by Ida Curtis
Although she had dug her fingernails into the palm of her hands, Isabel spoke calmly in hope of speeding Justin on his way. “Yes, I’ll be fine. Please do all you can to get Chetwynd released. Don’t worry about us.”
“I’m sure he won’t be held long. It was a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.” Justin embraced Isabel again and nodded toward Marianna. “Take good care of her,” he said before he rushed away.
As soon as he left, Isabel turned to Marianna. “See what you can find out in the kitchen, Marianna,” she said.
“I can’t leave you, my lady. Justin asked me to take care of you.”
“Marianna, you can help me by finding out all you can about Chetwynd. I don’t know anyone here, but I’m sure you can learn something. From what you told me, the information will be available quickly in the kitchen.”
“Yes, my lady. I’m sure the serving women will know something. Food is sent to the prisoners once a day, late in the evening.”
“Do you know who takes it?”
“A woman called Herlinda, a serving woman happy for the duty. There is a guard she fancies, so she is a good source of information. She can find out which level Chetwynd is on, and how he is faring.”
“What do you mean, which level he is on?”
Marianna hesitated before answering, but at Isabel’s insistent look she continued. “Prisoners detained for questioning are usually on the top level, I’m told. The lower down you are, the more serious your offense. Those sent to the bottom of the dungeon are usually never heard from again.” Realizing how bad that sounded, Marianna’s voice trailed off at the end.
In spite of her concern for Chetwynd, Isabel could not help but marvel at all Marianna had learned in a short time in Aachen. It was going to take her a while to catch up.
“If Lothar wants to question Chetwynd, he should be on the first level. But if he just wanted to question him, why put him in the dungeon? It’s not like he’s going anywhere. It doesn’t make sense, Marianna. I should have made Justin tell me exactly what happened. What time does Herlinda bring food to the prisoners?”
“Not until everyone else has eaten. Late in the evening, she takes the scraps. But she might know who the latest prisoners are before that time. As I said, she fancies one of the guards.”
“Good, that sounds promising. You had better go, Marianna. We’re wasting time. I’ll go to evening worship and then join the lords and ladies in the great hall for dinner. Perhaps I’ll find Jerome and Ingram at the church. I wonder if they know about Chetwynd. I forgot to ask Justin if he informed them of what happened. I should have thought to ask for more information. If you learn anything, seek me out at supper in the great hall.”
Isabel had spoken quickly, and now she was urging Marianna toward the door.
“Are you sure it’s wise for you to go out on your own, my lady? You don’t know the city. I could find Ingram and send him to you.”
Isabel couldn’t imagine sitting around waiting for Ingram to appear. “If you find him, send him to the church. But in the meantime, I’m not staying here. I have to do something, Marianna. I saw the church on the way in, and I can follow the worshippers from the church to the great hall, if necessary. Don’t worry about me. Please go now.”
Marianna nodded encouragingly. “You’ll do fine. I’ll get some news for you, my lady.”
WHILE ISABEL WAS FINDING HER WAY TO THE church Chetwynd had told her about, he sat in his cell and worried about her. He kept telling himself Justin would look after her, but he could not help but be concerned, not only for her safety but also about her reaction to the news that he was in the dungeon. He had no doubt that she would extract the information from Justin. When Isabel had clung to him at their parting, he knew she had sensed they were entering another period of uncertainty.
Isabel had been right to feel uneasy. In the king’s chambers where Chetwynd and Justin had expected to find Louis, they had found Lothar in a raging temper. Justin knew immediately that it was a dangerous situation. He signaled Chetwynd to leave, but before Chetwynd had a chance to disappear, the pacing Lothar had turned and caught sight of him at the entrance. Lothar’s thick, dark hair was disheveled from running his hands through it, and his face was red from drink and fury.
“My stepmother’s partner in sin!” he shouted at the sight of Chetwynd. “What are you doing here?”
