Leacon grimaced. ‘Sir Franklin Giffard, captain of the company. One of the leading men in north Middlesex. He was a soldier in France in the King’s first war thirty years ago. Unfortunately he is, between ourselves – ’ he hesitated, then said, ‘a little old for command.’
‘He is certainly not young.’
‘They need a gentleman of substance to keep the soldiers in awe, but I was recruited to go up there, select a hundred good longbowmen, and be his deputy. I am a petty-captain now, promoted last year on the battlefield outside Boulogne.’
‘Congratulations.’
He nodded, but something blank came into his face for a moment. He said, ‘How do you fare?’
‘The law keeps me busy.’
‘It is good to see you again.’
‘Remember Tamasin Reedbourne?’ Barak asked.
‘Indeed I do.’
‘We are married,’ he said proudly. ‘And a baby due next month.’
Leacon shook his hand warmly. ‘Then it is you that deserves congratulation.’
‘How are your parents?’ I asked.
‘Both well, sir. Still on the farm that is theirs thanks to you. But getting older, they find the work hard now. I should take over, but – ’ he grimaced again – ‘it is easier to get into the King’s army than out of it just now.’
‘Truly spoken,’ Barak agreed with feeling.
Leacon gestured at the papers in front of him. ‘My suppliers’ accounts, for the men’s food. They are supposed to be settled in every town, and I have money to pay for them. But with this evil new coinage the local merchants charge more.’ He pushed the papers aside with an impatient gesture.
‘How many men are going to Portsmouth?’ Barak asked. ‘The roads are full.’
‘Six thousand are there or on the way, with many more local militia all along the south coast ready to be called out if the French invade.’
‘Jesu.’
‘And most of the King’s ships of war are there, fifty or sixty of them, so there are several thousand sailors too. I have to get my men to Portsmouth in four days. March on the Sabbath if need be.’
‘And the King himself is coming to inspect them all.’
Leacon looked at us seriously. ‘Word is the French fleet is thrice the size of ours, loaded with thirty thousand soldiers. There could be a hot time coming. My company may be going to the ships, to do battle if the fleets grapple together.’ He shook his head. ‘I sailed on a warship last year, but many of my men have never seen a body of water larger than the village pond. But we must do all we can to beat off the invasion, we have no choice.’ Something weary and almost despairing had entered Leacon’s voice. He looked as though he were about to say something more, then changed the subject. ‘Is it just the two of you travelling down?’
‘Wish it were,’ Barak answered.
‘No, we travel with another lawyer and his clerk. Not easy companions.’ I turned to look at Dyrick, but he had gone. ‘My fellow lawyer was keen to make the journey in four or five days but it does not seem we will do that. Today we have been forever held up behind carts.’
Leacon looked at me. ‘Perhaps I can help there.’
‘How so?’
‘I have orders to get my men to Portsmouth by the fifth. It is hard marching. I have the right to order carts aside, command the roads. If you and your companions wish to ride in front of our baggage train, that would speed your journey.’
‘We should be very grateful,’ I said.
‘We start at five tomorrow, I warn you.’
I exchanged a glance with Barak. He nodded eagerly. The sooner we got to Hoyland, the sooner we would return home. ‘We will be there,’ I answered. ‘Thank you.’
‘I am pleased to do something to return the favour you did my family.’ Leacon looked reluctantly at his documents. ‘But now, if you will forgive me, I need to make some sense of these figures, then get over to camp.’
‘You’re not staying at the inn?’
‘No. I sleep with the men.’
‘Then we will leave you.’
We headed for the door. One of the carters had a girl on the floor now, the others cheering him on.
‘I will call at Dyrick’s room and tell him the news,’ I said.
‘Maybe the arsehole will show a bit of gratitude.’
‘I doubt that.’ I turned to him. ‘Jack, what has happened to George Leacon?’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t know. Trouble, I can tell you that.’
I glanced back. The soldier’s blond head was bent over the papers again as he ran his finger down a column of figures. His other hand, which rested on the table, trembled slightly.
Chapter Thirteen