The Nun's Betrothal

by Ida Curtis

  In the main hall Count Cedric was explaining Justin’s presence to Lord Metcalf. The count had four of his guards with him, as well as Bishop Gunthar and Justin. These guards gave the impression they were watching for trouble as they stood behind the other men seated at the table. The guards were the only ones to notice Gilda and Freda slip into the room, but they said nothing as the count was speaking.

  “I have brought Lord Justin with me as he was appointed by King Louis to investigate my request for an annulment. I wish him to explain to you his findings and the report he will make to the Archbishop of Reims.”

  Metcalf was the first one at the table to notice Gilda and Freda, no doubt because he was expecting to see them. Justin saw that Metcalf’s attention had shifted, and his own eyes widened when he looked where Metcalf was looking.

  Justin’s startled expression made it clear that he didn’t know Gilda and Freda were at the manor. While Cedric, still oblivious to her presence, was waiting for Justin to explain the situation to Lord Metcalf, Justin kept his eyes on Gilda. He stood up as he began talking. “What Count Cedric said about my investigation is true, but the king appointed two of us, Lord Metcalf. I am his secular representative, and Sister Gilda, a nun from the Convent of Saint Ives, represents the clergy. Please join us at the head table, Sister Gilda.”

  Cedric’s head whipped around at Justin’s invitation to Gilda. His face turned red and he shouted, “What is she doing here?”

  Bishop Gunthar laid a hand on the count’s arm, no doubt hoping to calm him, but Cedric pushed his hand away and appealed directly to Lord Metcalf. “Sister Gilda has befriended my stepbrother Philip. I suspect she has come to disrupt my plans to wed Lady Emma.”

  Since Lord Metcalf already knew this, he didn’t comment on Cedric’s accusation. Instead he said, “If Sister Gilda was appointed by King Louis, she should join us at the head table. Let’s get on with it, Count Cedric. I wish to hear what their investigation has uncovered.”

  Walking the short distance to reach Justin’s side, Gilda tried to stay focused on the business at hand. But all she could think about was moving closer to her husband, and she hoped the longing she felt for his touch wasn’t visible to everyone present.

  Justin didn’t miss the special light in her eyes, and his voice was a little hoarse as he said, “Excuse me, Lord Metcalf, but I need a minute to confer with my associate in private before I begin to relate the details of our investigation.”

  Cedric was fuming, but he had apparently overcome his surprise at seeing Sister Gilda and gained enough self-control not to make an objection. Metcalf studied the pair as they moved toward one another, then said, “Emma will show you to a private chamber.”

  As soon as the door closed behind them, Gilda threw herself into Justin’s arms and whispered, “I was going mad with worry when you didn’t join us last night.”

  He silenced her with a kiss, and as his mouth moved hungrily on hers, his hands moved to her hips to draw her closer. Gilda still wasn’t close enough, and she pushed aside his doublet so she could better feel his chest against her breast.

  When they had to break their kiss in order to breathe, Justin took her face in his hands and stared into her eyes. “Why didn’t you wait at the cottage? You promised to do nothing without me. My heart nearly stopped when I saw you.”

  “I had no choice, Justin. Leonardo came with us.”

  “Where is he now? I didn’t see him.”

  “He stayed with Emma when Freda and I went to speak with Lord Metcalf,” she answered, then kissed his mouth, nipping his lower lip and making him groan. She continued, moving her lips against his as she talked. “Leonardo told us you and Cedric would be coming here in the morning. We wanted to make a case for Philip before you arrived.”

  Justin pulled his face away from hers. “And what of your promise to do nothing without me?” he asked, although he had already reconciled himself to the fact that she had ignored that promise.

  “The circumstances called for action,” she muttered as she used her fingertips to caress his face.

  Justin pushed her headcover off and ran his hands through her hair. “It always does with you. Did you succeed?”

  “I don’t know. Freda talked of Metcalf’s wife, whom he clearly loved very much. They seemed to make a connection. Then she asked him if he wished Emma to have children, and when he said yes, she pointed out that Cedric has been married twice and has produced no heirs. She was brilliant.”

