The Nun's Betrothal

by Ida Curtis

  Ermguerrd looked from one to the other, a questioning frown on her face. “And did Count Cedric accept your explanation?”

  “He did. If he chose to reject our mission, he would have had to request that the king send new envoys. I suspect he wanted us to deal with his case without delay and therefore accepted the situation.”

  There was a long silence, and just as Gilda was about to say something to fill the awkward pause, the abbess spoke up.

  “I imagine the tale served its purpose. Why are you telling me this, Lord Justin?”

  “Two reasons. I thought you might hear of the unusual betrothal and wanted you to hear it from me first. I also wished to know if you believe there is any regulation against such a betrothal.”

  “It was a ruse, Justin,” Gilda said, before the abbess could answer.

  He nodded his agreement. “At first, yes. I made up the story to protect your reputation, as well as my own. But later we consulted your brother about the situation and received his approval of the betrothal. We also discovered we had feelings for each other.”

  Amazed at Justin’s words and feeling the abbess’s eyes upon her, Gilda bit her lip. “That’s all true, Justin, but I never agreed to marry you.”

  “No, you didn’t. In fact, I told you that you were free to break the betrothal anytime you wished. So far you haven’t talked to me about doing this. Now I want to know from the abbess whether it is against any rules for you to be betrothed to me.”

  They both looked at Abbess Ermguerrd. “It’s unusual for this to happen, but nuns have left the convent to marry before. While I appreciate your telling me the circumstances, it’s a matter between the two of you.” She looked from one to the other. “I suspect you have some talking to do. I will leave you here so that you will have some privacy.”

  As soon as the abbess left the room, Gilda turned on Justin. “Why did you do that?”

  “Keep your voice down,” he answered, pointing to the door that the abbess had left open. “As I said to the abbess, we have come to care for each other. You can’t deny that.”

  Gilda narrowed her eyes. “I’m not marrying you, Justin. Our betrothal has served its purpose, and it is ended.”

  Working hard to keep his deep hurt from showing, he spoke casually. “Well, at least you’re talking to me, which is more than you have been willing to do since we left Mainz.”

  “Here’s what I have to say to you. If you want to get married, go to the palace and find Lady Lilith. Apparently, she is pining away for you.”

  Gilda’s blue eyes were flashing, and her hands were clenched into fists. Justin had seen her angry before, but never to the point that her body trembled. Wondering if she could be jealous, he grinned.

  It was the wrong thing to do, as Gilda spun away from him. Justin managed to grab her arm before she could sail through the open door.

  Well aware that his grin meant he knew she was jealous, Gilda was humiliated. In spite of her earlier words, the thought of Justin with another woman tore her apart. She refused to meet his eyes.

  “I’m going to release your arm, Gilda, before someone passes by the door and sees us. Please don’t leave.”

  As soon as he dropped her arm, she moved away from the door and back into the workroom. No longer wishing to flee, she faced him. “I know you wanted to make sure being betrothed was a real possibility, I believe that. But did you have to tell the abbess that we came to care for each other? Ermguerrd has a good imagination and can figure out what you meant.”

  “I thought she’d be a good person to talk to. You told her about the kiss we shared.”

  “Yes—and remember how angry you were to hear I had done that.”

  “You have a point. I wanted you to talk to me, Gilda. You’re back at the convent, and until a minute ago I had no idea what you were thinking. Now you say you won’t marry me. Are you just going to forget me and return to your life here?”

  “I will never forget you,” she whispered.

  His face fell. “You’ve already decided, haven’t you? Without even talking to me about what our life together could be, you’ve made up your mind.” He reached out his hand to touch her cheek and had some hope when a tear slid down to wet his fingers.

  “This is as hard for me as it is for you, Justin. I will listen to what you have to say tomorrow, when we’ll have an answer from Mariel. The mystery will be solved, and our investigation will be complete. After that, I promise I won’t avoid you any longer.”

