‘I doubt it. Again the same wine jug was shared. Nothing suspicious occurred.’

‘And now the French are outraged?’ Sir John opened his eyes and sat up, putting the cup down on the desk in front of him.

‘Why, Sir Jack, I’m glad you’ve joined us!’

‘My Lord Gaunt, I never left you.’

The Regent laughed softly. ‘You are right, Jack. You can guess what has happened. According to the laws and usages of war, prisoners are held for ransom in our care. The French are demanding reparation and justice.’

‘But there’s more, isn’t there?’

‘Aye, Jack, there is. A week ago we made a truce with France, one very much in our interests. No war by land or sea.’

‘But if the French believe,’ Athelstan interrupted, ‘that we are killing hostages, men of quality?’

‘Exactly! They could declare it a casus belli, justification for war and the truce, so carefully arranged by the papal negotiators, would end.’

‘And you believe this Serriem was murdered?’ Athelstan persisted. ‘It was no accident or suicide?’

Gaunt pulled a face and shook his head. ‘Serriem had a wife and family in France, he was desperate to go home.’ Gaunt turned and snapped his fingers. ‘Maurice, if you will bring my Lord de Fontanel up here. Justice must not only be done,’ he added wearily, ‘it must also be seen to be done!’

Sir Maurice left. Gaunt sat staring moodily at the parchments on his table. He didn’t even move when Sir John got up and filled his wine goblet. Athelstan looked round the chamber. How much, he wondered, was the truth? Gaunt was as slippery as a fish and Athelstan knew that they were about to begin the pursuit of a red-handed son of Cain, an assassin, a murderer. They would enter the domain of demons, seek out the truth to bring about justice, but it was never simple.

Athelstan was about to ask his own questions when he heard footfalls outside and Sir Maurice entered the room. The man who swept in behind him was dressed in a long houpelonde, a long, high-necked gown which fell beneath the knee, bound round the waist with a silver belt. On his feet he wore soft buskins ornamented with silver buckles, and a jewelled fleurdelys, on a golden chain, hung round his neck. He had bright red hair, a white puffy face and a hooked nose; the eyes were arrogant, narrow and close-set, the lips thin and bloodless. A man of fiery temper, Athelstan considered, sly and cunning as the weasel he looked. A man who also stood on ceremony. De Fontanel bowed at Gaunt and waited while Sir Maurice brought up a chair so he could sit next to the Regent. He lowered himself carefully, moving the silver dagger pouch so it didn’t catch on the arm of the chair. Only then did he bother to notice Athelstan and Sir John. A quick, summary look then he stared above their heads while fiddling with the rings on his fingers.

‘My Lord de Fontanel.’ Gaunt moved sideways in the chair to face him. ‘May I introduce Sir John Cranston, coroner of the city, and his secretarius Brother Athelstan, a Dominican?’

De Fontanel’s eyes moved, snake-like. He looked quickly at Sir John and dismissed him with a flicker of contempt. He looked more intently at Athelstan as if he couldn’t make up his mind who the Dominican was. He took the silver goblet Sir Maurice passed and handed it to Sir John.

‘I do not wish to be poisoned,’ he lisped. ‘Not like poor Serriem! You, sir, will taste it!’

‘Certainly!’ Sir John grabbed the goblet, drained it in one gulp and thrust it back.

Anger spots glowed high in de Fontanel’s cheeks. Gaunt lowered his head to hide his snigger. Sir Maurice hastened to fill the goblet again.

‘My Lord de Fontanel,’ Gaunt intervened. ‘You are safe here.’

‘You gave the same assurances to poor Serriem and now he’s dead, poisoned.’

‘That is not our fault.’ Gaunt tapped the table and pointed at Athelstan and Sir John. ‘These are my two officers. They will investigate Serriem’s death. If it’s murder, they will capture the felon and he will hang. You have my word.’

Gaunt emphasised the last four words and de Fontanel had no choice but to accept. He sipped from the refilled cup then, raising his head, studied the two officers.

