Her Knight Protector

by Anne Herries

  ‘We must give it to someone who is able to care for and protect it, Katherine.’

  ‘I think…’ Katherine hesitated momentarily, then, ‘When the light was so powerful and I closed my eyes, it was as if our Lord spoke to me. I believe he told me what I should do with the cup, Alain. To keep it safe and away from greedy men who would take it for their own gain.’

  Alain picked up the cup and replaced it in the cloth bag Katherine held out. His eyes were intent on her face.

  ‘Tell me what you want to do with it, Katherine,’ he said and she did.

  ‘I am glad to see that you are safe and well,’ the Abbess told Katherine. ‘We were worried for you, my child, and Sister Sarah blamed herself for allowing you to walk blindly into a trap. We should not easily have forgiven ourselves if harm had come to you.’

  ‘She was not to blame. I went with Baron Ravenshurst because otherwise he would have set his men loose on the sisters—and your house would have been burned to the ground. I could not allow that to happen for my sake.’

  The Abbess looked grave. She made the sign of the Cross over her breast. ‘It would have been a severe loss to us all, Katherine, had our home been destroyed, and who knows what else may have happened. We thank you for risking your own safety to save us.’

  ‘It would have grieved me to see such destruction, for I felt a sense of peace here in your gardens,’ Katherine said. ‘And that is why I have come here today, to ask a favour of you.’

  The Abbess looked puzzled. ‘You do not want to join us?’

  ‘No. I have no vocation and I am to be married…’ Katherine blushed as she recalled her harsh words to Alain when she had spoken of leaving him to live at the Abbey. ‘I want to leave something in your safekeeping, Mother.’

  ‘I am sorry. I do not quite understand you, Katherine.’

  ‘It is a long story.’ Katherine paused for a moment. ‘I told you of the discovery my father made. But you do not know what has happened since I left here.’

  ‘Ah, yes, my child. I understand. Please tell me what you would have me know.’

  The Abbess inclined her head. She listened patiently as the tale unfolded, saying nothing even when Katherine described the miracle she and Alain had witnessed when the cup healed itself. The silence after her story was done was tense and hard for Katherine to bear. Did the Abbess believe her or suspect her of lying?

  ‘Why do you want to give the cup to us?’ The Abbess spoke at last, her gentle eyes dwelling steadily on Katherine’s face. ‘Do you not know what interest would be caused by the discovery of such a treasure? There are kings who would pay a fortune to possess the cup that touched our Lord’s lips at the Last Supper. His Holiness would very likely reward you with honours and blessings. Have you not thought of these things, Katherine?’

  ‘A thousand times, Mother. It has lain heavy on my conscience these many months. I had thought to give it to his Holiness. I want no reward yet I believe it must be placed somewhere worthy of its significance. Once I thought Rome was the proper place, but now I think… I believe that our Lord told me to bring it here to you. Men have died for the greed of others, those that sought the cup for their own gain. If it was widely known of, it might be that other men would try to take it for themselves. I believe it should be kept secret, hidden somewhere to keep it safe.’

  ‘And yet it must have the power to do good,’ the Abbess said, looking thoughtful. ‘If the power of Christ can pass through this simple cup—and I must believe the things you have told me, for I believe you honest, Katherine—what more miracles might be brought to pass? What good it might bestow upon those who visited its shrine? Think of all those who suffer who might be healed.’

  ‘Yes, I know this is true,’ Katherine said. She looked into the eyes of the woman sitting opposite and saw the true goodness of her soul. ‘But would it ever be safe? If its existence was proved so that all knew and believed, would it not provoke quarrels—even wars? Rome, France, Germany and England might all lay claim to it.’

  ‘You are very wise for one so young,’ the Abbess said and smiled at her. ‘But you must allow me a few days to think and pray. If it is truly our Lord’s wish that the cup remains with us, He will surely guide my thoughts to the right path.’

  ‘Thank you for hearing me and for believing me,’ Katherine said and rose to her feet, curtsying reverently to the Abbess. ‘I shall return to Sir Alain, who waits outside the Abbey gate. We are to marry soon. If we return when we are wed you may have your answer ready.’

