The Devil's Domain

goblet between his hands.
    ’Sir Thomas Parr, my lady.’
    ’Ah, Angelica. Headstrong girl. Love is a terrible thing, isn’t it, Jack? It turns the soul and dazzles the mind.’ She gathered the Ave beads together. ’Did you ever love me, Jack?’
    He kept his head down like a little boy.
    ’I asked you that once,’ Lady Monica continued.
    ’My lady, you were betrothed. Sir Oliver was dearer to me than a brother.’
    ’But you did love me!’ Lady Monica persisted.
    Athelstan watched fascinated as tears brimmed in Sir John’s eyes and, for once, this bluff, rough-spoken coroner seemed tongue-tied.
    ’You were always blunt, my lady. I think you know the truth. And, God forgive me if I gave any offence, but so did Oliver.’
    ’My lady,’ Athelstan intervened, wanting to help his companion. ’Sir Thomas Parr has put his daughter in your care. He has asked me to visit her and give her spiritual comfort.’
    ’And does that need the three of you?’ Lady Monica studied Athelstan carefully. ’I have heard of you.’ She pointed a finger. ’I always listen to what happens to Jack. All your exploits. Anyway, why the three?’
    ’My lord coroner is here because he knows you,’ Athelstan replied coolly. ’I am here because I am his secretarius while Brother Norbert has just returned from the Bridgettine Convent at Oxford .’ Athelstan quietly prayed the lie would not be held against him. ’Where he provided wise counsel and spiritual comfort for the good sisters there.’
    ’And so why are you here?’ Lady Monica now stared directly at Sir Maurice.
    ’I am here, my lady...’ He fell silent.
    Athelstan closed his eyes.
    ’You seem rather tongue-tied for one who gives spiritual comfort?’ Lady Monica’s voice was tinged with faint mockery.
    ’I am here,’ Sir Maurice continued defiantly, ’to remind Lady Angelica of love, its true nature, function and purpose.’
    Lady Monica squeezed her chin between her fingers and clicked her tongue.
    ’I’ve seen you somewhere before. Anyway...’ Lady Monica picked up a small bell and rang it. ’I am charged with the Lady Angelica’s care. Any spiritual comfort you give her is because Sir Thomas Parr wishes it.’ She smiled thinly. ’He has written to me on this matter. But,’ Lady Monica continued, ’it must be given in my presence.’
    Athelstan’s heart sank. ’Brother Norbert’ leaned forward as if to protest but Athelstan quietly kicked his foot. The porter returned. Lady Monica gave him instructions and a few minutes later he was ushering the Lady Angelica into the room.
    Athelstan could tell that this was a time of great danger. The Lady Angelica was dressed very similarly to the abbess. One look at her beautiful, heart-shaped face framed in the clinging, silken coif and Athelstan knew why Sir Maurice was so deeply infatuated. Lady Monica made the introductions. Athelstan was sure she must be able to hear his heart thumping but Lady Angelica did not betray them. She bowed at Sir John and Athelstan and, when Lady Monica explained their presence, Angelica’s eyes, cold and hard, simply dismissed Sir Maurice with one imperious flicker.
    ’You say Father sent you here,’ she began, taking a seat beside the Lady Monica.
    ’I know your father of old,’ Sir John replied. ’He was determined that you be taken out of danger and not be pestered by an upstart knight.’
    ’And you are here to remind me of my duty to my father?’
    ’In a word, my lady, yes,’ Athelstan said.
    ’And you brought this...?’ Angelica paused, her brilliant blue eyes now on ’Norbert’. Athelstan caught a little softness as well as a sparkle of mischief. ’You brought this good brother but what does he know of love?’
    ’I know it’s God given,’ Sir Maurice replied quickly. ’I know it never ends. I know it’s like the air we breathe and that we cannot live without it.’
    ’Prettily put,’ Lady Angelica quipped. ’I love my father but I also love someone he does not like.’ She clasped her hands in mock anguish to her breast. ’What am I to do? How can love be contradictory?’
    In any other circumstances Athelstan would have laughed at this little minx who was playing the game so coolly and so cleverly. Her eyelids fluttered.
    ’If I must love my father, as I know you are going to tell me, then I must obey him. And, if I obey him, I must give up the love I have for this knight.’
    ’Very well put,’ Lady Monica said. ’Angelica, you really