Read Online Belladonna at Belstone by Michael Jecks - Free Book Online Page B

her in church, the way she behaves, especially when young Luke’s near, the strumpet.”
    Emma’s eyes narrowed. “Still, if Constance is proved to be guilty of that stupid child’s death, that won’t help the prioress, will it? Not on top of the visitor’s report. From what Margherita told me, he uncovered so much last time that this will be bound to be the last straw.”
    “So Margherita has taken you aside as well? She’s certainly trying to get around all of us as quickly as possible, isn’t she?”
    “Do you blame her?”
    “Not really… But Lady Elizabeth is a devious cow. I’ll wait and see for a while before I commit myself.”
    The bell rang out calling the nuns back to the church to prepare for Terce and the Morrow Mass. The two women stood, and Katerine remained hidden until both had swept out. Once the way was clear, she too got up and hurried to the door. Their conversation had given her much to mull over: so Anne wasn’t convinced that the prioress would be removed. From what she said, Margherita couldn’t assume she would win the post, which was quite a surprise because Anne was one of Margherita’s familia, one of her most loyal adherents. If even Anne was wavering, then the treasurer wasn’t in so commanding a position as Katerine had thought.
    There was also the other matter, she remembered, trotting quickly along the corridor. It looked as though both Emma and Anne thought Moll had been killed by Constance - not that she’d heard why both thought that. And there was what they had said about Agnes.
    Once inside the church, she slowed her steps, genuflecting to the altar as she passed. Her quick eye caught sight of Agnes. Katerine settled in her pew, and looked over to check her impression. Yes, Agnes was staring at the altar. Her attention was fixed upon the tall, fair-haired priest as he prepared himself to conduct the ceremony: Luke.
    And Katerine felt that bitter jealousy clutching at her breast once more, just as she had when she’d known Luke was with Agnes again - just as she had when she’d seen him chatting up Moll.
    Sir Baldwin was waiting at the door and introduced his wife. Bertrand politely blessed them both, and gave Jeanne his hand so she could kiss his ring, accepting with gratitude her offer of a pot of wine while his men were directed to the buttery.
    “My Lord Bishop, I was not expecting you,” Baldwin said as they stood around the fire. “I thought we agreed that I should come and meet you at Crediton. My house here is far out of your way‘
    “There is more urgency now,” Bertrand explained gravely. “Since we met at Peter’s house we have had news from Bristol. The King is preparing his castles.”
    Baldwin understood the meaning behind those words. “The Despensers?”
    Nodding, Bertrand took his pot from Edgar and sipped. There could be hardly anybody in the country who wasn’t aware of the trouble fomented by that family. Bertrand himself had heard more about them than most from Bishop Stapledon, who had supported them when they had acted as an effective brake on the King’s profligacy; but now Hugh Despenser, the son, appeared ambitious to make himself the most powerful magnate in all the King’s lands. King Edward II, always vacillating and pathetic, seemed keen to let him have his way, even supporting Despenser against the Marcher Lords.
    “Is there any sign he is gathering an army?” Baldwin asked.
    “You mean he might simply be taking defensive measures in case of attack? I understand that the King has demanded money from the Abbot of Gloucester. It can only mean he’s looking to pay men-at-arms.”
    Baldwin thought about this, glancing at his wife. If there were to be another civil war, he would not wish to leave Jeanne alone. Two factors weighed with him: his home was no castle, and he had little idea how long he would be spending at Belstone. If he should be kept there for weeks on end, it was possible that war could begin, and that the tide