Knight Errant (17 page)

Her fellow Beguines gave small smiles and sat on either side of Anna, hugging her and murmuring welcomes.

Shabaka shook his head. “Thanks be to you, Sister Juliana, but I wish to tend the flocks. With so many new mouths to feed, I must take stock of which birds to cull for a welcoming feast.”

Robert lifted her hand from his arm and folded her fingers around the flowers. He spoke softly to the two young men, who disappeared into the courtyard. Then he set his crutch aside and seated himself beside Juliana, opposite Sister Anna.

“Who is she?” he grumbled.

“Sister, what is a man doing
inside
the beguinage?” Anna asked in surprise.

Anna and Robert spoke at the same instant. Juliana sat frozen between them, puzzled by the animosity that crackled in the air. Uncertain if the feeling came from Robert, Anna, or both, Juliana smiled and decided her best course was to spread oil on the troubled waters and pray the two could get along.

“As you are aware, Sir Robert, Sister Anna and nine of our sisters from Ghent arrived just before you and I returned from our recent travels.” Juliana selected a daisy from among the blooms, then laid the rest of them on the table.

“Where are the other women?”

“They are busy settling into their rooms.” Juliana twirled the daisy and stared at the spinning bloom. She pulled off one of the petals as she spoke. “Sister, this is Sir Robert Clarwyn, Baron Ravensmere, envoy from my cousin, Edward Plantagenet. I know you are surprised to see a man within the walls of our beguinage, but Sir Robert has been essential to our success here. In fact, we would not have reached Palermo without him. The Nubian you saw is our cook, Shabaka.”

“Your cook seems to know his place and his job. But this man appears to be a knight and we have no use for such. If he was your guide, why is he still here?” The older woman eyed Robert’s decidedly worn appearance and raised a brow in disbelief.

“I can show you my safe conducts, if you doubt Juliana’s word,” Robert spoke with silken threat.

“I would never doubt any Beguine’s word.”

Juliana felt Robert’s low snarl at the implied insult. “Who were those men you had with you?” she asked to introduce a more neutral subject while ripping at another petal.

“They are local men, one Saracen and one Christian, hired as groom and guard in Henry’s place.”

Her brow wrinkled. “In Henry’s place? What happened to him? Did he decide he wished to return home?”

Robert pressed his lips together and dropped his gaze from hers, obviously uncomfortable.

Juliana shifted her glance to her friends, astonished to see Gretle weeping softly. “Berthild, what is this about?”

“Child, I am sorry. Henry is dead. We have just returned from his interment.”

“Dead?” Juliana blinked, certain she had misunderstood. “What do you mean, Henry is dead?”

She felt Robert’s large hand cover hers and gave him a tremulous smile, grateful for his steadying support.

“He found three men trying to steal our mules and tried to run them off,” Berthild continued. “They fought him. The noise of the fight raised the alarm, and all the guards went to Henry’s defense, but they were too late. He lived long enough to confess and receive extreme unction. He told us he was glad to die in your service and would look for you in heaven if he was received there.”

Sorrow thickened Juliana’s voice. “Where is he buried? I wish to visit the grave.”

“He lies at Saint Olivia’s Chapel.”

“I will take you there before we leave for England,” Robert said.

She shifted to face him. “We will leave soon, I suppose.”

“Aye, within the week.” He maintained his comforting hold on her fingers.

She sighed. “Then I will save my mourning for the chapel. There is much to be done, if I am to be ready in time.”

His eyes widened, but he said nothing, merely giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“You are right about that,” Anna announced. “Though I am very sorry for your loss—and yours, Berthild, Gretle.”

“Our thanks for your sympathy, Anna.” Berthild rose and helped the still-weeping Gretle to her feet. “We will seek our chambers now and speak with you on the morrow.”

“Good night, my friends,” Juliana uttered. “Rest well.”

“Thank you, child.”

They left and Juliana looked at her two remaining companions.

“As troubling as your loss is, several matters must be addressed immediately. Those men Sir Robert brought are completely unacceptable and must be dismissed,” Anna said.

“You might wish to reconsider that, sister.” Robert studied his nails. “Do you not agree, Juliana?”

