“I know why you did it,” Bell said, waving dismissal of her reasoning, “but I thought you could have trusted me. You told William of Ypres.”
“I did not! I told William that Brother Godwine had been murdered, the church would have to be purified, and since Baldassare had not hidden the pouch in my house, it was possible he had been inside the church, had hidden it there, and the cleaning might expose it. If he guessed what you guessed, he gave no sign of it. And since William is not one to cry over spilt milk, I doubt he cares how the pouch got into the church. It is enough that he was there when it was discovered.”
“Well, he did not hint to the bishop that there was any doubt about who hid it—not that it matters; Winchester knows now, but obviously he will not make an issue of it, or of anything else that might cause you trouble. And anyway, he got what he wanted. Lord William did try to convince him of the benefits of bringing the pouch to the king intact and allowing the king to bestow the bull, but when Winchester said flatly he would not accept it from the king without the pope’s special order, Lord William agreed that the bishop should take the bull. Winchester sweetened that by suggesting that he would not announce receiving the bull or use it until it was absolutely necessary, so that the king would believe it had been sent by a different messenger.”
Magdalene sighed. William had not got everything he wanted, but he had the letter confirming the king’s right, and he had a fascinating story to tell. He would be back in full favor—for a time, anyway.
“I am delighted to hear they came to a peaceable agreement,” she said. “Is that where you were when we were all scrubbing the church? Acting bodyguard for the bishop lest William lose his temper and take the bull by force?”
Bell laughed. “No, I heard by accident. I was waiting to report to the bishop about my search for the goldsmith who made those copies of the church plate. Neither Lord William nor Lord Winchester even noticed I was in the bishop’s private closet. I spoke at once, but they both waved me to wait. Thank God they seem to trust me to hold my tongue” —he looked surprised and shook his head— “which I have not done. God help me, talking to you, Magdalene, is like talking to myself.”
“And what you said will go just as far. I am accustomed to hearing what is dangerous to know. If William can trust me, you can.”
“Oh, yes, unless my interest conflicts with his.” His voice was bitter.
They had stopped by the gate; the latch lifted readily and Bell swung it open. Magdalene passed through, then turned back to face him.
“William has a right to my loyalty. He has been my patron, my protector—my lord, since you will understand that term best—for over ten years. I am no man’s woman, not even William’s, but I do put his interests above those of others. If you cannot understand and accept that, I am most truly sorry.”
There was a little silence. Bell watched her as if he expected her to slam the gate in his face and walk away. Finally he said, “I suppose you want me to gather my things and go back to my former lodging.”
Magdalene looked up at him over the gate and put out her hand to keep it half open between them. He had not killed Guiscard over her. He had not flown into a rage over her repeated statement of her obligation to William. Maybe training would tame him. She smiled.
“Not unless you cannot bear to live among us any longer, or you think the bishop would disapprove. I would miss your company, which I enjoy. And it is comforting to have a man in the house whom we can trust to defend us. I will gladly exchange that for the cost of your board, if you can remember that I am a whore and can belong to any man for only his five-pence worth of time, you are welcome to stay…if you wish.”
“You said you were retired.”
“So I am, but that does not change what I am.”
He grinned. “Now that Baldassare’s murderer is taken, I will begin in earnest to convince you that total retirement is not so blessed as you think.”
“I look forward to the contest,” she said, laughing.
The twist of Bell’s lips in response was sour, but he stepped through the gate, shut it behind him, and walked companionably beside her to the back door of her house. Both reached for the door latch simultaneously and their fingers touched. She snatched hers away, which restored Bell’s good humor and he laughed aloud. But he did not try to follow his advantage. He lifted the latch and opened the door, looking down at her, his eyes sparkling.
“We will both enjoy the contest, I think.”