  ‘I am sure that I shall. Go now and may God bless you and your union with Sir Alain.’

  Katherine thanked her and left the cool peace of the ancient Abbey. Outside in the sunshine Alain was waiting for her, his back turned towards the Abbey gardens. Seeing the way he paced restlessly, she guessed that he was tense, perhaps wondering if she would return to him or choose to stay with the nuns.

  ‘Alain…’ He swung round immediately, his eyes dwelling on her for a moment, and then he smiled, holding out both hands to her. She went to take them, gazing into his eyes for some seconds. ‘The Abbess asks for a few days to consider. I told her we would return after we were wed.’

  ‘You told her that?’ He looked deep into her face, his expression solemn. ‘Are you ready to marry me, Katherine? Can you forget the horror of that night—the sight that so shocked you? I said then that you had no choice but to wed me, but I was angry. Your accusations cut me to the heart and I was afraid of losing you—but I cannot force you to be my wife. If in your heart you wish to be free…’

  ‘No.’ Katherine smiled and placed a finger to his lips. ‘I was horrified by what happened that night—seeing you with blood spattered over you and the glow of triumph in your eyes. For a while I thought that I should never forget, but in the chapel…when the voice spoke to me… I was healed. I saw that the cup was whole again and I, too, became whole. I have known in my heart that what you did was for my sake, but still I felt sullied by all the evil that had been done in my name. Now I know that neither you nor I was to blame. There is evil in some men, and there are other men who fight against that evil—and sometimes blood must be spilled in a righteous cause.’

  ‘I, too, have felt sullied by injustice and the wasteful loss of life that occurs when men fight,’ Alain told her. ‘When I fought at Acre I believed that what we did was right, that it was God’s work—but when those hostages were killed because Richard was angry that Saladin did not accept his terms of exchange…then I, too, was sickened. I wondered if that was the reason we failed to take back Jerusalem, because we were not worthy.’

  ‘It was a shameful thing,’ Katherine said. ‘I saw innocent men and women die and my heart wept tears of blood for what had been done in the name of Christendom. My father said that he felt it a burden all devout Christians would carry on their souls.’

  ‘And we were not strong enough to take Jerusalem back from the infidel,’ Alain went on, his face working with the sense of failure this still held for him. ‘I have longed to do something for Christendom, something that would compensate for our failure…’

  ‘That is why you were angry when I said I would destroy the cup,’ Katherine said, understanding now why he had been so harsh. ‘You thought it would give something back to make up for all that the Christian Empire has lost.’

  ‘Yes, something of the sort,’ Alain admitted. ‘Perhaps in a way I was as guilty as Ravenshurst of wanting something for myself—even if it was not gold or fame. I wanted to feel that I had been instrumental in giving something precious to Christendom.’

  ‘And you have been,’ Katherine told him. ‘But for you it would have been stolen from me long ago.’ She looked at him anxiously. ‘Are you disappointed that I have brought it here to the Abbey?’

  ‘No, for I, too, felt something when the cup restored itself,’ Alain told her. ‘I did not hear our Lord’s voice, for He chose to speak to you—but it was as if I had found peace within myself.’ He smiled oddly. ‘Before
I left for the crusade my brother gave me a sword that was supposed to have magic powers. And truly, when I held that sword in my hand I felt invincible. I believed that none could touch me, that I had the strength of ten men.’

  ‘A magic sword?’ Katherine smiled. ‘I have seen you fight, my lord, and I believe that the magic lies in your own courage—for in the chapel you had no weapon but a wooden stool.’

  ‘And my love for you,’ Alain told her with a loving smile. ‘I would have died rather than let him hurt you—but I had given my word that I would not kill him. Even had my sword been to hand I must have kept that promise, Katherine.’

  ‘And so you defeated him with nothing but a wooden stool. Surely that tells you that you need no magic sword?’

  Alain’s eyes danced with the merriment that had been missing for a while. ‘I know not whether it was that or the miracle we witnessed, sweet Kate, but something has changed in me. That restless spirit, the need to prove myself to myself, hath gone.’

