“Be careful, Sister Gilda. Count Cedric is a powerful man, and you will be thwarting his plans if you succeed in your mission. I will pray for you.”
After leaving the abbess, Gilda walked to the garden where she had been turning soil the day that Lord Justin had arrived at the convent. That day seemed so long ago. Other nuns had finished the hoeing, and the planting was well under way.
Yesterday’s return to the convent had been a happy occasion, but already she was planning to leave. This had been her home, the place that nourished her as she was growing up. Was it time she made her life somewhere else? Lord Justin had said she could teach her own children. Would being his wife, bearing his children, fulfill her as being a nun had done?
Deep in thought, Gilda didn’t hear Justin approach until he was standing at her elbow. She looked up at his dear face, saw the worry lines marking his forehead, and couldn’t help but smile.
Impatient at having to search her out, Justin said, “Tell me what the abbess said, Gilda.”
“Sister Freda and I are going with you to Mainz.”
Justin closed his eyes for a minute, but his frown did not disappear. “I thought Abbess Ermguerrd would talk you out of accompanying me.”
“No, she didn’t do that, although she had a number of questions about my reasons for returning with you. I know I have to make up my mind about whether I wish to remain a nun or become your wife. I desire both.”
“That’s impossible, and you know it,” he said.
“Give me a little more time. Can you do that?”
Justin sighed. “Yes, I can do that. But I’ve been thinking while I was waiting for you, Gilda. I talked you into coming with me by pointing out that Philip will be in danger. But you are not going to be satisfied with keeping him safe. Now I’m afraid you will put yourself in harm’s way. I hate to admit it, but it may be best that you stay here. I will come back when things are settled and perhaps you will have made up your mind.”
Unable to speak for a minute, Gilda stared at Justin. When she regained her voice, she said, “You can’t mean what you say.”
“You expect too much, Gilda. We might be able to help Philip, but I can’t believe we can persuade Lord Metcalf to allow Lady Emma to marry him. I know that’s what you intend. I don’t wish to take the chance that you’ll make enemies of Count Cedric and Bishop Gunthar. It’s too dangerous.”
Gilda sank down to sit on a stone wall, and when Justin sat beside her, she refused to look at him. Watching one of the sisters planting seeds, she said, “I could tell you I won’t try to persuade Lord Metcalf to change his mind, but it would be a lie. This is important to me, Justin, and important to our future. I want you to give me a chance to help Philip and Emma. I want you to trust that I can make a difference.”
When he remained silent, Gilda turned toward him. “You said my instincts are good. I think we can do this.”
“I don’t know, Gilda. I can’t bear the thought of something happening to you. You might be the one to end up in the dungeon.”
“I’ve been in dangerous situations before. There have been several times I’ve come between an abusive husband and his wife. I know how to take care of myself.”
She waited for him to think through what she had said. As she was about to continue, he said, “We’d have to work together, Gilda. You’ll have to agree not to try anything on your own. And if I believe we have to retreat, you have to trust me.”
“I agree. We’ll work together, and I’ll trust you, Justin.”
He was no longer frowning. “All right,” he said. “But you must remember your promise.”
Covering her action with her habit, Gilda took his hand. “I’d cover you with kisses, but there are too many people around.”
Justin finally smiled. “Keep that thought for later,” he said.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The weather was favorable, and the return journey to Mainz was accomplished without incident. Most of the time the travelers were absorbed in anticipation of their arrival at Mainz and speculating on how events would unfold once Gilda and Justin had reported to Count Cedric. Justin had cautioned Gilda about giving Philip false hope, so she had not spoken to Philip about her plans to approach Lord Metcalf.
Although Philip was at first happy that he had been cleared of any misdeed involving Lady Mariel, he soon realized that his brother was sure to receive the annulment he wished. Since he knew that meant the count would seek to marry Emma, his spirits plummeted. Philip rode at the end of the small caravan, as though delaying as long as possible his arrival at Mainz.
As they neared their destination, Justin, still uneasy about allowing Gilda to come along, spent time with Leonardo, alerting him of the possibility of danger. “If for any reason I become separated from Sister Gilda, I want you to keep an eye on her. She promised to stay with me, but she is determined to help Philip, and I fear she might be planning to approach Lord Metcalf on his behalf.”
Leonardo looked back at where Gilda was in conversation with Sister Freda. “Perhaps you should have left her at the convent, Justin.”
“Believe me, I tried,” he answered, but he knew his try had been half-hearted.
Leonardo’s mouth twisted into a grin that caused Justin to frown. “What?” he asked the young soldier.
“My wager is on Sister Gilda finding a way to help Philip. You and she make a formidable pair, and don’t discount the strength of Sister Freda. She kept me entertained during the time we spent traveling together. You should hear