  Kissing first one eye, then the other, Justin said, “I suppose she pointed out that Philip was younger and more energetic. Did her ploy work?”

  Gilda kissed his neck and inhaled his scent. “Not exactly. He said we should be saying prayers and helping the poor, not interfering with a father’s decision for his daughter. He reminded me of you when he said that.”

  “I guess I did say something like that once. It was long ago.”

  A knock on the door caused the lovers to pull apart. After a discreet minute Freda entered the room. “Cedric is about to explode. I think you better rejoin us.”

  “We may need Leonardo. Where is he?” Justin asked. “I didn’t see him when we arrived, which is why I was so surprised to see Gilda.”

  “Emma told me she asked Leonardo to join Philip at the cottage. She was afraid that Philip wouldn’t be able to stay away. It must have taken some convincing as Leonardo was determined to watch over Gilda,” Freda replied. “What’s the plan?”

  When neither Gilda nor Justin answered, Freda said, “You were supposed to be in here forming a plan.” Then she grinned at them, shaking her head. “Fix your headcover, Sister Gilda.”

  While Gilda blushed and tugged at her headcover, Justin cleared his throat and spoke as though they had discussed a plan. “I’ll explain the results of our investigation. Hopefully, Lord Metcalf will be smart enough to evaluate Cedric’s past actions and change his mind about promoting a marriage between Cedric and Emma. I take it you have already planted a few seeds of doubt about Cedric’s vitality, Sister Freda.”

  “I did what I could, but like most men Metcalf doesn’t like his authority challenged. I think you are on the right track. We do what we can and hope he’ll see the light.”

  Justin led the way back to the main hall where Count Cedric, his eyes narrowed, was watching for him. It was clear from his wary expression that his humor had not improved. Lord Metcalf, on the other hand, was leaning back in his chair, his mouth slightly curled at the edges as though he was patiently waiting to see what would happen next.

  When Justin indicated that Gilda and Freda should join them at the table, they took seats at the end farthest from Cedric and Gunthar.

  Justin stood and spoke directly to their host. “As Count Cedric has told you, King Louis requested that Sister Gilda and I investigate whether there were grounds to annul the marriage between Count Cedric and Lady Mariel. Since the lady was very confused by the fact that Philip was a surrogate for the count during the marriage ceremony, it took a while to learn what had happened. She believed that it was Philip she had married, and as a result acted very strangely when everyone insisted her husband was Count Cedric. She finally took refuge at the Convent of Saint Ives but gave little information about what had happened during the short time she was at Mainz.”

  Cedric couldn’t resist injecting his view. “Lady Mariel is a simple country girl with little sense.”

  Seeing that Gilda was opening her mouth to reply, Justin spoke quickly. “The misunderstanding could have been avoided if her father had fully explained the marriage arrangement to Lady Mariel. No one bothered to do that, and as a result she was confused and endured a great deal of suffering. Fortunately for her, she is happy at the Convent of Saint Ives and is as eager for her marriage to be annulled as Count Cedric.”

  “Are you saying the misunderstanding was all the father’s fault?” asked Lord Metcalf, one eyebrow raised.

  Justin wondered if he had made an error in judging the father so harshly in f
ront of Metcalf. To soften his words, he said, “Others could have explained the situation to Lady Mariel before the wedding. But she did not even meet Philip until the ceremony, and once it was completed the couple started back to Mainz.” Having said that, Justin felt strongly enough to press his point. “But the father has the final responsibility, as he is the one who arranged the match. With the authority to decide goes the responsibility to do well by his daughter.”

  Metcalf’s face darkened, making it clear he was aware that Justin was talking in general terms as well as about this particular case.

  Impatient with what he considered a distraction from the main point, Cedric spoke up. “Explain your conclusion and the report you will make to the archbishop, Lord Justin.”

  “The conclusion Sister Gilda and I reached is that there is no reason to deny Count Cedric the annulment he seeks. The marriage was never consummated, and both parties wish it ended.”