She tore two petals from the stem. “I think that retaining the services of these men will benefit the beguinage.”

“In what way?”

“’Twill create goodwill in the community and allow the Saracens and Christians alike to see firsthand that Beguines are harmless.”

Anna’s eyes went wide. “You mean we should allow these . . .
men
not only to live here but also to gossip about us?”

Juliana understood how the older Beguine felt. Men were never part of Beguine communities and only part of Beguine lives in the most marginal ways. Males could be traded with, or commissioned to perform labor for a term, but the preservation of the sisterhood and the pursuit of their faith did not allow for the distractions that men generally presented.

“This house is quite large, Anna. There is room for the men near the stables and well away from the women’s quarters. As the beguinage expands, you may change their living arrangements. At present, I believe it would serve the sisterhood well to have these men close to hand.” More daisy petals fell.

“I will bow to your experience for now, Juliana, but I reserve the right to change my mind, especially if our fellow sisters object.”

“Those men will remain as long as Juliana is here,” Robert stated firmly.

“If I find them suitable,” Anna countered with equal resolve and sipped at her
caffe
.

“I do not think you understand who is in charge here, Sister Anna.” Restraint vibrated in Robert’s voice.

Anna set her cup carefully on the table and locked her gaze with Robert’s. “I know perfectly well who is in charge here, sir. Do you?”

Juliana swallowed, brightened her smile, and threw courage between the combatants. “I have not yet explained to Anna that I will be leaving Palermo soon.” Shifting to look at her fellow Beguine, Juliana set aside the denuded daisy and clenched her hands in her lap. Feeling beset on all sides, she groped for control.

“Sir Robert came with orders from King Edward to find me. Evidently, I am wanted in England.” Surely Sister Anna would see the benefit of sending the copied letters along on the journey to England and allowing Robert to believe Juliana’s only motive was her vow to cooperate with him.

“Whatever for?”

Evidently Anna did not see the same advantages. “Uh, Edward wishes me to consider a marriage offer from a Scot’s laird.”

“Since you are a Beguine, you will refuse, of course. Why go all the way to England to do so when you are needed here? Have this baron carry your message to King Edward.” Anna waved in Robert’s general direction, as if she considered the matter settled.

“’Tis not so simple.” Uncomfortable with the conflict between her friends, her beliefs, and her vow, Juliana twisted her hands in her lap.

“What she is trying to tell you, Sister Anna”—a satisfied smirk twisted Robert’s lips—“is that she has vowed she would return to England as soon as you and your fellow sisters could safely reestablish the beguinage here. Since much of the work has already been accomplished, I plan to leave with Juliana within the week. Besides, a vow to one’s king is of greater import than life as a beguine.”

Anna jerked upright.
Caffe
sputtered from her lips down the front of her tunic. Juliana handed her a clean rag. The older woman swiped at the spill but stared at Robert. Juliana cast him a frown. What could he be thinking to belittle her friends and her faith so greatly?

“Impossible. Juliana would never make such a promise. Would you?” She turned a Medusa glare on Juliana, compelling agreement.

Juliana shifted uneasily on her seat and wished she could become stone instead of the quivering mass of nerves that jumped in her stomach like snakes. “I am afraid I did make such a vow.”

Robert pushed back his stool, grabbed his crutch for support, and stood, folding his arms across his chest.

Anna’s mouth dropped open. “Why?”

“’Tis a very long story,” Juliana said, casting a sidewise glance at Robert. “Too long to tell now. Suffice to say I made the vow and must keep it.”

“Oh, you poor dear.” Her sister-in-faith reached out to grip Juliana’s hand. “You will be forced to renounce your Beguine status.”

Nodding, she swallowed but maintained her smile, reaching once more for a fresh daisy. “Only if I cannot avoid the marriage Edward plans for me.”

• • •

Robert felt a guilty leap of hope. ’Twas wrong of him to be glad that Juliana did not want the Scot. Worse was his pleasure at having more time with her. When had gladness overcome fear? He should be afraid he would weaken in the face of so much temptation. Yet, to his shame, he thought only of himself and his risks. Juliana would be giving up her dreams to help him fulfill a vow. ’Twas her duty to do so, whether she agreed or not. Still, duty did not change the sorrow she must feel at leaving the Beguine life. And for that, he felt profound regret. He knew the cost of shattered dreams. He also knew his thoughts to be those of a man crazed by conflicting desires. The greatest of those was Juliana’s love, and that he could never have.

