Free The Nun's Tale by Candace Robb Page B

As Lucie voiced the thought, she blushed, hearing echoes of jokes about women who conduct their business on their backs.
    Brother Wulfstan did not seem to notice Lucie’s discomfort. ‘Clumsy, yet no serious wounds or broken bones.’ He sighed. ‘So it is her soul, not her body that requires our help.’
    Lucie forced herself to concentrate on Wulfstan’s concerns. ‘She will be a difficult patient. She believes God means her to offer up her pains as penance, and that she is meant to die soon.’
    Wulfstan looked unhappy. ‘I understand she has had a vision about this.’
    ‘She says the Blessed Virgin Mary guides her. Do you believe she had a vision, Brother Wulfstan?’
    He lifted his hands, palms up, shrugged. ‘How can we ever know? But in my heart I think it more likely she had a nightmare, a fever dream.’ He shook his head, sighed. ‘Did she say aught about her – Sweet Jesu, it sticks in my throat – resurrection?’ He winced on the last word.
    Lucie gently touched his cheek. ‘No. When I mentioned it she said nothing.’
    ‘What of the mantle? What had she to say of that?’
    ‘Only that we are not to touch it.’
    Wulfstan sighed. ‘Put your feelings aside and tell me, do you think the child can distinguish visions from dreams?’
    ‘I cannot tell. She says pain purifies her. She claims to be cursed. We have all heard such things before. If only her visions were more unusual. But even then, she might simply be a good storyteller.’ Lucie found it frustrating. ‘There are questions she will not answer, but I did not think that strange. Perhaps in time she will trust us and speak more freely.’
    Wulfstan took Lucie’s hands. ‘You have been most generous with your time, Lucie. I am grateful. You have had better luck than most who have spoken with her. She babbled to me about stars winking out and much other gibberish I could not understand.’
    Lucie squeezed his hands affectionately. ‘I am happy to have been of help to you, my friend. But now I must get back.’
    Wulfstan nodded. ‘God bless you for coming. When does Owen return?’
    ‘Perhaps tonight, for a short while, and then he will be gone again. Unfortunately, Sir Robert D’Arby comes later this week to stay while Owen is in Pontefract.’
    Wulfstan searched Lucie’s face. ‘Your father?’
    Lucie nodded wearily. ‘Aunt Phillippa told him I am with child.’
    ‘You –’ Brother Wulfstan’s face lit up. ‘May our Heavenly Mother protect you.’ He made the sign of the cross over her. ‘How wonderful. It is a kind gesture on your father’s part, to keep you company.’
    Lucie rubbed her eyes, suddenly tired. ‘It is foolish and useless. What does he know of my life? What does he know of me?’
    Wulfstan put a hand on Lucie’s shoulder, waited until she met his eyes. Hers shimmered with stubborn, angry tears. ‘He made a long pilgrimage to the Holy Land to ask God’s forgiveness for what happened to your mother. I am certain that God forgave him. Why can you not try?’
    Lucie looked into Wulfstan’s sad eyes. She wanted to beg his forgiveness for distressing him, but she could not help how she felt. ‘It is not so easy.’
    Brother Wulfstan gave her a little hug. ‘You are a sensible woman, Lucie. You will do what is right.’
    She took a deep breath, calming her warring emotions. ‘I shall go about my business as usual.’
    ‘You must take care of yourself.’
    Lucie relaxed, seeing Wulfstan did not mean to argue. ‘Magda Digby and Bess Merchet are watching me closely. You need not worry.’
    Wulfstan pretended to be shocked. ‘Magda Digby, the Riverwoman? Could you not find a Christian midwife?’
    ‘Magda brought me and so many other citizens of this city into this world, Brother Wulfstan. God guides her, no matter what she calls Him.’
    Wulfstan tucked his hands in his sleeves, gave her a little bow. ‘Well, she will have Bess to answer to if aught goes wrong. And myself. And Owen.’
    They moved outside