Whiter than the Lily by Alys Clare Read Free Book Online

youngsters I was called to once where the girl was still a virgin.’
    ‘I should have thought that unlikely in this case, since the young lady’s husband is older than she and presumably experienced.’
    ‘Aye, so should I, but you never know. I intend to have a look at her while we have our talk. I’ll try to discover what their habits are, whether there’s any obvious reason why she has failed to conceive.’
    ‘And she, presumably, is happy to be examined and intimately questioned?’ It seemed important, Helewise thought, for Galiena to realise what she was letting herself in for.
    ‘I haven’t told her yet exactly what the morning’s session is going to involve.’ Sister Euphemia smiled somewhat grimly. ‘But if she wants my help, that’s the best way I can start to give it.’
    ‘I see.’ There seemed little more to add. ‘I shall receive the young woman after Vespers, Sister. Please will you send word to her to present herself in my room at that time?’
    ‘I will, my lady.’ The infirmarer gave her Abbess a low bow, then hurried back to her patients.
    Helewise sat quietly in her chair, hearing again in her head the peaceful words of the evening prayers. Theoffice of Vespers was one of her favourites and this evening the Abbey church had been wonderfully cool and dark after the heat of the day.
    Presently there was a soft footstep outside her partly opened door and a quiet tap sounded. Calling out ‘Come in!’ Helewise rose to greet her visitor.
    Galiena Ryemarsh wore a dove-grey silk gown and was heavily veiled in fine linen, arranged so that the hem fluted prettily but concealingly around her face. A headdress modestly covered her hair. Helewise’s first impression was of a woman of fashion dressing as she believed fit when entering – albeit only temporarily – a convent full of nuns.
    Her second impression was that Galiena looked older than eighteen.
    ‘You are Galiena?’ Helewise asked, although there could hardly be any doubt.
    ‘I am. Thank you for receiving me, Abbess Helewise,’ the girl replied.
    Resuming her seat, Helewise indicated the low stool that she kept for visitors. ‘Please, sit down.’
    Galiena did so. She moved, Helewise noticed, gracefully, and the tall, slender body sank down on to the stool in one smooth movement. The long linen veil fell in graceful folds to the floor, pooling with the grey silk of her gown on the worn stones. It was an attractive picture and, had Helewise not realised it was unlikely, she might have thought Galiena had deliberately planned it.
    Galiena looked up and Helewise met the bright blue eyes. ‘You know why I am here,’ the girl said.
    ‘I do. My infirmarer tells me that there are things that she may be able to do to help you and I pray that it will prove so.’
    ‘I pray, too.’ The girl’s tone was fervent. ‘My husband is much older than I am, my lady, and our years together will probably not be as long as either of us would wish, so you see there is some urgency in this matter.’
    ‘But such things have a timing of their own,’ Helewise protested mildly. ‘Children are not necessarily begotten at our convenience.’
    ‘The remedy must work swiftly. It must!’ the girl cried. For a moment a hot pink flush coloured her pale cheeks but then, as if already regretting her hasty words, she said meekly, dropping her head so that her veil hid her face, ‘Of course, it is as you say, my lady. God will send us a child in His own good time.’
    Or not, Helewise thought, although she did not say it aloud. ‘We shall make you comfortable while you are with us,’ she said instead. ‘You have already been shown your accommodation, I believe, and I trust you find it satisfactory.’
    ‘Oh, yes,’ Galiena said. ‘The room is somewhat small, but I shall be adequately comfortable.’
    ‘I am delighted to hear it,’ Helewise said with slight irony. ‘It will be a pleasure to have you as our guest and we shall do our utmost to help