Chetwynd had meant to tell her they were delaying their journey, but when Isabel awoke and pleaded with him to join her in bed, he had forgotten everything else.
“We are staying here for a day to make sure you’re rested.” His voice was a little hoarse, and he cleared his throat. “I meant to tell you earlier.”
“I don’t need to rest, my lord. I’m ready to travel. I know how eager everyone is to reach their homes.”
Chetwynd watched her drop the blanket and start to rise. He cursed under his breath as he observed her rosy nipples and rounded breasts through the thin shift.
“We’re not leaving today, so get back under the covers, Isabel,” he ordered.
His terse command was enough to send her scurrying under the blanket, and he almost smiled at the sight. Thankful that she was covered, he changed his tone. “We’re near to Aachen, and I’m sending my men on ahead. You aren’t delaying anyone. After I complete an errand, I’ll come back.”
Isabel frowned. “You didn’t have to shout.”
Had he shouted? he wondered. No doubt he had. “No, I didn’t have to shout. I’m sorry. I have a surprise for you. I’ll send Marianna to help you get ready. You look much improved after your rest, and we’re going for a short ride.”
Isabel perked up immediately at his words. When she flashed him a smile, Chetwynd quickly left the room. Isabel wondered at his great hurry and puzzled over what his surprise could be.
Marianna arrived with fresh baked bread to tempt Isabel out of bed, only to find her mistress already searching through her clothes.
“I thought you’d want to stay in bed and rest today, my lady. I understand we aren’t continuing our journey until tomorrow.”
“Chetwynd is taking me for a ride, Marianna. I need to be ready when he returns for me.”
“You do look much improved, but I wonder if going for a ride is wise. I understood we were delaying a day so that you can regain your strength.”
“Don’t worry yourself, Marianna. I suspect wherever Lord Chetwynd is taking me is not far. I want to wear something nice today.” She looked at herself in the glass and made a face. “Look how my bruise has turned black and yellow. Do we have any powder we can use to cover it?”
“I think I can find some, although I doubt anything will cover it completely. You are in good spirits, my lady. Did something happen last night?”
“Yes, I got a good rest. Now help me prepare for our ride.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. You heard what Sister Gilda said. A marriage is difficult to annul if it’s been consummated, my lady. She is an expert on these matters.”
“Marianna, I told my grandmother and I’m telling you, I don’t plan to trap Chetwynd.”
“Of course not. But things change. I suspect your husband may be more than ready to try and trap you.”
Isabel shook her head. “Nothing happened between us last night.” At least nothing that you could consider consummating a marriage, she thought. “Please don’t say another word about it, Marianna.”
Though Isabel protested, she couldn’t blame Marianna for her curiosity. But that didn’t mean she wanted to confide the fact that she invited Chetwynd into her bed and made it all too clear that she wanted him to make love to her. In the future, she would have to be more careful not to forget herself. She must wait for Chetwynd to indicate he wished to be her husband.
Marianna’s disappointed expression caused Isabel to soften her tone. “I know you have my best interests at heart, Marianna. If anything’s going to come of our marriage, it’s important that it happens because we both want it that way. Now please help me dress for our ride.”
WHILE MARIANNA WAS HELPING ISABEL, CHETWYND went in search of Ingram. He found him in the dining hall.
“Is Lady Isabel well this morning?” Ingram asked.
“She is surprisingly fit. But her face has blossomed into color. I wish I could get my hands on the man who did that to her.”
“When you finish with him, I’ll take a turn.”
The thought sobered the two men, and they ate in silence for a while. Other late risers came in search of food, but after seeing the expression on Chetwynd’s face, they sat apart, giving the two men privacy.
“At least one of the outlaws knew you, Chetwynd. Have you thought about who might want to act against you?”
“Constantly. I’ve made enemies, as you well know. The name that springs to mind is Lothar. He is probably my most powerful enemy.”
Ingram nodded. “The king’s oldest son is bad-tempered, and he is furious with Queen Judith. He made it clear at the Spring Assembly that he objected to the support you gave the queen in her efforts to gain territory for Charles,” Ingram said.
“I still believe the queen is within her rights to seek an inheritance for her young son,” Chetwynd replied.
“I’m not saying you are wrong to support her, but you have to expect opposition from King Louis’s grown sons.”
“Charles is their half-brother. They should be willing to see he receives a share of the empire,” Chetwynd argued.
Ingram shrugged. “There are other parties who might wish to keep you from using your influence to help the queen, Chetwynd.”
“I suppose you mean the church fathers.”
“Yes. The bishops had a hand in dividing the empire between Lothar, Pepin, and Louis the Younger. They worked for many years to negotiate a plan for orderly succession, hoping to keep the empire Christian and powerful. They have a strong motive for keeping the division as it is.”
“I considered that. But although I have made enemies among religious leaders, I can’t
