Gems glittered in the polished gold cross that hung at his breast.
‘Lord Edouard, it is good to see you.’
‘Thank you, Lord Abbot. I trust you are in good health?’
‘Never better. Please sit.’ The Abbot waved Aude and Edouard to cushions on the bench. The windows above their heads were unglazed, but since it was the height of summer, the breeze playing over their heads was a blessing rather than a curse.
‘So, Lord Edouard, this is the sister I have heard so much about.’
‘Yes, my lord, this is Lady Aude de Crèvecoeur.’
‘My lady.’
‘Abbot Bertram.’
‘Lord Edouard, when your letter first arrived, I assumed you to mean that your sister had a vocation and that you wished me to find a suitable house in which she might live out her life.’
‘Lord Abbot,’ Edouard said, ‘I apologise if you were put to any trouble.’
‘My son, it is never a trouble to find places for any of our sisters who have a true vocation. And it is never wrong to test that vocation before binding vows are made. Such vows are sacred; once made they are irrevocable. It would be a grievous sin for someone to make them only to discover later that they have changed their mind and that they no longer wish to offer their life to God.’
Aude met the Abbot’s gaze. ‘Abbot Bertram, if I may say something?’
‘Speak freely, my lady. You have considered how you wish to spend your days?’
‘I have. You must know that my fiancé, Martin de Beaumont, died just over a year ago?’
‘Indeed, your brother informed me of his untimely death. Please accept my sympathies.’
‘Thank you. Abbot Bertram, it is true that after Martin’s death I considered taking the veil. But deeper thought has made me realise that the contemplative life is not for me.’ It was Hugh, Aude realised with a start. Hugh with his teasing smile, the smile that could lift me out of my grief, the smile that could startle because last spring it made me wonder what it might be like to kiss him…
‘Are you certain, my lady? The Church would welcome you. Perhaps one of the less…austere orders might suit you?’
Aude’s every muscle tensed and she had opened her mouth to speak when Edouard cleared his throat. ‘My lord, I am sorry if there has been any misunderstanding, but I must make it clear, my sister is not to be coerced. I have given my word that her will should be respected.’
Aude sent him a grateful smile.
‘Of course, of course.’ The abbot was beginning to sound irritable. ‘Compulsion would negate the offering to God. Anyone giving their life to the Church must do so freely. But I would hate to see your sister idle away her days. She has many strengths and talents, and to waste them would be a sin against the very God who gave them to her. Perhaps Lady Aude needs further, more focused guidance—a retreat, perhaps?’
‘No!’ Aude knew her voice was sharp, but she could not help it. ‘My apologies, Lord Abbot, but there would be no sense in that. I have no vocation and that will not change, however many retreats you may offer me.’
‘Your mind is fixed.’
‘On this matter it is.’
‘Perhaps you think to marry?’
‘One day, perhaps.’
The Abbot pushed himself to his feet and held up his hand in brief blessing. ‘I shall leave you to your meditations. Ponder well on the benefits that would accrue to your family should Lady Aude make a good marriage to a reliable man, a man whose loyalty to Duke William is unquestionable. With that in mind, there is someone I should like Lady Aude to meet. In view of the clouds that still hang over your brother, my lady, I would beg you to ponder hard on the merits of what I have suggested. May God guide your decision, Lady Aude, and may He bless you both.’
‘Farewell, my lord,’ Edouard said.
‘He’s after my dowry,’ Aude muttered, frowning at Abbot Bertram’s back as he left the church.
‘He will be sending in one of his knights next,’ Edouard said.
‘You are not serious!’
‘Never more so. Listen, Aude…’ Edouard lowered his voice ‘…I can understand you not wanting to enter a convent, but I do think you should consider marriage, and soon. Some time this year.’
‘This year? Edouard, there’s something you are not telling me. What have you done?’
Her brother looked steadily at her, saying nothing. Her fingers had clenched into fists; deliberately, she uncurled them. Today was not turning out as she had hoped it would. Hugh—banished! And now this…
‘Edouard? It would help the family if I made a good marriage?’
He sighed. ‘An alliance with one of the Abbot’s more trusted knights would cement our position in Normandy. No one would ever question our loyalty to the Duke.’
‘I really do not—’
‘Aude, shut that mouth for once and meet the Abbot’s man. You never know, you might find that he suits.’
‘The Abbot’s man? Edouard, have you arranged something behind my back?’
Edouard cleared his throat. ‘Just meet the man. We shall proceed from there.’
‘No! Edouard, you…you…I hate you!’
‘No, you don’t. Aude, you have to marry some time. It is, as Abbot Bertram says, the moment to make your choice.’
‘Some choice! You present me with a man I have never laid eyes on! Edouard, you worm! You planned this all along. I feel betrayed, betrayed!’
In the distance, a door slammed.
‘Hush, Aude, for the love of God, here he comes.’
Brisk footsteps drew closer, Aude couldn’t bear to look. If only it could be Hugh. But that, a wish so secret she had barely acknowledged it even to herself, had always been a vain hope.
‘Good day, Lord Edouard.’
He had a pleasant voice. Unfamiliar. Aude lifted her eyes. A blue tunic. The Abbot’s knight was tall with dark eyes and curly brown hair. His smile was friendly. Slightly reassured, she rose to greet him.
Everyone stood to benefit if she married this stranger. This knight would get his reward—Aude and her dowry. Yes, it would be a fine arrangement. If Aude de Crèvecoeur married one of the Abbot’s knights, everyone would be happy. Everyone except her…
‘Sir Olivier!’ Edouard smiled. ‘Good to see you again, man, good to see you. Aude, may I present Sir Olivier de Fougères? Sir Olivier, my sister Aude.’
‘Enchanté,
