Gift of God: Lady Godiva - Chapter 17

“I will accept the Earl’s proposal.”

Leofric hated it when his wife called him Earl. If it were mere formality before others, he could have endured it. But now, in this moment, it was a line drawn between them. He found it deeply displeasing and ground his teeth until they almost cracked.

“Then you must keep your promise.”

“Godiva….”

He should have realized then what happened when this woman was pushed to her limits. Leofric had underestimated her. Her body was as fragile as a flower petal, yet her will was harder than diamond. That was Godiva.

“I didn’t come to this lightly. But….”

Her trembling lips were heartbreakingly beautiful.

“If this is the only way, then I must do it.”

She pressed her lips to the edge of his cloak.

“I’ll be back, my lord.”

At least she did not speak of farewell. Yet a barren wind rose deep within her heart. Leofric’s mouth twisted.

Thud.

The hand gripping her shoulder lost its strength. It slid down uselessly. Helplessly, he let her go. His silver eyes dropped heavily.

“Madam….”

“My lord….”

The retainers had no idea what was happening. Something immense had occurred, yet they knew neither its beginning nor its end. They glanced repeatedly at their lord, seeking guidance.

But Dux Leofric did not spare them a look. His gaze was fixed far away—on the slender back of Godiva as she crossed the vast chamber and walked out.

“My lord, what is this about…?”

Brandel stepped forward first. This was no ordinary matter. He had followed his lord through countless battlefields, but never had he seen this. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the clenched fist trembling at Leofric’s side.

“The knights.”

Leofric spoke shortly at a time.

“Summon the soldiers.”

Without waiting for a reply, he strode out.

“Yes, my lord.”

Brandel pledged obedience to the empty air.

* * *

“This is because of all of you!”

The furious shout burst from the house of Brown, head of the Coventry Merchants’ Guild.

“Now, now—tell us properly what has happened.”

“Our Miss…!”

The stout nanny sobbed uncontrollably.

“What has happened to Madam? We cannot understand unless you explain.”

Brown’s wife tried to calm her, though she looked deeply distressed. The nanny had been talking and crying in turns, and it was hard to follow her tale.

“It is that….”

The nanny recounted everything in detail. As she spoke, Brown’s face shifted from pale to ashen. His wife shook her head in disbelief.

“What are you going to do? Now that our Miss has taken such a step, will you not do something as well?”

Lady Godiva, mistress of Coventry, was known for her beauty—and for the beauty of her heart. But none had imagined she would go this far for them. Brown nodded gravely before speaking.

“Do not worry. We all respect her. No disgraceful incident will occur. I will see to the people here myself. You go to her at once.”

The nanny looked at him with swollen eyes. Doubt flickered, could she trust this merchant? Yet there was no other straw to grasp. She wiped her tears with her sleeve and rose.

“Very well… I will trust you.”

Brown nodded and turned quickly to his wife.

“Gather the women.”

“I understand. Don’t worry.”

“Peter! Where are you?”

A boy hurried in at the sound of his name.

“Run and call the elders. Tell them to gather in the marketplace.”

“Yes!”

Each scattered to their assigned task.

“How could such a thing happen….”

Through the window, the nanny’s retreating figure was visible.

“May God’s grace be upon our lady….”