“Lord Chetwynd is with me, Your Majesty,” Justin replied quickly. He tried to calm Lothar and at the same time keep Chetwynd from reacting to Lothar’s insulting remark. “He has just returned from the Spanish March. Lord Chetwynd has been away from court for some time.”
Justin hoped to remind Lothar of Chetwynd’s distance from the recent turmoil at the palace. He stood between the two men, but Lothar strode around him and moved close enough to stare into Chetwynd’s face.
Chetwynd could smell the wine on Lothar’s breath as he shouted, “Yes, yes. I know all about Lord Chetwynd. The brave knight hurrying back to help the queen. And we all know the type of help he gives.”
Lothar’s tone of voice and the mocking expression on his face emphasized the sarcasm of his words. There were several lords and guards present, and someone chuckled at the remark.
Squaring his shoulders, Chetwynd replied with as much dignity as he could manage in the face of the vicious attack. “I have returned to Aachen to report to King Louis about the fortifications on the Spanish March.”
“So you say. Are you sure it’s not to warm the queen’s bed? Maybe you haven’t heard, Chetwynd. Judith is not here. How sad for you.”
Chetwynd ignored the fake sympathy on Lothar’s face. “As I said, I’ve come to report to King Louis.”
Chetwynd’s steely control only seemed to make Lothar angrier. “Well, you have found a different king to answer to. You seem to forget that I am also a king and share rule of the empire with my father. The king standing before you is not a feeble old man to be easily duped!” Lothar roared.
“You are not half the man your father is,” Chetwynd replied softly, more to himself than Lothar.
Chetwynd knew as soon as the words were out that he had made a mistake. But when Lothar demanded he repeat what he said, he did.
Lothar let out a string of curses, then shouted, “Guards, throw him into the dungeon. I’ll speak with you later, Chetwynd, after a few days in the dungeon has softened your defiance. Then you can give me your report on the Spanish fortifications.”
Before the guards could act, Justin tried to reason with Lothar. “Don’t do this, my lord. Chetwynd was just defending King Louis to whom he has vowed an oath of loyalty. I need him with me to discuss some important matters with you.”
There was a pause and Justin looked at Chetwynd, prompting him with his eyes to apologize to Lothar. But Lothar didn’t give Chetwynd time to try that approach. “I want him out of my sight. Take him away!” Lothar shouted at the guards.
Sitting in his cell, Chetwynd hoped that Justin wasn’t angry with him. He had been a fool to antagonize Lothar. He had known since the Spring Assembly that Lothar had taken a strong dislike to him. He should have been more careful.
At the same time, it was clear Lothar had been looking for an excuse to detain him. He couldn’t help but wonder why Lothar was so angry. Hopefully Justin would figure out what was going on and be able to obtain his freedom.
In the meantime, Chetwynd had a chance to experience the dungeon, and he didn’t like it. Although he had faced danger on the battlefield many times, it was nowhere near as frightening as sitting helplessly in a cell. Fortunately, he was on the top level of the dungeon, but even here the rooms were small, and the only light came through a window high on the wall. A single wooden bench sat against the wall, and the straw on the floor was filthy. From the small barred window in the door, he could see that the other cells on the top level were empty. There was no one to talk to, not even a fellow prisoner.
After pacing for a while, Chetwynd sat with his head leaning back
against the wall. He wondered what Justin would tell Isabel. Even if her brother tried to sound reassuring, Isabel would sense the truth of the situation. He knew her powers of intuition were strong, and his heart twisted at the anguish he was causing her. Isabel knew the situation at the palace was volatile, and she would remember what had happened to Gerberga. It was a dangerous time to be in prison.
Wondering about how Isabel would react, Chetwynd refused to believe he wouldn’t see her again very soon. She had become the most important person in his life. He ached to hold her in his arms and tell her how much she meant to him. When he closed his eyes, he imagined her face, grinning at him, challenging him. Her strong spirit had dazzled him from their first meeting.
Suddenly Chetwynd opened his eyes. Isabel had freed herself from a vicious band of kidnappers. Remembering her courage caused him to jump up from the bench. What would she do? She might even take on Lothar. Did Justin realize he had to watch her?
