"Hypocritical trull," Ida muttered beneath her breath. "She sends him to his grave, then weeps her insincere tears. If there is any justice, God will strike her down dead now and raise our good lord Richard back to life, healed and in his full vigor!"

"God has already raised Dickon up," Elf said softly.

It was at that very moment Father Anselm entered the hall. "My lady Eleanore," he greeted her, hurrying to her side.

Elf turned and came forward, holding out her hands in greeting to the convent priest. "Thank you for coming, good father, but how quickly you arrived. I am grateful. Will you shrive my brother, and bury him tomorrow for us?"

"I was but three miles away on another matter when your young Arthur found me," the priest said. "Yes, I will remain. I am glad I may be of service to you and the grieving widow."

Isleen, for all her weeping, nonetheless heard the exchange. She turned and fell on her knees before Elf. "Sister, forgive me for my harsh words earlier. I knew my poor Richard was dying, and yet when the moment came, I could not believe it. In my shock and pain, I struck out at the one person who came to aid my dearest husband and nurse him these weeks with such devotion. Forgive me, Eleanore, I beg you! I cannot bear the thought that you and I have quarreled!" She held out her hands in supplication to Elf.

Elf bent and drew her sister-in-law up. "Of course I forgive you, Isleen, but I must also ask your pardon for my harsh words earlier. Like you, my grief overcame me, I fear." She kissed Isleen on both cheeks.

"And I forgive you," Isleen replied sweetly, kissing Elf in return. "We must never quarrel again, sister.”

Father Anselm smiled at the two young women, pleased by their public display of affection. Then he greeted the young widow with kindness as Elf introduced them.

"And this is my cousin, Saer de Bude," Isleen told the priest. "My father sent him to help us when Richard fell ill. He will escort me home to my parents with my dower portion after we have buried my poor husband. Ashlin now belongs to Eleanore to do with as she pleases."

"I shall give it to our order," Elf said.

The priest nodded his approval. "Reverend Mother would be quite delighted by such a gift."

"Has Matilda FitzWilliam taken her vows yet, Father Anselm?" Elf asked him. "We were to do so on St. Alban’s Day in June."

"Sister Columba became a bride of Christ forever on that day, Eleanore. She sends you her prayers, and looks forward to your return," the priest said. "Reverend Mother says you may take your final vows on St. Frideswide’s Day itself in October if your business here at Ashlin is completed by then. It is quite an honor, my daughter, as you well know."

Elf’s face was alight with joy.


***

The priest and the young novice prayed the night through by Richard de Montfort’s bier. Isleen cried off from exhaustion in midevening, and disappeared into the solar. Throughout the long hours and into the early morning, the serfs came into the hall to pay their last respects and to pray with the two religious. Finally in the hour after dawn Isleen appeared again, asking for time alone with her departed spouse. Ida came, clucking and fussing that Elf must break her fast, and afterward escorting her to her bed space for a nap before Richard de Montfort’s funeral. They buried the lord of the manor in the early afternoon of a summer’s day. The air was heavy with the promise of rain, and the skies a dull gray above them. Elf had declared a half holiday, and provided her people with a small feast afterward. The rains held off until dusk when a thunderstorm rolled in from beyond the hills that separated Hereford from Wales.

"I will say Mass in the morning here in the hall," the priest said, "and then return to St. Frideswide's. When shall I tell Reverend Mother to expect your return, my daughter?"

"I shall come with you tomorrow," Elf said. "I am no longer needed at Ashlin, and I am anxious to resume my own life."

"Oh, please remain until I am ready to depart Ashlin, and rejoin my family," Isleen said prettily. "It is unlikely we shall see each other again. Do a few days really matter, dear Eleanore?"

"I am certain that Reverend Mother would approve," Father Anselm said helpfully. "The lady Isleen has told me of your devotion to your late brother, my daughter. You are entitled to a few days of rest before you must resume your life at St. Frideswide's. I shall tell Reverend Mother myself. Return when you can."

"Well," Elf reasoned, "I should really appoint a bailiff until Reverend Mother decides what to do with Ashlin; and I must separate Isleen’s dowry portion from Ashlin’s other assets so she may carry it home to her family. After you have mourned a proper time, Isleen, your father will undoubtedly want to arrange another marriage for you."

