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?”
Isabel did not realize that tears were rolling down her cheeks until Gilda wordlessly wiped them away with the sleeve of her robe. It was a few minutes before Isabel could continue.
“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
