‘They gave us good food and clothing, shelter and learning. But no one could replace our parents. No one could feel that loss save Emma and I. I wish people could understand that.’
‘It is indeed understandable,’ Dyrick said. This deposition was going his way.
‘A last word concerning your poor sister,’ I said quietly. ‘Michael Calfhill said you had a fight with David over some improper words he used to her.’
Hugh smiled tightly and humourlessly. ‘David is always saying improper words. You have met him. Once he made a coarse suggestion to Emma. I struck him for it and he learned not to do it again.’
‘Was there ever talk of Emma marrying David?’
A fierce look sparked in Hugh’s eyes for a moment. ‘That would never have happened. Emma never liked him.’
‘Yet you and David are friends now?’
He shrugged. ‘We go hawking and practise archery together.’
‘Michael Calfhill’s mother said Michael first taught you and your sister to pull the bow.’
‘He did. I am grateful to him for that.’
‘Yet Master Hobbey dismissed him. He says he feared impropriety between him and you.’
Hugh met my look, then shook his head slowly. ‘There was nothing improper between us.’
‘But Master Hobbey must have thought he had reason to dismiss him,’ Dyrick put in sharply.
‘Perhaps Master Hobbey believed he saw something. But I have no accusations to make against Michael Calfhill.’ Hugh looked at Dyrick, and now there was a challenge in his eyes.
‘Perhaps you do not care to remember,’ Dyrick suggested.
‘I have nothing to remember.’
‘I think that is quite clear, Brother,’ I said. ‘Now, Hugh, after Michael left you had other tutors. They seem to have come and gone.’
He shrugged. ‘One got married. One went to travel. And David did not make life easy for them.’
‘And then this Easter Michael suddenly reappeared, running up to you in the garden?’
Hugh was silent for a long moment. He looked down. ‘That I do not understand,’ he said at length. ‘He appeared like a thunderbolt. He must have been hiding among the headstones in the old cemetery, watching David and I shoot our arrows. He pulled at my arm and demanded I come away with him, said I did not belong here.’
‘Master Hobbey says he told you he loved you as no other,’ I said quietly.
The boy looked up, challenge in his eyes again. ‘I do not remember him saying that.’ He seeks to protect Michael, I thought. Is he speaking the truth or not?
‘You were upset,’ Dyrick said. ‘Maybe you did not hear.’ He smiled encouragingly. Hugh stared back at Dyrick with a cold dislike that discomfited even him for a moment. Then Dyrick said lightly, ‘Master Hobbey tells us you would go for a soldier?’
‘Truly I would.’ Hugh stared at him, emotion entering his voice. ‘Less than ten miles from here our ships and men make ready to fight. What Englishman would not wish to serve in this hour? I am young, but I am as good an archer as any. But for my wardship I would serve.’
‘You forget, Master Hugh, you are responsible for a large estate. A gentleman with responsibilities.’
‘Responsibilities?’ Hugh laughed bitterly. ‘To woods and badgers and foxes? I have no interest in those, sir. David has his family to consider. But I have none.’
‘Come,’ Dyrick said reprovingly, ‘you are part of the Hobbey family.’
Hugh looked at me. ‘The family I loved are all dead. The Hobbeys – ’ he hesitated – ‘can never replace those I lost.’
‘But you are young,’ Dyrick said, ‘and quite rich. In time you will marry and have your own family.’
Hugh continued to look at me. ‘I would rather defend my country.’
Dyrick inclined his head. ‘Then I say, young man, thank heaven for the Court of Wards, and Master Hobbey’s authority over you. Do you not agree, Brother Shardlake?’
‘I applaud your honourable nature, Master Hugh,’ I said quietly. ‘But war is a matter of blood and death.’
‘Do you think I do not know that?’ he answered scornfully.
There was silence for a moment. Then Dyrick asked, ‘Are there any more questions?’
I repeated my formula. ‘Not for now.’ Hugh rose, bowed, and walked from the room. Dyrick looked at me triumphantly. Hugh had not accused Michael, but neither had he accused the Hobbeys of anything, anything at all.
AFTERWARDS I invited Barak to my room to talk. ‘Well,’ he began, ‘so much for our main witness.’
I paced up and down, frowning. ‘I don’t understand it. Hobbey and Fulstowe were practised, but Hugh—’
‘It was almost as though he did not care.’
‘Yet he did not endorse what Hobbey said about Michael. Neither that Michael behaved improperly when he was a boy, nor that he said he loved him this spring.’
‘He said nothing against the Hobbeys. You can see he thinks David a fool, but who could think otherwise?’
‘Why does he care nothing for his estates?’
Barak looked at me seriously. ‘Maybe he just never got over his parents and sister dying.’