“
Oh, I am that,” Conan laughed.
“
But you have yet to meet my father. My approval means nothing.”
“
It means everything,” Mallory argued.
“
How long have you known?”
Conan thought about how long he had hoped Edythe had chosen a man such as Mallory, but answered honestly.
“
For a fragment of this past hour,” he said.
“
And now I know that for years you have been courting her. She was too young when you began.”
“
Nay,” Mallory laughed.
“
She has been courting me!
Tu
gging at the heart I swore would not be tethered. From France I heard her,” he claimed, drawing Edythe back to his side.
“
Rest assured that I support your desire to take her to wife, but seeing her as a woman is a matter that has taken its toll on me. And I will not leave you with her long, for I know more than I like of your ways with the wenches.”
“
All that is past, Conan,” Mallory promised, though he could not suppress his smile.
Conan turned to Thurwell.
“
Our friend has good cause to go to war, but what of you?”
Thurwell smiled.
“
It is war, Conan. What more reason?”
Conan stood still for a
moment, his eyes fixed on Thur
well’s. He envied them both, these two friends going off to war. He had come home to his father’s lands prepared to be his loyal vassal, and now he was farmer and bookkeeper, spokesman for his father and his wife’s father at political conferences, hunter, and breeder of horses. Three estates, Phalen, Anselm and even Stoddard, depended upon him for protective arms and management, for Alaric and Medwin were growing old. And there was Edwina. He would have taken the Cross, but he was pledged and could not in good conscience abandon a wife who he feared could not manage without him.
He had been trained to fight and was among the finest knights in all Christendom, but he could not forsake his duties. Though he longed to test his sword and his skill in war, he was obligated to his position as landlord and vassal to others.
He shook off his musings and turned abruptly to Mallory.
“
Friend or foe, you will treat her well and do her honor, or I will make you wish you had.”
“
I know better than to test your threat, Conan. Have no fear.”
“
Then let us go straightaway to Alaric,” Conan said.
“
He will be glad to see you, though he knows nothing of the favors you will ask.”
The two knights proved to be more than adequate protec
tion for Edythe and they went ahead, the spectators parting and bowing to the large symbols of the Cross on their chests. They cleared the path for Conan and he extended his arm to Chandra. She looked up at him with her warm b
lu
e eyes, a
s
entimental half smile on her lips.
“
You are wonderful to help them, Conan,” she said.
He smiled and touched her cheek.
“
Why should I not wish to help them, cherie? I must take my pleasure from the happiness of others, since there is no way I can help myself.”
Her smile faded to a frown and she could not look at him, feeling again the guilt of knowing they loved wrongly.
“
Conan, there is no help.”
He could not abide her sorrow. He pulled her along with something of a carefree attitude.
“
‘Tis true, maid, there is no help. Well, we’ve been tricked by fate, and all of heaven has turned its back on us. For that I feel dread and sadness. But your smile no one can take from me.” He winked at her as he pulled her past the crowds of merchants, beggars and warriors in the magical London streets. Finally she smiled up at him, unable to frown into his happy face.
“
And your eyes. In them I see the blue of the sky, and it speaks of eternity
--
a forever about you, damsel, that gives me hope and fills my emptier nights with blissful dreams. So it’s true that I cannot have you, nor you, me. But there is something I can have of you. I will know in the worst of times that I have your heart
--
and upon occasion, your smile. If I must content myself with that much of you, I will. ‘Tis better than having nothing of you at all.”
Chandra stopped suddenly and looked up at him. She did not share his contentment. She often thought she would be better off having never known him at all, having never felt his gentle touch. And the torture no longer came from the fact that he belonged to her sister. Now it was a more vicious demon that held her from hope.
“
Conan, I am to marry Tedric. Soon,” she reminded him.
The warmth was gone from his eyes. His pupils shrank to pinpoints, and he stopped walking so he could look at her.
“
That, my love, takes even the joy of your smile from my heart.”
The reunion in Alaric’s house was heartwarming. Medwin had arrived and happily greeted his daughter Edwina and old friends. The embraces and hearty laughter from that reunion had barely subsided when Edythe arrived with Mallory and Thurwell, and again cups were filled and raised. The first toast was barely drunk when Chandra and Conan returned.
The sisters had not seen each other since that time two years before when Chandra had traveled to Stoddard with Conan’s men to tend to Edwina’s health. Lady Udele was the only member of the household not present.
Alaric plagued the two knights of the Cross with questions of Richard’s plans and news from France. He did not seem to notice Mallory’s gradually increasing tension. Conan ex
changed amused glances with Chandra.
Edythe became impatient with talk of politics and war.
“
There is another matter, Father,” she finally said. Alaric looked at her in wonder, and the lass blushed slightly. She had not wanted to speak for Mallory, but she suspected this task might be more distressing to him than fighting. Fighting was natural to him, she told herself. Begging the hand of a maid was not.
“
Sir Mallory would have a word with you
--
privately.”
“
A private word?” Alaric questioned.
“
Nay, it need not be private,” Mallory returned nervously.
“
There are naught but friends here.” He stood and faced Lord Alaric and bowed clumsily but respectfully.
“
My lord, ‘tis the matter of the marriage of your daughter,” he said, stopping to clear his throat twice in just those few words.
