by Jody Hedlund
A spurt of defiance rose within me. I didn’t want to be known as a simpering fool of a girl. Without giving myself time to rationalize my next move, I slapped the knife away from my throat, surprising the abbot, and ducked low as I’d seen Derrick do during his fighting.
“Now!” the duke shouted. Upon the command, Derrick flung his dagger so that it flew end over end directly toward the abbot.
I sank lower and covered my head with my bound hands.
Before the abbot could move, the sharp blade punctured his chest with a thud. He gave a pained scream, fell backward, and hit his head against the altar. For a long moment, his breath gurgled in his chest. Then he wheezed a final gasp and slumped lifelessly to the floor.
It was over. The nightmare was finally over. Even so, my body trembled uncontrollably.
“Rosemarie,” Derrick called, running toward me. Within seconds, he was at my side and reaching for me. I found myself being pulled against him, his arms surrounding me, his hands pressing my head against his chest.
“You were brave, my lady,” he whispered against my ear. “I don’t know that I would have had the daring to throw the dagger with you standing so closely to him.”
I had no doubt he would have thrown it regardless and would have made his mark. Nevertheless, I’d done something courageous. Perhaps it was an omen that I would be able to face my future the same way.
Derrick pulled me away from his chest, and his fingers found the cut on my neck.
I winced at the gentle contact. His eyes darkened into storm clouds.
I lifted my bound hands then and bravely touched the scar that ran below his eye and then his cheek. At my contact, he grasped me and swept me tight into his arms again, burying his face in my hair, which had come loose and now fell in tangled waves. He sucked in a deep breath and whispered near my ear. “I thought I’d lose you before I had the chance to tell you that I love you.”
A shimmer of wonder raced through me. “Derrick,” I whispered back in a thick voice.
Before I could tell him I loved him too, he burrowed his face deeper in my hair so that his lips grazed my ear. “I love you, Rosemarie. I’m just sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
I melted against him, relishing the heavy rise and fall of his chest. How was it possible to be dying inside one moment and wrapped in the arms of the man I loved the next? “Derrick,” I started again, but then stopped as I realized I was using his Christian name although he’d not given me leave to do so.
He pulled back and watched me expectantly, his brow quirking with the confidence that told me he knew exactly what I was trying to tell him.
I inwardly flushed, especially when I realized the other three knights had seen our display of affection and were near enough now to hear our conversation.
“My lady?” he said, tilting his head and waiting.
I had to speak the words burning in my chest, filling me. Although I’d faced an uncertain choice these past weeks, I now knew without a doubt the course of my life. “I don’t wish to be anywhere else on this earth except with you.”
A slow smile spread across his lips. “Does this mean I won the competition?”
“Of course you’re the winner, you foul piece of dungeon scum,” Sir Collin called from where he was rounding up the wounded guards. “We never stood a chance once you actually started to make an effort.”
“I think we need to get you married to Lady Rosemarie as soon as possible,” Sir Bennet said from his spot next to the abbot as he pulled the dagger from the man’s chest. “Since you obviously can’t keep your hands off her.”
I tugged away from Derrick, heat stealing into my cheeks. But before I could move too far, he grabbed the rope still binding my hands, preventing my escape. With a quick flick of his dagger, he cut the bonds loose. He pulled me back to him and cupped my cheek with a gentleness that seemed contradictory to a man of his strength and valor. His thumb swirled soft caresses against my skin while his gaze dropped to my lips as if he had every intention of kissing me.
My stomach heated in anticipation.
“Soon,” he whispered, tearing his attention from my lips, his eyes alight with promise.
“The day is getting late,” the duke said. “I’ll find a priest and tell him to make his way to the church right away.” He’d scooped Trudy up into his arms and was already striding through the church, likely taking her to the infirmary.
Derrick’s brows furrowed into a scowl. “No.” He stood and assisted me back to my feet.
The three knights halted their work and stared at him.
“If I’m going to do this, I’ll do it properly.” His voice rang with defiance, and he glared at his friends, daring them to challenge him. “We have until midnight on Rosemarie’s birthday, don’t we?”
“Yes,” the duke said, cradling Trudy carefully. “But I think the sooner the better.”
