“I am well aware of that, Lord Metcalf. But I also believe that it’s a father’s duty to make the best decision possible for his daughter. Is Philip’s age the only reason you do not wish him to marry Emma?”
Gesturing with his staff, he shouted. “You’re questioning my judgment! I’ve had enough of this. Out of here, the both of you.”
Gilda took a step back at his attack, but Freda stood firm and addressed Metcalf. “Your words show a different man than the one I remember,” she said.
Freda seemed to throw him off-balance. “We didn’t know each other. What are you talking of now?”
“At court your fame made you the subject of much gossip. You were rumored to be faithful to your wife, in spite of many temptations. You respected your marriage vows. I always admired that about you, Lord Metcalf.”
“What do I care for your opinion of me?” he replied. But his face softened, and he sat down. “Did you know my Emilia?”
“We met a few times. She was very beautiful and looked much as your daughter does today.”
“Yes, Emma is much like her. I kept my daughter to myself too long.” He looked into Freda’s eyes as though seeking her understanding. “Because my end is near, I wish her married and settled. When she marries Cedric, she will become a countess.”
Gilda’s eyes widened when Freda sat beside Metcalf on the bench. Because her own words had upset him, Gilda moved to the side to keep out of his line of vision as she watched her friend.
“Clearly you care a great deal for your daughter. Is it your wish that Emma bear children, my lord?” Freda asked.
“Of course. I remember how happy Emilia was when Emma was born.” He seemed lost in thought for a minute. “She told me she felt fulfilled and that I had made her the happiest woman in the world.”
“Did you know that Cedric was married twice before he married Lady Mariel?”
Gilda saw Metcalf stiffen. “You go too far,” he said.
In spite of his reaction, Freda continued. “I’m sure you know that Count Cedric never did produce an heir. You think Philip is too young for Emma, but perhaps you should be considering that Cedric is too old.”
Metcalf looked from Freda to Gilda. “What kind of nuns are you? You should be saying prayers and helping the poor, not interfering with a father’s decision for his daughter.”
In spite of his words, he wasn’t as angry as when he ordered them out of his chamber. Gilda wondered if Freda’s words had affected him. Before either one of them could reply to his question, Emma appeared at the door.
“Sorry for the interruption, Father, but Count Cedric wishes to speak to you at once,” Emma said. She closed the door behind her and whispered, “He has some men with him and seems impatient.”
When Lord Metcalf struggled to his feet, Freda put her hand on his elbow to help him. He acknowledged her assistance with a curt nod. “I will speak to him in the dining hall, Emma. Serve the men some ale.” He turned to Freda and Gilda. “Do you wish to join us, or do you wish to keep your visit to me a secret?” he asked, making it clear he suspected the latter.
“We will wait a few minutes to enter the hall, if that is all right with you,” Freda answered.
“Do as you wish. It seems you are used to doing just that,” he muttered as he followed Emma out of the chamber.
As soon as they were alone, Gilda embraced Freda. “You were wonderful,” she whispered.
“I’m not sure how much good it did to point out the count’s shortcomings.”
“At least it gave Metcalf something to think about. You seem to be the one with the best instincts in this situation. What do we do now?”
“There is not much more we can do,” Freda said. “Why don’t we go to the dining hall and sit quietly in the background as we are expected to do? If nothing else, that will throw everyone off.”
Gilda grinned at the prospect. “In minutes I will see Justin. I hope he will not be too shocked at my presence here.”
“I suspect that Lord Justin may be getting used to being shocked by you, Gilda.”
In the main hall Count Cedric was explaining Justin’s presence to Lord Metcalf. The count had four of his guards with him, as well as Bishop Gunthar and Justin. These guards gave the impression they were watching for trouble as they stood behind the other men seated at the table. The guards were the only ones to notice Gilda and Freda slip into the room, but they said nothing as the count was speaking.
“I have brought Lord Justin with me as he was appointed by King Louis to investigate my request for an annulment. I wish him to explain to you his findings and the report he will make to the Archbishop of Reims.”
Metcalf was the first one at the table to notice Gilda and Freda, no doubt because he was expecting to see them. Justin saw that Metcalf’s attention had shifted, and his own eyes widened when he looked where Metcalf was looking.
Justin’s startled expression made it clear that he didn’t know Gilda and Freda were at the manor. While Cedric, still oblivious to her presence, was waiting for Justin to explain the situation to Lord Metcalf, Justin kept his eyes on Gilda. He stood up as he began talking. “What Count Cedric said about my investigation is true, but the king appointed two of us, Lord Metcalf. I am his secular representative, and Sister Gilda, a nun from the Convent of Saint Ives, represents the clergy. Please join us at the head table, Sister Gilda.”
Cedric’s head whipped around at Justin’s