  Now Cedric was smiling and nodding at Lord Metcalf. But Metcalf was still frowning. “And what of the father of Lady Mariel? What does he think about the ending of the marriage he arranged for his daughter?”

  Justin nodded to Gilda, indicating that she should answer Metcalf’s question.

  “At the Convent of Saint Ives Lady Mariel is beyond her father’s authority. She has asked for sanctuary. But my guess is that Lady Mariel’s father, when he learns what has happened, will consider what is best for his daughter. Most fathers will do that,” she said, knowing she was exaggerating but hoping to soften the argument she and Justin were making about fathers and their responsibilities.

  Unaware of the underlying points being made by Justin and Gilda, Count Cedric tried once again to bring the discussion back to his concerns. “The annulment will go ahead quickly once Lord Justin has made his report. After that, nothing will stand in the way of my marriage to Lady Emma.”

  Metcalf had sunk down in his chair and seemed to be suddenly overcome with fatigue. In a hoarse whisper he said, “I wish to think on this matter, Count Cedric. We will talk again.”

  Beginning to be aware that the meeting was not going as well as he had hoped, Cedric’s panic was evident in the expression on his face as he asked, “What more is there to talk about?”

  But Lord Metcalf had lost all concentration on the matter and ignored Cedric’s question. Freda was not the only one to notice the sudden change in Metcalf, but she was the first to act. She stood up and addressed their host in a respectful manner. “Lord Metcalf, would you like to have a little privacy to think over what you have heard?”

  Without saying a word, Metcalf struggled to his feet, trying his best to disguise his weakness. He took the arm Freda offered.

  A puzzled Count Cedric watched Metcalf’s back as he was helped from the room. “What does he mean, talk some more?” he asked, addressing no one in particular.

  Bishop Gunthar, who had been unusually quiet up to now, spoke up. “You can’t rush matters, Cedric. You have made your point by bringing Lord Justin here. Lord Metcalf knows he has made a commitment to you, and I’m sure he will honor it.”

  Lady Emma, who had followed her father from the room, now returned. “My father is not well and tires easily. He needs to rest now.”

  It was clear from the disappointed expression on Count Cedric’s face that he was not pleased by the fact that there wasn’t a conclusion to their meeting. “I am sorry your father is unwell, Lady Emma. But it is important that an agreement is reached between us. I need to speak to him for a few minutes.”

  “My father has already taken a potion that will allow him to sleep without pain. Your business with him must wait until tomorrow,” Emma replied.

  “It’s your business as well, Lady Emma. I want our betrothal to be settled,” Cedric reminded her.

  Lady Emma had always been shy in the count’s presence, but today she looked him in the eye and said, “I believe it would be fitting that a betrothal wait until the archbishop has granted your annulment, Count Cedric.”

  Cedric’s face turned red and his eyes narrowed, but before he could reply, Bishop Gunthar spoke up. “Although what you say makes sense, Lady Emma, an understanding should be reached as soon as possible. Your father is gravely ill, and your position should be protected by settling the matter before he passes on.”

  When Justin saw that Lady Emma was biting her lip at the mention of her father’s worsening health, he knew he had been patient long enough. “Count Cedric, Bishop Gunthar, I think you have accomplished all you can here today. It is time for you to return to Mainz. Sister Freda is needed here to help Lady Emma. Sister Gilda and I will stay in case either of them needs our help.”

  “Leave the women if you wish, but you should return with us, Lord Justin,” the count replied.

  “I have completed my investigation at Mainz, Cedric. As soon as I see that Lord Metcalf is well, Sister Gilda and I plan to leave for Reims. I stayed with you last night, at your insistence, to come with you to disclose my findings to Metcalf. I have done that, and now it is time for me to complete my mission for King Louis.”

  Although Justin had made it clear he was responsible to a higher authority than Count Cedric, there were a few tense minutes while the count considered whether it was worth trying to force Lord Justin to come with him. The matter was decided when Bishop Gunthar said, “You have done well in uncovering the facts of the matter and proving that Count Cedric is within his rights to seek an annulment, Lord Justin.”

  “Sister Gilda and I worked together to discover the facts of the case, Bishop Gunthar.”

