Page 78 of The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride
By the time he reached the hall, Torfin had already set a flagon and two goblets on the high table. Ignoring Edwin’s protests, Harald took a seat and poured a goblet, draining it in a single gulp, before taking a second and then a third.
“Do not cast judgement so quickly,” Edwin said.
Harald slapped the hand away, “How can you defend her Did she not try to seduce you?”
“In the name of God, Harald, she did not and well you know it!” Edwin shouted. “If you recall, I tried to entrap her atyourbehest, and she refused me. She declared her loyalty to you despite your treatment of her. Perhaps it’s just as well she’s left, for you could never come close to deserving a woman as lovely as she.”
Harald drained his goblet, but the wine did nothing to dull the sharp edge of his conscience. His brother spoke the truth.
He did not deserve her.
“You have to find her, Harald,” Edwin continued. “She didn’t leave willingly, and I never trusted Beauvisage. I fear she’s in danger.”
“Where do you suppose we look?”
“Start at the convent,” Edwin replied. “You will find answers there, if not your wife.”
“They’ve already told me of the child’s existence.”
“Did you not ask how the child came to be there?”
“I had no wish to look upon the brat,” Harald said. “Oh, Edwin—I want to trust her! I though her different to Margery.No more secretsshe said—she looked into my eyes and lied. How many more times must I forgive her?”
Harald drained his cup and threw it across the hall. It struck the wall beside the fireplace, sending the dogs scurrying out of the way with a yelp.
“Drinking won’t help,” Edwin said. “We must leave, now, and solve the mystery of your wife.”
* * *
Harald’s headthrobbed as he hammered on the doors of Greystone convent, roaring for his wife. The door opened to reveal the face of a young nun. He pushed past her and strode towards the mother superior’s chamber, his brother in his wake. The nuns he passed on the way scattered, squealing with fear.
“For the love of God, Harald, show some respect!” Edwin cried.
The door to the mother superior’s chamber opened, and the old woman beckoned him inside. She settled herself in a chair behind a desk and motioned him to sit opposite. He refused, but Edwin’s gentle hand on his shoulder pushed him toward the chair.
“How can I help you, Harald of Wildstorm?” the old woman’s voice was calm, a sharp contrast to the heavy panting of the novice who’d run to keep pace with him, and the shrieks of the terrified women he’d pushed aside on his way.
“Is my wife here?” he demanded.
“No, my lord.”
“What about her bastard?”
The novice muttered a prayer, but the old nun merely raised an eyebrow.
“May God forgive your foul words.”
Harald opened his mouth to speak, but Edwin squeezed his shoulder in warning.
“Mother,” he said, “I must apologize for my brother’s outburst. He fears for his wife’s safety—and that of the child. You would do us both a great honor if you granted an audience with her.”
The old woman glanced at Edwin, then she nodded. “Irene, bring the child,” she said. “Make sure Agatha is with her.”
The novice scurried out of the room.
The old nun sat back in her chair, linked her fingers and watched Harald, but said nothing. Her quiet air increase his discomfort, and thickened his tongue, and he found himself at a loss for words.
Why should he feel as ifhe’dcommitted a transgression?
