The King's Concubine

‘Who?’ Although I knew the answer well enough.

‘The Signora. She has a nose for it, as keen as any mouse finding the cheese safe stored in a cupboard. And when she sniffs it out, you’ll not see it again.’

I thought about this as well. ‘I thought she didn’t know.’

‘Is that what Janyn told you? Of course she does. Nothing happens in this place without her knowledge. She knows you have money, and she doesn’t agree with it. Any profits are the inheritance of her nephew, Janyn’s son.’

The absent heir, learning the business in Lombardy. ‘Since you’re keen to offer advice, what do I do?’ I asked crossly. ‘Short of digging a hole in the garden?’

‘Which she’d find.’

‘A cranny in the eaves?’

‘She’d find that too.’

‘So?’ His smugness irritated me.

‘Give it to me.’

Which promptly dispersed my irritation. I laughed, disbelieving. ‘Do you take me for a fool?’

‘I take you for a sensible woman. Give it to me.’ He actually held out his hand, palm up. His fingers were blotched with ink.

‘I will not.’

He sighed as if his patience was strained. ‘Give it to me and I’ll use it to make you a rich woman.’

‘Why would you?’

‘Listen to me, Mistress Alice!’ I was right about the patience. His voice fell to a low hiss on the syllables of my name. ‘What keeps its value and lasts for ever?’

‘Gold.’

‘No. Gold can be stolen—and then you have nothing.’

‘Jewels, then.’

‘Same argument. Think about it.’

‘Then since you are so clever …’

‘Land!’ The clerk’s beady eyes gleamed. ‘Property. That’s the way to do it. It’s a generous purse he gave you. Give it to me and I will buy you property.’

For a moment I listened to him, seduced by the glitter in his gaze that was now holding mine. His nose almost twitched with the prospect. And then sense took hold. ‘But I cannot look after property! What would I do with it?’

‘You don’t have to look after it. There are ways and means. Give me your morning gift and I will show you how it’s done.’

It deserved some consideration. ‘What would you ask in return?’ I asked sharply.

‘Clever girl! I knew you had the makings of a business woman. I’ll let you know. But it will not be too great a price.’

I looked at him. What a cold fish he was. ‘Why are you doing this?’

‘I think you have possibilities.’

‘As a landowner?’ It all seemed nonsense to me.

‘Why not?’

I didn’t have a reply. I stood in silence, the coins in my hand seemingly growing heavier as I slowly breathed, in and out. I tossed the little bag, and caught it.

‘We don’t have all day.’ Greseley’s admonition broke into my thoughts. ‘That’s my offer. Take it or leave it. But if you think to keep it safe within these walls, it will be gone before the end of the week.’

‘And I should trust you.’

Trust had not figured highly in my life. This strange man with his love for figures and documents, seals and agreements, who had sought me out and made me this most tempting of offers—should I hand over to him all I owned in the world? It was a risk. A huge risk. The arguments, conflicting, destructive of each other, rattled back and forth in my brain.

Say no. Keep it for yourself. Hide it where no one can find it.

Take the risk! Become a landowner.

He’ll take it and keep it for himself.

Trust him.

I can’t!

Why not?

My exchange of views came to an abrupt halt when the clerk pushed himself upright and began to walk away. ‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’

And there was the final blast of the voice in my head. You can’t do this on your own, Alice, but Greseley can. Thisclever little louse has the knowledge. Learn from him. Use it to your own advantage.

Well, I would. ‘Stop!’ I called out.

He stopped, but he did not return; he simply stood there with his back to me.

‘I’ll do it,’ I told him.

He spun on his heel. ‘An excellent decision.’

‘How long will it take?’

‘A few days.’

I held up the pouch. Hesitated. Then dropped it into his outstretched palm. I was still wondering if I was an idiot. ‘If you rob me …’ I began.

‘Yes, Mistress Perrers?’ It caused me to laugh softly. It was the first time I had been addressed as such.