  ‘Then you will not leave me to offer your sword to a foreign prince?’

  ‘They were but idle words,’ Alain told her softly. ‘I have been a long time in understanding my heart, Katherine, but I know it now—and it belongs to you. When we are wed I shall never want to leave you.’

  ‘I do not see why we should ever be parted,’ she said and gazed up into his eyes. ‘I want nothing more of life than to be your wife and to bear your children.’

  ‘Then we shall be wed as soon as the priest may marry us,’ Alain told her. ‘Come, my love, let us return to Banewulf.’ She sighed as he drew her into his arms and kissed her, her body responding to the hunger in him. ‘For I cannot wait to make you my bride.’

  ‘You look lovely,’ Alayne said as she dressed Katherine’s hair for her wedding. It hung upon her shoulders in luxuriant tresses, shining and soft. She wore a simple coronet of flowers on her brow, her dress of white silk caught with a silver girdle. ‘My son may think himself a fortunate man to gain such a bride.’

  Katherine glanced at herself in the mirror her future mother-in-law had given her as a wedding gift, puzzling over the image she could see in the polished silver.

  ‘I do not think I am beautiful, Mother,’ she said. ‘But if you see me through the eyes of love, then perhaps that is how Alain sees me, too—and I am content if he thinks me attractive.’

  ‘I am sure my son thinks you beautiful,’ Alayne said and laughed. ‘When a man like Alain loves, he loves with all his heart—and you have worked a miracle, Katherine. I thought the gentle, sweet-natured youth I loved so much had gone forever, but it seems that you have brought him back to us. These past few days he has scarce stopped smiling and teasing us all.’

  ‘He seems happy,’ Katherine replied. ‘But I am not sure it is I who have worked this miracle in him.’

  They had decided not to tell anyone but the Abbess of the miracle they had witnessed in the chapel. Not because they did not trust Alain’s family, but because it was something that was best known to only a few. If the Abbess decided to accept Katherine’s gift, they would never tell the whereabouts of the cup to anyone.

  ‘It is the miracle of love,’ Alayne told her. ‘I have seen it work in others and I know its power. Love can overcome pain and hardship, Katherine. It can sustain when all else fails, and it can bring great happiness. Guard it well for if lost it can never be recovered.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ Katherine said. She had believed Alain’s love lost after that night at Rotherham, and knew herself fortunate to have a second chance. ‘I shall not let Alain’s love slip through my fingers again.’

  The two women smiled and kissed and went down the stairs, walking together to the chapel, where Alain was waiting with the rest of his family and the priest. As he turned to look at her, Katherine’s heart beat faster as she saw the promise in his eyes.

  She went forward to stand by his side and the priest began the service that would make them man and wife.

  ‘You are so lovely,’ Alain said as he looked at his wife. They were alone in their bridal chamber, the feasting done for them, though the sounds of laughter still floated to them through the open window. ‘I do not know how I ever thought you a thin, plain child.’

  Katherine laughed, for she loved it that he was honest with her concerning his feelings towards her at the start. She would never be a vain woman and she could not have believed it had he showered her with pretty compliments. All she needed was to know that she was loved.

  ‘I am happy that you find me attractive, my husband,’ she said and held her hands out to him in welcome. ‘But I shall pray that our children take after you in looks—at least our daughters. Perhaps it is not fair that our sons should be too handsome.’

  Alain shouted with amusement, for he had begun to appreciate the sense of humour that lurked beneath Katherine’s serious looks. She was so much more than he could ever have guessed when he first rescued her from the rogues who would have abducted her.

  He moved towards her, gazing down at her lovely face, touching her cheek with his fingertips, trailing them down to the white arch of her throat. He kissed the tiny pulse spot at the base of her throat, then slipped her tunic back so that his lips could seek out the sweet rose of her nipples that budded with desire.