  Justin knew enough not to press for more. It was true they were approaching the end of what they had been asked to do. If Philip had been intimate with Mariel, Cedric would be free to seek an annulment. On the other hand, if Cedric bedded her, no annulment would be granted. In the meantime, he’d have to think of a way to keep Gilda with him.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The first thing Gilda noticed about Lady Mariel was that she was much calmer than the last time she saw her. Sister Freda escorted her into the room, and Abbess Ermguerrd indicated that Freda should stay. At the abbess’s urging Mariel sat on a bench and even managed a small smile for Gilda, who sat down facing her.

  “It’s good to see you looking so well, Lady Mariel,” Gilda said.

  “Thank you, Sister,” she replied in a soft voice that was minus the tremor that Gilda remembered.

  It had been decided that Gilda would do most of the questioning, and the abbess would step in if she thought of something to add.

  “As you know, I have just returned from Mainz, where I met with Count Cedric and Lord Philip. There I learned that Philip stood in for his brother during your marriage ceremony.”

  “I’m married to Philip,” Mariel said, lifting her chin in the air.

  Instead of contradicting her, Gilda continued. “The custom of having a surrogate stand in during a wedding ceremony has for the most part been discontinued because misunderstandings can occur. This is what seems to have happened in your case, Mariel. Count Cedric was unable to travel to Bordeaux, so he sent Philip as a surrogate. Do you understand what that means?”

  Mariel frowned, then repeated, “I’m married to Philip. He has to be my husband.”

  “Before the ceremony, did your father speak to you about the man you were going to marry?”

  “All he said was that my future husband was wealthy, and I should be pleased he had done so well in finding me a husband. I didn’t really want to marry, but Philip was kind to me on the journey to Mainz.”

  Gilda’s anger at Mariel’s unfeeling father was growing with each word Mariel said. It was a story she had heard too many times. The authority of a father was above question, and in this case, he wielded that power with little consideration for his daughter. It seems he didn’t even take the time to introduce her to Philip and explain that he was a surrogate for Count Cedric.

  “What happened when you arrived at Mainz, Mariel?”

  Her young face clouded. “It was a nightmare. Everyone kept saying I was married to Count Cedric. Philip disappeared. The count has a cold face and angry eyes. I hated him on sight and barred him from my bedchamber. At first, I was afraid he would insist and there would be nothing I could do. But he left me alone, thank the good lord.”

  It was the most Gilda had heard her say at one time, but the information was not what she expected. “Count Cedric never entered your bedchamber all the time you were at Mainz?”

  “Never.”

  “And what about Philip? Did you see him at Mainz?”

  “No. I expected him to come and straighten out this terrible misunderstanding, but he didn’t. All I could think of was fleeing Mainz, but I was locked away in my room.”

  “Yes, I can understand your feelings,” Gilda said. “What happened next?”

  “Lady Millicent, the count’s sister, came to my bedchamber several times. She was kind to me. She’s never been married and seemed to understand my reluctance to accept marriage to the count. When I learned she planned a religious retreat to Saint Ives, I asked to j
oin her. To my surprise my request was granted.”

  Lady Millicent, a frequent visitor to the convent, was well known to the sisters. It was no surprise to Gilda that she would help Mariel.

  “After you had been here a while, Philip finally sought you out, didn’t he?” Gilda asked.

  Mariel smiled then. “Yes, my husband came, and I promised to meet him at the garden shed. For some reason he wanted to keep our meeting a secret.” Her smile then disappeared and she said, “He never came.”

  “Why did you take the sleeping potion?” Gilda asked.

  “I was nervous, and my stomach hurt. I remembered the potion and thought it might ease the pain. I just wanted to escape into sleep for a while. I lit the candles in case Philip did come to me. I didn’t realize how strong the potion would be.”

  Gilda, unhappy about where the questioning was headed, looked at the abbess. At her nod Gilda forced herself to continue. “When we talked to you the next day, you were very confused. You talked about a baby. Did you think you were with child?”

