Lady Isobel's Champion. Carol Townend

Limoges reliquary—I saw blue enamel, gold—’

      ‘Be that as it may, it is not your concern. You should not have run out in so unladylike a manner.’ Abbess Ursula turned to Elise. ‘And as for you, you should have known better. Why did you not stop her?’

      ‘My actions are my own, please do not blame Elise,’ Isobel said. ‘Reverend Mother, I am sorry if you think my behaviour was wrong.’

      ‘You thought to catch the thief yourself.’ The Abbess raised an eyebrow in so supercilious a manner that Isobel recalled her royal ancestry. She looked very regal. ‘What if Count Lucien had not followed you? What if you had met with violence?’

      ‘I was trying to help. Your Order has been good to me, I am especially grateful for the care I received at St Foye’s.’

      ‘You do not repay us by placing yourself in harm’s way. Viscount Gautier sent you here so we could keep you safe until your marriage. If anything should happen to you in the meantime, the reputation of our Order would be tarnished, perhaps irreparably. Who would send their daughters to us, if they came to harm?’

      ‘My apologies, Reverend Mother.’

      ‘And there are other concerns that in your haste you did not take account of …’

      Isobel clenched her teeth. ‘Yes?’

      ‘By running off in so wild a manner you risked alienating Count Lucien. Did you see any sign that he was put off by your recklessness?’

      Isobel did not know how it was, but Abbess Ursula’s question evoked a vivid memory of a sensuous mouth pressing against hers, of a masculine arm winding possessively about her waist …

      ‘Count Lucien gave no sign that he was alienated,’ she murmured. We crossed swords a little, but I do not think I alienated him.

      ‘You are blessed.’ The Abbess made a sound of intense disapproval. ‘The town fills with felons every year because of the fair. Which is why the Guardian Knights have been established. It is their duty to deal with miscreants, not yours.’

      ‘Yes, Reverend Mother, I know. Count Lucien has explained this to me.’

      ‘Has he? That is all to the good. We shall leave this folly behind us. In future, I trust you will think twice before indulging in such impulses. If God wills it, the relics will be returned. I have faith that He will also deal with the man who committed this sacrilege.’ Abbess Ursula frowned at the ruined altar frontal, and turned for the nave. ‘Sisters, follow me. Lady Isobel and Elise can finish the sweeping. And after that there is a yard or so of border on the altar cloth to be worked.’ She held Isobel’s gaze. ‘I should like it as much as possible to be finished before you leave the Abbey.’