The Maiden’s Tale by Margaret Frazer Read Free Book Online Page A

government are willing to consider it, if it means peace,” Abbot Gilberd was going on. “I gather the king himself leans heavily toward it. But it’s said the duke of Gloucester does not, that he’s throwing all his weight against letting it be even considered.”
    Frevisse knew something more of the duke of Gloucester than she did of the duke of Orleans—more than she wanted to know, that was certain—and if what Abbot Gilberd said was true, then things did not bode well for either peace or Orleans.
    “But that makes me think,” Abbot Gilberd said and turned to her. “You’re cousin to my lady of Suffolk, are you not?”‘
    It was a question but one to which Frevisse was instantly certain he had the answer—and just as instantly understood why he had chosen her instead of someone else to come to London. Her cousin Alice was countess of Suffolk and wealthy. St. Frideswide’s was in need of money. She was to bring her cousin’s wealth and St. Frideswide’s need together.
    Letting none of her certainty show in her face, Frevisse said mildly, bending her head in a slight nod of agreement, “Lady Alice’s mother and mine were sisters, God keep their souls.”
    While everyone crossed herself for that, Abbot Gilberd went on, “It’s very likely her lord husband is come to London for Parliament and that she’s with him. Would you care to write to her that you’re here, too?” He looked questioningly at Dame Elisabeth. “Would that be possible, do you think? Would someone from here take the message?”
    “Of course,” Dame Elisabeth said, leaving Frevisse to wonder how much of this her brother had apprised her of beforehand.
    Nonetheless, aside from supposing she would not see his purpose, it was a reasonable thought on Abbot Gilberd’s part, and apart from St. Frideswide’s need, it would be good to see Alice again; so, matching graciousness for graciousness, Frevisse was satisfied to smile and say, “That’s most kind of you. My thanks.”
    Chapter 4
    At Abbot Gilberd’s quiet asking of Dame Elisabeth, paper, pen, and ink were brought, the abbot explaining, “If you write now, one of my men will take it to my lady of Suffolk for you, rather than needing to stir anyone out of St. Helen’s.” Frevisse, leaving the others to their talk, drew aside to pen a short message to Alice, saying she was briefly come to London on nunnery business, was staying at St. Helen’s Bishopsgate, and hoped there would be chance to see her. That done and with time for the ink to dry, she returned to hold it out to Abbot Gilberd because no nun was to write a letter without her superior’s permission and knowledge of what was in it, and until Dame Elisabeth had been invested as prioress, he held that place. He scanned the paper with a quick eye, more for form’s sake than need, asking as he gave it back to her, “Do you wish it sealed?”
    There was nothing secret or of importance written there, and Frevisse answered, “No, my lord,” and folded the paper end and end, overlapping on itself, then from side to side to make a small packet, easily tucked into a man’s belt pouch. Rising to his feet, Abbot Gilberd took it, saying, “Then I’ll be on my way. It’s time. Elisabeth, I leave them in your good care.”
    The nuns had risen as he did and now made him curtsies as he turned to go. Dame Elisabeth saw him from the room to the outer door, the others waiting, thinking of nothing to say in the brief moment before she returned and, standing in the doorway, her hands folded at her waist in front of her, said with a smile for Frevisse and Dame Perpetua, “There. Your things have gone to where you’ll sleep. Would you care to rest a while or be shown around St. Helen’s first?”
    Frevisse and Dame Perpetua exchanged looks to see if either was in need of rest, but being somewhere new was rare enough that Frevisse made a small nod of agreement to Dame Perpetua’s silent asking, and Dame Perpetua turned eagerly back