The Nun's Betrothal

by Ida Curtis

  “She did say it was my decision,” Gilda answered.

  But later when Gilda sought out the abbess, her superior asked some difficult questions. “Is it really necessary that you go with Lord Justin, or does your decision have to do with how you feel about the man?”

  “I want to see the matter to completion, Mother Superior. My fear is that once Count Cedric is free of Mariel, he will seek to marry Lady Emma. Philip will attempt to stop him, and the conflict will lead to tragedy. If I go to Mainz, I may be able to convince Lord Metcalf to allow his daughter to marry Philip.”

  “Sister Gilda, I’m sure you know that your plan has nothing to do with the task the king has given you.”

  Gilda was silent for a few minutes. “What you say is true. But there are connections. Mariel’s father forced her, against her will, to marry Count Cedric. Now Lord Metcalf plans to see Emma married to the count, again against her will. Since I was asked to investigate the first case, it seems only right that I keep the same injustice from happening again.”

  The abbess shook her head, but there was an indulgent smile on her lips. “You are exaggerating the connection, Gilda. You know that fathers can marry their daughters to whomever they wish. The king will not see that as an injustice.”

  “It’s so unfair. I’m sure some fathers must be more considerate of their daughters. Perhaps Lord Metcalf is one of those.”

  “I understand your desire to do all that you can to avert tragedy. But you haven’t answered my question about Lord Justin. I assumed that you would have made up your mind about him by now. I suspect he wants you to marry him, Gilda.”

  “I know. I have to make up my mind. Sister Freda urged me to do that, but to tell you the truth, I do not wish to give up my vocation. Being a nun is important to me. On the other hand, the thought of not seeing Lord Justin again is painful to imagine.”

  The abbess sighed. “You wish to keep both options open for a little longer.”

  Gilda jumped up from her bench. “I swear to you it’s not just my inability to make up my mind, Mother Superior. Philip is headed for disaster. I have to do something to help.”

  “I fear the task is more than even you can manage, Sister Gilda. I’m reluctant to see you go off on a wild errand.”

  “I’ll be able to do something. I know it. Lord Metcalf was one of the king’s most talented knights. Sister Freda knew of him when she was at court. My brother Chetwynd had also heard of him and visited with him when he came to Mainz while we were there.

  “For years Lady Emma managed her father’s manor and he never encouraged her to marry, but now that he is not well perhaps he worries that his estate will revert to the king when he dies. Metcalf knows Philip and even encouraged him in his desire to be a warrior. I must try to convince Metcalf that allowing Emma to marry Philip is best for everyone concerned.”

  There was a long pause, and Gilda wondered what other objections her superior would present. “You will need Sister Freda to go with you,” the abbess said. “I will speak to her.”

  It took Gilda a minute to realize that Ermguerrd had been convinced by her words; then, all she could do was bow her head to hide her tears. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Be careful, Sister Gilda. Count Cedric is a powerful man, and you will be thwarting his plans if you succeed in your mission. I will pray for you.”

  After leaving the abbess, Gilda walked to the garden where she had been turning soil the day that Lord Justin had arrived at the convent. That day seemed so long ago. Other nuns had finished the hoeing, and the planting was well under way.

  Yesterday’s return to the convent had been a happy occasion, but already she was planning to leave. This had been her home, the place that nourished her as she was growing up. Was it time she made her life somewhere else? Lord Justin had said she could teach her own children. Would being his wife, bearing his children, fulfill her as being a nun had done?

  Deep in thought, Gilda didn’t hear Justin approach until he was standing at her elbow. She looked up at his dear face, saw the worry lines marking his forehead, and couldn’t help but smile.

  Impatient at having to search her out, Justin said, “Tell me what the abbess said, Gilda.”

  “Sister Freda and I are going with you to Mainz.”

  Justin closed his eyes for a minute, but his frown did not disappear. “I thought Abbess Ermguerrd would talk you out of accompanying me.”

