Helgha and told no one of their promise to each other, not even Lady Rowena, Ædmunde"s mother. They needed to wait until the Pope sent his dispensation. Helgha stayed away from the Hall, too. She did not want to face Lady Gytha, who was still there awaiting her fate. Even though the girl knew nothing of Ædmunde and Helgha"s plans to marry, Helgha would feel uncomfortable seeing her.
Eventually, Ædmunde brought the news to Helgha.
He entered the gate into the yard looking solemn. “The message from the Pope has arrived.”
Helgha froze. What did it say? She felt a cold shiver running down her back.
As Ædmunde held out a paper, a grin spread across his face. “This is it. This is the message from the Pope granting dispensation.”
Helgha let her breath out and returned Ædmunde’s grin. He was
