PAST PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR
For Song of Isabel
“The setting and political intrigue are unusual and appealing . . . Readers looking for a change from Regency and Victorian romance may find this a worthwhile diversion.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Set against the backdrop of the Frankish Empire, Curtis, with her captivating storytelling, brings to life a world filled with heroic battles, distinctive characters and high-stakes tension that will keep readers turning the pages.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Set against the historical backdrop of France in 825, Curtis’ novel is a classic tale of high drama and romance . . . an easy-reading traditional love story with a romantic, nostalgic setting.”
—Booklist
“In this romance, a spirited young woman meets her match in a stalwart soldier during the turbulent times after the death of Charlemagne . . . An old-fashioned love story in an unusual historical milieu.”
—Kirkus Reviews
THE NUN’S BETROTHAL
Copyright © 2020 Ida Curtis
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, digital scanning, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please address She Writes Press.
Published 2020
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 978-1-63152-685-5
ISBN: 978-1-63152-686-2
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020900198
For information, address:
She Writes Press
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Interior design by Tabitha Lahr
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All company and/or product names may be trade names, logos, trademarks, and/or registered trademarks and are the property of their respective owners.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
At the beginning of the ninth century, the Frankish Empire included territory that is now France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and half of Italy. King Charles, or Charlemagne, as he became known, ruled this vast empire. He had been crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III, making him both king and emperor.
In 814 Charlemagne died, and his son Louis took his place. Unlike his father, Charlemagne, who encouraged his daughters to have children out of wedlock, Louis was committed to the Christian view of marriage. He became known as Louis the Pious, and by 827 his influence on marriage was felt throughout the empire.
Prologue
Aquis, 827
“Justin, what are you doing here?” Isabel’s exclamation caused Gilda to whip around to stare at the familiar figure.
“I had a long ride. I wanted to cool off in the pond,” Justin answered his sister as he stared back at her companion. He had seen Gilda without her nun’s habit only once, and he remembered the way the tops of her rounded breasts had been revealed by a low-cut bodice. But her golden hair had always been under a head covering. Now it hung over her shoulders and almost concealed the shape of her breasts under the shift that was still wet from her recent swim.
“We didn’t expect you until tomorrow,” Isabel said as she hurried to stand in front of him and block his view of her friend. She lowered her voice to whisper, “Stop staring at the poor woman!”
“Poor woman? She’s a nun and should know better than to cavort around in her shift.” He grinned at his sister, who was doing little to repair her own state of undress. “At least she seems to be more modest than you are.”
Because he didn’t bother to whisper his reply, Gilda heard every word. She pulled her plain brown gown over her shift and quickly wrapped her hair in a head covering. Justin had a talent for irritating her, and today he was doing an even better job than usual.
Once presentable, Gilda stood up to him as effectively as possible, considering the fact that the top of her head barely reached his shoulder. “Nuns have been known to enjoy a swim from time to time, Justin. A gallant lord would withdraw when he came upon such a scene.”
Ignoring the implication in her words, his eyes roamed over her dark clothing with distaste. “So, you’re still a nun. Taken your final vows yet, Sister Gilda?”
Without answering him, Gilda spoke to Isabel. “I’m going to go ahead and change my clothes. I’ll meet you in the great hall.”
Once Gilda was out of sight, Isabel turned on her brother. “Why are you always so rude to her? I suspect you care for Gilda more than you’re willing to admit.”
Justin shook his head back and forth. “You’re misguided, Isabel. Ever since Gilda and I met a year ago in Aachen, you’ve plotted to bring us together. This latest ploy of naming me godfather and her godmother for your firstborn is your most obvious attempt. You are wasting your time. Gilda and I are completely unsuited in every way, and we’re smart enough to know it.”
“Is that why you can’t take your eyes off her?”
He was disconcerted to realize she spoke the truth. “A man can feel a completely inappropriate attraction to a woman. Don’t read too much into it. And don’t forget your friend is a nun.”
“As you’ve guessed, she hasn’t taken her final vows,” Isabel replied, her eyes sparkling with humor. “I wonder why that’s the first thing you asked her?”
As Gilda hurried toward the manor, she thought about Justin’s question. She hadn’t taken her final vows, but she didn’t wish to give him the satisfaction of hearing her admit it. He had implied more than once that she wasn’t serious about her vocation.
Being a nun gave her a degree of freedom that other women only dreamed of. There was no husband or father to obey, no children to take care of, and no manor house to supervise. She had