  “No, she didn’t do that, although she had a number of questions about my reasons for returning with you. I know I have to make up my mind about whether I wish to remain a nun or become your wife. I desire both.”

  “That’s impossible, and you know it,” he said.

  “Give me a little more time. Can you do that?”

  Justin sighed. “Yes, I can do that. But I’ve been thinking while I was waiting for you, Gilda. I talked you into coming with me by pointing out that Philip will be in danger. But you are not going to be satisfied with keeping him safe. Now I’m afraid you will put yourself in harm’s way. I hate to admit it, but it may be best that you stay here. I will come back when things are settled and perhaps you will have made up your mind.”

  Unable to speak for a minute, Gilda stared at Justin. When she regained her voice, she said, “You can’t mean what you say.”

  “You expect too much, Gilda. We might be able to help Philip, but I can’t believe we can persuade Lord Metcalf to allow Lady Emma to marry him. I know that’s what you intend. I don’t wish to take the chance that you’ll make enemies of Count Cedric and Bishop Gunthar. It’s too dangerous.”

  Gilda sank down to sit on a stone wall, and when Justin sat beside her, she refused to look at him. Watching one of the sisters planting seeds, she said, “I could tell you I won’t try to persuade Lord Metcalf to change his mind, but it would be a lie. This is important to me, Justin, and important to our future. I want you to give me a chance to help Philip and Emma. I want you to trust that I can make a difference.”

  When he remained silent, Gilda turned toward him. “You said my instincts are good. I think we can do this.”

  “I don’t know, Gilda. I can’t bear the thought of something happening to you. You might be the one to end up in the dungeon.”

  “I’ve been in dangerous situations before. There have been several times I’ve come between an abusive husband and his wife. I know how to take care of myself.”

  She waited for him to think through what she had said. As she was about to continue, he said, “We’d have to work together, Gilda. You’ll have to agree not to try anything on your own. And if I believe we have to retreat, you have to trust me.”

  “I agree. We’ll work together, and I’ll trust you, Justin.”

  He was no longer frowning. “All right,” he said. “But you must remember your promise.”

  Covering her action with her habit, Gilda took his hand. “I’d cover you with kisses, but there are too many people around.”

  Justin finally smiled. “Keep that thought for later,” he said.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The weather was favorable, and the return journey to Mainz was accomplished without incident. Most of the time the travelers were absorbed in anticipation of their arrival at Mainz and speculating on how events would unfold once Gilda and Justin had reported to Count Cedric. Justin had cautioned Gilda about giving Philip false hope, so she had not spoken to Philip about her plans to approach Lord Metcalf.

  Although Philip was at first happy that he had been cleared of any misdeed involving Lady Mariel, he soon realized that his brother was sure to receive the annulment he wished. Since he knew that meant the count would seek to marry Emma, his spirits plummeted. Philip rode at the end of the small caravan, as though delaying as long as possible his arrival at Mainz.

  As they neared their destination, Justin, still uneasy about allowing Gilda to come along, spent time with Leonardo, alerting him of the possibility of danger. “If for any reason I become separated from Sister Gilda, I
want you to keep an eye on her. She promised to stay with me, but she is determined to help Philip, and I fear she might be planning to approach Lord Metcalf on his behalf.”

  Leonardo looked back at where Gilda was in conversation with Sister Freda. “Perhaps you should have left her at the convent, Justin.”

  “Believe me, I tried,” he answered, but he knew his try had been half-hearted.

  Leonardo’s mouth twisted into a grin that caused Justin to frown. “What?” he asked the young soldier.

  “My wager is on Sister Gilda finding a way to help Philip. You and she make a formidable pair, and don’t discount the strength of Sister Freda. She kept me entertained during the time we spent traveling together. You should hear her opinion of Bishop Gunthar and his desire to expand his domain.”

  “Yes, I can imagine what she’d have to say. I just wish the bishop and Cedric weren’t so greedy. They can be dangerous if thwarted.”

  “I’ll keep my eyes open, Justin. Rest assured about that. Is the good sister going to marry you?”

