The Lion of Justice by Jean Plaidy

was looking angry, but of course she would, for although she did not wish Mary to succeed her as Abbess she would have preferred her to take the veil rather than emerge on what she could only think of as a lustful life.
    The handsome young man smiled. He had a worldly look about him which was engaging. If Alan of Bretagne had looked like that she would not have hesitated to choose him.
    The Abbess said, ‘Here are the Princesses.’
    They curtsied, the men bowed. ‘The Princess Edith; the Princess Mary.’
    The handsome young man was looking at Edith and smiling. Fortunate Mary! He had a certain charm about him.
    â€˜The Count of Boulogne,’ said the Abbess presenting, not as Edith thought, the handsome young man, but another, much older man. Edith had scarcely noticed him. He took Mary’s hand and said, ‘I would speak with you.’
    As before, the Abbess insisted that this could only be under her surveillance, and as Edith had once sat in a window-seat with Alan of Bretagne, so Mary would now sit with Eustace of Boulogne.
    â€˜And the Earl of Surrey,’ said the Abbess, indicating theman who had roused Edith’s interest. He bowed and took Edith’s hand and led her to another window seat.
    What could this mean? Rarely had Edith seen her aunt so angry.
    â€˜I do not understand,’ she said.
    â€˜I have the King’s consent to visit you,’ he replied.
    â€˜Why so?’
    â€˜If Eustace of Boulogne can visit the Princess Mary why should not William of Surrey visit the Princess Edith?’
    â€˜But . . .’
    â€˜Remember, I come with the King’s blessing. Let me tell you who I am. My mother was Gundred, the youngest daughter of William the Conqueror. She married William Warren, Earl of Surrey. My parents are both dead, and my uncle the King has always been kind to me.’
    â€˜I see, and he has sent you here to see me.’
    â€˜You know for what purpose.’
    â€˜The Abbess . . .’
    â€˜Is a dragon. I see it. She was angry when she knew that I was here. She had been expecting only Eustace. My uncle had told me that she would not welcome me. The situation amused him. So he allowed me to come with Eustace.’
    Edith smiled and checked herself.
    â€˜I am glad to see you smile,’ he said. ‘It transforms you.’
    â€˜There is little cause for smiling here.’
    â€˜That is a pity.’
    â€˜The King is not sure whether you have taken the veil.’
    â€˜I have not.’
    â€˜Then I have come in time.’
    The Abbess, watching Edith and William Warren together, was seething with indignation. How like the evil King of England to play such a trick on her! When she had made up her mind that in a very short time Edith would take vows from which it would be impossible for her to retract, this man had come.
    She rose, her face white and tense with suppressed fury. ‘I can allow no more time,’ she said. ‘I must ask you to leave.’
    William Warren took Edith’s hand and pressed it.
    â€˜I will come again,’ he whispered.
    The Abbess conducted the visitors to the door.
    Edith and Mary went to Edith’s cell.
    â€˜Edith,’ cried Mary, as soon as they were there. ‘Is this not a miracle? You as well.’ She added wistfully, ‘The Earl of Surrey is charming, is he not? Of course he is so much younger than Eustace. But just think of it. We are going to be free.’
    Edith was thinking of it.
    It was another miracle. She was not entirely sure of her feelings for the young man. All she did know was that a way of escape had been offered to her.
    She tossed on her straw, unable to sleep. Another opportunity. He was young and handsome; he was a grandson of the Conqueror. He was not repulsive to her and yet . . .
    What was wrong with her? Mary had been so determined to accept Eustace that she had made no complaint although he was not the handsome young man