‘We are not what we appear to be,’ the coroner said slowly. ‘Monsieur, if you look into your battle rolls for the name of Cranston you will find it among the victors of many an affray against your country. There is a phrase: “A cowl does not make a monk and judge not a book by its cover”.’ His face creased into a smile. ‘I beg you to do the same.’

‘My lord,’ Athelstan intervened. ‘Do you ever visit Hawkmere Manor?’

The French envoy looked askance.

‘You want us to find the truth,’ Athelstan continued. ‘That means, Monsieur, we must question everyone.’

‘I go there,’ de Fontanel snapped.

‘And do you bring any food or drink?’

‘I am not allowed to. Only a prayer book, some rosary beads.’ De Fontanel put his cup down. ‘My Lord Gaunt, you know my master’s thoughts in this matter.’ He tapped the Regent on the shoulder. ‘We hold you personally responsible for the safe custody of our prisoners. So, let your officers investigate!’

He walked towards the door but paused until Sir Maurice hurried to open it for him. Gaunt waited till he had gone, his face mottled with fury.

‘Now there goes a pretty peacock,’ he said. ‘I’d love to take his head in battle so he doesn’t tap my shoulder again. Ah well.’ He sighed. ‘My clerk will have the commission ready for you. I would be grateful if you would go to Hawkmere Manor immediately. Maltravers will accompany you there.’

‘You’ve had the place searched?’

‘From cellar to garret,’ Sir Maurice intervened. ‘Nothing was found.’

‘Could Limbright be poisoning his visitors out of spite?’

‘Limbright has not got the imagination!’ Gaunt scoffed. ‘While his daughter is simple.’

‘And there are no poisons in the manor?’ Athelstan persisted.

‘None whatsoever. Weapons are strictly controlled, as are the prisoners. They cannot leave its grounds, visitors are searched. De Fontanel can only visit them once a week.’

Athelstan made to leave. He could see that Sir John was beginning to feel uncomfortable and was genuinely concerned lest the coroner doze off again.

‘One moment.’ Gaunt got to his feet and went and put his hand on Sir Maurice’s shoulder. ‘Sir Jack, Brother Athelstan, I think you know Sir Maurice Maltravers: a warrior and my most loyal retainer.’

Athelstan narrowed his eyes. Now he studied him, the young knight looked white and peakish, his eyes red-rimmed as if he had been crying or slept poorly.

‘Sir Maurice,’ Gaunt continued, ‘is a man deeply in love. He is much smitten by the Lady Angelica Parr.’

‘Oh no!’ Sir John groaned. ‘Not the daughter of Sir Thomas? Parr is tight-fisted and avaricious. We attended the Inns of Court together years ago. He is so mean there are cobwebs in his purse. Now he controls everything, ships, wool and wine. They even say half the Commons, not to mention the court, are deeply in debt to him.’

‘Sir John, as usual, you are succinct and truthful,’ Gaunt replied. ‘I am deeply indebted to Sir Thomas and he has great aspirations for his daughter. The hand of an earl, perhaps, even one of my own kinsmen, a member of the royal family?’

Gaunt turned and stared at Sir Maurice and, for the first time ever, Athelstan caught a genuine look of compassion in the Regent’s eyes.

‘Sir Maurice,’ Gaunt sighed, ‘is the younger son of a younger son of a younger son.’ He waved his hand. ‘He made the terrible mistake of courting the Lady Angelica, even trying to elope with her.’

‘Oh dear!’ Sir John breathed.

‘Oh dear, yes. He has been forbidden near the house and Lady Angelica is safely ensconced with the venerable sisters, the nuns of Syon on the Thames.’

‘Oh, heaven’s tits!’ Sir John groaned.

‘Precisely. A house ruled by the very venerable Mother Monica! A woman who strikes more terror in some of my court than the massed armies of the French. Sir Thomas has petitioned me,’ Gaunt continued, ‘to keep Maltravers away and to send to the convent a venerable father, a man of sanctity, to instruct his daughter in obedience and love for her father. You, Brother Athelstan, are the chosen one.’ He lowered his voice. ‘And that’s the problem. You are also to use all your powers to advance the cause of Sir Maurice.’