The Fifth Knight(68)
The Abbess bowed her head, joined by Theodosia. Palmer did likewise.
“Let us give thanks for what the Lord has provided.” The older woman finished with a rapid sign of the cross. “Now, where was I?”
“The letter?” Palmer spooned a mouthful of hot, herbed pork into his mouth.
“Yes. The letter.” Ursula also tucked into her food.
A glance at Theodosia confirmed she had little appetite yet.
“I gave it to Amélie,” said Ursula. “She read it, became highly agitated. Then told me she had to leave at once.”
“Only days ago. After so many years.” Theodosia’s face showed her torment. “Where did she go?”
“I don’t know.” Ursula took a long draught of ale.
“You must know,” said Palmer. “All you had to do was look at the letter.”
“It had the seal of Canterbury on it, sir.” The Abbess’s stern reply had him realize why poor Wilfreda shook like she did.
“But as I have said, Canterbury is where we have come from, Mother,” said Theodosia. “That’s where I have been, all these years. I never left.”
The Abbess put down her spoon down in her bowl with a sharp clink. “Then what do you know of poor Archbishop Becket’s murder?”
“We witnessed it,” said Theodosia. “A group of fi — four knights.”
“Oh, my child.” The Abbess reached for Theodosia’s hand and squeezed it hard.
“They killed him because they wanted to find Theodosia,” said Palmer. “And Amélie.”
“But why?” Ursula shook her head in incomprehension as she looked from one to another.
“We don’t know,” said Palmer.
“Just how have you come to be embroiled in all of this?” Ursula pinned him with her look.
“It matters not,” said Theodosia. “He has saved my life. Many times.” The corners of her mouth lifted in spite of her troubled expression.
“Noble indeed. But not an answer.”
“The truth?” said Palmer.
“The truth,” said Ursula.
“I was the fifth knight.”
“You sit here, a murderer, accepting the hospitality of the church — ”
“No, Mother,” said Theodosia. “Benedict was ensnared by their falsehoods. Once he realized their foul intents, he has done everything within his power to keep me from harm.”
The Abbess focused on Theodosia. “You trust him?”
A thief, a coward. He tensed for the words.
“With my very life, Mother,” came her quiet reply, though she did not meet his eye.
Palmer kept his smile in. He’d finally won her trust. Her respect. But his happiness died inside him. He’d still lose her.
Silence settled on the sun-filled room, then the Abbess finally nodded. “Very well.”
The scuttle of footsteps sounded from the landing, and Wilfreda came in, cloth in one hand, stone jar in another. “I’ve brought what you asked, Mother.”
“Good. Now, give Sister Theodosia her water and mop up that mess.” The Abbess released her hold on Theodosia’s hand and gestured to her and Palmer. “Eat up. Waste is a dreadful sin.”
As they both acted on the Abbess’s instruction, Wilfreda poured Theodosia’s water.
“Mother Ursula,” said Theodosia, “have you still got the letter?”
“Yes, I do. It’s in that chest, behind my desk.” She pointed over to the window.
“We have to see it,” said Theodosia.
Palmer mopped the last of his meat with a piece of bread, eyebrows raised to himself at Theodosia’s firm demand.
“S-sir?”
He picked up his tankard so Wilfreda could clean beneath.
She scrubbed so hard he thought she’d go through the tabletop.
“That’s fine, thank you. Leave us now, Wilfreda.”
“Yes, Mother. Sorry, Mother.”
Off she shot again, poor wretch.
Palmer took a drink as Theodosia pushed her point. “Mother Abbess? The letter?”
He didn’t join in. That letter, any letter, would be as much use to him as a straw sword.
“I don’t know.” For the first time, the Abbess seemed unsure of herself.
“Please allow me to read it,” said Theodosia. “It must have a bearing on Becket’s death. On the hunt for my mother and me. If it does not, then there is no harm done.”
“Very well,” said Ursula. “Once you’ve finished, I’ll show it to you.” She sighed and pushed her bowl away. “My own appetite has departed. Who are these men that would have carried out such evil acts and want to do yet more?”
“They’re led by a Reginald Fitzurse,” said Palmer.