“Nay.”
“And they shall not be, at least not by my lips. Your confessions are safe with me, my lord. I will take them to my grave.”
As David and the priest snorted at each other, Gart was still riveted to his information about Isabella’s confession. “Do you know of Buckland, Your Grace?”
Jonas nodded and took a long drink of wine. “Again, I am discussing information that is common knowledge. Buckland comes to confession with her. I thought he was simply one of her entourage. I have heard his confession several times and never once has he mentioned a wife.”
Gart looked at David as if looking to the man for all of the answers. There had to be some measure of help in all of this information, something they could do that would help Gart’s case. David’s mind was already working furiously and as an idea began to form, he took the pewter pitcher of wine and topped off the priest’s cup. David was naturally aggressive even though he wasn’t a natural negotiator. That usually came from his brother. But his brother wasn’t here and David had to act.
“I have been going to Confession since I was old enough to speak,” David said casually, setting the pitcher back down. “Every time I deliver my admissions, the priest tells me what I must do in order to seek God’s forgiveness.”
Jonas drank his wine, a very fine, red variety that was delicious. He nodded to David’s statement. “Indeed,” he replied. “It is our obligation to provide guidance.”
David toyed with his cup, watching the priest drink. “You said that Isabella cannot do enough penance for the sins she has committed.”
“That is true.”
“What if there was something she could do?”
Jonas cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
David was calm and controlled as he spoke. “Perhaps you should hear her confession the next time,” he told him. “When it is over, tell her that the only way for her to avoid eternity in hell for all of the misdeeds she has done is to right at least one wrong in her life. As she cavorts with Buckland, she too is committing adultery, a vile sin. If Buckland divorces his wife, it will help Isabella’s cause. She will only have to worry about doing penance for her own marriage and not his. She must convince Buckland to divorce his wife.”
Jonas lifted his eyebrows, both surprised and intrigued. “Interesting,” he said. “I have never heard of such atonement, but it is an interesting thought.”
David sat forward, his sky blue eyes glittering. “You will tell Buckland the same thing when he comes for Confession,” he lowered his voice. “Make sure he confesses only to you and tell him that he must divorce his wife to erase the sin of adultery. Tell him if he does not, he will face eternal damnation. You will also tell him that if he ever beats his wife again, there is no penitence strong enough to erase his actions and he will spend a thousand years in purgatory. Tell him God is displeased with his actions and hell awaits him if he does not comply with all conditions.”
All humor was gone from Jonas’ face. “Are you serious?” he hissed. “But it is not….”
David cut him off. “I will pay for a new roof for St. Bartholomew if you will do this. That place has needed a new roof for years and, as I recall, you have been attempting to raise the money. I will provide it if you will do this. Your service will reap my reward. God works in mysterious ways, does he not?”
Jonas stared at him, torn between denial and agreement. He was adamantly opposed to using the confessional as a manipulation tool, especially as it pertained to a sin such as divorce, but on the other hand, priests had been using the confessional for centuries as a springboard for their own desires and agendas. It was nothing new.
As he thought on it, what he was asked to do wasn’t meant to be evil in the true sense. The knight was in love with a woman who was abused and his liege was attempting to help him. It was not as if Buckland hadn’t violated his marriage vows first.
Jonas set down his chalice of wine, regarding David carefully. He could see how serious the baron was. After a moment, his humor returned.
“I fear that I have stepped into a trap,” he grinned.
David relaxed somewhat, sitting back in his chair and reclaiming his wine. “There is no trap,” he said. “But we are speaking of two people who do unspeakable wrong on a daily basis. Why protect them with God’s laws? Help a poor, defenseless woman break free of the clutches of her evil husband. Buckland is going to hell anyway. A divorce will not make or break his eternal soul.”
Jonas sighed heavily, finally looking to Gart who looked both apprehensive and hopeful. He wriggled his eyebrows at the knight.
“Did you tell him to ask this of me?” he demanded lightly.
Gart shook his head. “How could I? I did not know that Buckland and Isabella came to you for confession.”
Jonas knew that but he had asked the question anyway. His gaze moved back to David, thinking of the new roof they so desperately needed. He pursed his lips thoughtfully.
“You realize that the entire roof needs repair,” he said.
David nodded. “I do.”
“It will be quite expensive.”
“Gart is a good knight. If you do not do this for him, I will lose him. He will run off with the lady and I will never see him again, and I need him.”
Jonas looked at Gart again, who was gazing steadily in return. Weighing the good against the bad, the need against the want, Jonas finally nodded his head. It was a weary, resigned gesture.
