Read Online Whiter than the Lily by Alys Clare - Free Book Online

Saul, just like the rest of us, and cleaning down those steps is one of them and must not be put off any longer, so just you go in, apologise nicely to the lady for the interruption, roll up your sleeves and get on with it.’
    ‘Quite right, Brother Firmin. It was good advice. And what happened next?’
    ‘Well, my lady, you won’t credit it, a soft-spoken, kindly, charitable, understanding lady like yourself, but she shouted at him!’ Brother Firmin bridled as he spoke, his thin old face flushing with indignation. ‘She cried out, can’t you see I want to be alone? Then she said to get out and take his bucket with him!’
    ‘Dear me, how very distressing for poor Saul!’ Helewise exclaimed.
    ‘It was, aye, it was,’ Firmin agreed. ‘Brother Saul isn’t used to folks shouting at him, especially not when he’s trying to help. Of course, it would have put her off her prayers, having someone cleaning the steps so close to her, but there you are, these jobs must be done.’
    ‘Indeed they must,’ Helewise agreed. ‘And she stayed in the chapel all day, you say?’
    ‘Aye, and she’s back there today!’ Brother Firmin’s pale old eyes were wide with astonishment. Then, dropping to a whisper, he added, ‘If she doesn’t get herself with child after all that praying, then Ireckon the good Lord must have his reasons agin it!’
    ‘Such things are for God alone to decide,’ she said gently. ‘We must not speculate, Brother Firmin.’
    ‘No, my lady, of course not, and I wasn’t, not really, I just meant—’
    ‘Not to worry,’ Helewise said smoothly. ‘Thank you for telling me, but let us speak of it no more. Now, about the elderly pilgrim who has just died …’
    And, for some time more, she and the old monk turned to discussing matters over which she, at least, felt she had rather more control.
    I must, she decided later, speak to Galiena. She has come for our help and we are freely giving it – she had checked and Sister Euphemia confirmed that yes, she and the herbalist had made two different remedies for Galiena to take and that they were all but ready – yet she makes no use of that other great solace that we offer to those who are troubled. Yes, she prays alone, or so I am told, but she shows no desire to worship with our community.
    To Helewise, who had found when severely tried that the regular offices punctuating the day were her greatest comfort and support, the idea of someone in sore need not attending them was so strange as to be unfathomable. I will find her and invite her to pray with us, she decided. Perhaps she does not realise that it is permitted! The thought, striking all of a sudden, hit Helewise as a likely explanation.
    Feeling guilty that she had not made sure Galienaknew all the relevant details of Abbey life, Helewise hurried on her way.
    Galiena was in the shrine, just as Brother Firmin had reported. As Helewise quietly descended the steps – Saul was quite right, they did indeed need a good clean – the young woman spun round and, from behind the concealing veil, cried out, ‘For the love of God, am I not to be left alone?’ Then, seeing who it was, she lowered her voice a shade and said rather grudgingly, ‘Oh, it’s you, Abbess Helewise.’
    ‘Yes,’ Helewise agreed. Trying to keep her irritation under tight control, she said, ‘I am told, Galiena, that you have spent many hours in here on your own.’
    ‘It’s allowed, isn’t it?’ the girl asked truculently.
    ‘Of course,’ Helewise said smoothly. ‘But, understanding as I do what it is that you pray for, since you yourself have told me, I wonder if you might rather join the community in our devotions? You would be most welcome and, if I did not make this clear to you when we spoke before, then I am sorry.’
    Galiena did not respond for a moment. Her face was still shaded by the heavy veil and Helewise could not see her expression. Eventually she spoke.
    ‘I thank you for the invitation, my lady, but