Sunshine and Roses

"Are you ill, Brother Lowry?" Cedric inquired a week later as they returned back to Sir Guy's home after another afternoon of painting.
"Nay."
"You have not done any painting this week. You stare at your easel and there is a sad look on your face."
"I am all right. I thank you for your concern."
"I wish you were coming to London with us tomorrow. It will not be the same without you."
"You will be so busy having fun you will not notice I am not there."
"I do not think so. Have you ever been to London?"
"Nay." 
"Where will you go while the house is closed?"
"I have already made arrangements to stay at the inn in town." They entered the house. Holmes was waiting for them.
"Sir Guy wishes to see you in his study, " he told Lowry. The monk nodded and hurried upstairs to place his painting equipment and the landscape he was working on, in his room.
Robert de Grippe was inside the study with Sir Guy. Lowry hesitated in the doorway. "You know Sir Robert?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes."
"He has come with a request from William Justin."
Lowry felt his facial muscles grow tense. "Yes?"
"He needs a temporary secretary. Since you will be free the next three weeks and since I had heard Sir William's man had left him, I suggested his temporary use of you until he could replace him."
Lowry felt the blood drain from his face. He battled to regain control of his features. "I have already made arrangements to stay at the inn." How did he keep his voice so normal?
"I have styesd in that inn, Brother Lowry. It is hardly the place for a priest to stay."
"Still. . ."
"It is an unpleasant tavern though Givens and his wife are nice enough. The things that go on in there would not be fit for you to be around."
"Sir William offers a good salary, " Sir Robert said quietly. Something in his eyes made Lowry flush lightly. "It is not as though you would be working with a stranger. You know how kind he is to those who serve him, how compassionate and patient."
"Yes, " Lowry agreed.
"You served as his secretary before you left for the monastery. You do know what is required by him. Nothing has changed." He smiled in sympathy at Lowry's uncomfortable expression. "You would not be expected to do anything extra. What you did then would be what you would do now." Lowry shook his head. "Sir William said to tell you he would give you plenty of free time to paint."
The monk felt strange emotions flood through him. "Did he?"
"He did."
"You cannot expect that from any other employer, " Sir Guy said, pleasantly surprised.
"Nay, " Lowry agreed.
"It is settled then." Sir Guy beamed at the monk as though he had created a miracle for the priest. "You can leave with Sir Robert tomorrow morning."
"I would rather stay at the inn."
Sir Guy was puzzled. "Why?"
Robert de Grippe added his own voice, soft and passive though there was a gleam of knowledge in his grey eyes that told Lowry he was not as much in the dark as he pretended. He said, "Yes, why?"
<Because, > Lowry thought in anguish, <if he touches me again, I would not have the strength to turn away.> 
"You are being foolish, if I may say so, " Sir Guy said. "It is the perfect opportunity. Surely you would not allow jealousy to interfere in the ideal situation.
"Jealousy?"
"He was given your father's estate by King Henry."
"It is not jealousy!" Lowry protested. "I never considered Sir Richard's land as my own."
"Then why do you insist on doing something so senseless?"
Lowry bent his head in defeat. "i will go."