  “Of course,” he answered, nodding to acknowledge Gilda.

  “Thank you both,” Count Cedric finally said, although his dark expression did not match his polite words. Once the decision to leave was made, the farewells were quickly accomplished.

  Sharing a feeling of relief, Gilda and Justin stood at the open door of the manor and watched the count’s party depart. Then Gilda turned to Emma. “Is Lord Metcalf seriously ill?” she asked.

  “It’s hard to say. He has had these spells before.” Emma hesitated a minute, then continued. “I appreciate what you have tried to do for me, Sister Gilda. But this has been an upsetting experience for my father, and I fear it has made him even more frail.” Emma’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke of her father’s health. “He is a sick man, and I will not go against his wishes. If he is determined that I marry Count Cedric, I will do that.”

  “I understand and respect your decision to honor the wishes of your father, Lady Emma,” Gilda replied. “I hope that our actions today did not worsen his health, but I still think we did the right thing by speaking to Lord Metcalf on your behalf.”

  “I agree with Gilda,” Justin said. “It is your father’s decision, and he will make it with more knowledge than he had before. I will go back to the cottage and alert Philip as to what is happening and make sure he stays out of sight until things are settled.”

  Sister Freda appeared as Justin was speaking. “Lord Metcalf is sleeping peacefully now. I’ll stay here with Emma. You go along with Justin, Gilda.”

  Although she wanted nothing more, Gilda hesitated. “Are you sure you don’t need me?” she asked.

  “Go with your husband,” Freda insisted.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  As soon as Gilda and Justin approached the cottage, Philip burst through the door to greet them. Leonardo was close behind, and his face lit up when he saw Justin.

  “Thank the good lord you’re here,” Leonardo said to Justin, then rushed to explain why he hadn’t kept his promise. “I tried to stay with Gilda, but she and Freda insisted on seeing Metcalf alone. Then Emma insisted I seek out Philip.”

  Remembering how many times he had been distracted from an objective by Gilda, Justin grinned at his worried friend. “I completely understand how that can happen.”

  Relieved by Justin’s reply, Leonardo said, “I wasn’t idle. I had to keep Philip from storming the manor, a task that has tried my patience. What h
as happened?”

  Philip echoed Leonardo’s question. “What happened? Did you see Emma?”

  “Let’s move inside and I’ll tell you,” Justin answered. He and Gilda had discussed how to handle Philip on the way, and Justin was determined to wait until they were settled in the cottage before dealing with what he knew would be upsetting information.

  The wait increased Philip’s anxiety as he began to suspect the news wasn’t going to be good. When he had finally settled nervously in his seat, Justin met his eyes and began to speak.

  “Cedric came to the manor to discuss his betrothal to Lady Emma, and he brought me along to assure Metcalf that his annulment would be granted. Gilda and Freda had already talked with Emma’s father by the time we arrived, but Metcalf was not pleased to have them questioning his authority.

  “After Cedric introduced me, Metcalf listened to my explanation of our mission to investigate whether there were grounds for an annulment and the conclusion we had reached. Although he may have some misgivings about Cedric, Metcalf did not comment on our findings. He is not a well man, as I’m sure you know, and the meeting came to an abrupt halt when he became ill. All Metcalf would say was that he would talk more about it later. Although Cedric was unhappy that he didn’t receive some commitment from Metcalf and tried to press for further discussion, he finally departed for Mainz.

  “When Gilda and I left the manor to come here, Freda and Emma were attending Metcalf. But I have to tell you that Emma is not prepared to do anything to upset her father and has said she will accept his wishes. If you hope to have any chance with her, you must stay away until she summons you.”

  Clearly this was not the news Philip had hoped to hear, and he put his face in his hands. “I know Emma loves her father. But she loves me too.”

  Afraid to give Philip false hope, Justin didn’t mention that Gilda and Freda had pressed his case or that at least Freda had made some connection with the old warrior. “I’m sorry, Philip. I just can’t predict how things will turn out. We will return to the manor tomorrow morning. Until then you must stay here with us.”