  She moaned with ecstasy as he initiated her into the secrets of pleasure known only to true lovers. Kneeling before her, he let his tongue trail slowly over the sweet curve of her navel, burying his face for a moment in the tight curls that covered her feminine mound. Then he swept her up in his arms, carrying her to their bed, where he lay her down on the fresh linen prepared for them.

  The bed had been sprinkled with rose petals, and there amongst the fragrance of crushed petals, Alain took his bride slowly, gently, along the path to exquisite pleasure. His touch was sure and certain as he played her like a stringed instrument, bringing forth such delicate feelings that she gasped and arched beneath him. With lips and tongue and stroking, he brought her to such a pitch that when he entered her she felt little pain, and that soon swept away in the tide of desire that lapped over her like warm water.

  Afterwards, she lay in his arms, her limbs melting in the languorous aftermath of desire, replete, content.

  They talked for a while, loved again, finding themselves caught in the strength of their feelings that left them shaken and, afterwards, able only to sleep, entwined as one, limbs locked together in a lovers’ knot.

  ‘You must not be nervous,’ Alain said as he saw the expression in her eyes. She looked anxious and uncertain, her hand trembling a little in his as he helped her to dismount. Three days had passed since they had married and now they had returned to the Abbey to hear what the Abbess had to say about Katherine’s request before making their way to Alain’s own manor. ‘If she will not accept the responsibility, we shall take the cup to Rome.’

  ‘Yes…’ Katherine felt the warmth of the sun on her head. She could smell the fragrance of flowers from the walled garden, roses and lilies and jasmine. ‘But I believe the cup belongs here.’ She stopped for a moment to bow her head to a small stone statue of the Virgin Mary, which stood on a plinth before the garden gates. ‘I believe it would be safe here.’

  ‘Then I pray the Abbess thinks as you do,’ Alain said. ‘Go to her now, my love, and I shall wait here for you.’

  Katherine smiled and went through the gate into the garden beyond. The peace of the old garden surrounded her and she smiled as she listened to the sound of birdsong and the humming of bees. She was surprised to see the Abbess coming towards her, almost as if she had been waiting for her to arrive.

  ‘Katherine, my daughter,’ the Abbess said and smiled at her. ‘I knew you would come today, and I have my answer ready for you.’

  Katherine did not need to ask, for she could see that the Abbess looked serene. She had decided that the cup should remain with them for safekeeping.

  ‘I am glad that it will be here with you, Mother.’

  ‘You know tha
t I can never acknowledge it? The whereabouts of your father’s discovery must remain a secret, known only to you, your husband and I.’

  ‘I would not wish you to reveal it. Only if you keep it secret will it be safe from the greed of men.’

  ‘We understand each other.’ The Abbess smiled at her. ‘Our Lord has spoken to me, and I have done as He asked. The cup lies in its final resting place and the secret will die with me.’

  ‘That is as it should be,’ Katherine said and a feeling of great peace came over her. ‘Thank you for what you have done, Mother. It has taken a great load from my shoulders.’

  ‘And given me a blessing I had not expected,’ the Abbess said. ‘Our Lord has asked a service of me and I am truly fortunate. Go now, Katherine, and join your husband. My blessing goes with you and my hope for your happiness.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Katherine turned away and went out to join Alain. He came towards her, taking her hands, gazing down at her. His eyes searched her face and found the answer he sought.

  ‘All is well?’

  ‘All is well. The Abbess keeps it secret and none shall ever know where it lies.’

  ‘Then we have done our duty,’ Alain said and drew her towards their waiting horses. ‘Come, my lady. It is time that we went home…’

  Afterword

  The miracles began a year after the cup passed into the hands of the Abbess. A sick man and his wife came to pray to the shrine at the gates of the Abbey, begging the Virgin to give them some hope. The man was cured of his sickness and went away to tell of the miracle that had restored his wasted limbs.

  From that time on until the Abbey was destroyed in the reign of King Henry VIII there was a total of two hundred and fifty miracles attributed to the Virgin’s statue at the Abbey of the Sisters of Mercy. After the building was burned to the ground, the statue lay in the ashes of the Abbey gate, surrounded by briars that grew over it, remaining undiscovered for many years until…