Lady Winifred’s room was richly furnished with colorful tapestries and cushioned benches that showed to best advantage in candlelight. But the comfortable room did nothing to ease the tension evident in its visitors. Lady Winifred flashed them a satisfied smile as she handed them each a goblet of wine.
Chetwynd drank deeply as though he needed fortifying, and Isabel was tempted to follow suit. Instead, she stared at her wine and took a sip, reminding herself that no one was forcing Chetwynd to take her to Aachen.
“Since you are both here, I assume you have decided to go ahead with the plan I suggested,” Lady Winifred said.
Isabel just nodded, but Chetwynd spoke up. “Yes, Lady Winifred, the arrangement you suggested suits us.”
“Excellent. I thought it might.”
Isabel cringed at Lady Winifred’s smug reply. She noted that Chetwynd used the word arrangement, not marriage.
Paying no attention to Lady Winifred’s self-congratulatory tone, Chetwynd continued. “I seek your advice on whether I should approach Lord Theodoric tonight, or wait until morning. My troop is scheduled to stay but two days at Narbonne. There is not much time to arrange matters.”
Lady Winifred smiled, clearly pleased that Chetwynd had the good sense to ask her advice. “I think it’s best you wait until morning to speak to Lord Theodoric. You can approach him directly after Mass. I feel confident he will approve the match, and once that is done, there will be ample time to arrange matters. My son will want to settle upon Isabel’s dowry first thing. Then arrangements for the exchange of wedding vows can be made quickly.”
Startled at the mention of a dowry, Chetwynd looked from one woman to the other. “I hadn’t thought about a dowry. Considering the type of arrangement we have agreed to, there is no need for one. I received a benefice from King Louis, and it provides me with a generous living. A comfortable estate located near Aachen, it earns enough to support my army and meet all my personal needs. Lady Isabel is welcome to stay there as long as she wishes. There is no need for a dowry, Lady Winifred.”
Chetwynd’s words surprised Isabel, and she realized she knew little of the brooding man she was about to marry. The fact that he was reluctant to accept a dowry for a sham marriage showed that he had integrity. A promising discovery, she thought.
But Lady Winifred seemed unimpressed. “I’m afraid you don’t understand the situation, Lord Chetwynd. My son is a proud man. He might be suspicious if you did not accept a dowry. This is to be a marriage between two noble families, and a dowry is expected. My son would not approve a marriage that did not reflect well upon our family. There is no need to confide the nature of the marriage until it is certain you wish to have it annulled,” she advised.
Chetwynd’s silence must have made Lady Winifred suspect he was having second thoughts, because she quickly added, “You can return the dowry to Justin if that will make you feel more comfortable.”
Isabel knew how Lady Winifred hoped this affair would turn out, and it was not with an annulment. Perhaps Chetwynd was also aware of her grandmother’s expectations. Before Isabel could think of a way to give Chetwynd a chance to withdraw gracefully if he wished, her grandmother spoke again.
“I have seen many marriages that began with a lot less chance of success than this one. Most of them lasted a lifetime. It may work to both your advantage to stay together, and I will not deny I’m hoping for that outcome. In any case, you will find out in the coming months whether matrimony suits you. It will be entirely up to you when and if the marriage is annulled. No one can force you to remain wed.”
Both Isabel and Lady Winifred watched for a sign from Chetwynd. When he nodded, Lady Winifred continued, “After you receive Lord Theodoric’s approval, I will speak to the parish priest. Father Ivo can perform the marriage ceremony tomorrow evening, and you can be off on your journey the next day.”
It seemed everything was settled. Lady Winifred stood up to indicate the meeting was concluded. “I’m sure you are eager to be off to your bed, Lord Chetwynd. You must be tired after your long journey. I wish some private words with my granddaughter.”
Without another word, a solemn Lord Chetwynd moved from one to the other in a formal manner, taking each of their hands in turn and bowing his head. When the door closed behind him, Isabel gave a long sigh and sank back onto her seat.
“What have I agreed to?” she said with a moan.
Lady Winifred’s eyes narrowed and her voice was hard. “You’ve already sabotaged too many chances to wed, Isabel. Do not dare throw this one away after all I’ve done to promote it. If this marriage doesn’t come off, I swear I’ll support your father and you’ll be off to a nunnery before you can blink an eye.”
Stiffening her spine, Isabel met her grandmother’s stubborn expression with one of her own. “I understand what you’re saying, Gran-mere. But don’t forget, as far as Lord Chetwynd is concerned, this is a short-term arrangement.”
“Don’t be a goose, Isabel. You’re an attractive woman, and attractive women have no trouble tempting men into bed. You can persuade Lord Chetwynd to forget his reservations about the match. It shouldn’t be a hardship for you, as he is an attractive man. Once you become heavy with his child, he will want to stay married for the sake of an heir.”
Isabel stood up to give her words more authority. “I have no intention of trapping Lord Chetwynd. We will be living together as brother and sister.
