“Yes, I can imagine what she’d have to say. I just wish the bishop and Cedric weren’t so greedy. They can be dangerous if thwarted.”
“I’ll keep my eyes open, Justin. Rest assured about that. Is the good sister going to marry you?”
“I hope so,” Justin replied, then examined the handsome soldier at his side. Leonardo had been his companion on many journeys. Women found him appealing, and he never seemed to lack for invitations to warm their beds. “Have you ever thought of marrying, Leonardo?”
“Good heavens, no,” he said with a laugh. Then after a minute, he added, “But then I never met anyone like Sister Gilda.”
Justin nodded. “I’m sure there is not another woman like Gilda.”
While Justin was worrying about her safety, Gilda was questioning Freda, hoping to obtain some ideas for how to approach Lord Metcalf. “Did you ever meet Emma’s father during the years you were at court?”
“No, but he was a friend of the man I loved, so I heard a great deal about him. Apparently, he was skilled with a sword and known for putting the fear of God into the enemy. He won respect on the battlefield defending the empire against the Saracens.”
“Do you remember any personal information?”
“He was a handsome man before he was injured. The rumor was that women at court often sought his favor, but they had no luck. I understand he was faithful to his wife.”
“Now that might be a useful bit of information.”
“Yes, I suppose a man who is faithful to his wife might wish the best for his daughter. But if that’s the case, why would Metcalf have sought to match her with Count Cedric?”
Gilda remembered what her brother had to say on the matter. “After Chetwynd visited him, he reported that Metcalf, although eager to talk of his days as a warrior, tired easily. Chetwynd judged him to be unwell. Perhaps the bishop, or the count himself, approached him to suggest the match, although they claim it was the other way around.”
“I take it you are planning to seek out Metcalf. If you wish, I could accompany you. He might respond to someone nearer his own age. He might remember the soldier I loved.”
A worried expression on his face, Justin was peering back at them, and Gilda smiled at him. “I’ll keep that in mind, Freda. Justin is wary of my hope to help Philip. He insists I do nothing without him, and I gave him my promise. But I think he’ll be interested in what you say and your offer.”
They rode in silence for a while, and it was clear from the relaxed expression on Justin’s face that he was happier when Gilda and Freda weren’t talking. Gilda wondered if he feared they were planning a scheme of which he wouldn’t approve.
It was difficult for Gilda to be silent for long. “I didn’t ask how your discussion with Mariel went, Freda. All I know is that you were successful.”
“The poor girl was surprised then embarrassed by the information she lacked. I think the reason she held so fiercely to her belief that she was married to Philip was that they had lain together. As far as she was concerned, that is what married people did. As we talked, her embarrassment was replaced by anger at her family for not preparing her for marriage.”
“I think that’s appropriate,” Gilda remarked.
As they were about to enter Mainz, Philip, without a word to anyone, headed off to Metcalf’s manor. Justin considered sending Leonardo after him, but he decided to let Philip have some time with Emma to explain the situation.
Gilda moved to ride beside Justin, and Leonardo dropped back to join Freda. “You know that Philip has left us,” she said.
“Yes. Hopefully he’ll be careful.”
“We can’t wait too long to visit Metcalf, Justin. Philip is going to be trying to persuade Emma to run away with him.”
Justin’s frown was back. “And how would you know that? Did he speak to you about it?”
“No, but as you’ve said yourself many times, Philip is impulsive and reckless.”
Justin nodded. “Lady Emma is the more mature of the two. I don’t imagine she’ll be eager to make him a hunted man by running away with him. But before we can consider how to approach Metcalf, we have to meet with Count Cedric and Bishop Gunthar. Even though we are bringing them good news, I’m not looking forward to it.”
Upon their arrival, Lord Justin and Sister Gilda were shown to the same quarters they had occupied on their last visit to Mainz. This time the count was eager to meet them, and they just had time to settle their belongings before they were summoned into his presence.
Bishop Gunthar and Cedric stood as soon as they entered the room. Greetings were dispensed with quickly, and then the count said, “What news do you have for us?”
Justin was just as eager to deal with their business. “In talking to Lady Mariel, she made it clear that your marriage was not consummated. In addition, she does not wish to remain in the marriage any more than you do. In fact, she would like to stay at the convent, where she can further her education. There should be no problem with annulling the marriage.”
There were broad smiles on the faces of both Gunthar and the count. “And what about Philip? Was he intimate with Lady Mariel?” Cedric asked.
“No, he was not,” Justin said.
Gilda held her breath, wondering if the two powerful men would accept Justin’s word.
“But Lady Mariel claimed she was married to him,” the bishop said. “That’s what she told everyone.”
“Mariel’s father did not bother to explain the surrogate situation to Lady Mariel.” Justin addressed the bishop. “That’s why having stand-ins for marriage is discouraged.” He could have said that Gunthar had made a mistake in recommending it, but he could see by the shifty expression in the bishop’s eyes that he understood what Justin was implying.
“So,
