After he left her at the guest house she went into the refectory to find two elderly Benedictine nuns ensconced close to a roaring fire. They were playing chess but offered to stop when Hildegard entered.
She insisted they continue. ‘I need to consider everything that has just happened,’ she told them. ‘I’m feeling rather shocked.’ To the inevitable questions she told them only that a young priest had been taken ill and foul play was suspected. Given the worsening weather, she was being allowed to stay overnight. They were sympathetic on both counts.
‘We’re marooned here by the weather too,’ they told her. ‘We shall ask a servant to stoke up the fire and bring in another jug of their spiced wine. We’ll be dry and comfortable enough here. Fear not.’
Despite the warmth of their words Hildegard felt misgivings. Rogella’s blind hatred, strong enough to make her feel no guilt about attempting murder, shocked her deeply. The bailiff would hold her overnight in the abbey prison before taking her by boat to Beverley when the weather allowed. She would be held in custody until the Sheriff could deal with her.
Despite knowing that Rogella was safely locked up she still felt uneasy. The abbey precinct was not the haven of security she had always taken for granted. Outside the walls in the black woods lay a further threat. Her thoughts flew to Leonin and she prayed that he was safe from harm in his sanctuary at Swyne.
And then there was Hubert.