  “Yes. I lay with my husband on the journey. But I discovered there was no child.” Mariel whispered the rest. “The pains were the beginning of my monthly flow.”

  There was no doubt in Gilda’s mind that Mariel was telling the truth, but that meant that Philip had lied to her. Gilda wondered how he had managed to convince her that he was an innocent. While she was berating herself for being taken in, the abbess spoke up.

  “Mariel, I wonder if you would mind telling me more of your journey with Philip. Did he lay with you each night?”

  The young woman looked down, but Gilda could see the pink flush coloring her cheeks. “No, Mother Superior. Just one night when there was a storm and I was upset.”

  “He came to comfort you.” When Mariel nodded, the abbess continued. “When Philip was lying with you, did you remove your clothes?”

  Mariel’s face lifted at that. “No, certainly not.”

  “This is important, Mariel. Did Philip remove your clothes?”

  “No, why would he do that?”

  Gilda’s mouth fell open. Was it possible that all Philip did was sleep beside Mariel?

  The abbess continued her questioning. “Mariel, did your mother tell you how a child is conceived?”

  “My mother died when I was young, but my father’s sister talked to me. She said a child would come after I lay with my husband.” Mariel seemed puzzled by the direction of the questioning.

  “It’s not quite that simple, Mariel. Were there not animals where you lived? Did you not see them coming together?”

  “Holy Mother, those are animals. Humans would never do such a thing,” Mariel said, smiling confidently.

  Gilda sighed with relief, but she wanted to make sure there was no mistake this time. “Mariel, neither you nor Philip removed any of your clothes?”

  “Of course not. We were also wrapped in blankets.”

  Gilda’s admiration for Abbess Ermguerrd grew even greater, if that were possible. Although Gilda had known the education of a woman about to marry was often sadly neglected, it had never occurred to her that Mariel would take her aunt’s words so literally. But of course, it made all the sense in the world. Gentlewomen were often protected from the realities of life.

  While Gilda sat there grinning, the abbess hid her own smile and spoke to Mariel. “Sister Freda will give you the information that you should have received before you were married. After you understand the situation, we’ll talk again about your future.”

  The young woman was not as simple as she appeared, and Gilda could see that she was beginning to understand that something was missing in her knowledge of marriage. “Have I made a mistake?” she asked.

  “No, my dear, the mistake is not yours,” the abbess assured her. “Your family neglected your education. It’s not the first time this has happened, and it won’t be the last. Sister Freda will help you understand.”

  Before leaving the room, Freda and Mariel bowed their heads to the abbess. Once alone, Gilda was unable to contain her pleasure, and she impulsively embraced the abbess. Just as quickly she pulled back, a sheepish grin on her face.

  “What now?” Gilda asked to cover her embarrassment.

  “What indeed. Lady Mariel is a virgin, and since she has no fondness for Count Cedric, I suspect he will qualify for an annulment. Perhaps Lady Mariel will stay with us for a while until she makes up her mind whether she wants to return to the home of her father.”

  “I should hope not,” Gilda blurted out.

  “That will be her decision, Sister Gilda.”

  “Yes, of course, but if she goes home, she will not be making any more decisions for herself. Her father will marry her off again.”

  The abbess nodded to acknowledge the truth of her statement. “I’m glad that Philip is innocent, as I know it means a great deal to you, Gilda. I’ll summon Lord Justin, and you can tell him the outcome.”

  When Justin arrived, he knew immediately by the sparkle in Gilda’s eyes that the news was good. His own eyes grew wide as Gilda explained the situation and he came to understand that neither Philip nor Cedric had lied about bedding Lady Mariel.

  “I can’t imagine how you obtained that information, and I’m glad I wasn’t present to listen to it,” he said with a grin.

  “It was the abbess who knew the right questions to ask,” Gilda said. “Mariel must have grown up in a protected household.”

