Again, he moved forward. Gilda stretched out her arm, but he didn’t stop until his chest rested against her palm. “Believe me, Gilda, it’s just as amazing for me. I’ve never felt like this before.”
She could see by his expression that he meant what he said. “Give me some time, Justin. We have other things to think about right now. I fear that our feelings will interfere with what we need to do, and I don’t wish to fail or cause you to fail. We have to be careful. Philip is on his way.”
“I know,” he said, backing up. “You’re right. It’s not the time. But we will return to this conversation,” he promised.
Justin closed his eyes and tried to refocus his attention. “Do you think Philip was Mariel’s lover?”
Justin’s eyes opened, and they stared at each other for a minute. The topic of their investigation made it difficult to forget their own attraction. But they both knew they had to try.
“It seems a strong possibility,” Gilda answered. “I’m sorry now I didn’t spend more time speaking with Mariel.”
“You said she was very upset. Besides, we had no way of knowing that there was anyone else involved. We’ll have to return to the convent to speak to her before we go on to Reims and report to the archbishop. If she and Philip were lovers, it makes things complicated.”
There was a loud knock on the door. When Justin pulled it open, expecting to find Philip, he was disappointed to find a messenger.
“Count Cedric wishes to speak with you, my lord.”
“We just came from speaking with him,” Justin protested, thinking the messenger was confused.
“I know, my lord. But something has happened, and he wishes you to return at once.”
Puzzled, Justin and Gilda again hurried to the count’s chamber. Bishop Gunthar and the count were in excited conversation when they arrived. Both men grew silent for a minute at their arrival, then the count spoke. “Philip has fled Mainz. The porter says he departed with his personal servant.”
“What makes you think Philip fled? Couldn’t he have just gone on an errand?” Justin asked.
Cedric shook his head. “When questioned about his destination, Philip refused to answer.”
“Why did you have him questioned about his destination? Surely he is free to travel where he pleases,” Justin said.
“I became suspicious when I discovered Philip followed Mariel to the convent. I decided to have him watched. I believe my brother betrayed me with Mariel.”
Although Cedric appeared agitated, Justin noticed that the bishop had a satisfied smirk on his face. If what Cedric said was true, it would suit their purposes. For that reason, Justin was suspicious. “What makes you think that, my lord?” Justin asked the count, but he was already sure he knew what the two were thinking.
“It seems clear enough,” the bishop intoned. “Philip took advantage of Lady Mariel, and rather than face questioning, he has run away. The lady was afraid of the consequences of their betrayal, which is why she took refuge at the convent.”
Although Justin and Gilda had discussed a similar scenario, Justin wasn’t willing to allow the possibility without more proof. “I think you might be reading too much into the fact that Philip has departed Mainz without telling you where he is headed, my lord.”
Cedric ignored his suggestion. “His flight explains so much. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. Mariel insisted she was married to Philip, remember that.” Cedric groaned as though in pain. “Without my knowledge, Philip went to the convent to see Lady Mariel. When he realized you recognized him, he claimed to be traveling on my behalf. We think he was seeking to be with Lady Mariel for his own reasons. No wonder she was so afraid to return to Mainz. They betrayed me.”
Gilda bit her lip to keep from speaking. She suspected his anguish was affected for their benefit. Cedric wanted nothing to do with the woman he married, and now he pretended to be distraught because she had betrayed him. If what he claimed was true, he had only himself to blame for sending Philip to stand in for him at his marriage. Fortunately, she heard Justin speaking words that voiced her own feelings.
“This matter needs to be investigated, my lord. Although it may look bad for Philip, I don’t think you should be so quick to accuse your brother. It was you who sent him in your stead for the marriage. Philip may have done nothing more than form a friendship with Lady Mariel.”
The bishop was the one to answer. “The facts speak for themselves, Lord Justin. Philip fled because he is guilty of betraying his brother. I believe the count should report the situation to the archbishop and end this investigation.”
Justin addressed the count. “I strongly disagree, my lord. Philip has only been gone a short time. You shouldn’t leap to the conclusion that he has fled. All you have to go on is your own interpretation of the facts. Sister Gilda and I will return to the Convent at Saint Ives to speak with Lady Mariel. If we find evidence to support your conclusions, we will report the situation to the archbishop.”
The count looked doubtful and glanced toward the bishop, who still appeared determined. “We think there is enough evidence to go to the archbishop now, Lord Justin,” Cedric said, although he didn’t sound as sure of himself as he had earlier.
“You could do that, Cedric. But consider this. The archbishop is expecting us to determine the merits of your request for an annulment. If we report in your favor, the case will be much stronger. If you go on your own, your report of a betrayal by your brother might be considered biased. As you know, the king is determined that marriages be for life and that the church fathers only grant annulments for specific reasons. You are going to need a
