He is a lecherous pig

"What?!" Christine could not believe what she was hearing. The familiarity of Bishop Anthryl's touch could no longer be charitably interpreted; his fat fingers stroked the soft skin of her cheek and once again his thumb pressed against her lips.

"I understand how hard it must be, Lady Christine." The bishop was wheezing excitedly as he continued, "The character flaws of our young prince are known to the church, I can only imagine what a virile man like that might do to someone as innocent and pretty as you." Christine tried to pull away from this impossible position on her knees, but the bishop's other hand came down on her shoulder holding her firmly in place. "The report we received stated that His Majesty spent the entire night in your bed chamber." Anthryl lifted her chin with his finger until she was gazing up at the man from her knees. "You can tell me even the most intimate and embarrassing of details, my dear; this conversation is as sanctified as one held under the seal of confession." And then his hand dropped down to rest on her bare skin and any hope that Christine had was gone.

"Nothing happened, Your Holiness." Christine peered up at the red face of the bishop hoping that he would be able to see the truth in her response. "I was able to slip away before ... you know, before anything happened." Christine breathed a sigh of relief when the bishop released her and stepped back to consider her statement. Apparently though, he was not inclined to believe her.

"Lady Gerard," Bishop Anthryl's voice became stern. "You must not lie to the Holy Church, no matter how shameful your carnal sin might be." The man lifted her to her feet, but this new position was not much better than being on her knees. The man's hands gripped her shoulders firmly, holding her so close to his face that she could see the coarse hairs growing from his nose, the saliva glistening on his lips and feel the warmth of his breath when he continued his coarse interrogation. "When Prince Henry first claimed you, was he gentle?" Unable to find the words, Christine shook her head in denial. "That's what I was afraid of." Bishop Anthryl's words might be soothing, but he seemed to relish asking these awful questions. "Did you fight him when he **** apart your legs, or did you just lay there and let it happen?"

"Please, your Grace," Christine tried again forcing back the tears, "Nothing happened, I'm still an innocent maid, I swear by Holy Mary herself, I am as pure as the day I was christened." Something in her response must have struck a chord, because the bishop smiled and released her from his grasp.

"I am inclined to believe you, my dear." Christine breathed a sigh of relief, and then realized that she had relaxed too soon. "I will inspect you myself and if you speak truly, I will sign an official writ to that effect so you might still find a husband who will have you."

"What?" Of all the things Christine had hoped to get from the Bishop of Oldchester, an official proclamation verifying her maidenhead was probably the very last thing on her list.

"Take off your clothes, my child." The bishop was panting now as if he had just climbed a double flight of steps, "It is alright. No one will see your shameful nakedness." No one but him, Christine realized with a twist in her gut. Anthryl must have seen her ****, because even before she could voice her objections, he made the consequences of her refusal clear.

"Come now, Lady Gerard." Bishop Anthryl smiled in anticipation and rubbed his fingers together as he spoke, "If the Holy Church cannot trust you to speak truthfully, you leave us no option but report to Prince Henry that you are here safely under our care." In spite of her determination to be strong, the thought of being delivered to Prince Henry and what that man would do to her made her shudder.

What choice did she have? Did she dare defy the Bishop of Oldchester? And what would become of Erik if she did?