When Andrea placed a finger on his shoulder, he swatted it away.
“I find Mother Simone’s betrayal difficult to believe.” Anger ate away at and destroyed the boundaries of his loyalty. “But I will personally tear her apart if this is true.”
“I, too, find her betrayal difficult. I cannot believe that Mother Simone would have us killed. I was uncomfortable with her, but I never felt my life was in danger.” She began to turn away but stopped. “Do you have the message you found in the basket?”
“I left the scrap at the abbey,” he said dismissively, and waved his hand.
“This doesn’t change our decision. If anything, whether we like it or not, this confirms the need to go forward. There is no turning back,” she said.
Andrea was right. Whoever was after them wouldn’t stop until they got what they wanted.
“I’m ready to leave now.” She put on her shawl, then tucked the package with the jewelry and scraps of parchment into her waist.
“I’ll carry the jewelry and the maps.”
She stared at him over her shoulder. He held up his hand to stop her from arguing.
“I’m not going to let you carry them. Not after what happened at the river and now that we know the messages were written in the same hand.”
She stood, tense, her back arched and her eyes on the small package in her hand.
“You do understand?” His hand was still out waiting for her to give him the package.
“Yes,” she murmured without trying to hide the resentment in her voice.
“Rea, look at me.”
She lifted her chin and looked up at him. “I know you’re right.” She handed him the package.
He tucked it into his shirt. They locked the door to their room and left.
It was a short walk to the cathedral. They hurried through the streets and rushed across the Place Notre-Dame. Donald took her down a short path at the side of the church. They came to the bishop’s residence. Donald knocked on the door.
A thin, austere woman dressed in black opened the door.
“Lord Eden.” The woman’s brittle expression cracked into a wide, approving smile. “I didn’t know the bishop was expecting you.”
“It’s good to see you, Matilde. This is Andrea Ricard. We are here unannounced. I hope the bishop has a few moments to spare before Prime.”
“How nice to meet you, mademoiselle.” Matilde stepped back giving them room to enter. “Wait in the front room. I’ll tell him you’re here.”
The room was austere with a lack of comfortable furniture, but it had an air of calm. Before Andrea could say anything, the door opened, and an older gentleman entered.
He wore a white tunic with long sleeves. The cincture, a plain silk rope was tied at his waist. A heavy gold cross hung in the middle of his chest.
“Donald. Mademoiselle. Please be seated.” The bishop indicated a group of chairs near the window.
“Your Excellency. Thank you for seeing us.”
“You are always welcome here, but this early, I have the distinct feeling you are not here to chat.”
“I am here for your help. I am fulfilling a wish for my sister-in-law, the Countess Charlotte Eden. Her father wished to return some personal items to a soldier’s family. The boy was mortally wounded, and Maurice Cantrelle stayed with him to ease his passing. All Maurice knew was the boy was in service to his king.”
“Maurice. He was a good soul. We both stood by the king as he lay dying in the chapel at the fortress in Le Kef. The king wasn’t the only person he helped. Maurice eased so many when their time came to return to the Lord.”
“I had no idea you knew him,” Donald said.
“We knew each other well. I know all about the winery and his Charlotte. Maurice spoke of her often and to everyone. I think it was his way of holding the horrors of war at arm’s length. He loved his granddaughter.
“You mentioned a fallen soldier. How can I help you?”
“Maurice returned home but was unable to identify the boy. Mademoiselle Ricard was able to solve the puzzle. We are here to return the personal items to Lady Abadia.”
The smile on the bishop’s lips faltered. “And how can I help?”
“It is over ten years since the boy’s death. I understand Lady Abadia has been mourning his loss every day. I am concerned…” He left the sentence unfinished.
His Excellency let out a deep breath. “It will indeed be difficult for her.” The bishop leaned forward and warmly tapped Donald’s hand. “You were right in coming to me. What would you like me to do?”
“Your Excellency, we would appreciate you introducing us to Lady Abadia.”
The bishop looked at them both. He wondered what the man was weighing.
“Of course, I’ll help you. In exchange, you both will join me at Prime.” His face opened in a warm smile. “Lady Abadia is the last to leave services. She goes into the memorial chapel for her son. I will introduce you then. You won’t be disturbed there. Where will you go after Amiens?”
“We’re going to Calais and back to England.”
The cathedral bells rang three sets of three chimes for the early morning prayer.
“I must go.” The bishop stood, their audience over. “Why don’t you both go ahead. I will be there shortly.”
They left the residence and made their way to the front of the cathedral.
“Why did you tell him we are going back to England?”
“Look at your map. The line goes from the port city of Aigues-Mortes on the coast of France, to Troyes, to Amiens, then up to Calais.”
He pulled open the church’s heavy carved door.
Andrea peaked into the sanctuary. The pews were filling up.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a cathedral this size. I always met with the bishop at Étienne’s.”
The church bells were silent. He was taken
