The Innocent

days of rest before you must resume your life at St. Frideswide's. I shall tell Reverend Mother myself. Return when you can.'

'Well,' Elf reasoned, 'I should really appoint a bailiff until Reverend Mother decides what to do with Ashlin; and I must separate Isleen’s dowry portion from Ashlin’s other assets so she may carry it home to her family. After you have mourned a proper time, Isleen, your father will undoubtedly want to arrange another marriage for you.'

'Then, you will remain?' Isleen clapped her hands together in a childish gesture of delight. 'Ohhh, I am so glad!' Her glance flicked to Saer de Bude for the briefest moment, but old Ida saw it.

What mischief were those two up to, Ida wondered. She had best watch carefully over her sweet child lest they do her some harm. They were a wicked pair, and she would put nothing past them.

Shortly after Father Anselm departed for St. Frideswide’s the following morning, Isleen sought out her sister-in-law.

'You are now the lady of Ashlin,' she said. 'I will move my things from the solar so you may take your rightful place.'

'No! No!' Elf replied. 'We will be here but a few more days, sister. Do not go to the bother of removing your possessions for me. I am not used to having a chamber to myself. I have always slept in the dormitory with the other girls. When I take my final vows, I will be assigned a tiny cell for myself. I would be uncomfortable in the solar, Isleen. I have not slept there since I was a child.'

'At least share it with me, then,' Isleen cajoled. 'It is not proper for the lady of the manor to be taking her nightly rest in a bed space in the hall. We will share our memories of Richard before we must part forever.' She gave Elf a winning smile.

Now, what is that vixen about? Ida wondered.

'Very well,' Elf agreed. 'As long as I do not discommode you, Isleen. It is just for a few days after all.'

'Ohhh, good!' Isleen purred. 'Let us move your belongings right now, sister.”

'I will do it for you, my lady,' Ida said quickly. She was anxious to learn if there was anything she should be concerned about in the solar, for she had not been inside that chamber since Elf had been taken away as a child.

'Be certain you do not touch any of my belongings,' Isleen said meanly. 'I will know if you do.'

Ida glared at the young woman, but said nothing. Her thoughts were racing, however. Nay, I'll not touch your things, lady, but I'll be certain to make sure that nothing belonging to Ashlin has been taken by you for transport back to your home. The old lady gathered up Elf’s few possessions, and wended her way to the solar. She found the chamber dirty and in terrible disarray. Not even setting down her small burden, Ida stamped back out into the hall and marched right up to Elf.

'My lady, you cannot stay in the solar. It is filthy and in such disorder that there is no room for you. Until it is cleaned, it is better you remain in your bed space in the hall.'

'Why has the solar not been kept in order?' Elf asked her sister-in-law. Cleanliness was a watchward at the convent.

'Since Richard died, the servants will do nothing I ask,' Isleen whined piteously. 'Even the girl who served me has disappeared.'

'I'm not surprised, but that clutter has been there longer than a day or two,' Ida muttered low to her mistress.

If Elf heard, she gave no sign of it, instead saying, 'Who served the lady Isleen? She is to return to her duties until my brother’s widow departs Ashlin for her own home. Only then is she freed from her obligations. She is to come at once and put the lady’s possessions in their proper places. Then the room is to be thoroughly cleaned. When that is done, I shall join my sister in the solar, and I expect to sleep there this very night. Am I understood?'

Cedric, the household steward came forward. 'It will be done at once, my lady Your word is our command.'

'Very good, Cedric. The lady Isleen and I shall leave the solar to you and your minions.' She smiled sweetly.

Isleen could not help but be annoyed as the servants hurried to oblige their new mistress. They had never toiled as diligently for her, but, she decided, they were simply trying to get on the innocent Elf’s good side for the brief time they thought she would remain with them. When Saer was lord here, and Elf had her brief tenure as lady, they would reveal their true colors, for they were lazy and slothful creatures at heart. She was therefore astonished when she and Elf entered the solar in late afternoon to find it cleaner than she had ever known it since she came to Ashlin.

The stone floors had been scrubbed thoroughly, as had the walls. The fireplace was clean, its small chimney drawing perfectly. The two narrow and arched windows had been washed! The sunlight was shining brightly through them. The two tapestries hanging on the walls had quite obviously been beaten and brushed, for they no longer looked dusty, nor were there cobwebs hanging from them. The bed she had once shared with Richard had clean hangings, fresh, lavender-scented linens, and plump new pillows. Its feather bed had been well lofted. The two wooden chests that belonged to her had been rearranged, and were open to display her belongings all neatly set inside. A smaller painted chest that she had never seen had been placed at the foot of the bed, and Elf’s few belongings were visible.

Elf clapped her hands and laughed. 'It is my mother’s chest!' she said, delighted. 'I have not seen it since I left Ashlin. I always loved it because of all the animals and birds painted upon it. The chest originally belonged to my ancestress, Rowena.' Her silvery glance swept the chamber. 'They have done well, Isleen, haven't they? The room is well ordered now. Come, and let us tell Cedric how pleased we are.' She took her sister-in-law’s soft hand.

Isleen pulled her hand away from Elf’s gentle grip. 'Tell Cedric we are pleased? Because the servants have done their duty? It is past time they did their duty! I shall thank no one.'

'Well, I shall,' Elf told her. 'Do you think the servants are not as distressed over Dickon’s death as we are? He was the last de Montfort who will rule here; the last of his Saxon ancestress’s long line. Ashlin’s serfs and their families have belonged to this land for hundreds of years, Isleen. They fear the future.'

'This ancient line you speak of would not be broken,' Isleen replied, 'if you would consider marrying a man instead of locking yourself away in a convent for the rest of your days, Eleanore. Now that Richard is gone and I have no child to inherit this land, it is your duty to give up the nunnery and accept the responsibility of your inheritance. Instead, you selfishly pursue your own desires rather than accepting the obligations that God has given you.'

Elf looked suddenly stricken. She had not even considered such a thing. She would not! 'I am already a nun, Isleen.'

'You have not yet taken your final vows, Eleanore. When Richard placed you at St. Frideswide's, it was because the small dowry your father had apportioned for you would not gain you a proper husband of stature who possessed his own properties. Richard discussed the matter quite thoroughly with my parents, and it was then the decision was made to put you in the convent. The nuns would take your little pittance, and be glad for it; and you would have a life of safety and contentment serving our dear Lord. Now, however, you are an heiress of respectable means. You have a small manor with livestock, a house, and serfs. This makes you a most desirable commodity for a knight of good name.'

'My course in life has already been determined,' Elf replied in firm tones. 'I pledged myself to our Lord at the age of ten years. It was then I became a postulant. At twelve I advanced to the