Heartstone Read Online Free Page A

indoors and get master’s dinner ready,’ he shouted at them. ‘Making me waste time giving you drilling lessons!’ The boys looked at him, outrage on their faces.
    I turned to Guy. ‘God’s death, that man!’ Guy shook his head wearily. A moment later Coldiron appeared in the doorway. He bowed, then stood stiffly to attention. As ever, I found his face difficult to look at. A long, deep scar ran from his receding hairline to his eyepatch and continued down to the corner of his mouth. He had told me when I interviewed him that it was the result of a sword thrust received at the Battle of Flodden against the Scots over thirty years before. I had sympathized, as I always did with those who were disfigured, and that had influenced me in taking him on, though there was also the fact that, with two large instalments of tax due to the King, I had to be careful with money and he did not demand high wages. In truth I had not much liked him even then.
    â€˜What were you doing out there with the boys?’ I asked. ‘Josephine says nothing has been done to prepare dinner.’
    â€˜I’m sorry, sir,’ he answered smoothly. ‘Only Simon and Timothy were asking me about my time as a soldier. God bless them, they want to do what they can to defend their country from invasion. They pestered me to show them how soldiers drill.’ He spread his hands. ‘Wouldn’t let me alone. It stirs their blood to know I fought the Scots last time they invaded us, that I was the man who cut down King James IV.’
    â€˜Are they going to defend us with broomsticks?’
    â€˜The time may be coming when even such callow boys may need to take up bills and halberds. They say the Scots are up to their old pranks again, ready to march on us while the French threaten us from the south. I believe it, I know those redshanks. And if foreign spies set fire to London—’ He gave Guy a sidelong look, so quick it was barely noticeable, but Guy saw it and turned away.
    â€˜I don’t want you drilling Timothy and Simon,’ I said curtly, ‘however great your knowledge of the arts of war. Those of housekeeping are your work now.’
    Coldiron did not turn a hair. ‘Of course, sir. I won’t let the boys press me like that again.’ He bowed deeply once more and left the room. I stared at the closed door.
    â€˜He made the boys go out and drill,’ Guy said. ‘I saw it. Timothy at least did not want to.’
    â€˜That man is a liar and a rogue.’
    Guy smiled sadly, raising an eyebrow. ‘You do not think he killed the Scottish King?’
    I snorted. ‘Every English soldier who was at Flodden claims he did it. I am thinking of dismissing him.’
    â€˜Perhaps you should,’ Guy said, uncharacteristically for he was the gentlest of men.
    I sighed. ‘It’s his daughter I feel sorry for. Coldiron bullies her as well as the boys.’ I passed a hand over my chin. ‘I am due to visit the Bedlam tomorrow, by the way, to see Ellen.’
    He gave me a direct look, his face as sad as any man’s I have seen. ‘By going there every time she says she is ill - well, it may not be to the benefit of either of you in the long run. Whatever she is suffering, she lacks the right to summon you at will.’

    I LEFT EARLY next morning to visit the Bedlam. The night before I had finally come to a decision about Ellen. I did not like what I planned to do, but could see no alternative. I donned my robe and riding boots, collected my riding crop and walked round to the stables. I had decided to ride across the city, and my way lay down the broader, paved streets. Genesis was in his stall, nose in the feed bucket. Timothy, whose duties included the stable, was stroking him. As I entered, the horse looked up and gave a whicker of welcome. I patted his cheek, running my hand down his stiff, bristly whiskers. I had had him five years; he had been a