The Nun's Betrothal

by Ida Curtis

  Justin shook his head. “I still can’t imagine Philip being involved with two women.”

  “Why not? He’s full of youthful energy and pleasant to look at. I think he has an appealing quality that women would find endearing,” Gilda replied.

  Both Justin and Chetwynd were staring at Gilda with raised eyebrows. When she realized they were surprised, she laughed. “It’s not as though nuns can’t notice these things.”

  “And when was it you noticed, Gilda? The first night we were here, Philip accused you of improper behavior,” Justin pointed out. “Then later he didn’t want you in the room when I questioned him.”

  “That’s true. But he wasn’t hiding his feelings either time. And he changed his mind quickly, a sign of how flexible he can be.”

  “I guess he is flexible if he is making love to two women at once.”

  “Justin, you don’t know that. Now who is jumping to conclusions?”

  Chetwynd, who had been watching the building confrontation, said, “I’m going to the stables to make arrangements for my journey home.” Neither Gilda nor Justin bothered to answer him.

  When the door closed behind Chetwynd, Justin grinned. “I’m actually jealous. I’ve never been jealous in my life.”

  Pleased by his admission, Gilda grinned back. “You have no reason to be. I was just trying to say I find it quite possible that women find Philip attractive. His youth makes him more accessible, not threatening as an older man might be. That’s all I meant.”

  “If your brother is not delusional and Philip is involved with Lady Emma, Gunthar and Cedric are going to be furious. What if they’ve gotten wind of Philip’s visits to the lady? Perhaps that would explain their sudden interest in declaring that Philip has betrayed Cedric by seducing Mariel.”

  “Justin, Mariel is the key to all this. She is the only one who can tell us the name of the person she feared had made her pregnant. Perhaps we should return to the convent as we planned.”

  “I suppose you’re right. Whatever is happening between Lady Emma and Philip doesn’t really matter. Our concern is whether the marriage of Mariel and Cedric can be annulled.”

  When the door flew open, Gilda and Justin turned to frown at Chetwynd for the interruption. But the excited expression on his face changed their reaction to interest.

  “Philip has returned. I was at the stables and approached him to see what I could learn. While we were speaking, he was grabbed by a couple of guards who hustled him away. I think Cedric means to imprison him.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Before Justin could respond to Chetwynd’s news that Cedric’s guards had seized Philip, Gilda was hurrying to the door. Knowing exactly where she was headed and poised to follow her, Justin spoke quickly to Chetwynd. “What makes you think Philip is in trouble?”

  “The guards were rather rough with him. Philip resisted and earned himself a few blows. I stepped in, but some damage was already done. Gilda’s description of Philip as impulsive seems accurate. Do you want me to stay around?”

  “That’s not necessary. I know you’re eager to return home to Isabel. But we appreciate what you were able to find out. I better try and catch up to Gilda.”

  “I’m depending on you to keep Gilda safe, Justin. Just one warning, and it’s not about the mess Philip is in. If Gilda means as much to you as I think she does, be careful you don’t rush her and ruin your chance for a future together.”

  Chetwynd’s words made Justin pause. He wished he had time to discuss the matter, but Gilda already had a head start on him, so he nodded solemnly to show that he understood Chetwynd’s warning.

  By the time he caught up to Gilda, Justin hardly had enough breath to speak. “Were you going to barge into Cedric’s quarters on your own?”

  “Of course not. I knew you’d catch up. I’m afraid Cedric will direct his frustration and anger at Philip, and we need to forestall that possibility.”

  “I know. But I have to warn you. Chetwynd told me that Philip reacted stubbornly when he was questioned. The guards retaliated.”

  Without a word Gilda moved even faster. There was a guard at the entrance to Cedric’s quarters, but Gilda slipped by while Justin spoke to him. She looked quickly about the room and found only the count and the bishop huddled in hushed conversation. When she approached them, they stared at her, shocked by her boldness. Up until now she had been content to let Justin lead the way and do most of the talking.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you, Count Cedric,” Gilda said. “We understand that Philip has returned, and we wish to speak to him. It’s important to our investigation.”

