The Beautiful Thread Read Online Free PDF Page B

heartless and selfish woman; but you are wrong. Why should I care what happens to Hannah? I have nothing against her – except that she means to ruin the life of my son. I am a mother, and it is in the nature of things that a mother will fight for her child’s wellbeing. I do not want that… chit… to exploit my son’s vulnerability as a man to press her own advantage. I would spare him the pain such an alliance must bring him in the end, when lust is spent and she and he tire of each other. I would save my son.”
    John’s hand moved in a gesture of involuntary protest. “I do see – but my lady, is that really what’s happening? I have met with Gervase and Hannah, counselled them, heard then, listened carefully to what they have to say. Their betrothal has been long – heavens, they have two children already – and the love between them seems real and abiding, to me. The Mitchells are not the Nevilles nor the Bonvallets, I grant you, but they are worthy people. Walter Mitchell is a fine and honourable man. Hannah is the soul of kindness – not gently born maybe, not always dignified – but surely she could learn from you? She is a good mother and she would be a good wife. She has been steadfast in her affections for Gervase these three or four years; Hannah is nothing to be ashamed of.”
    Lady Florence’s lips curved faintly in a small, dismissive smile. Her gaze beheld the abbot in cool pity. “Father John,” she said, “how can I put it to you? You are the abbot of a monastery. Whatever your own background, you must surely see the rectitude of precedence, of keeping to the place to which one is assigned. In your abbey, when you enter the room, the brothers rise to their feet. When you reprimand them, they kiss the floor. When you bid them, they go. That’s how it is. They do not command you, but you them. This is not because of any tie of personal affection, nor does it imply they have a slavish disposition. It is simply that they know their place and keep to it – and that is what divine order is . Knowing and fulfilling our position in life. You are the abbot of St Alcuin’s. I am the wife of Sir Cecil Bonvallet and the daughter of Sir Arthur Nevill. I am the mother of my three sons. My role in life is to uphold the wellbeing of my family and to advance its interests as best I may, just as yours is to safeguard the integrity of the Benedictine life in this community. Hannah is nothing to me. I bear her no personal animosity. But she is not of our kind. She does not belong in my family. And if I can get rid of her, I will. But I perceive you to be intractable in your adherence to the point of view Gervase thinks he has. I would request only that you ask yourself, whose side are you on?”
    â€œWhose side ? Lady Florence, is that what it must come to? I thought this was a marriage, a union – a family – not a war! I’m not on your side or Hannah’s side – I see no sides, no opposition. I am on the side of Christ, of love, of finding our way together as best we might, finding something gentle and hopeful in life, some way to purposefully channel our humanity. I’m not signing up to a fight!”
    â€œI see,” she replied, her voice chill and remote. “Then since we have the steward of the feast present with us, shall we come to terms? Have you the lists I supplied, of our requirements?”
    William rose to his feet and fetched the scroll from the pile on John’s table. He had taken in its contents and could answer to it with convincing familiarity.
    Wearily, an hour later, the abbot made his carefully courteous farewells of both ladies. They wanted to make a thorough inspection of the area where the marriage vows would be made, the refectory in which the feast would take place, and the abbey church where High Mass would follow the nuptials. John sent Brother Tom in search of Francis to be