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The Fifth Knight(87)



“You see, Amélie?” said Edward. “God has answered our prayers.” The monk had a quiet, satisfied smile on his face.

“Then let Him be praised without end.” Amélie gave a light stroke to her daughter’s cheek, tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear. “For when I saw you in the doorway, looking so disheveled, so, so rough, I feared…” She shook her head. “It’s God’s own miracle you’re here.”

“God was on my side, as always,” said Theodosia. She turned from her mother’s embrace to smile at Palmer. “But Benedict here was my protector, saving me from certain death.”

“Benedict?” Amélie brought him forward with a gesture.

“Sir Benedict Palmer,” said Theodosia in quick correction.

He bowed in formal courtesy. “Yes, Sister Amélie.”

“Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart for my daughter’s safe deliverance,” said Amélie. “There will be a place for you in Paradise.”

“Once you’ve finished in purgatory,” came Edward’s swift comment.

Amélie appeared not to notice as she turned her attention to Theodosia again. “I believe, Laeticia, that you took another name at Holy Orders.”

“Yes, Mama. Theodosia.”

“How wonderful. My gift from God.” Amélie sighed. “I made the right choice.” Her voice wavered.

“You did, Mama,” said Theodosia. “My vocation has been my life, though I have yet to achieve my full holiness.”

“Oh?” Amélie dropped her hold, tears suddenly dry.

Theodosia hung her head and clasped her hands. “I still have to take my final vows.”

“A short while away, I can assure you, Amélie,” said Brother Edward smoothly.

“I am most relieved to hear that,” said Amélie.

Palmer stiffened at the coldness in her voice. The woman should be rejoicing her daughter was safe and well, not prating on about vows. Not now.

Theodosia didn’t appear to notice, giving Edward a grateful look for his intervention.

“Now, Amélie,” said the monk. “You have something to discuss with Theodosia.”

Amélie grew somber. “Indeed I do.” She took her daughter’s hand. “It is not bad news, my blessed. But it is a little…delicate.”

“It’s the reason you were the knights’ quarry, Theodosia,” said Edward quietly.

“Is this true, Benedict?” Theodosia addressed her frightened question to him.

“I don’t know any more than you,” said Palmer. “My mission was never about you and your mother. All Fitzurse ever told me was that we were to deliver a message from the monarch to Archbishop Becket, one he wouldn’t like. Arrest him if we had to. It was no surprise. The whole kingdom knows he and King Henry fought like dogs these past few years.”

“Ah.” Edward exchanged glances with Amélie. “Then I think you need to stay and listen to Amélie’s account.” He picked up a heavy outdoor cloak and swung it round his shoulders. “I’ve heard it, so I can better use the time to secure a passage to France for you and Palmer, Sister Theodosia.” He fastened the front of his cloak. “We need to bear witness to His Grace the King.”

“Of course.” Theodosia squeezed her mother’s hand.

Palmer gave a definite nod.

The monk closed the door behind him, and Amélie gestured to the wooden settle and one of the stools. “Sit with me,” she said to Theodosia. “Sir Palmer, take your ease on the stool.” She placed Theodosia’s hand in her lap. “This will take some time.”





CHAPTER 23

Theodosia scanned her mother’s face, unsettled by the seriousness of her tone. “Speak, Mama,” she said. “Whatever it is you have to tell me, I can bear it. After all, I am a grown woman now.”

“So you are, my blessed one.” Amélie squeezed her hand tight. “Although I never wanted to have to tell you, or anyone else, of this.” She put her head to one side and drew in a long breath. “Have you ever wondered about your papa?”

“A little,” said Theodosia. “But whenever I asked about him, you would only say he had been in heaven for a long time.”

Her mother’s steely look reminded her of her response.

She went on. “So to pray for his soul, world without end, amen.”

Amélie repeated the old words with her, then sighed. “I could never speak of your papa to you. How I longed to, during those short years you and I were together.”

“Can you tell me now?” said Theodosia, heart a little faster at this change in Mama.