”

“At Blickling.”

Under the power of this spell, Pippa had no option but to tell the truth. He had to continue the questioning just to make sure, but he berated himself for assuming the worst about her because of her preoccupation with Peveril and his concern for Bertila. He had jumped to conclusions based on prejudice. If he could make so basic an error, what others had he made? Had he been on the wrong track all along? The only thing to do now was continue.

“Why would your parents send you to people who ill-treated you?”

“There was nobody else. The Reeve said I had to go even though he knew my aunt and my father were estranged.”

“Why were they estranged?”

“My parents loved Queen Anne. My aunt and uncle hate her. They love the Lady Mary and hate the King.”

“And your cousin?”

“Cecily loves only Cecily. And power.”

Luke could see that Dufay was becoming impatient and knew that he had to move on.

“You took your vows as Philippa Garrod,” he said next.

Pippa’s voice stumbled. “Aye, sir.”

“Luke.” There was a warning in Dufay’s voice.

“I beg pardon, sir. I know which questions to ask. With respect, you did not.”

“Mayhap. However, you do not know how to sort through this tangle. I do. No wonder I’ve had such trouble with her.”

“What will you do?” Luke asked.

“Leave her with me. I’ll have to initiate her all over again, but I’ll make sure she was sincere about not continuing her affair with Peveril.”

Luke put out a hand. “You felt the diablerie on Pippa after she had been in her cousin’s company. Cecily is in the Lady Mary’s entourage, so it must be she who is our secret foe in this matter,” he said.

Dufay looked at him, frowning. “You are a good elemancer, Luke. You will have no problems attaining the level of Dominus, but you must pay more attention to wider implications than you do. You have a tendency to make instant deductions based on little evidence and do not look for confirmation of them. Life, in any sphere, is made up of questioning everything and not acting like a blind man accepting alms.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You need to heighten your political awareness if you are to gain true success in your career as well as improve your magic. It is all very well having a few rich clients and saying they are enough to enable you to give free help to the poor. Laudable though that be, you must look at the world from a wider perspective and see its potential. With more rich clients, you could offer more effective remedies to the poor because you would have enough money to buy the expensive ingredients some medicines need.”

“What is that to do with the traitorous actions of the Lady Mary?”

“Are you certain it is the Lady Mary?”

“Who else could it be?”

“Think, Luke. You are accepting as truth what you have been told. You mention the Lady Mary as if she is the only threat to King Henry, but sit and think clearly with no favor for one faction or another. There are many who would like to see the end of the King, not just his Catholic half sister.”