“I thank you for being more open with us, my lord,” Justin said, although the words did not come easily for him. They did believe Cedric had kept away from Mariel, so he should not mind saying it, but he did. “Sister Gilda and I . . .”
To Justin’s surprise, Gilda finished his sentence for him. “Will consider all the facts when we speak to the archbishop.”
From the way the count whipped his head around to glare at Gilda, Justin knew he resented her speaking out. Up to that moment, Gilda had been careful to let Justin conduct the interview.
Cedric narrowed his eyes. “You should also consider your own position, Sister Gilda. I wonder if the king knows he appointed a betrothed nun to be his emissary in this matter.”
Furious, Justin was about to respond when Gilda spoke up for herself.
“It’s not I who seeks to dissolve a marriage, Count Cedric. King Louis believes that marriage vows are sacred, as you well know. They are not to be put aside when a better offer appears. Since you referred to my position, let me say that when I marry, it will be for life.”
Gilda stood tall in spite of her small stature. Justin wasn’t sure whether he wanted to throttle her or hug her to him. For the moment the count was too stunned to respond, and Justin took advantage of his astonishment to try to remove the stinger from Gilda’s words.
“Sister Gilda makes a valid point, my lord. I suggest you do your best to persuade her that your marriage was a mistake, not only for you, but for Mariel as well. She will make an excellent advocate if she feels it’s in the best interest of both parties that an annulment be granted.”
Cedric settled back into his chair and looked toward the ceiling. He was clearly making an effort to compose himself. Grasping on to the argument that Justin had given him, he said, “I’m sure Lady Mariel desires this annulment as much as I do, Sister Gilda. Perhaps more. She fled our marriage. You should bear that in mind.”
“I will remember that, my lord.” Gilda felt the fluttering in her stomach settle. She had felt compelled to speak up, but it wasn’t easy for her to do so. Fortunately, Justin had come to her aid with his comment about Mariel. Each day her respect for his skill increased.
“We wish to speak to Philip once more,” Justin said, eager to end the discussion while he had the count placated.
“I will send my brother to your chambers directly,” Cedric answered. The count stood up and walked them to the door. “I hope you will remember I’m not the only one who wishes an end to this ill-fated marriage.” He directed his comment toward Gilda.
Neither Gilda nor Justin spoke until they reached their chambers and Justin had closed the door behind them. He checked the apartment quickly to make sure they were alone. “What possessed you to stand up to the count, Gilda? You surprised me, but I was impressed.”
Gilda laughed at his words. “I was afraid you’d be angry. His answers annoyed me, and I couldn’t let you give him assurances for my sake.”
“I was more stunned than angry. I didn’t want to put his mind at ease any more than you did.”
“You saved the situation, Justin. Pointing out that he would do well to get me on his side was excellent strategy.”
“Did you mean it when you said, ‘when I marry, it will be for life’?”
“Of course I meant it. But then I’ll not marry unless I’m sure the decision I’m making is the right one for me, and for the one I wed.”
He smiled at her and moved closer. “And on what do you plan to base your decision?” He spoke in a sensual whisper as he drew her into his arms. “Have you thought about that?”
Gilda allowed herself the pleasure of leaning against his chest and listening to his heartbeat. It was amazing to her how quickly she had developed a need for his touch. She didn’t think it would be appropriate to admit that if she married it would be to someone who made her tremble with pleasure the way he did.
“Why didn’t you marry Lady Lilith, Justin?” she whispered. She didn’t even realize she was going to ask the question that had been in her mind until the words escaped her lips.
When Justin held her away from him so that he could stare into her face, Gilda almost groaned at the chill she felt at the separation. At least he kept his hands on her shoulders, and heat radiated from them.
“Why are you asking me that question now?”
“We’re talking about marriage. Your name was linked to hers, and I wondered why you didn’t marry her.”
“Our attachment was convenient for both of us. We enjoyed each other’s company, but neither of us was interested in marriage, Gilda. At least not to each other.”
His words reminded Gilda of her own lack of experience, and she felt jealous of their connection. “It was convenient, you say. Do you mean because she was a widow and you could join her in her bed?”
His hands tightened on her shoulders, and it was all she could do not to grimace. “What I shared with Lilith has nothing to do with us.” He loosened his grip then, as though realizing he was hurting her, and she pulled away from him.
“Don’t do this, Gilda.”
“We have to be careful. Philip should be arriving soon.”
“That’s not why you’re putting up barriers between us. Why are you asking about Lady Lilith?”
She strode away from him, then turned and glared at him from the other side of the room. “I’m experiencing some disturbing sensations that I don’t understand, Justin. Every time I’m near you I want to press closer. No, stay on that side of the room.” He stopped his forward movement and she continued. “You’ve felt all these things before, but