  “I hope so,” Justin replied, then examined the handsome soldier at his side. Leonardo had been his companion on many journeys. Women found him appealing, and he never seemed to lack for invitations to warm their beds. “Have you ever thought of marrying, Leonardo?”

  “Good heavens, no,” he said with a laugh. Then after a minute, he added, “But then I never met anyone like Sister Gilda.”

  Justin nodded. “I’m sure there is not another woman like Gilda.”

  While Justin was worrying about her safety, Gilda was questioning Freda, hoping to obtain some ideas for how to approach Lord Metcalf. “Did you ever meet Emma’s father during the years you were at court?”

  “No, but he was a friend of the man I loved, so I heard a great deal about him. Apparently, he was skilled with a sword and known for putting the fear of God into the enemy. He won respect on the battlefield defending the empire against the Saracens.”

  “Do you remember any personal information?”

  “He was a handsome man before he was injured. The rumor was that women at court often sought his favor, but they had no luck. I understand he was faithful to his wife.”

  “Now that might be a useful bit of information.”

  “Yes, I suppose a man who is faithful to his wife might wish the best for his daughter. But if that’s the case, why would Metcalf have sought to match her with Count Cedric?”

  Gilda remembered what her brother had to say on the matter. “After Chetwynd visited him, he reported that Metcalf, although eager to talk of his days as a warrior, tired easily. Chetwynd judged him to be unwell. Perhaps the bishop, or the count himself, approached him to suggest the match, although they claim it was the other way around.”

  “I take it you are planning to seek out Metcalf. If you wish, I could accompany you. He might respond to someone nearer his own age. He might remember the soldier I loved.”

  A worried expression on his face, Justin was peering back at them, and Gilda smiled at him. “I’ll keep that in mind, Freda. Justin is wary of my hope to help Philip. He insists I do nothing without him, and I gave him my promise. But I think he’ll be interested in what you say and your offer.”

  They rode in silence for a while, and it was clear from the relaxed expression on Justin’s face that he was happier when Gilda and Freda weren’t talking. Gilda wondered if he feared they were planning a scheme of which he wouldn’t approve.

  It was difficult for Gilda to be silent for long. “I didn’t ask how your discussion with Mariel went, Freda. All I know is that you were successful.”

  “The poor girl was surprised then embarrassed by the information she lacked. I think the reason she held so fiercely to her belief that she was married to Philip was that they had lain together. As far as she was concerned, that is what married people did. As we talked, her embarrassment was replaced by anger at her family for not preparing her for marriage.”

  “I think that’s appropriate,” Gilda remarked.

  As they were about to enter Mainz, Philip, without a word to anyone, headed off to Metcalf’s manor. Justin considered sending Leonardo after him, but he decided to let Philip have some time with Emma to explain the situation.

  Gilda moved to ride beside Justin, and Leonardo dropped back to join Freda. “You know that Philip has left us,” she said.

  “Yes. Hopefully he’ll be careful.”

  “We can’t wait too long to visit Metcalf, Justin. Philip is going to be trying to persuade Emma to run away with him.”

  Justin’s frown was back. “And how would you know that? Did he speak to you about it?”

  “No, but as you’ve said yourself many times, Philip is impulsive and reckless.”

  Justin nodded. “Lady Emma is the more mature of the two. I don’t imagine she’ll be eager to make him a hunted man by running away with him. But before we can consider how to approach Metcalf, we have to meet with Count Cedric and Bishop Gunthar. Even though we are bringing them good news, I’m not looking forward to it.”

  Upon their arrival, Lord Justin and Sister Gilda were shown to the same quarters they had occupied on their last visit to Mainz. This time the count was eager to meet them, and they just had time to settle their belongings before they were summoned into his presence.

  Bishop Gunthar and Cedric stood as soon as they entered the room. Greetings were dispensed with quickly, and then the count said, “What news do you have for us?”

  Justin was just as eager to deal with their business. “In talking to Lady Mariel, she made it clear that your marriage was not consummated. In addition, she does not wish to remain in the marriage any more than you do. In fact, she would like to stay at the convent, where she can further her education. There should be no problem with annulling the marriage.”

