The matter was decided, and Gilda, Freda, and Philip headed for the secluded cottage. As they approached their destination, it occurred to Gilda that it might no longer be a safe hiding place. But all was dark, as it had been the night they had spent there. Inside, Philip hurriedly lit a fire for Freda and Gilda.
“I’ll bring Justin back to you, Gilda,” he vowed as he left the cottage.
Gilda stared at the closed door. “He had better keep that promise,” she muttered.
“Let’s try and get some rest,” Freda said. “It’s been a long day, and we’ll need our strength for tomorrow’s meeting with Lord Metcalf.”
Gilda nodded, sure it would be impossible for her but hoping Freda would be able to sleep.
“What if something happens to Justin?” she couldn’t help asking after they were settled on the floor in front of the fire. “I’ll never forgive myself, Freda. I’m the one who first persuaded him to help Philip.”
“Lord Justin is one of King Louis’s most favored ministers, Gilda. Cedric may be dangerous, but I doubt even he would do anything to harm Lord Justin.”
“I hope you’re right. Justin thinks we are safe until he makes his report to the archbishop.”
“I’m sure he’s correct, Gilda. Try and get some rest now.”
Hours later Gilda was still awake when she heard the cottage door open. She sprung to her feet. “Justin, is that you?” she whispered, so as not to wake Freda.
“No, Gilda,” Leonardo answered. “It’s me and Philip.” Before he could say more, Gilda grabbed his sleeve and demanded, “Where is Justin? Did you come away without him?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. Justin is fine, but . . .”
“Then why isn’t he here?”
“Give me a chance to explain, Gilda. Justin stayed at Mainz. It turns out Cedric was told by Lord Metcalf that Philip had been visiting Emma, pressing her to marry him. Cedric wants Lord Justin to visit Metcalf and explain that his marriage to Lady Mariel will be annulled, freeing him to marry Lady Emma.”
“We suspected that might happen, Leonardo. But why didn’t Justin return with you?”
Leonardo and Philip exchanged glances, then Leonardo continued. “The count learned that you and Philip had left Mainz together. He insists Justin stay with him until they can visit Metcalf together tomorrow. Cedric suspects you have been helping Philip. He wants to keep Justin with him.”
His words awakened all Gilda’s worst fears. Cedric was keeping Justin as a guarantee that he couldn’t join Gilda in her effort to help Philip. Justin may have even suspected this might happen when he sent her ahead. “Why didn’t you stay with Justin, Leonardo?” she asked. “He might need you.”
“Justin insisted I come to be with you, Gilda. He said to tell you he will be with you tomorrow and not to do anything on your own.”
“Is that all he said? What does Justin plan to do?”
Leonardo took her arm and made her sit on a bench. “He didn’t have time to tell me his plans.”
“Because Cedric was there?”
“Yes, he was nearby. I suspect Justin has some ideas, but we weren’t free to talk.”
Gilda nodded, her mind racing. “Justin will visit Metcalf with Cedric, and perhaps even Bishop Gunthar will go along. Cedric may even bring some guards.”
Leonardo sat beside her. “What are you thinking, Gilda? Justin told me to make sure you don’t do anything without him.”
“You’ll just have to take his place, Leonardo. We are already on Metcalf’s property, and we can get to him before the count arrives.”
Freda was sitting by the fire, and Philip was crouching beside her. Their eyes were on Gilda, waiting for her to continue.
“We’ll have to convince Lord Metcalf that Philip is a more appropriate match for Lady Emma.”
Leonardo shook his head. “How are we going to do that? I think you better leave it to Lord Justin.”
Gilda hadn’t formed a plan, but she kept talking, hoping something would occur to her. “Freda knows a bit about Metcalf. He loved his wife. That may be something we can use.”
“That’s not much to work with, Gilda,” Leonardo said. “I think I should follow Justin’s orders and keep you safe.”
Gilda narrowed her eyes. “Who is going to keep Justin safe? The best possible outcome is to convince Metcalf before the count arrives with his men. That means that we must be ready to approach him by first light.”
Philip finally spoke up. “I know you’re trying to help me, Gilda. But I don’t wish to put you in danger. It will be safer for you if I try to kidnap Emma while the count is speaking with her father.”
“Gilda has the more sensible plan.” All eyes turned to Sister Freda, who had been watching them in silence. “From what I remember, Metcalf was an honorable and daring warrior. I predict he will admire Sister Gilda’s courage in facing him. She has a good chance of convincing Metcalf that Count Cedric is not the husband he would wish for Emma.”
“Metcalf is an old man, Freda. I doubt he resembles the warrior you remember,” Leonardo pointed out.
“Few people change their basic values just because they grow old, Leonardo. I’ll go along with Sister Gilda. There is no danger from Metcalf. He isn’t going to be disrespectful to a pair of nuns.”
Gilda smiled, hoping she was right. “Thank you, Freda.”
Leonardo also smiled at the older nun. “I bow to your wise counsel, Sister Freda. I just hope Justin doesn’t kill me.”
They had agreed to try to get some sleep, but it seemed to Gilda that she had just nodded off when Freda was shaking her arm. “It’s starting to become light,” she said.
Gilda jumped up. “I’m awake,” she said.
“I hope they give us some breakfast,” Leonardo muttered as he straightened his clothes.
“If Emma is there, she will feed us,” Philip said.
Gilda turned to him. “Not you, Philip. You lead us there, then disappear. It’s important that we do not antagonize Metcalf before we can talk to him.”
Philip paused only a moment, then