  While the two men were still recovering from their surprise at her entrance, Justin approached. He didn’t look at Gilda, but he moved to stand in front of her. He was relieved when she moved to his side but stayed just behind him.

  “I know you’re eager for us to get to the bottom of this matter, Cedric, and the sooner we can talk to Philip, the better our chances,” Justin said. “Lord Chetwynd informed us that Philip has returned, so of course we hurried over to speak with him.” He thought it was best to allow Cedric and the bishop to think they didn’t know Philip had been seized.

  “The fool resisted the guards, Lord Justin.” Cedric spoke in a clipped manner that revealed his impatience. “There was no need for violence. The guards have placed him in a cell so he can regain his composure. Perhaps you can see him tomorrow when he’s had a chance to settle down.”

  “I understand. Young men can be impulsive and unreasonable. But Sister Gilda and I are eager to be on our way to speak with Lady Mariel and put an end to this business. We’d like a word with Philip now. He is an important link in our investigation. Once we have interviewed him, we can make our plans to return to the convent. I’m sure you agree that it’s best to settle this matter as quickly as possible.”

  The count turned to the bishop, and Justin gave a silent sigh of relief when he saw that the bishop was not going to object. He suspected the two men knew nothing of Philip’s involvement with Lady Emma. When the bishop spoke, his theory was confirmed.

  “You should remember that Philip was the only one who was alone with Lady Mariel. He’s an unreliable and rebellious young man, as you have seen. He may deny it, but we believe he betrayed his brother’s trust. If you can’t make him confess, we have our own ways of obtaining the truth.”

  Justin nodded at both men, wondering if Gilda would realize what the bishop meant. When she pinched his arm from behind, he knew she understood and wanted them to hurry to see Philip. “We are here to seek the truth, my lord. We need to be on our way to Philip. Please have a guard take us to him immediately.”

  Cedric nodded and instructed a guard to do as Justin requested. “Remember, he put up a fight when seized,” he warned as he sent them on their way.

  As they left Cedric’s chambers, Justin rubbed his arm where Gilda had pinched him. “That hurt,” he whispered.

  “It was a tiny pinch,” she whispered back.

  They were led to the first level of the dungeon by the guard. Gilda shivered as she remembered Chetwynd being imprisoned in a similar cell and the beating he had received at that time. Like Philip, her brother had been impulsive. But Chetwynd had been defending Lady Isabel at the time. Gilda was puzzled about why Philip had lost control and antagonized the guards.

  Justin remembered the same incident, and he wished to spare Gilda the sight of another beaten man. “You wait here, Gilda. I’ll make sure Philip is ready to speak with us.”

  She didn’t bother to answer Justin but stepped into the cell right behind him. Philip was slumped on a narrow bench, his face bloody, but he jumped up when he saw his visitors.

  Before anyone could say a word, Gilda took charge. “Bring me some clean rags and fresh water,” she ordered the guard as she eyed Philip’s bloody face.

  “Sister Gilda, what are you doing here?” the young man asked, clearly embarrassed to have her see him in such a condition.

  “Tending
the hurt, as I have done a hundred times, Philip. Now sit down.”

  “It’s just a scratch, Sister. Don’t be frightened.”

  “She’s not frightened, Philip, so you may as well save your breath.”

  Although Justin had wanted Gilda to stay behind, he was beginning to realize that was not her style. He examined the cut on Philip’s jaw. It was much more than a scratch, but it didn’t seem serious. However, both eyes looked bruised, and he imagined Philip would have two black eyes by morning.

  The guard returned with the rags and fresh water that Gilda requested. She waved Justin out of the way so she could get closer to Philip. Sitting on the bench beside him, she gently cleaned his face, avoiding the cut on his jaw until last. Philip pulled back a little when she finally cleaned around it, but he didn’t make a sound.

  “Face wounds bleed a lot. Now that looks better,” she assured him. In spite of her words, she saw that it was a deep cut and knew it should be stitched to avoid an ugly scar.

  “I’ll send Sister Freda to stitch the wound. The bleeding seems to have stopped, but it would be best if it were closed up.”

