The Nun's Tale by Candace Robb Read Free Book Online

Sir Nicholas de Louth took seats in the prioress’s parlour, the sub-prioress and the infirmaress hurried in to help Dame Joanna to the infirmary.
    Isobel entertained Louth and Ravenser with the priory’s best cider. Louth graciously praised the cider, the pleasant aspect of the lancet windows that looked out on the orchards stretching down to the river, the fragrant breeze. He told her what he could of Dame Joanna, how they had found her at Will Longford’s, how little they could glean from her responses, her claim that she wore the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which had allowed her to rise from the dead, and her confession that she had stolen some of the Virgin’s milk from the priory church.
    Ravenser presented her with the stolen relic. ‘Beyond these facts, there is little we can offer you, Reverend Mother. The infirmaress at Nunburton wrote this down for you,’ he handed her a letter. ‘It is everything that she noted about Dame Joanna’s condition when she arrived.’
    Dame Isobel liked least the part about the Virgin’s mantle. ‘Does she speak freely about the mantle? Will anyone tending her be likely to hear this claim?’
    Ravenser sipped his cider. ‘I do not think you can keep her silent on the matter. She does not like anyone touching the mantle. But as it covers her, it is difficult to avoid. At Nunburton she reportedly became quite upset when the infirmaress touched it. With loud voice she did protest. I think it impossible to keep it secret for long.’
    Dame Isobel debated whether to excuse herself and go and warn Dame Prudentia, the infirmaress. But her rushing down the hall might call too much attention to the infirmary. She tucked her hands beneath her scapular and paced. ‘Joanna has ever been a difficult charge. I pray God I am able to cope with this. St Clement’s is so small. Word of her delusion will spread quickly.’ She paused, searched their faces as she asked, ‘It is a delusion?’
    Ravenser smiled reassuringly. ‘We are as certain as we can be, Reverend Mother. The abbess of Nunburton noted that the wool appeared to be Yorkshire wool, and certainly not of an age for it to have been owned by Our Lady. In truth, is it likely that such a thing would be bestowed on this troubled child?’
    Although Isobel recognised Ravenser’s attempt to reassure in his smile, she heard uncertainty in his words. ‘The Lord’s purpose is not always clear to us, Sir Richard.’ Still, the Yorkshire wool relieved Isobel. It was a good sign.
    And yet – such a relic would bring pilgrims from far and wide, with generous donations to the priory’s empty coffers. Might this be a blessing? Should she consider that? Might the archbishop wish St Clement’s to become a popular pilgrimage site?
    But the peace of the priory would be gone for ever. Isobel sighed. ‘I am to speak with His Grace the Archbishop tomorrow morning,’ she said. ‘I shall ask for his guidance in handling Dame Joanna. It would seem wise to coax her into accepting that she is in error, that the mantle is merely a piece of clothing.’
    In the infirmary, Dame Prudentia sat on a stool beside Joanna’s cot wondering what devils made the child so contrary. She studied the young woman’s quiet face, the skin so pale that her freckles stood out starkly, even on her closed eyelids. Prudentia knew Joanna from before, remembered the startling eyes, the brilliant green they could be when the child was at peace – which was not often. She had never seen eyes so changeable as Joanna’s. But then she had such narrow experience, knowing only the thirteen or so sisters typically housed at St Clement’s, their servants and boarders. Perhaps some wise man had already discovered the meaning of such changeable eyes. Would Prudentia understand Joanna better if she knew more about the body and its workings?
    Prudentia lifted one of Joanna’s hands, pressed her fingernails. Strong, and with a healthy blush. Joanna appeared to be in better