Sapphire - Book 2 by Elizabeth Rose Page A

Sexton, the priest has arrived,” he
announced.
    “Send him in,” Roe ordered. The door opened
wider and the priest walked inside. “Send in the sheepherders and
the girl as well,” he added.
    Alice poked her head into the room, entering
slowly, followed by her brothers. Roe wasn’t surprised that the
baron hadn’t even given her a proper gown to wear, as she wore a
simple plain gown not better than any of his hired help. She had
her hair up and wore a wimple – another mark of the poor. She was a
baroness, even if in secret, and should have been given proper
clothing, a cloak and a headdress at the very least.
    “What is this all about?” asked Father
Geoffrey, looking around the room and surveying everyone gathered
inside.
    “Father, I’d like to ask for an annulment
for Lady Sapphire,” said Roe. “Did you bring the signed marriage
parchment from Lady Sapphire and Baron Lydd as I’ve requested?”
    “I have it right here,” answered the priest,
bringing a rolled up parchment from under his robe. “But I’m sorry,
you cannot request an annulment, Lord Sexton. Only one of the
married couple in question can be the one to place the
request.”
     
    Sapphire hurried forward and greeted the
priest, then nodded to the others in the room as well. “I’ll make
the request then,” she told the priest. “I’d like my marriage to
the baron annulled since when he married me, this woman was already
his wife.” She splayed her arm forward, pointing to Alice.
    “What are you saying?” asked the priest,
confusion furrowing his brow.
    “Father Geoffrey, this is Alice, wife of
Baron Lydd,” said Sapphire. “She’s come forward just this day
looking for her husband. It seems the baron married her six months
ago, so was already married when he took his vows with me.”
    “Is this true?” the priest asked Alice with
a frown on his face.
    “It is,” said the girl shyly. “I have his
crest ring he gave me at the wedding to prove it.” She held up her
hand with the large ring on her thumb.
    “And are there witnesses that can vouch for
you?” asked the priest.
    “My brothers will both confirm it,” she
replied, nodding at the two men.
    “Do you both admit to have witnessed the
wedding between Alice and Baron Lydd?” asked the priest.
    “We do,” they answered in turn.
    “Well, this is terrible,” said Father
Geoffrey. “I never would have performed the wedding had I known.
This is the reason wedding banns are posted three weeks ahead of
time, so anyone with a reason for the couple not to marry can come
forward. I knew I should have insisted the banns be posted, but the
baron seemed to be in a hurry and assured me no one would
object.”
    “So will the marriage be annulled then?”
asked Sapphire, holding her breath, waiting for his answer.
    “Well, normally this is a decision made only
by the pope, but I don’t really want him to know I went against
procedure by not insisting on the posting of the banns.”
    “So you can allow the annulment then?” asked
Roe.
    “Well, I suppose so, but I’d need to talk to
the priest who married you first. I think with that and the
witnesses coming forward, it should be sufficient. Was it Father
Gerard from Lydd who performed the ceremony?” he asked Alice.
    “Aye, it was,” answered the woman.
    “Then you are in luck, as Father Gerard
arrived just this morning from Lydd and awaits me for our monthly
meeting and prayer session in the great hall as we speak. Perhaps
someone can call him in?”
    “Guard,” called Roe, and the door to the
room opened slightly.
    “Aye, my lord?”
    “Bring in the priest from Lydd who awaits
Father Geoffrey in the great hall.”
    “At once, my lord,” said the guard and
disappeared.
    “Alice,” said Sapphire, feeling sad for the
girl as she knew how horrible her marriage to the man must have
been as well. “Perhaps you can get your marriage annulled too while
the priests are both here along with your brothers.”
    “Oh,