"Then, you will remain?" Isleen clapped her hands together in a childish gesture of delight. "Ohhh, I am so glad!" Her glance flicked to Saer de Bude for the briefest moment, but old Ida saw it.

What mischief were those two up to, Ida wondered. She had best watch carefully over her sweet child lest they do her some harm. They were a wicked pair, and she would put nothing past them.

Shortly after Father Anselm departed for St. Frideswide’s the following morning, Isleen sought out her sister-in-law.

"You are now the lady of Ashlin," she said. "I will move my things from the solar so you may take your rightful place."

"No! No!" Elf replied. "We will be here but a few more days, sister. Do not go to the bother of removing your possessions for me. I am not used to having a chamber to myself. I have always slept in the dormitory with the other girls. When I take my final vows, I will be assigned a tiny cell for myself. I would be uncomfortable in the solar, Isleen. I have not slept there since I was a child."

"At least share it with me, then," Isleen cajoled. "It is not proper for the lady of the manor to be taking her nightly rest in a bed space in the hall. We will share our memories of Richard before we must part forever." She gave Elf a winning smile.

Now, what is that vixen about? Ida wondered.

"Very well," Elf agreed. "As long as I do not discommode you, Isleen. It is just for a few days after all."

"Ohhh, good!" Isleen purred. "Let us move your belongings right now, sister.”

"I will do it for you, my lady," Ida said quickly. She was anxious to learn if there was anything she should be concerned about in the solar, for she had not been inside that chamber since Elf had been taken away as a child.

"Be certain you do not touch any of my belongings," Isleen said meanly. "I will know if you do."

Ida glared at the young woman, but said nothing. Her thoughts were racing, however. Nay, I'll not touch your things, lady, but I'll be certain to make sure that nothing belonging to Ashlin has been taken by you for transport back to your home. The old lady gathered up Elf’s few possessions, and wended her way to the solar. She found the chamber dirty and in terrible disarray. Not even setting down her small burden, Ida stamped back out into the hall and marched right up to Elf.

"My lady, you cannot stay in the solar. It is filthy and in such disorder that there is no room for you. Until it is cleaned, it is better you remain in your bed space in the hall."

"Why has the solar not been kept in order?" Elf asked her sister-in-law. Cleanliness was a watchward at the convent.

"Since Richard died, the servants will do nothing I ask," Isleen whined piteously. "Even the girl who served me has disappeared."

"I'm not surprised, but that clutter has been there longer than a day or two," Ida muttered low to her mistress.

If Elf heard, she gave no sign of it, instead saying, "Who served the lady Isleen? She is to return to her duties until my brother’s widow departs Ashlin for her own home. Only then is she freed from her obligations. She is to come at once and put the lady’s possessions in their proper places. Then the room is to be thoroughly cleaned. When that is done, I shall join my sister in the solar, and I expect to sleep there this very night. Am I understood?"

Cedric, the household steward came forward. "It will be done at once, my lady Your word is our command."

"Very good, Cedric. The lady Isleen and I shall leave the solar to you and your minions." She smiled sweetly.

Isleen could not help but be annoyed as the servants hurried to oblige their new mistress. They had never toiled as diligently for her, but, she decided, they were simply trying to get on the innocent Elf’s good side for the brief time they thought she would remain with them. When Saer was lord here, and Elf had her brief tenure as lady, they would reveal their true colors, for they were lazy and slothful creatures at heart. She was therefore astonished when she and Elf entered the solar in late afternoon to find it cleaner than she had ever known it since she came to Ashlin.

The stone floors had been scrubbed thoroughly, as had the walls. The fireplace was clean, its small chimney drawing perfectly. The two narrow and arched windows had been washed! The sunlight was shining brightly through them. The two tapestries hanging on the walls had quite obviously been beaten and brushed, for they no longer looked dusty, nor were there cobwebs hanging from them. The bed she had once shared with Richard had clean hangings, fresh, lavender-scented linens, and plump new pillows. Its feather bed had been well lofted. The two wooden chests that belonged to her had been rearranged, and were open to display her belongings all neatly set inside. A smaller painted chest that she had never seen had been placed at the foot of the bed, and Elf’s few belongings were visible.