Free A Man of Value by Anna Markland

left after Prime the following day. Agneta watched the horizon, willing more refugees to appear, but none came, until the day after.
    ~~~
    “How far are we from the Abbey at Alnwick now, Caedmon?” Lady Ascha asked wearily.
    “We’ll be there in about two hours,” he replied curtly.
    Ascha bit her lip. “What’s your plan?”
    He grimaced. “I’ll beg.”
    “I have a better plan.”
    He reined his horse and rode back to where she’d stopped. He could see she was worn out. She’d shown a moment of tearful elation and gasped when he’d told her they’d crossed into England an hour earlier. The whole group had come to a halt, dismounted and gathered for a moment of prayer. But now the strain of long hours in the saddle showed in them all.
    They’d been on the road from Scotland for ten days. It had taken them longer than anticipated, problems with the wagon slowing them down. Then, Coventina’s mother had become unwell and the Brightmores had to stay behind at a monastery until she recovered. Leofric had volunteered to remain with them, prompting Caedmon to wonder again about his friend’s relationship with the girl. Leofric’s distorted face had given nothing away when Caedmon smiled at him and arched his eyebrows.
    Now, he stood in the stirrups, taking advantage of the pause in their journey to rub his sore saddle muscles. “Plan? What are you talking about?”
    “We have money, Caedmon.” She patted her belly, where the money belt she wore made her look rounder than she was. The person of an older woman had been deemed the best hiding place for the proceeds of the sale of the house to Edgar.
    He looked at her blankly. “I don’t understand.”
    “Didn’t you tell me Alnwick is an unfinished Abbey?”
    “Aye—but—”
    She wagged her finger at him. “My son, I’d wager there isn’t an Abbey, monastery, convent, priory or church in the whole of England that has sufficient money for its needs. All those mouths to feed, buildings to keep up, good works to be undertaken.”
    Caedmon now understood.
    She smiled and continued. “The Abbey near Alnwick, in addition to all those expenses, must find funds for building a great edifice.”
    He smiled. “You’re right. I remember talk when I was here of how difficult it was to keep the construction going. When money ran out, the work stopped.”
    Ascha raised one foot, and appeared to be studying the toe of her boot. “How long do you estimate it will take to finish, if they go on at the present rate?”
    He rubbed his chin. “Fifty years, at least.”
    “This Abbey has something you want, does it not?”
    “Aye—but if she ever found out—”
    “Who will tell her? You said yourself she doesn’t want to become a nun. You can offer her a better life, at Ruyton.”
    He looked his mother in the eye. “You would give me your money for this?”
    Ascha smiled. “Caedmon, money means nothing to me compared with your happiness. It’s obvious you’re smitten with this woman. I’m selfish. I can’t be happy if you’re unhappy.”
    Though he longed to see Agneta again, Caedmon had been feeling pessimistic about the reunion, but now his heart sang with renewed hope. He dismounted and went to kiss his mother’s trembling hand. “My gracious Lady Ascha Woolgar, whatever did I do to deserve a mother like you? I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
    She shifted nervously in the side saddle. “It would be better if I speak with the Superior. Woman to woman.”
    “I agree. I might make a detour, to a nearby lodging house, when we get closer. I’ll catch up.”
    ~~~
    As she entered Vespers, Agneta heard the Almoner welcoming new refugees. Her feet itched to run out, to see if Caedmon was among them. All through the office, she fidgeted, alternating between hope and dread. Instead of the Magnificat , she recited her familiar exhortation regarding Caedmon’s health. Mother Superior looked down her nose at her more than once.
    Be still.
    As they filed