The Devil's Domain

Maurice?’ She wiped a tear from her eye. ’I heard about that business at the Golden Cresset.’
    Brother Athelstan grasped the young woman’s smooth hands. He ignored the curious looks of two beggars crouched in a doorway.
    ’Lady Angelica, you are going back to your father’s house. Sir John and Sir Maurice are already there. Sir Maurice loves you deeply. He is a valiant, noble knight who wears his heart on his sleeve and that heart is yours for as long as it beats.’
    ’You should have been a troubadour, Brother. But that poor woman?’
    Athelstan swore her to secrecy then explained all that had happened. The change in Angelica’s face was wondrous, reminding Athelstan of the old adage about the ’steel fist in the velvet glove’. Her face paled, her blue eyes became ice-cold, like hard pieces of glass, while her generous mouth tightened into a thin line.
    ’My father?’ she asked.
    ’I believe your father is innocent. I do not think Sir Thomas would stoop to murder to blacken a man’s name.’
    ’I believe you.’ Angelica gazed over Athelstan’s shoulder. ’1 think we should walk, Brother, otherwise we might both be reported to the Bishop as a friar and a nun who fell in love and conducted their amour in public!’
    They walked slowly up the street, Angelica asking questions, Athelstan doing his best to reply. Indeed, so engrossed was the friar that he hardly noticed the sights and sounds of the city, the busy frenetic cries of the market, the shouts of the apprentices, the clatter of horse and cart. Before he realised it, they were standing on the corner leading down to Sir Thomas Parr’s mansion.
    ’I always despised Hersham.’ Lady Angelica ran a finger round the rather tight coif about her chin. ’I used to catch him watching me. He reminded me of a cat stalking a pigeon.’
    ’Some pigeon, my lady. More like a hawk, as my good friend Sir Maurice will find out.’
    Angelica grasped his hand and squeezed it.
    ’What you did, Brother, what you did was noble.’ Her face relaxed into a smile. ’And when I marry Sir Maurice, I don’t care what Father says, I want you to meet us at the church door and witness our exchange of vows.’
    ’I wouldn’t recommend St Erconwald’s,’ Athelstan replied. ’Especially with a ferret on the loose.’
    ’A ferret?’
    ’I jest. Come on, Lady Angelica, let us first see your father before you arrange the marriage feast.’
    The manservant who opened the door glanced at Athelstan then Angelica and his jaw sagged.
    ’Lord save us!’ he gasped. ’Oh, what doings! What a morning! The bailiffs have been here closeted with Sir Thomas. Now, Sir John and Sir Maurice are kicking their heels in the parlour.’
    ’This is my house,’ the Lady Angelica said. ’Richard, let us in!’
    ’Of course, my lady.’ The manservant stood back and ushered them into the parlour.
    Lady Angelica took one look at Sir Maurice and, in a manner that would certainly not have been approved by the Lady Monica, hastened across the chamber and threw her arms round his neck. Sir John, sitting in a window seat cradling a large goblet, shrugged and smiled.
    ’Sir Maurice!’ Athelstan hissed. ’Lady Angelica! The waters are troubled enough!’
    He heard footsteps along the gallery outside. Lady Angelica and Sir Maurice hastily stood away from each other and Angelica sat down. Sir Thomas Parr swept into the room. He scowled at his daughter and glanced angrily around.
    ’What is this nonsense? Angelica, who brought you here? And you sir!’ He flung his hand in the direction of Sir Maurice. ’I’ll have you driven from my home! ’
    ’Father!’ Lady Angelica sprang to her feet. ’I have told you not to scowl, it doesn’t suit you. You are in very, very serious trouble! I think you should listen to Sir John and Brother Athelstan.’ Angelica stepped forward, wagging her finger. ’Father, I am your dutiful daughter but I am very angry with you.’ She turned. ’Sir Maurice, I believe we should adjourn. Don’t worry, Father, I won’t be ravished; I am taking Sir Maurice into the garden and I’ll ask my maid to accompany us.’ She glanced at Sir Maurice. ’Though not too close.’
    She swept out of the room, Sir Maurice trailing behind her. Athelstan closed the door.
    ’Sir Thomas, I suggest you sit down.’
    ’This is my house, friar.’
    ’Sit down!’ Sir John roared. ’Or I’ll haul you off to the Fleet immediately!’ The coroner lumbered to his feet.