Prince of Darkness

She shrugged. 'That was all.'
    'Did a physician look at the body?'
    'No, why should he? The Lady Eleanor was dead.'
    'And who was the dead woman's closest companion?'
    Lady Amelia smiled triumphantly as if she had caught the clerk out
    I wondered when you would ask me that'
    She nodded at Dame Frances who rose, went out, and immediately returned accompanied by another sister. The new arrival stood in the doorway so Corbett could only make out her height, her face and figure being concealed by veil and habit
    'Master Corbett may I introduce our sacristan and cellarer, Dame Agatha?'
    The nun came forward and Corbett remembered his manners and rose. He heard Ranulf gasp behind him. Dame Agatha was beautiful. Her face had a full fresh colour, the eyes were well spaced, calm, serene, full of laughter and good humour. She was honey-mouthed, sweet and wholesome. Her hand felt cool and dry, and as Corbett kissed it he smelt the perfume of her body – fresh, pleasant, and fragrant as a spring rose. Lady Amelia seemed to enjoy Corbett's consternation.
    'What did you expect, Master Clerk?'
    I expected nothing, My Lady.'
    Dame Agatha studied him carefully. Was she laughing at him? Corbett wondered. Dame Frances seemed to have produced a stool from nowhere and, at Lady Amelia's insistence, Dame Agatha sat down, indicating that Corbett should resume his seat.
    'You wished to question me, Monsieur?' Her voice was low, tinged with a French accent
    'Yes, My Lady. You were a companion of Lady Eleanor?'
    'Yes, I was.'
    'You shared chambers?'
    'No, the Lady Eleanor occupied one corridor of the convent building. She had the use of all the chambers there. Lady Amelia appointed me to be her companion but I slept with the sisters in the dorter.'
    'You were appointed companion?'
    'The Lady Eleanor asked for Dame Agatha,' the Prioress interrupted.
    'And how was the Lady Eleanor the day before she died?' Corbett asked the young nun.
    'Oh, quite happy but rather secretive. She insisted I go to Compline and refused to accompany me.'
    'She usually went?'
    'Oh, yes.'
    'And, when you left her, she was still alive?'
    The young nun looked sideways, warning Corbett with her eyes that she wished to say something but dare not here.
    'Of course,' she replied. 'As sacristan I went to church early to prepare the altar. Dame Frances, you saw me there before Compline began?'
    The tall, ascetic nun nodded. Corbett realised the implication of her question.
    'Lady Amelia, when was Eleanor Belmont last seen alive?'
    The Prioress paused, fingers to her lips.
    'She was seen just before Compline. Yes, by the ancient ones – that is, Dame Elizabeth and Dame Martha. They were gossiping in one of their chambers which overlooks the passage to the chapel. They saw Lady Eleanor walking down the path as if she was going towards the Galilee Gate.'
    Corbett raised his hand for her to pause as he tried to remember the lay-out of the nunnery. There was the convent building, to its right the priory church, behind that some trees and outbuildings, then the wall and the Galilee Gate. He smiled.
    I am just remembering what I have seen. Please continue. The two old sisters who saw Lady Eleanor?' The Prioress shrugged.
    'Dame Elizabeth opened her window and called out, asking if all was well Lady Eleanor turned, smiled, waved and shouted that she was going for a short walk. That was the last time she was seen alive.'
    'Dame Agatha, what do you think happened?' Corbett asked.
    She made a face, lifting her shoulders prettily, but again warned Corbett with her eyes.
    I think she went for a walk, returned during Compline, went up the stairs, tripped, fell back and broke her neck. Poor thing!'
    'But should such a fall mean immediate death?'
    Corbett heard Ranulf stir restlessly behind him and suddenly realised his servant was edging slowly across the room towards some small silver figurines arranged on a gold tray on top of a chest Oh, God! Corbett prayed quietly. Please, Ranulf, not here, not now!
    'It's quite possible.' Dame Frances spoke for the first time, her voice harsh and decisive. I have some knowledge of physic. When a woman suffers from a malignancy in her breast, her bones become dry as the humours of her body become juiceless. In such a state, a fall could be most grievous.'
    Corbett now moved to the most important question, like a good archer leaving his most lethal arrow to the last
    'So,' he said, 'the Lady Eleanor was last seen walking near the church on Sunday before