“Pardon me, Lord Justin. Lady Emma wishes you and Sister Gilda to return to the manor at once. She says to bring Lord Philip with you.”
“Philip isn’t here, but we will come,” Justin replied.
“I saw Philip and another man on the way. They are camped not far from here. I’ll send them to you while you finish dressing,” the servant said, flushing red at his own words. Then he rushed from the cottage before Justin had a chance to question him.
Gilda had heard everything and was already pulling on her habit when Justin returned to the bedroom. “Perhaps Lord Metcalf is dying,” she said. “Do you think we were too harsh with him yesterday?”
“No, I don’t. Metcalf may be ill, but he’s been a tough warrior all his life. Hearing what we had to say, even if he didn’t like it, isn’t going to hasten his death. Emma said he’s had these spells before, and even Chetwynd mentioned his tiring suddenly.”
By the time they had finished dressing, Leonardo and Philip had arrived at the cottage. Gilda was prepared for some teasing remarks from the two men, but they were both sobered by the news that everyone had been summoned to the manor.
“What do you suppose it means that Emma wants me there?” Philip asked.
“I have no idea,” Justin answered truthfully.
Unsure what to expect, the small party hurried to the manor house. At the door the same servant who had summoned them invited them to the dining hall. Much to the surprise of the visitors, Lord Metcalf sat at the head table with Sister Freda on one side and Lady Emma on the other.
“Don’t stand there with your mouths hanging open,” Metcalf said, his grin making it clear that he was enjoying their astonishment. “Come in, come in.”
Justin was the first to recover. “I’m pleased to see you have regained your health, Lord Metcalf,” he said.
“Thank you, Lord Justin. As you can see, rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” he replied with a chuckle.
Philip had hung back behind the others, uncertain of his welcome. He was still unsure when Metcalf caught sight of him and said, “Come up here, Philip. It is you I wish to speak with.” From Metcalf’s expression it was impossible to tell what his feelings for Philip might be.
Emma stood up, making it clear she was offering her seat to Philip. Her eyes swam with tears at the sight of him, but she managed a shy smile. The young man stared at her and wondered if this might be his last view of her. Unable to tear his eyes away from her face, he stumbled toward the seat she indicated.
“Sit!” Metcalf shouted in a commanding manner that forced Philip to turn from Emma and obey his order.
Staring at the lord of the manor who used to be his friend, Philip said, “I am sorry you have been ill, Lord Metcalf.”
“Are you, indeed?” Metcalf answered. “I thought you might be pleased to have me out of the way.”
Shocked, Philip replied, “Not at all, my lord.”
Metcalf waved his hand to dismiss the subject. Servants had entered the hall and Metcalf was silent, waiting for everyone to be served a thick soup and fresh bread. Ignoring the others at the table, Gilda and Justin were tearing into the food set in front of them, but Philip hardly touched his spoon to the bowl. The young man was remembering that he and Metcalf had once been close, but it had been a while since he had been welcomed at the lord’s table.
Metcalf must have decided it was time to put Philip out of his misery and finally said, “You have made it clear in the past that you wished to marry my daughter. I didn’t take your suit seriously as I saw several problems with the match. I still see problems. However, I shouldn’t have dismissed your suit without talking to you about it. Are you still serious about seeking to wed Emma?”
“Yes, sir.” Philip pushed the words through a throat constricted with emotion.
“I wonder what kind of life you can offer her. Your brother is determined to marry Emma, and I understand he has already thrown you in prison once. I’m told that even now he has men looking for you, no doubt because he knows of your feelings for Emma.”
Looking over to where Emma sat watching him, Philip seemed to have come to some conclusion. He straightened in his chair, his jaw hardened, and when he spoke it was in a clear, determined voice.
“I know it would not be safe for me to stay in Mainz, my lord. But if you approved our marriage, Emma and I could go to court. I have trained to be a soldier, and some of that training was at your hands, so you know I am able.”
Philip took a quick breath, then rushed on before he could be interrupted. “I have only stayed in Mainz this long hoping for your approval to wed Emma. King Louis is always in need of soldiers to protect his empire from the Saracens in the south and the tribes in the east and north. As you well know, he never has enough armies. I love Emma, and I will do everything in my power to provide her a good and happy life.”
The room went quiet as heads turned toward Metcalf. “Count Cedric is a threat to your union,” the lord reminded Philip.
“My brother has much power in Mainz and is one of the king’s officers. But I have done him no wrong, and he has no legitimate reason to pursue me. Lord Justin and Sister Gilda know I did not betray him with Lady Mariel. As you know, I have loved Emma long before Cedric knew of her existence. I swear to you that I will make her a much better husband than Cedric ever could.”
Philip’s voice had gained power as he spoke, and everyone seemed to be