“
My family is not well known and there are no lands, but I go to fight with Richard and would gladly yield whatever prizes of war I will claim to the betrothal contract if you will give me Edythe’s hand.”
“
You?” Alaric asked softly.
Mallory cleared his throat again, feeling as though he were alone, though his friends were behind him.
“
Her dowry of course will be hers for her children and I pose no argument to that. Likewise any marriage gift
--
Edythe’s for her own dowry. And I would gladly pledge myself as vassal to your lands, if you ask it of me.”
“
Vassal,” Alaric mimicked, somewhat amused.
“
Vassal,” Mallory repeated.
“
If you choose.”
“
And of these riches you intend to bring home?” Alaric asked with a faint smile.
“
To bargain for the bride of my choice, my lord. To be part of the estate that supports Edythe or as a gift to you for her hand, as you will it. I will pledge it now, before it is won.”
“
A betrothal? Now?” Alaric asked.
Mallory cleared his throat again. It had begun to feel raw
a
nd sore.
“
I am not needed until Christmas
tide, my lord. We depart from Ve
zelay, in France, after Easter. I would marry Edythe now and give you my word that upon my return you shall dispose of the prizes of war as you see fit.”
Alaric scratched his beard and looked quizzically at the knight.
“
And if there are no prizes of war?”
Mallory straightened himself.
“
My lord, there will be.”
Alaric chuckled.
“
Aye, there will be.”
“
You will see upon my return that my promise is no passing fancy. I will return with wealth enough to make the bargain more than fair.”
“
I believe that,” Alaric said, pushing his bulky frame out of the chair and rising slowly. He came to Mallory’s height when standing erect, and he looked into Mallory’s eyes.
“
She is a slight lass, and young,” Alaric said, indicating Edythe with his eyes.
“
I have seen you meet men in the contest of arms with less halting than now, and I for one have never feared Edythe.”
Mallory smiled with more confidence now, for he could plainly see the twinkle in Alaric’s eye.
“
Then you have not felt the sharpness of her tongue, my lord. She seems a gentle maid, but the fate she promised me if I failed to please you made me quiver in my boots.”
Alaric’s voice dropped to barely a whisper and there was a smile on his lips.
“
She is not so fearsome,” the old lord confided.
“
It took you a very long time to heed her warn
ings.” Mallory responded with only a look of confusion.
“
I am old, but I am not an old fool,” Alaric said softly.
“
I long ago decided I would be proud to call you son.”
Mallory’s heart was touched by Alaric’s approval, and when the old lord extended his hand, Mallory took it gratefully. When Edythe saw the two men clutching hands in friendship, she guessed her father’s approval and jumped to her feet with a squeal, wrapping her arms around her father
’s neck, then Con
an’s, Thurwell’s and finally Mallory’s. Anoth
er toast was raised and more laughter and congratulations followed.
The door to the lodgings opened and Lady Udele entered with her manservant, Pierce, close behind. Udele greeted all her guests warmly.
“
Bring a goblet to my lady,” Alaric called to a servant.
“
She will want to toast the occasion.”
Udele looked immediately to Conan.
“
Occasion?” she asked with a faint smile.
“
Sir Mallory and Edythe have spoken their preference for each other and the wedding will be soon,” Alaric announced.
“
Sir Mallory,” Udele choked.
“
But
--
they
--
Mallory has been in France! What of all the others who have spoken for Edythe?”
“
In her mind, madam, there have been no others.”
“
But he is to go to war with Richard!” She turned to Mallory, shocked.
“
You will wed the girl now and leave her with her father, probably heavy with child, to go to war? What assurance have we that you will not be killed, leaving a widow and child for me to see to?”
“
You have my promise, madam,” Mallory said as respect
fully as he could. Edythe moved closer to his side, frightened that her mother would change her father’s mind. Mallory slipped a protective arm about her waist while all others in the room held silent.
“
What proposition is this?” she asked her husband.
“
Sir Mallory is a good man, to be sure, but what of Edythe’s future? He is a poor knight, with no family with arms to support him and
--
”
“
I am not concerned with her husband’s wealth,” Alaric said with a shrug.
“
Galen’s bride will bring lands to our family when he marries. Edythe’s dowry is not grand and she will give children to her husband’s family. I think he provides for her enough.”
“
What?” Udele asked testily. She looked about the room. She alone opposed this, that much was clear. And what of Conan’s loyalties? She had planned so carefully, so painstak
ingly. He would take the bulk of this estate and Udele would live in comfort. But he was giving his support and pledging himself to so many others: Edwina, Chandra, Medwin, Galen, Edythe, Mallory
...
“
What does he provide her with?”
“
Protection when he has returned. A strong arm. Love. Hope. Things that are more important than riches, lady,” Alaric said easily.
Conan could contain himself no longer.
“
Madam, I see this as an advantage for our family. More than one vassal will be needed in time to keep safe the lands we gain. By the grace of God, more vassals than you have sons. Should Edythe be
g
iven to a rich knight with lands of his own, we could not count on his support. But with Anselm, Phalen, Stoddard and the surrounding lands, ‘tis a blessing to have another son not bound to his father. We can bring him into our family’s service and count him as another strong arm.”