Placing his face at the opening in the door, he shouted, “Guard!” He called out over and over again, only giving up when his throat began to ache, and it was clear there was no one to hear his demand to see Justin.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
ISABEL RUSHED THROUGH THE BAILEY, THIS time ignoring the stalls in the marketplace, as well as the enticing calls from merchants hawking their wares. Focused on finding the church, she paid little attention to the people milling about on foot and horseback. To avoid being trampled by horses or getting lost in the crowd, she moved along the wall. She told herself she would circle the entire bailey, if necessary, until she came upon the famous church.
Although Isabel had told Marianna she thought she knew how to find the church, now she was turned around and nothing looked familiar. She continued on, avoiding the alleys that led away from the courtyard. She was sure the church would be in plain view. Frustrated that she didn’t immediately see it, she looked for someone to approach for directions. She was about to ask an old woman carrying two huge baskets filled with vegetables when she caught sight of the church Father Ivo had told her about.
Not taking time to admire the structure, Isabel rushed up the stone steps, pushed open the tall wooden door, and stepped into the vestibule. The quiet inside was calming, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Because she was early for vespers, there were few people around. Entering the main body of the church, she saw that it was an octagon with galleries set high above the nave and a raised area for the choir on the main level. Clearly the church was designed to hold a large number of people.
Sitting down on a bench, Isabel continued looking around her, forgetting everything else for a minute in her admiration of the arrangement. She could picture the galleries full of lords and ladies observing the services far below them, and she wondered if this was where the ministers had pledged fealty to King Louis after Charlemagne died.
Isabel wasn’t distracted for long from her main concern. Bowing her head, she said a long prayer for Chetwynd’s safety. When she was done, she raised her head and watched as people began to enter the church. Isabel had stayed at the back, hoping to catch sight of Jerome or Ingram. They finally appeared, and she could tell by the strained expressions on their faces that they had heard about Chetwynd. It took only a minute for Jerome to spot her in the crowd. Isabel watched him point out her location to Ingram.
Once seated beside her, Ingram whispered, “Marianna said you would meet us here, my lady. I’m relieved you located the church. I was worried you’d become lost in the crowd.”
“I had no problem, Ingram,” she said, exaggerating to put him at ease. “Do you have any news of Chetwynd?”
“Only what you already know. Justin sought us out. We were about to join you in Chetwynd’s quarters, when we saw Marianna. She told us you’d be here. I doubt your brother would approve of your venturing out alone, my lady.”
“I wanted Marianna to see what she could find out in the kitchen. Waiting alone in Chetwynd’s chambers would have driven me mad, Ingram.”
Although Ingram’s uneasy expression didn’t change, Isabel noticed that the silent Jerome was nodding in agreement, and she smiled a little. Ingram must have seen the exchange as he muttered a reminder to Jerome, “Our job is to keep Lady Isabel safe.”
The young squire appeared taken aback and didn’t reply.
“And just what do you intend to do, my lady?” Ingram asked.
“Except for seeking information in the great hall, I have no idea,” she admitted. “But maybe I’ll think of something.”
“This is a serious and dangerous matter. Trust Justin to do what is necessary. Please don’t do anything on your own.”
“I do trust Justin, Ingram. I just need to make sure Chetwynd is safe. Don’t worry about me.”
The two men looked at each other, and even Jerome seemed uneasy at her words. “I’ll be careful,” she said.
Evening worship began, and Isabel tried to concentrate on the service. But her thoughts were full of her husband. Picturing him in the dungeon had her clenching her fists. Since the service could not hold her attention, she looked around to distract herself. There was a group of nuns who had come in late and sat together on the other side of the church. Something about one of the nuns caught her eye. Isabel realized she was the same height as Gilda, and she even held her head the way Gilda did.
When the nun raised her head from prayer, Isabel pointed and whispered to Ingram. “It’s Gilda. What is she doing here?”
