The Tavern in the Morning by Alys Clare Read Free Book Online

question them as to whether or not the dead man had any dealings with a man of the handsome stranger’s description. At first sight, that is the obvious solution, that the two were somehow in league and the stranger wanted to silence his accomplice.’
    Josse said, ‘Exactly what I did do, Abbess! But to no avail, I’m afraid.’
    ‘Why? What happened?’
    He gave a brief snort of laughter. ‘I got them all out of that hovel of theirs, standing in a line blinking in the sunshine, and I said, did Peter know anybody from noble circles? Well, that was silly, to start with, since none of them had a clue what I meant, so I narrowed it down a bit and said, did he know a handsome man with shiny dark hair, well-dressed in expensive clothes? I managed to get a detailed description from little Tilly, who, I conclude, has more than a crush on the man, so I was able to add that he wore tan leather boots, a dark-red tunic and a heavy cloak bordered with braid.’
    ‘And what did they say?’
    This time Josse laughed aloud. ‘Nothing. They stood before me staring at me with their mouths open and their eyes popping, like a row of sheep hearing angels sing. I tell you, Abbess, I was in some doubt that they’d taken in a word I said.’
    ‘Did they say any thing?’
    ‘After what seemed an age, the woman – Peter Ely’s wife – announced, “’E din’ mix with gentry.” Then the three of them turned round and shuffled back inside. I did call out to let me know if any strangers came calling, and that I could be reached at the inn. But I doubt if they took any notice.’ He sighed.
    ‘Hm.’ She was thinking. ‘I don’t believe I can offer you any suggestions, Sir Josse. Although one thing does strike me.’
    ‘What?’ he said eagerly.
    ‘Oh, don’t set any store by it,’ she replied, ‘it’s only a very small point.’
    ‘Let me have it anyway,’ he encouraged. ‘I’m at my wits’ end!’
    ‘I doubt that very much,’ she said, ‘Very well. What occurred to me was that this stranger did nothing to disguise himself. Quite the opposite, it appears, since he wore good clothes, which he must have known would stand out in the tap room of the inn, and, by your account, he flirted quite openly with the little maid.’
    ‘We don’t know he did that,’ Josse said. ‘We only have Tilly’s side of the story. And, Abbess, she’s not a girl I would flirt with.’
    ‘Nevertheless, he spent the evening in the tap room, with the evening’s company, appearing as himself. Yes?’
    ‘Ye-es,’ Josse said cautiously.
    ‘So I conclude that he wasn’t there for any nefarious purpose. His visit to Tonbridge was innocent, and therefore he didn’t care who saw him.’
    ‘Because, if he had come on secret business, the last place he’d have gone would be the inn! Yes, Abbess, you’re quite right!’
    ‘Might he have been a guest of the Clare family?’ she suggested. ‘His sort of people, wouldn’t you say?’
    ‘I would.’ Josse frowned again. ‘But if he were, then why eat his supper at the inn?’
    ‘Did he put up there for the night?’
    Josse shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. Mistress Anne says that the dead man was her only guest that night.’ He smiled briefly. ‘Although guest is hardly the word, under the circumstances.’
    ‘Does anybody know where the stranger went, on leaving the inn?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Might he have returned to Tonbridge Castle?’
    Josse folded his arms across his broad chest, tapping the fingers of one hand against the opposite upper arm. ‘Yes, I suppose so. But it doesn’t sound very likely, does it? A nobleman – if we may surmise that from descriptions of his dress and his manner – comes to visit friends, leaves them to take his supper at the local inn, which, for all that it’s a decent one, is still an inn, then, having tucked away his meal, goes back to beg a bed from his hosts.’ He shook his head. ‘Doesn’t accord with anything I’ve ever heard.’
    ‘Nor