Prince of Darkness

swallowed his pride as he studied the nuns. Hell's teeth, a most unholy trinity! Dame Catherine, however, drew his glance; she was studying Corbett intently, her small pink tongue constantly wetting her lips. Ranulf grinned to himself. A wanton one there, he thought, and began to daydream quietly of what would happen if he and the good dame were alone in some small, cosy chamber. The Prioress settled herself, allowing a faint smile to grace her face. She nibbled at the doucettes.
    'What does His Grace the King command?' she began. 'His Grace requires nothing save a full explanation of the Lady Eleanor's death.' Lady Amelia made a face.
    'We regret Lady Eleanor's death, as we do that of the unfortunate Dame Martha. One of our sisters,' she added quickly, noting the puzzlement in Corbett's face. 'She was found drowned in her bath this morning. Remember, Master Clerk, in the midst of life we are in death.'
    'Yes, but it makes a difference how Death comes.'
    'In Lady Eleanor's case, by accident.'
    Corbett adjusted his belt and settled himself more comfortably.
    'Was she melancholic?' he asked.
    'A little. She was often heard praying to be delivered from her sickness. She had a malady of the breast Dame Catherine?' She turned to her cheery-faced companion.
    The fat nun shrugged as if freeing herself from a daydream. 'Lady Eleanor,' she piped up, 'had a malignancy in her breast The Prince sent her medicines.'
    'Did he bring them himself?' Corbett asked. 'Oh, no.'
    'Did any visitors come?'
    'Of course not!' Lady Amelia snapped. 'We are a convent, not a guest house.'
    'These medicines – why should the Prince be so concerned?'
    'The Prince is a caring man.'
    'How do you know that?'
    'My father was steward in his household.'
    'Which is why you got preferment here?'
    'Naturally.' Lady Amelia's smile faded. 'Though one approved by both the bishop and the community.'
    Corbett noticed how Dame Frances pursed her lips in silent but eloquent repudiation of her mistress' claims to merit.
    'These medicines?'
    'Oh,' Dame Catherine spoke up, 'bought from a physician in London, distilled by the best apothecary.'
    Lady Amelia saw the flicker of doubt in the clerk's eyes and forced a more gracious smile. She must be wary of these quick answers. She had been warned about this inquisitive clerk with his abrupt questions and reputation for honesty. She scrutinised him more carefully. Yes, more than some petty official, with his hair black as night, that sardonic face and those clever eyes which didn't seem to accept a single thing she said. Perhaps attack was the best form of defence. She could be as abrupt as he.
    'Be careful, Master Corbett,' she retorted. 'The Prince may have ended his relationship with the Lady Eleanor but he wished her well. The medicines were potions not poisons.'
    The Prioress snapped her fingers and Dame Catherine got up and crossed to a small, iron-bound chest She lifted the lid, took out a cachet and handed it to Lady Amelia. The Prioress, her eyes fixed on Corbett, opened the pouch and poured some of the white powder into the palm of her hand, then scooped it up with the tip of her tongue, cleansing her mouth afterwards with a sip of wine.
    'See, Master Corbett, I have taken the same potions the Prince sent to Lady Eleanor and I do not die!'
    Corbett grimaced.
    'Very well. It was you who found the body?'
    'Yes, after Compline. The community and I went over to the refectory for the usual collation before we retired. As was customary, I and my two Sub-prioresses went into the convent building through the main door. The hall was dark and only one torch burnt We found the Lady Eleanor lying at the foot of the stairs.' The Prioress stared directly at Ranulf as if acknowledging him for the first time. 'She looked as if she slept' she murmured.
    'But how could a woman fall downstairs and not disturb the hood on her head?' Corbett asked.
    'Oh, I have heard a lot of useless speculation about that,' Lady Amelia replied briskly. 'The hood was tied tight.'
    'And no one heard her fall?'
    'There was no one there to do so.'
    'Except Dames Martha and Elizabeth? And one of them is now dead.'
    'Both of them were very deaf!' Lady Amelia snapped. 'Then what happened?'
    'We sent our porter to Woodstock to inform the Prince.' 'And he did what?'
    'My Lord Gaveston came down to ensure all was well as could be in the circumstances. He left some silver for the funeral and the Prince's instructions that the Lady Eleanor be buried here.'