  The abbess had been quiet while Gilda spoke, but now she said, “Yes, but protected in the wrong way.” Then she turned to Justin. “Am I correct in assuming that Count Cedric will be successful in obtaining his annulment?”

  “Yes, I think that’s very likely. From what you tell me, Lady Mariel will not object to ending her marriage. That would be the only reason for denying an annulment.”

  “In that case, I imagine you will be leaving soon to report your findings.”

  Justin glanced at Gilda. Seeing the color drain from her face, he was afraid she wasn’t planning on joining him. He spoke to the abbess. “I think Sister Gilda should come with me to explain the delicate information you obtained from Lady Mariel. I doubt I could make the parties involved believe that the lady thought she could conceive by lying beside a man.”

  Justin knew he was grasping at straws, but he was hoping that Gilda would agree to see the investigation through to its finish. In fact, she appeared torn, but it was the abbess who spoke. “The decision is up to Sister Gilda. I’m gratified with the outcome of this affair, Lord Justin. Hopefully, both Count Cedric and Lady Mariel will obtain what they wish. Stay and discuss the matter as long as you wish.” This time the abbess closed the door when she left the room.

  Justin spoke before Gilda had a chance to say anything. “I want you to come with me, Gilda.” He raised his hand to keep her from replying. “I know you’re going to say I can explain the situation, but in fact it would be much easier with you present. We started this assignment together, and we should report our findings together.”

  “What you say would be true if there was any controversy. But the matter is clear. The count did not bed his bride, and Mariel does not wish to be married to him. In fact, she thought she was married to someone else. You don’t need me, Justin. Shouldn’t we give some thought to the fate of Lord Philip and Lady Emma? His half brother will move quickly to marry Emma once you report our findings to the king and the annulment is announced.”

  “But I do need you, Gilda.” He decided to risk being truthful. “I want you to marry me.”

  “I need more time, Justin. I won’t be rushed into a decision.” Her voice was sad but determined.

  Unwilling to give up, Justin paced the floor in front of Gilda, searching for an argument to convince her to come with him. “Your instincts are good, Gilda, and I need your talent in reading people. You were right about Philip. I was sure of his guilt, but he was completely innocent all along.”

  “I must admit I was worried when Mariel insisted that she w
as married to Philip and Cedric had not come to her bedchamber. It was the abbess who continued the questioning and arrived at the truth.”

  “The abbess is a wise woman.”

  Gilda nodded. “When Cedric realizes what happened, he will know that Philip did not seduce Mariel. But will Philip be safe?”

  Justin suddenly stopped his pacing and stared down at Gilda. “Not at all. Once Cedric is free of Mariel, he will seek to wed Lady Emma. Philip will be safe only as long as he accepts that marriage. He is sure to try to sabotage the union and land in the dungeon again.”

  Gilda frowned, and Justin pressed forward with what he hoped would be the situation that would make her want to join him. “I think Philip is going to be in even greater danger than before. If Cedric learns Philip and Emma were intimate, he might even put his young stepbrother to death. It’s important that we protect him.”

  “Good lord, you’re right. We have to make sure that Lord Metcalf allows Lady Emma to marry Philip.”

  Amazed at the leap she had taken, Justin shook his head. “That’s going a bit far, Gilda. I think the best Philip can hope for is to escape with his life. We have to persuade him to flee Mainz.”

  “Nonsense. There has to be a way to make Lord Metcalf see that Count Cedric is not a proper match for Lady Emma. The count is an old man who has survived two wives and is now putting aside a third.”

  Justin knew her expectations were too high. “And how is that to be accomplished?”

  “I’m not sure,” she admitted. “But there has to be a way. I’ll come to Mainz with you.”

  Justin had hoped to persuade Gilda to come along and help protect Philip, but it was clear her purpose was much more ambitious. Although her goal did not seem realistic to him, Justin was quite happy with her decision to accompany him. He hoped he could reason with her later about how to protect Philip from harm. “Will the abbess agree with your plan?”