Free [Roger the Chapman 06] - The Wicked Winter by Kate Sedley Page A

has made it hers in the five and a half years since she first came here, turning the uppermost storey into a chapel, even though there is one here, in the house.' He went on, as if struck by a sudden thought, 'Our chaplain is sick at the moment. He has been for more than a week and is therefore unable to carry out his duties at present. Perhaps that's why my wife has sent for you, Friar. She is in constant fear for her immortal soul. She must confess her sins and be granted absolution every day or she cannot sleep at night.'  
    'A truly godly woman,' breathed Simeon. 'A shining example to us all. Her like is to be treasured, Sir Hugh, not held up to ridicule. Now, with your leave, I shall go to her and discover what it is she wants of me.'
    His tone implied that he would do so with or without our reluctant host's permission, and I was not surprised to see Sir Hugh's grimace of resignation.
    ' You must do as you wish, Brother. I will call one of the men to show you the way.'
    'There is no need to trouble anyone.' The friar drew his cloak more tightly about his emaciated frame. 'I can follow your directions well enough.'
    'I'll come with you,' I volunteered. 'In this weather the ground can be treacherous. This time, you might be glad of my arm in support.'
    Simeon made no response as he turned and left the kitchen, but as he did not positively say me nay, I dropped my pack by the table and followed him, also wrapping myself in my cloak.
    It was beginning by now to grow dark. The early January dusk was closing in, the sky black and louring, showing few rifts of light in the low-scudding clouds. It was still snowing, faster than it had been and rapidly covering the ground with a carpet of white. Simeon and I crossed the courtyard, skirting the fish pond and making for the barn and attendant outhouses which formed the southern boundary of the manor. Between the laundry and the dairy was a narrow gate, set into the short stretch of wall which connected the two buildings. It was not yet locked and swung outwards on its hinges at the first touch of the friar's hand.
    The open country beyond it was also covered in snow, but I could feel the tough, coarse grasses, which are to be found in coastal regions, crunch beneath our feet. The cries of the seagulls, as they wheeled inland, scavenging for food, sounded mournfully in our ears. Even Friar Simeon shivered a little as we made our way towards the tower, but whether from cold or from a sense of the desolation of the place I was unable to guess.
    Mistress Empryngham had been right: the tower stood clear of the manor by very nearly the length of a furrow. As we approached, I could see that it was in a state of disrepair, some of the stones chipped and crumbling. Efforts had been made, however, particularly about the first and second storeys, to renew the mortar and render the building sound enough for habitation. Facing us was a door, and as we drew close, I saw that it was slightly ajar, a drift of snow already covering the floor immediately inside it.
    I turned my head and glanced questioningly at the friar, but his steady pace did not falter. He strode ahead of me, pushed the door wide and entered the tower.

Chapter Six

    It was dark inside. What daylight there was, apart from that admitted by the open door, filtered through four slits in the circular wall. It was just possible, however, to make out the shape of a small table standing in the middle of the room, on which was placed a tinder-box and a horn lantern. By the time I had used the one to light the candle inside the other, Friar Simeon was seething with impatience.
    'Why are you so slow?' he complained. 'Get on with it! Get on with it!' He walked to the foot of the staircase, winding its way upwards into the gloom, and shouted, 'Lady Cederwell! Are you there?'
    When he received no reply, I reminded him, 'Sir Hugh said that the chapel was on the uppermost floor of the tower. She cannot hear you. You may as well save your