Threads of Treason by Mary Bale Page A

in Ursula’s confidence. She would be ideal.’
    ‘ That is not as good an idea as it sounds,’ said Ursula.
    Abbess Eleanor raised a questioning eyebrow.
    ‘ She,’ continued Ursula, ‘is the kitchener. That was why she was the first to reach me when I fell. She is not involved in the embroidery at all.’
    Alfred sighed, got up from the table and walked across the stone floor.
    Ursula nodded at him. ‘He doesn’t like the thought of any of us endangering ourselves. I tell him life is dangerous. He accepts that I will do what I have to, whatever he says.’
    Therese leaned across the table to Ursula realising too late that this was an over-familiar gesture towards a woman who was formerly a Prioress. ‘I am a novice,’ she said, ‘No one will notice me.’
    ‘ No, Sister Therese,’ said Abbess Eleanor, ‘You will remain here.’
    ‘ Bishop Odon commanded me to use my skills to help you,’ said Therese. ‘My youth is my way into the Convent.’
    ‘ She is right,’ said Ursula. ‘She is a brave girl. Bishop Odo was wise to send her with you and not just so she could come back to the land of her birth.’ She touched the young girl’s white hands.
    Therese wanted to pull them away. They were cold with fear. Her blood and her flesh seemed to be working against each other. Her blood seemed to be boiling with determination and excitement yet her flesh was almost trembling with chill. Ursula smiled at her. She was sure she understood how she felt.
    ‘ I fear for you, Therese,’ said the Abbess. It was a long time since she’d called her just by her name, Therese realised. It almost made her cry. She bit her lip. The Abbess Eleanor continued, ‘But I know you are right. It is the simplest solution. We must not tangle ourselves up in any difficulties between our two bishops, and acting on our own not only ensures this is the case, it also reduces the number of people who know what we are about.’
    ‘ Alfred will take her,’ said Ursula. ‘You will need to write her a letter saying that she is a novice from Normandy you are placing in the care of St Thomas’s. You need not travel with her. That may look as if you are giving too much importance to the matter.’
    ‘ I will travel with her, and you have given me the perfect excuse.’
    Ursula looked at her puzzled.
    ‘ By dying, Ursula. I,’ said the Abbess, pulling herself up to her fullest height, ‘will be going to visit your grave.’
    Ursula blushed and rose. Abbess Eleanor checked her progress by placing her hand on her forearm. She said,
    ‘ We have already lost one of our knights sent to protect us. He went over-board while we were at sea. The other one I have left injured and lying in Christ Church’s infirmary.’
    Ursula smiled, but her eyes were serious. ‘Alfred will stay near St Thomas’s.’ She turned to Therese. ‘Sister Agnes will always help you, but if you should need Alfred you need only run to the other side of the wood at the bottom of the hill. He will camp there and wait for your news.’
    Alfred looked around and nodded in agreement. His face was grave.
    ‘ Now eat up, Abbess Eleanor,’ said Ursula, ‘or the kitchener will be cross with me.’
    The Abbess obeyed.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
     
     
     
    Therese squeezed open her eyes against the sun. Naps were difficult, despite her exhaustion, when taken in the back of a jolting wagon. But at least the morning sun warmed her as they headed northwards. She observed Alfred driving a fresh set of mules over the lumps and dips in the road. They passed a junction and Alfred told the Abbess that it was a shorter route from Canterbury, but it involved a ferry and he’d wanted to avoid the ferry man’s gossip.
    Therese was lulled by the sun back into a stupor only to be stirred by a little knot of excitement caught between her heart and her liver. It was beyond noon when she sat up and saw the building