Chapter 15 #4
Henry, however, was in the early days of his reign. He had not had time yet to assess his brother's successes and failures, or to detect who had been responsible for them. Nor had the king had time to realize just how much he needed the money Ranulph Flambard could obtain for him.
On the other hand, some of Flambard's means of obtaining that money had been... unusual. And Henry had promised to uphold the laws.
The bishop reached for the goblet of wine standing close by his right hand. Everything hung in the balance.
A servant slipped into the room and bowed.
"Yes?"
"Raymond of Lowick requests an audience, my lord bishop."
A possible weight in the balance.
"Send him in. And bring more wine and another goblet."
Sir Raymond stalked into the small chamber with an excess of energy and dignity. He was not in armor, thank heaven, but his sword threatened various objects as he moved. The servant presented the goblet of wine and was thanked curtly.
It was amazing, thought Flambard, how men of such minuscule importance thought themselves so grand.
"My lord bishop," said Lowick, "Galeran of Heywood and his household are in London."
"That is hardly surprising."
Lowick stopped his restlessness and fixed a surprisingly knowing look on Ranulph. "Lord William of Brome is not with them. He was taken ill at Waltham."
Ranulph put aside his wine. "Indeed? That is interesting. Do we know what kind of illness?"
"No, my lord."
Flambard considered for a moment, then said, "You must ride to Waltham and discover just how ill Lord William is."
"But Jehanne and my child are here, only lightly protected at the house of Hugo the Vintner in Corser Street. Is this not a good time to seize them?"
Ranulph decided he must have been mistaken about that flash of intelligence.
"Not at all. I have no jurisdiction here.
Knowing where they are is good enough for now.
I have already mentioned your case to the king and hope that he will order that my judgment be obeyed.
He is not keen to offend the Church at this time. ..."
With a knock, the servant intruded once again.
"What?"
"Begging your pardon, my lord, but a messenger comes from the king."
"Then send him in, man! Send him in!"
The messenger was a neatly made young clerk of the type Henry seemed to favor. "My lord bishop, I bring greetings from the king, who sends to inform you that tomorrow at terce a case will come before him that could hold interest for you."
"What case?" asked Ranulph, not letting a scrap of interest show, though Lowick, damn him, was flaring and sidling like a stallion scenting a mare.
"A matter raised by Lord Galeran of Heywood to do with his wife and his wife's child. You did mention this matter to his majesty, my lord."
If this young rapscallion was his servant, he'd whip him for impudence. Ranulph sipped his wine. "Ah, yes. I remember. A minor matter, but Lord Galeran was less than cooperative."
"The king invites you to attend the hearing and put forward any aspects of the case as you see fit."
"The king is most kind and just. Sir Raymond here has an interest, too, being the father of the child. Unless I hear to the contrary, I will bring him with me."
"I will report as much." The clerk bowed himself out.
"By Saint Michael, it has come!" declared Lowick, hand on sword hilt.
"And may well go in moments if the king is so minded," Ranulph snapped. "He's a man with a quiver full of bastards, so he may not look upon fornication and adultery seriously."
"You think we could lose, my lord?"
"Just in case, I have prepared another weapon."
"A weapon, my lord?"
"You are Jehanne of Heywood's lawful husband."
"No, I'm not."
Flambard pointed to a document on a side table. Lowick picked it up, but said, "I don't read." He made it a declaration of worthiness.
"Then put it down again," said Flambard with a sigh. "It is your betrothal document, duly signed by a number of witnesses."
"But I was never formally betrothed to Jehanne."
A profound desire to hit Lowick over the head with something astonished Flambard. The current tension must be rotting his brain. "It was Lord Fulk's intent, you say, and I have made that intent real. The document, Sir Raymond, changes everything. It means you can challenge Lord Galeran."
Lowick contemplated that. "But if I issue a wrongful challenge, God will not be on my side."
Flambard closed his eyes briefly. "You must look to the truth, not just what happened. Truly, you were promised Jehanne as your bride, weren't you?"
"Yes, but..."
"Does not that promise invalidate her later betrothal to Galeran?"
"Does it?"
"Yes," Flambard lied.
"Oh. So if their marriage is invalid... she is mine!"
"Quite. Now, we will not produce this document unless we need to, but it means we cannot lose. One way or another you will fight him and kill him, yes? For your lady and your child."
Lowick stood tall. "For my lady and my child!"
The volume of his declaration almost made Flambard's head ache, but he smiled.
"However, it would be useful to know exactly what William of Brome is up to, and it's no great distance to Waltham.
Get you there and discover what you can.
If Lord William is malingering, that's another pennyweight on our side. "
Once the knight had left, the bishop drained his goblet of wine, then sent Lucas to check on the house of Hugo the Vintner in Corser Street.
When the man returned he had very interesting news.