  “Please don’t bother, Sister.” Philip straightened up on the bench. “It’ll be all right. I’ve had cuts before.”

  Rather than argue with him, Gilda decided to leave him to Freda. The older nun had a way about her that brooked no resistance. Instead she remained sitting beside Philip on the bench and signaled Justin with a look that he should begin.

  Justin was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him. He had watched Gilda’s handling of the reluctant patient and admired her skill. He knew it was his turn to employ his own skill and learn what role Philip played with Lady Mariel.

  Pushing away from the wall, Justin decided on a blunt approach. “Your brother thinks you betrayed him with Lady Mariel. Did you seduce your brother’s wife?”

  Before he could continue, Philip jumped to his feet. “No. Of course not. I already told you what happened between us.” He swayed a little from the sudden movement, and Gilda gently pulled him back to the bench. She kept her hand on his shoulder but removed it when Justin narrowed his eyes.

  Philip lowered his head, covering his face with his hands. When he had recovered enough to look up, he asked in a calm voice, “Is that why Cedric has locked me up?”

  His relieved manner puzzled Gilda. Perhaps Philip had been afraid his brother knew about his visit to Lady Emma. She wondered if Justin noticed the change.

  “Your brother has become suspicious, Philip. You told him you went to the Convent at Saint Ives to persuade Mariel to return to him. Cedric now suspects that you went to see Mariel for your own reasons. When you wouldn’t tell the guards where you were going today, he assumed you fled because we were close to the truth and you were guilty.”

  “I didn’t want to tell the guards where I was going. What right do they have to keep track of me? I don’t see how that makes me guilty of anything.”

  Justin hoped to shock Philip into responding honestly. “You should know that when Gilda spoke to Lady Mariel, she expressed fear of being pregnant. Could you be the father?”

  “No, I swear it’s not possible! If she said such a thing, she’s mad. I was a friend to her, nothing more. You have to believe me.” Philip turned from Justin to Gilda, appealing to her with wide eyes. “I swear to you that I speak the truth. I never touched Mariel in that way.”

  “Is there another reason why your brother might be angry with you?” Justin asked.

  Before answering, Philip bit his lip and turned his face toward the cell door. “I don’t know what you mean,” he said.

  Interpreting his nervous glance, Justin went to the barred window of the cell and spoke to the guard. “Seek out Sister Freda and bring her here. Tell her that Philip has a cut that needs stitching.”

  “I told you I don’t need stitching,” Philip complained when the guard was gone.

  “You didn’t want to talk while the guard was outside the door. Now he’s gone. Talk to us,” Justin replied.

  Nodding nervously, Philip glanced at Gilda, then began to speak quickly. “I know Lord Chetwynd saw me with Lady Emma this afternoon. No doubt he informed you I was there. I’m in love with Emma and have been since I was ten years old. That’s another reason you should believe that I never touched Mariel except as a friend.”

  Justin stared at the young man who now appeared almost defiant. He had to admire his nerve, although it bordered on lunacy. “You must know that Cedric hopes to marry Lady Emma when his marriage to Mariel is annulled. Apparently, Lord Metcalf himself suggested the match.”

  “Lady Emma does not wish to marry my brother. She assured me of that today. Her father waited until I was away, standing in for my brother at his wedding to Lady Mariel, before he arranged the match.” Philip’s voice became bitter as he spoke of Metcalf, and he kicked at the straw on the floor. “He knows I care for Lady Emma. It’s his way of separating us. I thought he was my friend.”

  “Calm down, Philip,” Gilda urged him. “Your cut is starting to bleed again. Perhaps it’s best if you lie on the bench.”

  “I don’t wish to lie down, Sister,” he replied, but he held a cloth to his bleeding jaw. “And I don’t need stitching.”

  “We’ll see what Sister Freda says,” Gilda replied. “Tell me how you came to know Lady Emma.” She hoped to distract him and learn more about their relationship.