Ingram followed her eyes and was as surprised as she was. Worried about why Gilda would be in Aachen, Isabel could barely sit still through the rest of the service. As soon as it was over, she rushed around the back and waited for Gilda to pass by. When she did, Isabel grabbed her arm and pulled her from the line of nuns filing out of the church.
Taken aback for a minute, Gilda smiled when she recognized Isabel and embraced her. Isabel enjoyed the comfort for only a moment before pulling out of Gilda’s arms. “What are you doing here? Does it have something to do with Chetwynd being in the dungeon?”
The shock on Gilda’s face told Isabel that she hadn’t heard the news. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Gilda. I shouldn’t have blurted it out like that.” She looked about quickly. “I must talk with you.”
Gilda’s eyes were wide, but she had regained her composure. “We need a private place. Come with me, Isabel.”
Ingram and Jerome had caught up with Isabel, and she explained to them that she needed to talk to Gilda privately.
“We should stay with you,” Jerome insisted.
“I’m taking her to the nuns’ residence, Jerome. No men are allowed. Isabel will be safe there,” Gilda pointed out. “We’ll seek you out later in the great hall.”
Ingram insisted that they escort Gilda and Isabel to the residence. Once there, he looked at the many nuns coming and going and frowned at Jerome as though expecting him to come up with a solution.
“We’ll be safe here,” Gilda repeated.
“Don’t be long or I’ll send Jerome in there to fetch you,” Ingram warned, grinning slightly at Jerome’s startled expression.
Once the men were gone, Gilda led Isabel through the residence. They passed by a warren of small rooms, and then through a door into a walled garden on the other side. Gilda indicated they should sit on a bench and said, “Everyone is at early supper. We will be able to talk here without fear of being disturbed. Now tell me what happened.”
“All I know is what Justin told me, and I’m not sure he gave me the whole story. Chetwynd went off to see King Louis, and the next thing I knew he was imprisoned. Justin said that when he and Chetwynd entered the king’s chambers, they found Lothar instead of Louis. Lothar was in a foul temper.
“This is where Justin wasn’t too clear. Apparently because of some misunderstanding, Lothar detained Chetwynd. Justin tried his best to reassure me that he would be able to free Chetwynd, but the climate at court makes me fearful. If Lothar wished to question Chetwynd, why detain him in the dungeon?”
“When I saw you in the church, Gilda, I thought something terrible had happened to Chetwynd and that you, being his sister, had been sent for. Which doesn’t make any sense, since you couldn’t have gotten here so soon. I’m having trouble thinking straight right now. What are you doing here?”
“King Louis arrived at Saint Ives to escort Queen Judith back to Aachen. He was taking a day to rest and pray, but he sent a few of us ahead to make sure everything would be ready for the queen’s return. The queen requested that I go with the others.
“Since you can rarely take things the queen says or does at face value, it’s hard to tell why she wanted me to come to Aachen. I’m hoping she believed the story I told when I delivered Chetwynd’s note and thinks of me as a friend. She has given me a great deal of attention since that time. As you know, she was very close to Gerberga. I think she feels she can trust the nuns to help her.”
Isabel stared at her. “The queen could be using you, Gilda. I hope we haven’t put you in danger by involving you in our escape from Saint Ives.”
“I doubt I’m in physical danger. Of course the queen will use me if she can, as she does everyone. In any case, it has given me a chance to visit Aachen.”
Isabel was relieved to hear Gilda say that King Louis was returning to the palace. “Justin is convinced that King Louis will see that Chetwynd is released,” she said.
“Because of my connection to Queen Judith, perhaps I can be of some help to Justin, Isabel. I’ve never met him, but I’d like to. Chetwynd has spoken of him often.”
“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are here, Gilda. The news you bring is good, and your presence in Aachen is comforting. I hated saying goodbye to you in such a rushed manner at Saint Ives.”
“I suspect a lot has happened to you since you left the convent, Isabel. Would you like to tell me your impressions of Aquis while we walk around the garden? I’m curious as to whether you enjoyed your stay at Chetwynd’s manor.”
