“I’m not surprised, Ingram. Not long ago, I, too, believed she’d be safer away from me, as I’m sure you remember. But I have no intention of being separated from Isabel.”
Both men nodded their approval, then Jerome added, “Lord Justin’s very angry, my lord.”
“And what about you, Jerome? Have you forgiven me for leaving you behind at Saint Ives?”
“You made the journey safely. If anything had happened to Lady Isabel, I would not have forgiven you, my lord.”
The usually cheerful Jerome had spoken solemnly, making it clear how strongly he felt. Ingram frowned at the young squire’s boldness, but Chetwynd’s reply made it clear he didn’t resent Jerome’s concern. “Nor would I have forgiven myself. I appreciate your regard for Isabel’s safety, Jerome.”
A look of disapproval still on his face, Ingram shook his head at the exchange, but Chetwynd knew the kidnapping had formed a special bond between Isabel and the young lad who had served him for so long. He watched as his wife came to embrace his squire, and before Jerome could duck his head, Chetwynd saw that his cheeks had turned a bright shade of red.
After Isabel greeted Ingram with a similar embrace, she asked, “Where is Marianna?”
“She stayed in Aachen to prepare Chetwynd’s chamber for you, my lady. Actually we had to talk her into it, but she was tired and finally gave in. She grumbled that Lord Chetwynd’s rooms needed a great deal of cleaning to prepare for your arrival.”
Imagining Marianna hard at work setting Chetwynd’s quarters to rights, Isabel grinned. “What happened after we left the convent, Ingram? Was the queen angry?”
“Not so you would notice, my lady. Gilda reported that she read Chetwynd’s letter with some surprise, but her control was in place and she seemed to accept his explanation. The only sign Gilda could see of the queen’s true feelings was that as she held the letter down at her side, she crushed it in her hand. But her regal smile was in place, and she put forward no objection to our leaving to follow Chetwynd.”
Relieved to hear things had gone well, Isabel looked over to her brother. Justin had held back, speaking with his men. Ever the diplomat, he was allowing Isabel a few minutes to speak with Jerome and Ingram. When he finally approached, Justin’s eyes were narrow and his face cold.
“I can’t believe you would do this, Chetwynd. How could you betray our friendship in this manner?”
“Justin!” Isabel exclaimed. She knew her brother was angry, but his harsh tone and blunt speech still came as a surprise.
“It’s all right, Isabel.” Chetwynd took her arm. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Justin. And to tell you the truth, I understand your feelings. But come in and give me a chance to explain.”
“I can’t imagine what you can say to excuse your behavior,” Justin answered.
Isabel took her brother’s arm and urged him into the dining hall. Gertrude had already set out some food and drink. Ingram followed behind Chetwynd as though to give him support, but Jerome was clearly eager to avoid the confrontation. “I’ll help the men with their horses and bring them some ale,” he offered.
Once seated at the table, Justin took a long drink to wash the travel dust from his throat. Chetwynd hoped Gertrude had prepared the ale at its full strength. He’d need all the help he could get to overcome Justin’s antagonism. Although Justin seldom became angry, when he did it was because he felt justified, and his anger was not easy to dispel.
Before Justin could speak, Chetwynd decided to begin with a positive suggestion. “When you asked me to stop at Narbonne and see if Isabel was happy, you said that she never married. I hoped that your request meant that you foresaw the possibility that we might make a match.”
With a vigorous shake of his head, Justin responded quickly, “Don’t be ridiculous, Chetwynd. Why would I wish a man who was foolish enough to become involved with . . .” He stopped abruptly and turned toward his sister. “Isabel, perhaps you should let me speak to Chetwynd alone.”
Isabel noted that even angry, Justin retained his diplomatic sensibilities. “I know about Queen Judith, Justin. I’m not going anywhere. Please give Lord Chetwynd a chance to explain. He’s my husband, and I expect you to treat him with the respect he deserves.”
Both Chetwynd and Justin were staring at her. While Chetwynd wasn’t surprised by her strong words, he had never heard anyone speak to Justin in such a scolding manner. Justin grimaced and nodded at Isabel. Chetwynd guessed that brother and sister were used to speaking frankly with one another.
“Give me your explanation, Chetwynd,” Justin demanded, only slightly more politely.
“At Narbonne, it was your grandmother who first suggested Isabel and I marry, Justin.”
“Of course she would. She’s been trying to marry Isabel off for years. That’s no reason to take her suggestion,” Justin pointed out.
“Lady Winifred led us to believe your father wouldn’t allow Isabel to travel with a company of soldiers unless we were married. She pointed out that Lord Theodoric was determined that Isabel enter a convent.”
“My grandmother has her own reasons for wishing Isabel married. Did you try to persuade my father otherwise?” Justin asked.
Chetwynd ignored Justin’s sarcastic tone and the question he didn’t want to answer. “Traveling as a married couple seemed to solve several of our problems. We proposed to live together as brother and sister, with the intention that the marriage could be annulled later. Both Lady Winifred and Lord Theodoric approved the match.”
“No big surprise there,” Justin said.
“During our journey together, we became better acquainted. I