  “I used to visit her father’s manor to see the horses and ask him questions about his years as a warrior with Charlemagne. Metcalf loves to tell tales, and I loved to listen. My mother died when I was ten, and Emma was kind to me. I grew up visiting them. Emma didn’t take my vows of love seriously until about a year ago. I think I wore her down.” He grinned at Gilda.

  “I understand the lady is many years older than you, Philip. I wonder if it’s realistic for you to believe that she is serious in her feelings about you.”

  He straightened his back at her question. “I am no longer a lad, Sister Gilda. She has shown me that she loves me.”

  It was Gilda’s turn to flush red when she realized what Philip meant. He was a bold young man, and his passion was likely to earn him a great deal of trouble. She met Justin’s eyes. He raised his eyebrow at her obvious discomfort.

  Although Justin was amused by Gilda’s blush, he was also worried by Philip’s boldness. “If your brother finds out that you’re involved with Lady Emma, you will be in great danger, Philip. I don’t know why he hasn’t already learned of your attachment.”

  “When I was growing up Cedric encouraged me to spend time with Lord Metcalf. It was a way to keep me out from underfoot, I imagine. Because of our age difference, no one takes note of the time Emma and I spend together. As I said, I grew up in her company.”

  “That may have been true, but Lord Chetwynd took note and was able to guess your attachment. It won’t be long before others notice as well. Especially if you continue to spend a lot of time alone with her.”

  “There is no turning back now, Lord Justin. Lady Emma finally accepts my love for what it is, and she returns it. I won’t give her up.”

  When voices outside the cell caught his attention, Justin signaled Philip to be quiet. “It’s Sister Freda,” he said needlessly as the woman was let into the cell by the guard. “Philip has a deep cut that needs attention,” he explained to the newcomer.

  “I can see that.” She used her hand to wave Gilda off the bench. “Lie down, young man.”

  “I don’t need . . .”

  “For heaven’s sake, stop wasting my time and lie down.” An experienced healer, Freda was already pulling out the supplies she needed from a sack fastened at her waist and setting up a small stool she had carried with her. “Gilda, put a little of this on the cut to dull the pain.”

  At the word pain, Philip closed his eyes. Although he clearly was afraid of Freda’s needle, he seemed determined to be brave.

  Gilda did as Freda instructed, wetting a clean cloth
with the ingredients from a small bottle and applying it to his jaw. When Freda signaled her to remove the cloth, Gilda took Philip’s hand, then watched in fascination. Sitting on her stool, Freda skillfully sewed the wound together, alternately catching small pieces of flesh from below and above the cut. She could have been mending a piece of clothing for all the emotion she displayed.

  During the procedure Philip tightened his grip on Gilda’s hand and mumbled a long prayer through partly closed lips. At least Gilda hoped it was a prayer. There seemed to be a number of different references to the Lord.

  When Freda finished the last stitch, Gilda said, “It’s done, Philip. Freda is a skilled seamstress. I doubt there will be much of a scar.”

  “Just lie still for a while,” Freda instructed Philip, then turned to Gilda. “Are you coming to chapel?”

  “You go ahead, Sister. Justin and I need to speak further with Philip.”

  Freda nodded, then looked at Philip. “You be more careful in the future, young man.” Her tone was scolding, but then she patted him on the shoulder. “You were braver than most.”

  When Freda left, Justin and Gilda moved to a corner away from Philip, who had closed his eyes and seemed to be dozing. They kept their voices low. “I think we should try to convince Cedric to allow Philip to come with us to Saint Ives,” Gilda said.

  “I know you wish to keep him from harm. But I doubt Cedric is going to agree. For all we know, he already has heard about Philip and Lady Emma.”

  “You heard what Philip said. Cedric encouraged him to spend time at Metcalf’s manor. I suspect Philip would have been beaten much worse if Cedric knew about the lovers.”

  Justin nodded agreement. Cedric gave no indication he knew about Lady Emma. “But he did lock up Philip. I doubt he’ll agree to let us take him, Gilda.”

  “You can talk him into it, Justin. Your skill in managing Cedric is impressive. He is hoping Philip was involved with Mariel. All you have to do is convince him you need Philip to make your case for an annulment.”