“As a soldier! What kind of life is that?” Cedric burst out, then remembered who he was speaking to and attempted to revise his statement. “What I mean is, he is very young and just starting out.”
No longer making an effort to hide his impatience, Metcalf said, “My daughter wishes to marry Philip and with my blessing has no doubt already accomplished that deed.”
Leaping to his feet at this news and upsetting his seat in the process, the count glowered at his host. “I will find them, and believe me, Lady Emma will be a widow before the sun sets.”
“Sit down!” Metcalf roared at Cedric so loudly that the manor farmers and servants rose to their feet.
“Guards!” Cedric shouted, but his words were lost in the growing chatter in the hall.
“The door is bolted, Count Cedric. I repeat, sit down!” Metcalf demanded, shouting loud enough to be heard over the noise in the hall.
As the room quieted, Justin and Leonardo, surprised by Metcalf’s vigor, looked at each other with raised eyebrows. “He seems to have a plan,” Leonardo whispered.
“You can’t keep me here,” Cedric replied, refusing to sit.
“Not forever, but for a while,” Metcalf answered smugly.
The force with which Metcalf had spoken to the count showed that he was prepared for trouble. Justin suspected he had ordered the doors locked to gain as much time as possible for Philip and Emma. Since neither Metcalf nor Cedric seemed in the mood to settle things peaceably, Justin feared what would happen when the door was unbolted.
Glancing at the bishop and remembering how he had attempted to keep Cedric calm the day before, Justin wondered if perhaps there was a way to settle the matter without either party resorting to violence. Freda’s nephew, Brother Arnulf, had told Justin that the bishop was interested in having the rich farmland of Metcalf’s manor come under the control of Mainz, where he and Cedric shared power and ruled pretty much as they wished. While Cedric and Metcalf were still shouting and accusing each other of bad faith, Justin moved to where he could speak to Bishop Gunthar.
Leaning close to his ear in order to be heard, Justin said, “A rift between Lord Metcalf and the count may persuade Metcalf to seek alliance with other protectors. I appeal to you as religious leader of Mainz to persuade Cedric that it is best for all parties to make peace with his brother Philip and accept his marriage to Lady Emma.”
Gunthar was watching Cedric and Metcalf as they continued their argument. “If I persuade Cedric to accept the marriage of his stepbrother and Lady Emma, how can I be sure Metcalf will still look to Mainz for an alliance? Metcalf hardly seems a reasonable man, and Philip has no cause to love his brother.”
Justin knew a lot depended on his ability to win Gunthar over. “Philip and Emma are headed for court while Sister Freda is staying on to help Lord Metcalf manage his estate. She is a peace-loving woman, and I know she will use her influence to encourage a settlement between Metcalf and Cedric. They are close neighbors, and violence between them will hurt both parties. Mainz is Philip’s home, and his marriage will forge closer ties between Mainz and Metcalf’s manor. Sister Freda will see that this happens. It would be best if you urged Cedric to celebrate the marriage.”
Gunthar looked at Sister Freda with distaste, but Justin’s reasoning, as well as the number of men gathered to support Metcalf, must have made an impression as he nodded curtly, then rose to his feet. The bishop pounded his heavy staff on the floor to call for quiet. No one paid him any attention, and the chatter in the hall continued until Justin shouted out, “The bishop has something to say! Let him be heard.”
When it was suddenly quiet and all eyes had turned to him, the bishop seemed taken aback. Justin nodded to encourage Gunthar, who frowned, then began to speak. “Lord Metcalf has made his decision and tells us that Lady Emma and Philip are already married. Philip is a Lord of Mainz and by his marriage forges closer ties between Mainz and this manor. Although Count Cedric is disappointed for himself, I’m sure he will want to celebrate the marriage of his brother.”
As Gunthar parroted his words, Justin kept a serious face. He watched Cedric and hoped the count, much as he might dislike the idea, would be smart enough to understand why it would be best to accept the marriage. His goal had always been to acquire access to the manor’s rich farmland, and marriage had been a means to reach this goal. But the count didn’t seem willing to respond to the bishop’s urging.
The hall was quiet as everyone anticipated Cedric’s next outburst. Gilda knew the result Justin hoped for, and she wanted to urge Cedric to accept his brother’s marriage. But since he resented her part in the proceedings, she knew her appeal would only make things worse. Instead she addressed Lord Metcalf, the man she judged to be the most likely to be moved.
“My lord, as a father you have made the decision you think best for Lady Emma, but you had previously made promises to Count Cedric.”
Metcalf scowled at her. “I have apologized for my part in those negotiations.”
“Yes, you have. As a sign of your good faith, you could now promise to cooperate with the count and the Bishop of Mainz in the future. As close neighbors it will benefit you both to live in harmony.”
There was another silence in the hall as Metcalf seemed to consider Gilda’s proposal. Clearly, he had been ready for a battle and perhaps even looked forward to it. Gilda held her breath, hoping the old warrior would forego his urge for one last battle. As she watched, she saw something she was sure no one else would notice. Sister Freda give Metcalf’s elbow a discreet
