The Miracle at St. Bruno's

"The young mother sees not beyond her nest. Did you not know that our King, having lost his wife to the executioner's ax, has turned his attention-temporarily-to other matters? He wished to be proclaimed King of Scotland. So, Remus in the company of His Grace of Norfolk has now marched over the border. I hear that the Scots have been thoroughly routed and I do believe that His Majesty the King is preparing to join his forces there. So you see, my Remus, between His Grace of Norfolk uncle of two Queens-and the King himself, will be in the best of company. As I am, for I do declare, my sweet Damask, that little gives me as much pleasure as my discourse with you.”

And so we talked of matters at Court and we went over the past and recalled incidents from our childhood as one does with those who have shared it.

She was very content to leave Carey with the children and I saw less of my little daughter during Kate's stay than I had since her birth. But much as I enjoyed Kate's company I longed to assure myself continually that my child was not in some danger.

Kate might laugh at me as my mother did but I could not help this. The child was dearer to me than anything on earth.

We dined at eleven in the morning and supped at six o'clock. Meals were taken in the big hall and all came to table. It meant very little opportunity of intimate conversation. I sat on one side of Bruno, Kate on the other and often I would catch her eyes sparkling with a mischief of which I could not quite understand.

I could not discover their feelings toward each other. Kate's was light and bantering; he was inclined to be quiet, but he was watchful of her, I know.

Clement excelled himself during Kate's visit. There were big joints of beef and mutton succulently cooked; there were enormous pies and he often decorated these with the Remus coat of arms in honor of Kate. There was bacon, fowls, butter and cheese in plenty. And Bruno was anxious for us to try the carrots and turnips which he had recently brought in and which were fast becoming very popular.

There was often talk about the work of the farm and those whose duty it was to fish and prepare what they caught for our table or to sell it would talk of the day's catch in their places below the salt cellar.

Kate listened attentively and occasionally she would banter with Bruno or with me.

The children did not join us, none of them being old enough.

Sometimes when I was in my nursery Kate would wander around the Abbey grounds.

Once she came back and said: "Damask, what is happening here? This is becoming more like a monastery and Bruno is like the King of his domain. I doubt there is another such community in England at this time. What do you know of Bruno?”

"I don't understand you, Kate.”

"You should know him. He is your husband.”

"Of course I know him." Even as I spoke I knew I lied.

"What is he like... as a husband?”

"He is a busy man. There is much to do.”

"Is he affectionate, kind, Damask? How passionately does he love you?”

"You are too full of questions.”

"I want to know, Damask. He wanted a son, did he not? How was he when he found he had a daughter?" She laughed almost triumphantly and I hated her in that moment because I felt she was pleased because I had had a daughter and not the son for which Bruno longed.

"He wanted a son. True he wanted a son. What man does not? He was a little disappointed.”

"Only a little? Parents are generally pleased with what they get. Not Kings though... and those who are Kings. Poor Anne Boleyn! She lost her head because she could not give the King a son.”

"She lost her head because the King preferred another woman.”

"If she had had a son he would never have rid himself of her. Sly little Jane and her ambitious uncles would have to have been content for her to hold sway as mistress instead of wife. Still, it is a lesson, is it not? It is dangerous to sport with Princes.”

Later she talked of the days when we had discovered Bruno and all met together in the Abbey grounds.

"Everything that happens to us has its effect," said Kate. "What we are today is due to what happened to us then. We three started weaving a pattern. We shall go on with it for the rest of our lives.”

"You mean Bruno, you and me?”

"You know very well I mean just that. We shall always be involved with each other.

We will be like fruit on a tree... first the buds, then the fruit and when our time comes we shall drop off one by one. But we shall always be on the same branch, Damask. Remember that.”

I did remember it after she had gone, and I wondered what she and Bruno said to each other when they met and I was not present. I wondered what passed between them.

But it did not seem of any great importance. I was absorbed by my child.

That December the King marched up to Scotland and defeated the Scots at Solway Moss.