Harlequin Historical July 2016, Box Set 1 of 2 by Harper St. George

Author:Harper St. George
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488006265
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Beneath covert glances, heads ducking quickly down to study their porridge bowls lest they be caught staring too much, the nuns surveyed their unexpected guests at the end of the table. Alinor they knew, of course, but not this Alinor, dressed in her noble lady’s finery: the elaborately decorated gown, the silver embroidery and rows of tiny pearl buttons, her flowing silk veil. And the knight with his devilish eyes and hard-cut features was the same man who had been with Prince Edward. But the other lady, tall and elegant—who was she?

‘My Lord Guilhem!’ The Prioress swept down the refectory to the spot where Guilhem sat with Alinor and Bianca. Brown wooden beads, arosary, hung around her neck; a cross bounced gently against her chest. ‘I certainly did not expect to see you again so soon! It’s a pleasure, of course!’ Guilhem rose, bowing courteously. Maeve settled herself in her chair beside them. ‘How’s the arm?’ she asked. ‘Not paining you too much, I hope?’

Guilhem rolled his shoulder, testing the muscles beneath. ‘In truth, I had almost forgotten about it.’ He laughed. ‘Almost as good as new, thanks to Alinor.’

‘It was nothing,’ murmured Alinor. Perspiration prickled in her hollowed palms as she remembered. The sleekness of his bare flesh beneath her fingers as she worked on the wound. She fidgeted with her linen napkin, shaking out the creases, smoothing the fabric flat across her lap, chewed distractedly on her bottom lip.

‘Too modest, as usual,’ the Prioress boomed at her, her manner jovial. ‘Your skill in healing is renowned, yet you go out of your way to hide it.’ A young novice placed a bowl of porridge before her, the steam rising from the hot oats like a white mist. ‘Sister Edith is up and about again, thanks to your care. ‘

‘That is good news,’ Alinor said. ‘Although I’m sure she would have improved eventually even if I had done nothing.’

‘No, Alinor, that is not true,’ said Maeve, her keen eyes swivelling to Bianca sitting quietly beside Guilhem. Her gaze trailed slowly over the young girl’s face.

Guilhem followed her glance. ‘My apologies, allow me to present my sister, Lady Bianca d’Attalens,’ he said, smiling. Scraping out the last remnants of his bowl, eating with obvious appreciation, he threw the spoon in with a clatter.

Maeve smiled at the blonde-haired maid. ‘I’m honoured to meet you, Bianca. You are welcome.’ Her brow creased. ‘But why are you all here? I thought you would stay at home once you had taken Lord Guilhem there, Alinor?’

‘It’s a long story,’ said Alinor, placing her wooden spoon down on the table, a precise careful movement. Hunger evaded her; her mouth was claggy, devoid of moisture, as if stuffed with wool. ‘One that I promise to tell you as soon as I can. But Bianca must go home as soon as possible, to France…?’ She trailed off, unsure, folding her hands in front of her. She wouldn’t be going anywhere.

Guilhem shook his head, the light

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