  There were broad smiles on the faces of both Gunthar and the count. “And what about Philip? Was he intimate with Lady Mariel?” Cedric asked.

  “No, he was not,” Justin said.

  Gilda held her breath, wondering if the two powerful men would accept Justin’s word.

  “But Lady Mariel claimed she was married to him,” the bishop said. “That’s what she told everyone.”

  “Mariel’s father did not bother to explain the surrogate situation to Lady Mariel.” Justin addressed the bishop. “That’s why having stand-ins for marriage is discouraged.” He could have said that Gunthar had made a mistake in recommending it, but he could see by the shifty expression in the bishop’s eyes that he understood what Justin was implying.

  “So, it was all just a misunderstanding by that silly country girl,” Cedric concluded, his satisfied smile still in place.

  Justin held his tongue and prayed that Gilda would do the same. It would be best to keep Cedric happy with them until they could attempt to help Philip. He was relieved when she remained silent.

  “What happens next?” Cedric asked.

  “We will report our findings to Archbishop Humbert, as it is up to him to grant an annulment,” Justin replied. “But the evidence is straightforward and not in dispute by either party. I will also report to King Louis when I return to Aachen.”

  The count was clearly pleased. “Excellent,” he said.

  Bishop Gunthar came forward then, looking from Sister Gilda to Lord Justin. “Now that you have accomplished your task of investigating the situation, will you be marrying soon?”

  Since Justin had no idea whether Gilda would marry him, he nodded and hoped that was answer enough for the bishop.

  “You have both done a great service to Mainz, and I wish to reward you. I will marry you here.”

  It was a great honor to be married by a bishop, and Gunthar’s expression made it clear he expected them to be overjoyed by his magnanimous offer. But Justin was sure Gilda, even if she agreed to marry him, would never consent to have the bishop oversee their vows. Unfortunately, he wasn’t sure how to refuse the offer without offending a man who could become a powerful enemy. Before he co
uld think of some way to delay giving an answer, he was surprised to hear Gilda replying.

  “That is a very generous offer, Bishop Gunthar. We would be happy to accept, but we were married at the Convent of Saint Ives.” She saw the puzzled look on the bishop’s face as he glanced down at her habit, and she rushed on. “We wish to keep the marriage a secret, which is why Lord Justin didn’t say anything. It seemed wise to do that until a report has been made to Archbishop Humbert.”

  When the bishop turned to Justin for confirmation, Justin swallowed the lump that her surprising statement had lodged in his throat and said, “It is as Sister Gilda says. We don’t want anyone to think there has been any distraction from our mission. I’m sure we can depend upon you to keep our secret until our report has been made.”

  Gunthar was still frowning, but Count Cedric spoke up. “It appears you are acting in my best interest, Lord Justin. I thank you for that. Will you be leaving for Reims tomorrow morning?”

  “I’d like to stay one more day to give everyone a rest. Be assured we will be on our way as soon as possible,” Justin replied.

  The count seemed disappointed at the delay, but he agreed. “I won’t keep you any longer, Lord Justin. It’s almost time for vespers.”

  Justin didn’t speak to Gilda until they were in their quarters, then his words burst forth. “What were you thinking? You just told the bishop we are married, and you haven’t even made up your mind whether you’ll marry me. You can’t depend on Gunthar keeping a secret if we anger him in any way. Everyone will think we are married. It’s a story that will spread quickly.”

  “We’ll get married,” she answered.

  Justin frowned at her. “You are willing to be married to delay our stay here just to be able to help Philip?”

  “No. That’s not it at all. I want to marry you, Justin, I do.”

  “Since when?” he asked, not at all convinced.

  “Since you stood up to Count Cedric and protected Lady Mariel by not telling of her ignorance. Since you put the blame for the mix-up on Bishop Gunthar and Mariel’s father, where it belonged. As I watched you dealing with them, I knew I need not fear marrying you.”