A chastened Philip motioned for them to sit down. Gilda could see that he was even younger than she had supposed. In spite of his unruly brown hair and freckled face, he was a handsome lad. She could understand how Mariel might prefer him to his older brother.
Justin began the interview. “Your brother has told us that you stood in for him at the marriage ceremony with Lady Mariel. At that time, did she give you any reason to believe that she thought she was marrying you?”
“No,” he answered quickly. Then, as though remembering the scene, he added, “Her father took care of everything. I didn’t speak with her until we exchanged vows on the porch of the chapel.”
“And after the ceremony?” Justin asked.
“It was a long journey, and we started back to Mainz that very day.”
Hoping to shock Philip into an admission, Justin decided to be blunt. “As you say, it was a long journey back to Mainz. Did you at any time share Lady Mariel’s bed?”
“No, of course not.” Although Philip spoke with conviction, his eyes shifted away. Whether because of embarrassment or guilt, Justin couldn’t be sure. “Nothing like that happened,” Philip added, looking back at Justin.
In the interview with Count Cedric, Gilda had let Justin ask the questions, but she didn’t hold back with the younger man. “A long journey is often an opportunity for people to become well acquainted. Did you and Lady Mariel talk much during the journey?”
Philip stared at her for a minute, then nodded.
Following Gilda’s lead, Justin asked, “Would you say you became friends?”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true. Mariel had never been away from home, and I felt sorry for her. She needed someone to talk to. She is very young, my lord.”
“Surely not any younger than most brides,” Justin replied.
Philip just shrugged.
“Why did you travel to the Convent at Saint Ives, Philip?” Justin asked.
Philip twisted in his chair as though seeking a more comfortable position. “I was worried about Lady Mariel. I wanted to see if she was all right and convince her to return to her husband.”
“Did Lady Mariel know you were at the convent?”
“Yes, she did,” he admitted. “I saw her when I first arrived, but we were unable to talk privately. We arranged to meet in the garden shed that night. It was her suggestion.”
Justin paused, remembering that night and how they had found Mariel. “And you say you went to the convent to persuade her to return to your brother?”
Philip nodded eagerly. “Cedric said Mariel told him she thought she was married to me. I didn’t believe him at first, but then I began to wonder if she could have gotten the wrong impression. I stood in for him at the ceremony, and we did talk a great deal on the journey. I went to the convent because I wanted to talk to her.”
“Your brother told you Lady Mariel thought she was married to you?” Justin asked.
“That’s what he told me. But I didn’t bed Mariel. You have to believe me,” he pleaded. “I can’t help what she thought.”
Gilda tried to calm the now-nervous young man. “It’s understandable that you would be concerned about the situation, Philip. You and Lady Mariel are friends.”
Eager to be understood, Philip appealed to Gilda. “That’s right, Sister. Mariel fled from Mainz because she was afraid. When she wasn’t in the shed, I thought she was afraid of me too. I came back to Mainz to try and find out why she was so scared. My brother said he never laid a hand on her, but I know she was frightened of him.”
“And did you find out why she was afraid of your brother?” Justin asked.
Philip shook his head no, but before he could say more, he was interrupted by a loud noise that startled them all. Bishop Gunthar, carrying a large walking stick that pounded the floor with each step he took, entered the chamber. Gilda couldn’t help but wonder if he had overheard what had been said and was making a timely entrance to cut Philip off.
“Count Cedric told me you’d be meeting with Philip. I thought I’d come along to lend a hand, Lord Justin.”
Gunthar nodded toward Gilda. They had met briefly after morning worship when he welcomed the two nuns from Saint Ives to Mainz. As he thumped into the room, Gilda couldn’t help but remember that Freda had called him a toad. He had almost no neck, and his small head sat upon his large, short body.
Philip’s expression made it clear he resented the intrusion, but the young man was silent. Justin sensed he would be reluctant to say more in front of the bishop. “Actually, we’ve finished talking with Philip, your grace. But perhaps we could have a few words with you.”
Philip smiled at this, clearly eager to listen while someone else was questioned. Justin hated to disappoint him, but he knew he’d learn more from the bishop if Philip wasn’t present. “We’ll talk more later, Philip,” Justin promised, making his dismissal clear.
The young man reluctantly took his leave as the bishop settled his bulk into a large chair. “What did Philip have to say?” he inquired.
“He’s concerned about Lady Mariel,” Justin answered. “You must know that he stood in for his brother at the marriage ceremony. Did you suggest the substitution to Count Cedric?”
“As I recall, there was a problem. Cedric was unable to travel to Bordeaux, and Lady Mariel’s father was eager for the marriage to take place right after the Spring Assembly. I realize the practice is no longer in use, but I’m not aware it’s against any papal edict.”
Gilda watched Justin, wondering if he would press the issue. Instead he changed the subject. “After Lady Mariel arrived in Mainz, did she speak to you about her marriage?”
“No, she did not. That was one reason I