“’Tis my dearest hope to give the Scotsman a disgust of me,” she continued. “Then I will be able to pursue our work in England. For I doubt Edward will let me leave the country again. He is not the type of person to easily release what he once holds.”

“If you must go to England, ’tis a good plan,” Anna agreed.

Did Juliana realize what she said? Yes, she was giving up a great deal by leaving the Beguines. However, crossing wills with Edward was dangerous, especially when a promise and political fortunes were involved. For her own good, he had to warn her. “So you intend to break your sworn oath, even though you go to England?” Robert asked.

“And if you do not travel as a Beguine, you may escape the notice of Basti’s spies,” continued the elder Beguine, as if Robert had not spoken.

Worse and worse. As a general threat, the Hand of God was bad enough. Since the priest now sought Juliana specifically, great danger lurked between Sicily and England.
Glad I am that we travel by ship, but our departure cannot come soon enough.

Juliana looked from Anna to him. “I vowed only to travel to England. I never swore to accept the Scot in marriage.”

Robert dropped his arms to his sides to emphasize his protest. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. What could he say? She was right. “One of us is a fool,” he muttered and, quickly as his ankle would allow, stalked from the room too angry and worried to tolerate more debate.

In arguing with Sister Anna, he had acted like a child and had no excuse save that he wished to have Juliana for himself. He should apologize for being boorish and overbearing, but found he could not muster the will to return to the kitchen. Sister Anna had belittled his gender and called his honor in question, and Juliana had been so unimpressed with his flowers that she’d set them to die of thirst on the table while she tore off the petals. He wished he cared as little for Juliana as she cared for his stupid gift.

The unfortunate truth was that he cared too much for Lady Verault. And because he cared, he would do all in his power to protect her. With that protection in mind, now was the perfect time to check out the loose bricks in Juliana’s chamber while she was ensconced with her friend in the kitchen for hours. Robert had never met a pair of women who would not gab for hours on end.

He arrived at Juliana’s chamber door and knocked, just in case anyone was within. He received no response and opened the door, bolting it behind him.

In the dim light of the one window, he searched out the spot in the wall where he’d seen the loosened bricks. Kneeling, he worked his fingers into the empty spaces where mortar was missing and pulled a brick from the wall. A dry, musty smell emerged along with the brick. Peering through the small hole, he could see nothing but dark. Quickly he worked to remove the other loose bricks.

The opening was two or three hand spans in length, one hand high, and an arm’s length deep. Inside was an iron box. He extracted the box, and opened it to find letters written on fine vellum. Two of the letters bore the papal seal.

The Latin script of one papal letter was faded but clear enough to show it was very dangerous. The other letter was written in Greek and beyond Robert’s understanding. But the Latin letter described it as being an epistle of “Peter the Apostle” and explained the contents in detail.

Did Juliana realize the hazard these letters represented? The pope’s letter to Angelina was dangerous enough, for it threatened scandal, but the documents about the place of women in the priesthood would be heretical if not for the seals and stamps on the paper that clearly identified the source as Saint Peter himself.

Robert shuffled quickly through the remaining papers and discovered five fair copies on new vellum. Had Juliana made the copies, or had Angelina done the work before the fire at the beguinage? Either way, Juliana obviously knew of the missives and was in very serious trouble. Men would kill to keep these papers from being revealed, men like Basti most of all. Robert took the originals, aware they would be missed, but no one would know who had taken them. The copies he replaced in the box then returned all to the hole behind the wall. He restored the bricks to their earlier positions and did his best to clean up any dust and debris that might reveal someone had searched the area. He wedged a small, barely visible twig torn from the rushes between two bricks. It would fall to the floor if they were disturbed.

Checking the hallway to be certain he was not observed, he let himself out of the room. He would not have the bricks repaired. He would, however, enlist the help of the cook and the two new servants to watch carefully for who came and went from the chamber between now and his departure with Juliana. That would happen as soon as his ankle healed sufficiently for him to move without a crutch.