Lady Agnes Mystery Vol.2 by Andrea Japp

Author:Andrea Japp
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw, epub
ISBN: 9781910477205
Publisher: Gallic Books
Published: 2015-08-16T22:00:00+00:00

Clairets Abbey, Perche, January 1305

Three days later, Annelette, a little guiltily, decided to pay a visit to their poor senior nun, Blanche de Blinot, after nones. Following the dreadful death of the poisoner, Jeanne, she appeared to have become completely senile. In fact, the apothecary was unsure whether the old woman had quite fathomed the extent of the extern sister’s wickedness. Blanche slept through the services, nodded off over her bowl at supper and the rest of the time she rambled – asking after their Reverend Mother, Éleusie de Beaufort, whom she had not seen all day. The novices took it in turns to bring her Elisaba’s potent infusions. It was all Thibaude de Gartempe and Berthe de Marchiennes could do to cajole Blanche into leaving her steam room when evening came.

Guilty, yes. Annelette considered that she had been uncharitable and unsympathetic. And there were all those dead nuns, recently buried at Clairets, who weighed on her conscience too, for she regretted not having made enough effort to get to know them better.

Annelette Beaupré popped her head round the door of the steam room. Blanche opened her eyes and quickly closed them again – a sleep reflex, no doubt, judging from the steady rumbling of her chest. Annelette called out softly so as not to startle her:

‘Blanche, dear. I’ve brought us a couple of goblets of mallow tea from the kitchen. They should warm us up nicely. I nudged Elisaba’s elbow while she was sweetening yours, for I know how fond you are of honey. Can you hear me, Blanche?’ she said, raising her voice.

The old woman jumped and seemed to emerge from a coma.

She blinked, then appeared to recognise the apothecary:

‘Ah … Annelette, dear Annelette. How good of you to come and see me. Pray, sit down. Wait, I will move up to make a place for you. Pass me those goblets. I’ll set them down so you don’t scald yourself.’

The old woman carefully placed them next to those she had already drunk during a day mostly spent sleeping. The apothecary was afraid that with her sluggish movements and trembling hands she would drop one of the earthenware cups and that it would break on the floor. However, offering to help Blanche would have seemed discourteous. After all, nobody likes to be reminded that they are growing old.

Now that she was there, Annelette did not know what to talk about with this woman, whom she had never really liked. She said:

‘Reading the Gospels is a great comfort, is it not?’

‘Oh yes, indeed,’ Blanche agreed. ‘Every reading reveals new marvels.’

‘Yes.’

Having exhausted the only subject for conversation she could think of, Annelette sighed, smiling:

‘Shall we drink our tea before it goes cold?’

‘With pleasure.’

Annelette made as if to get up, but Blanche held her back with a firm gesture.

‘Stay where you are, my dear. It is good for me to move. My old legs are getting very stiff. Allow me.’

With a trembling hand, Blanche passed her the goblet. Annelette raised it to her lips and stifled a frown of dismay.

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