'Get round to the almshouse, Robin, and see if Sister Alice is there. If she is, tell her to prepare to receive Her Highness. If she's not, find out where she is. In any case, come back here quick smart.'

Robin dashed off and Eleanor smiled at Richard.

'I can see that you have been a soldier, Master Vowell. You know how to get things done and I would ask one more favour of you.' She turned to where Betty was standing with a group of women dressed in midwives costumes. 'Pray, introduce me to these ladies.'

Robin arrived at the almshouse and told Alice to expect Eleanor at any moment. She hurried to the main building. The floor was freshly scrubbed and the servants were at work in the laundry. All looked in order for the unexpected arrival of Duke Humphrey's lady. The problem was to know what to call her. Humphrey's marital status was far from clear. He'd bigamously wed Jacqueline of Hainault and taken Eleanor as his mistress. She had borne him two children and was now living with him. But was she Duchess of Gloucester or plain Mistress Cobham. How should she be introduced to the servants and elderly residents of the almshouse? Alice was agonising over the point when an open carriage arrived with Betty and a group of midwives. It was followed by a woman on a white horse and a detachment of armed men.

Humphrey's lady sat astride her mount and not side-saddle as was expected of women of rank. Eleanor Cobham had a reputation for ignoring convention.

'I'm Eleanor … you will be Alice.'

She dismounted and they embraced.

'I've heard so much about you.'

Alice glanced around in confusion.

'I'm sorry the residents are not here to great you.'

'Don't worry about that,' Eleanor squeezed her hand. 'They're not interested in me and I have no interest in them. Let us retire so we may talk together. I have long been waiting to meet you.'

'I have a room where I prepare healing balms.'

'Let us go there.'

'It is in a state of some disorder.' Alice indicated the way. 'The abbot's men did more damage than I care to think about.' She opened the door of the infirmary. 'The mess has been cleared up but, as you can see, the table is still in pieces.'

Eleanor surveyed the damage. 'Did they give reason for their visit?'

'They told me they were looking for forbidden books and potions.'

The reply produced an immediate response.

'You know why, don't you, Sister?'




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