The Innocent

twitched back for an instant at the sound.

He rode until almost dusk, finally coming into sight of the convent. With a sigh he kicked his mount into a loping canter and eagerly gained his objective. Sister Perpetua was standing at the gates, one side of which were open and the other closed. He rode through and heard the open gate slam shut behind him with a noisy thunk. Sliding from his horse, he helped her lift the heavy wooden bar into place.

'Thank you, my lord,' the portress said. 'We waited for you. Eleanore was certain you would arrive before dark.'

'I did promise her I would not linger in Worcester,' Ranulf replied. 'Have my men arrived, sister?'

'Late this afternoon, my lord. We have housed them with their animals in the stables. Reverend Mother thought it best.'

'Thank you,' he said. 'Where is the abbess? I would pay her my respects before I go to my wife and child.'

'You will find her in the chapter house.'

He hurried to the directed spot and found Reverend Mother Eunice in the chamber, where she oversaw the business of the convent. The door to the room was open, and the abbess looked up from behind the long oak table where she was working.

'Come in, Sir Ranulf,' she said. 'Sit down.'

He took the chair that was set before the table. 'I have things I would impart to you that must remain a secret, my lady abbess,' he began. 'It is nothing traitorous, but you will understand the need for secrecy once I have spoken.'

'Go on, Sir Ranulf.'

'The king is dying,' he began. 'I have been asked by Duke Henry, who has my loyalty once King Stephen is gone, to go to Normandy in order to bring his wife and son back to England. I have been chosen by the duke to do this deed discreetly and in secrecy. It is unlikely that anyone, particularly the great lords, will ever know how the future queen came to England. The duke is returning to Normandy immediately. I will follow in a month. This should be a simple task, but if anything happens to me, I want you to know in order that you may aid my wife.'

'I understand, my lord. Will you tell Eleanore where you are going and why?'

'I will. We do not keep secrets from each other, she and I.'

'What will you ask the king in return for your service, Sir Ranulf?' the abbess queried him astutely.

'If I succeed in my mission for the duke, I shall ask his permission to build a castle at Ashlin.'

The abbess nodded. 'You are wise,' she said. 'We can use a castle nearby to defend our wee bit of the border.'

'That is something else I wish to speak to you about. I am told that the Welsh are raiding again this year. There is a particularly vicious bandit among them called Merin ap Owen. He burned a convent recently and slaughtered the inhabitants of it. He rides with a woman, they say. Be on your guard. Make certain St. Frideswide’s is secure both day and night.'

'We have generally been left in peace, as we are known to be a simple house with nothing of value. We have no silver or gold candlesticks, no reliquaries.'

'You have sheep and cattle.'

'That is true,' the abbess said thoughtfully, 'but if the Welsh come, they will more than likely drive off the animals and leave us in peace, Sir Ranulf.'

'This Merin ap Owen is a man of no conscience. The younger nuns at the convent he destroyed were violated, Reverend Mother. He did not simply steal. He murdered, and he ravaged.' Ranulf arose. 'I will go and see my wife and son now. They continue well?'

'Aye,' the abbess replied, her mind more on what he had told her than on her guest. A man who ravaged nuns was to be feared. They must pray that this Merin ap Owen not seek out St. Frideswide's.

Ranulf left the chapter house, and walked across the cloister to the guest house. Entering, he was greeted by Orva and Willa. Then his eyes moved past them to where Eleanore sat by the fireplace, nursing Simon. 'Petite!' he called to her, and she looked up, her eyes alight, a smile upon her face.

'You are returned,' she said. 'Welcome, my lord. Come and see Simon. I swear he has grown already.'

He rushed to sit by her. God, he thought, how I love her! Why can I not tell her? But he knew the answer to his question. Eleanore had wanted to be a nun with every fiber of her being. Their marriage had been forced. While women always had their marriages arranged by guardians, most had the opportunity to meet and know something about their bridegrooms before the wedding-and they had not been raised to be nuns. How could Eleanore love him when she had been made to marry him? When her whole life had been turned upside down? Still, she had been a good wife to him, but she certainly could not love the man who had been forced upon her. And he could not bear it if she rejected his love. It was far better to remain silent.

'When can we go home?' she asked.

'If you are well enough, tomorrow, petite. The men-at-arms arrived today to escort us. The Welsh are raiding again, I have been informed. I want you and Simon safe at Ashlin. I must go away in a month on Duke Henry’s business, Eleanore.'

She looked puzzled and hurt, and he hastened to explain. Orva and Willa had left the hall to give them privacy. 'I have entrusted this knowledge only to the abbess and to you. No one else must know why I have gone. You can say nothing, petite. We will arrange an excuse should anyone ask about my absence, particularly if Baron Hugh comes calling and snooping about while I am gone.'

Elf had finished feeding her son. 'Here,' she said, handing the infant to his startled father. 'Hold him a moment while I lace up my chemise.' Then she laughed at the horrified look on her husband’s face as the baby rested in his two big hands. 'Cradle him against your chest, Ranulf. He won't break.' Elf laughed.

'He’s looking at me,' her husband said, awed.

'Of course he is,' she answered. 'Your voice is new to him. He wants to know who you are. This is your father, Simon,' Elf cooed. 'When you are bigger, he will teach you how to use a sword and a lance, and to ride your own pony. I will teach you to read, and to write, and to have manners. And we will both love you, Simon Hubert de Glandeville, my adorable little son. And we will give you brothers to play with and sisters to tease,' Elf promised.

'You want more children? But you have just had a child!' He was surprised and secretly delighted.

'Certainly I want more children! Ashlin will be a castle one day, and the de Glandevilles an important family in this region, Ranulf. Aye, we need more children. Besides,' she purred into his ear, 'we had so much fun making this one.' Before he dropped their son, she took the baby back, laughing softly.

Ranulf swallowed hard. 'Eleanore, you make it difficult for me to leave you,' he said softly.

'Then, I have achieved my purpose, my lord, and you will hurry home to us.' She chuckled.

Willa reentered the chamber carrying a tray. 'My lord, we thought that you might not have eaten,' she said, putting the tray upon the trestle in the hall.

Ranulf’s nose twitched at the fragrant smells coming from the tray, and