Secondly, the Nuns here were revered for their medicinal skills and their learning. They were entirely self sufficient and wealthier than the average religious order. And with the location on the shore, the grounds were remarkably beautiful.
Isabel thanked God every day that she had found them. She'd been lost and alone, a runaway. When she'd run away she'd dressed as a boy. Slowly, always traveling at night, she had made her way to the Nunnery. And they had taken her in. Of course, her generous dowry had been an asset, but they would have taken her regardless.
Not just because she could read and write.
Because she was in need.
She knew it in her heart.
With steady fingers she lifted the parchment and set it aside. Then she began again. The steady rhythm of the work soothed her, as did everything about this place.
Her safe haven.
Her uncle had come after her of course. But by then she'd been protected by rules and high strong walls. That didn't stop him from coming again. And again. Three times that first year. Twice the second. One a year after that. Until, finally, his threatening visits had tapered off.
It had been several years now since her uncle had shown his decidedly unpleasant visage. Isabel had begun to truly relax. Her duties filled her with a sense of accomplishment and calm. Though in truth, she wanted more.
A husband and children had always been part of her vision for her future. A future that her uncle's plans had snatched away from her at the moment of her deepest grief. But she knew she was lucky to have this place, even if her devotion to God was less than ardent.
This was the main reason that she had yet to take her final vows. The Mother Superior herself kept putting it off. The woman was beyond wise, and an astute judge of character. Isabel had a sneaking suspicion the wiley old woman had other plans for her.
Only time would tell what those plans might be.
She sighed and dipped her quill into the ink pot. Twas nearly time to mix some more ink. She finished the page she was working on and went back to the storage room to gather her supplies.
Two
Geoffrey looked around the brightly lit room. It was the anteroom to the Mother Superior's private chambers. To say that it exuded wealth would be an understatement.
Opulent was the wrong word to use however. The only artwork was religious in nature. The only comforts were a small fire and two chairs that faced a writing table.
Of course.
Unlike most women, the Mother Superior could read and write. She had to. And tally numbers most likely.
That was a task even Geoffrey found cumbersome.
He frowned. He'd have to find someone then. To handle his books. Once he'd begun managing his property.
Twas too bad there weren't more learned women around. He'd marry a plain woman if she could count sums! That was highly unlikely to happen though. Especially in court.
All these thoughts of marriage were depressing him. Not only did he have to escort some prim lipped virgin across the land but he'd have to find a wife in short order as well! No man of property wanted to leave it to chance that he'd find a proper heir before he left this earth. So the sooner he found a woman and begat a child on her, the better.
He sighed and shifted his weight. No one had offered him wine or told him he could sit. He wasn't sure what the etiquette was here but twas always better to err on the side of graciousness.
In fact... if he could charm the Mother Superior... perhaps he could convince her to give him the best nun she had! The prettiest and most docile! That would make the ride home much more tolerable.
Aye, a fine plan it was indeed!
The door opened behind him and he turned, pinning an almost blinding smile to his face. The Mother Superior looked momentarily taken aback, and then immediately suspicious thereafter. Clearly, the woman was no fool. He tempered his smile to a more sedate expression.
She took her seat behind her desk and gestured to a chair. He'd been right not to sit, though it irked him. Then she did something that placed her firmly back in his good graces.
She offered him wine.
He felt the foolish grin creep back onto his face as he accepted the heavy goblet from her. He sipped and sipped again. Why, he'd never tasted better!
"Tis very good! I thank you!"
Even to him, his voice sounded overloud. He cursed inwardly. Why did women such as this make him so nervous? The Mother Superior merely nodded and folded her hands.
"Now, Sir Geoffrey, what may I do for you?"
"The King has bade me bring one of your order with me to his court."
"To what purpose?"
"I know not. I assume only that he wants to learn more of your ways. May I say how remarkable this place is? Tis a marvel of efficiency, truly."
Now at last, he was granted a sincere smile from the Mother Superior.
Best to strike now, whilst he was in her good graces.
"He did- that is the King- did mention that I should bring a fair Nun."
The Mother Superiors eyebrows shot up, nearly disappearing under her wimple.
"Fair?"
He nodded eagerly.
"Aye, the fairest."
She leaned back and frowned, watching him closely.
"Did he say why?"
He shook his head.
"Nay he did not. But I suspect twill keep you in his favor to do so. Him being a man and more predisposed to be in good humor when dealing with a pretty face."
A sly look came onto the Mother Superiors face. Her fingertips tapped together as she titled her head and watched him.
"Are you married Sir Geoffrey?"
"Not as yet."
"Betrothed?"
He frowned, uncertain where this was going.
"Nay."
"And I have your word that the lady in question will be unharmed? Unmolested by your men?"
"Aye, of course. Who would molest a nun?"
"One last thing- are you a man of property Sir Geoffrey?"
He puffed his chest out and nodded.
"Indeed, the King has recently awarded me with Haverly Keep. Tis a small castle near the Southern Coast."
She seemed to decide something then and stood, slapping her hands on the table.
"Excellent. Come with me Sir Geoffrey. I think we may have just the woman for you."
He followed her through several long hallways, utterly baffled by her sudden change in mood. The Mother Superior was smiling widely as she led him further and further into the Nunnery.
The place was enormous and meticulously kept. Sedate looking women were everywhere, going about their daily routines. He expected them to notice him, as women usually did, but they kept their eyes demurely lowered.
At last the Mother Superior led him to a large airy room. High windows on all sides allowed bright light to illuminate the scribes working there. He was shocked to see so many learned women. They were a rarity indeed.
She led him to a plain faced nun. He hoped this was not the woman she had in mind. Perhaps as a nun she did not understand what he had meant by fair...
"Where is Isabel?"
"In the back. Shall I fetch her Abbess?"
The Mother Superior nodded her head and the plain faced nun ran off to do her bidding. She was not unlike a queen Geoffrey realized. Perhaps the King found that to be disagreeable he thought.
And then he ceased to think at all.
An angel was walking towards him.
His eyes widened as he took in her beauteous features. Her face was perfectly symmetrical, dominated by wide set, overlarge eyes that were the dark green of the forest at dusk. Her pert nose was sweet, her round cheeks high and her lips so overfull and sensual that he felt a shot of lust go straight through him.
He forced himself to stand perfectly still as she walked forward with a grace that belied her somber black gown and white wimple. At her temples a wisp of golden hair had escaped its confines, curling sweetly against her cheek. He tried to keep his composure but he could not so he tried to look away.
Instead he noticed the faint shadow of her breasts where they pressed against the top of her shapeless gown. They appeared to be generous and sweetly rounded. She was the most delightfully feminine creature he'd ever beheld. He jerked his eyes away, desperate now to regain some sort of control over himself.
He glanced down and saw something that finally held his attention without creating a tidal wave of lust.
Her finger tips were stained blue.
<><><><><>
Isabel stared in fear at the Mother Superior and her guest.
A man was here.
Men were rarely seen inside these walls, other than an occasional laborer. But this man was no laborer. Tall, broad and almost sinfully handsome, this man was utterly virile. A force to be reckoned with.
With his strong jaw and even features, wavy bright hair and sparkling blue eyes, he was by far the most handsome man she'd ever clapped eyes on. Not that she'd seen many. Not for many years at least.
Perhaps that's all this was... this strange reaction she was having to his warm gaze.
And it was warm. There was no escaping that. No man had ever looked at her in quite that way.