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“I know you can,” Edlyn said soothingly.

They looked at each other, and Lady Neville gave in and laughed. “I’m supposed to take care of the dispensary now that you’re going. Why do you suppose my lady abbess decided that?”

“Probably for the same reason she decided I should be in the dispensary. I have no patience with men like Baron Sadynton with their spurious ills and their petty complaints, and I tell them so.”

“That could be it,” Lady Neville acknowledged. “After your wedding yesterday, he ran into a fist.”

Appalled and surprised, Edlyn asked, “You hit him?”

“Not I.” Lady Neville smiled. “’Twas your husband who did that honor. I merely loudly expressed the opinion he should lie in the dirt of the square and bleed from the nose until his head ran dry.”

In admiration, Edlyn stared at the tall aristocrat who looked like a cat presented with a fat mouse. “I have always liked you.”

Sarcastic, abrasive, Lady Neville didn’t make friends easily, and she stiffened at this confidence. Then, sensing Edlyn’s sincerity, she relaxed. “And I, you. But after my comment, my lady abbess asked that I visit her in her office, and she gave me this task.”

With mock sincerity, Edlyn said, “The patients will be relieved, I am sure.”

Lady Neville bit her lip to subdue a smirk. “You have the right of it, I’m of an age to say what I like, and no sop of a baron is going to stop me.” She fed a few more twigs onto the growing fire, then straightened. “I know you didn’t want to marry that man, but ’twas the best thing for you and your children.”

Edlyn blinked. Did every man and woman think they had the right to express their opinions of her affairs?

“I’ve offended you, I suppose, but without patients to abuse, I must make do with you.” Lady Neville ignored Edlyn’s startled laugh. “When you’re gone from this place, remember me occasionally and give your husband an extra roll in the blankets in my name.”

“You didn’t have to take vows when your husband died, you know,” Edlyn observed.

“I didn’t have children, I had no dower, and I had no desire to live with my pitying relatives as a nursemaid for their brats. Lady Corliss took me in without a dowry, and I’m grateful. I will become a good nun if it takes me the rest of my days.” Lady Neville sighed as she looked at the mess of boxes and herbs tossed about the room. “Which it will.”

Pride had placed Lady Neville here, and pride Edlyn comprehended. “I can’t help you become a good nun, but I can show you the herbs and what they’re used for. Then I’ll take enough to carry me through to my new home.”

Lady Neville brightened. “A fair exchange, indeed.”

For the remainder of the afternoon, Edlyn explained the duties and the remedies to Lady Neville. At the same time, Edlyn discovered the other reason why Lady Corliss had chosen Lady Neville to take Edlyn’s place. Lady Neville might not be able to start a fire, but she knew many herbs and quickly grasped the uses for the rest. At last, Edlyn straightened and rubbed her aching back.

Lady Neville surveyed her with a twinkle in her eye. “My barbette looks good on you.”

Edlyn touched the yellow linen band that passed under her chin and was pinned at the top of her head. “This is yours?”

“It was, but when that man came offering gold for clothes for you, I gladly gave it up. Better it should entice your husband than rot in my trunk.”

Edlyn couldn’t repress the chill of anticipation the thought of Hugh’s lovemaking brought her. “Do you think it will entice him? I had not thought the head covering would do so.”

“For a man like your husband, a head covering is a challenge. He’ll muster all his weapons, defeat your headdress, and win his way to your uncovered tresses in a flurry of triumph.” Lady Neville lined the herb boxes straight against the wall to avoid Edlyn’s gaze. “I know these things. My husband was a pigheaded fool of a knight, just like yours.”

“Do you miss him?” Edlyn asked.

“Every night,” Lady Neville answered.

Edlyn pulled the cork from a clay bottle and sniffed the contents. “I don’t miss Robin.”

“That’s not surprising,” Lady Neville said flatly.

Edlyn swung around and stared.

“Well, really, my dear, did you think his exploits were known only to you? The man couldn’t walk past the knothole in a tree without fornicating with it. He had bastards from one end of England to another and stupid girls lining up for their chance in his bed.” With a sly smile, Lady Neville said, “I met him once.”

“Did you?” And had she bedded him, too?

“I didn’t climb in his bed, but if it weren’t for my Neville, I would have. And I knew better! I knew his reputation, and I despised all the women who twittered about him. His charm, his masculinity, his handsome features. Pah!” Lady Neville sneered. “A grown woman like me should know better. But when I met him…”