Whiter than the Lily Read Online Free PDF Page A

force that must have surged in Ambrose when he was in his prime. ‘All for naught,’ he repeated more softly, ‘for my poor lassie goes on bleeding regularly each month.’
    Feeling that the gentle Hawkenlye monks had somehow been included in Ambrose’s rant against the priesthood, Josse felt obliged to speak up for them. ‘There is nothing of that at Hawkenlye,’ he said firmly. ‘For one thing, the monks are loving and only tooaware that people go to them in trouble. They wish always to help if they can and they do not judge. For another, the Abbess of Hawkenlye would not permit such heavy-handed measures as you describe.’
    ‘The Abbess. Aye, I have heard tell of her.’ Ambrose shot Josse an assessing look. ‘What is your opinion of her?’
    An image of Helewise swam into Josse’s mind. In it she was laughing at something he had just said, her wide mouth smiling and her grey eyes under the well-marked brows regarding him affectionately. But then the image changed and, drawn up to her full imposing height, she stood in her severe habit glaring at some wrong-doer, authority in every inch of her.
    ‘What is my opinion of her?’ Josse muttered. ‘Sir, I do not believe myself fit to have one. But I will say this: she is a good woman, honourable, hardworking, devout.’ Meeting Ambrose’s narrowed eyes, he said, ‘Bring your wife to Hawkenlye and meet her. Experience for yourselves the love and charity of her nuns and at least try the healing waters. They will do you good, I believe, and the monks will make you welcome.’
    For a few moments Ambrose studied him in silence. Then he said, ‘I will do as you suggest. Let us return to the hall and I shall tell Galiena.’
    Josse found it difficult to look Galiena in the face after what her husband had been telling him about her. Still discomfited by her beauty, he heard Ambrose’s words running through his head, over and over again. I watch her as she enacts her rites. Naked under the moonlight, her lovely body so pale and white .
    Although he knew it was not his fault, he felt guilty.
    Trying to be as unobtrusive as possible, he listened to the talk flowing between the other three. Ambrose had already announced that he and Galiena would make the journey to Hawkenlye and take the cure and Galiena had seemed genuinely delighted. Ambrose, muttering to her, had seemed to be cautioning her against unreasonable optimism, which Josse thought was wise. Reflecting on what the two of them might make of Hawkenlye – and, indeed, what Hawkenlye might make of them – he allowed his attention to wander.
    But then Galiena’s excited voice broke into his reverie.
    ‘… no reason why we should not go straight away!’ she was saying. ‘Is there, Sir Josse?’ He leaped to attention.
    ‘Er – what was that?’
    Smiling, she repeated herself. ‘I was saying, we could set out straight away. First thing in the morning, perhaps. Unless we have to give notice that we are coming?’ The delicate eyebrows were raised in query.
    ‘No, folks usually just turn up,’ he said. ‘But – do you not need to make preparations for the journey? There must surely be some small comforts you will wish to pack up and take with you.’
    The blue eyes met his. ‘Do poor peasants with a sick child bring such comforts?’ she asked coolly.
    ‘No, of course not,’ he replied.
    ‘Then what need have we of such things?’ Still staring at him, she seemed to notice that her words had stung. ‘I am sorry, Sir Josse,’ she said, much more kindly. ‘I meant no criticism.’ Now she was smiling. ‘I am very anxious to be on our way and I fear that my mood affects my speech. I did not mean to offend.’
    ‘Neither did I,’ he assured her.
    ‘We may set out in the morning, then?’ she asked again. ‘It is truly in order to arrive without prior warning?’
    ‘Indeed it is,’ he said.
    ‘Then we shall do so!’ she exclaimed, leaping up and clapping her hands.
    But Ambrose was frowning.