“I agree,” Derrick said, turning back to me with a tender smile that made my insides flop. “But first I need to do this.”
He dropped to a knee before me, took one of my hands in his, and brought it to his lips for a tender kiss that made me suddenly long for so much more.
When his eyes met mine, I could see the swirling of that same desire within his. “My lady,” he said in a low voice that was raw with emotion. “I love you with all the life blood beating in my body. And I shall love you all the days of my life unto eternity.”
His declaration radiated through me and chased away all the agony of the past days.
“In front of these men, the best friends a man could ever have, and in front of God as my witness, I pledge you my devotion, my heart, and my life. I only ask for yours in return.” He peered up at me, his clear honest eyes beseeching me to return what I could not help but give him.
“It’s already yours.”
His smile broke free once again with a happiness that was uncontainable. “Then you’ll marry me?”
“Without hesitation.”
Sir Collin gave a whoop that echoed in the empty church, and Sir Bennet bowed his congratulations.
“You deserve better than a bridegroom covered in blood and grime,” Derrick said, threading his fingers through mine.
“You need your wounds tended, sir,” I agreed, frowning as I took in the spots of blood on his leg and arm.
“Only a bath and change of garments,” he rushed. “You deserve that at the very least.”
“What about a wedding back at the castle in my rose garden? After we’ve both had the chance to change?”
He hesitated, glanced at his friends, who nodded, and then tightened his grip on my hand. “As long as you guarantee it will be without any delays.”
“Without any delays,” I agreed, hoping my smile wasn’t too eager.
The pink of eventide began to glow in the west. The color matched the roses that surrounded me.
A soft breeze tousled the sheer gown of palest rose that I’d worn on the day I’d met the knights. One of my maids had brushed my hair until it shone, and now it hung past my waist in shimmering waves.
I wore a veil over my face that flowed from a crown of roses.
“You picked well, dear one,” the duke whispered as he walked me forward to the three noble knights waiting in my garden with the priest. They had cleaned up and now watched my approach with admiration on their faces.
“Did you know I’d fall in love with Sir Derrick, your Grace?” I asked.
“Yes. He’s the one I chose for you. I just needed the two of you to realize how well matched you were for each other.”
“We shall balance each other well, I think.” My gaze strayed to the man at the front of the three knights, stocky, scarred, and strong. His attention didn’t move from me as I made my way slowly toward him. “He’s strong where I’m weak. And I have strength that can likewise fill in his weaknesses.”
“You’ll do great things together.” The duke squeezed my hand.
As I neared Derrick, the first stars twinkl
ed overhead as if God himself had sprinkled diamonds across the sky for the occasion.
“Your bride, my son,” the duke said, placing my hand upon Derrick’s arm.
My groom straightened his shoulders. In a clean tunic and dark jerkin, with his freshly shaven jaw and hair combed into submission, he was still rugged in a way that sent my heart into a strange pattering dance.
“My lady,” he whispered. Slowly, almost reverently, he swept up my veil until he’d pushed it all the way back. “You’re beautiful.” He made a leisurely perusal of my face before focusing on my lips. This time there was a determination in his eyes that told me he wouldn’t be swerved now or ever again.
Heat unfurled deep in my middle.
“My lady,” he said again, this time raising his gaze to mine. “I’ve been waiting patiently to claim the prize you owe me. But today, at this moment, my patience has finally run out.”
“What prize did you have in mind, sir?” I trembled, knowing full well what he wanted.
“May I show you?” he whispered, bending nearer.
I nodded.
He lifted a hand to my cheek, brushing my skin with the softness of the wind. He bent closer until his breath hovered above my lips. After an immeasurably sweet instant, his lips came against mine, claiming me as his own.
I leaned in and gave myself to him. For a long, precious moment, I was on the brink of heaven with just him.
“You don’t need to rub it in,” came the teasing voice of Sir Collin next to Derrick, followed by the low rumble of chuckles from the others.
I pulled back, heat radiating over my cheeks, but I met Derrick’s proud grin with one of my own.
“Perhaps you shall have to claim your prize again later, sir,” I whispered.
His grin widened. “Whatever you wish shall always be my command.”
Epilogue
My pulse fluttered at the blaring of the trumpet signaling Derrick’s return.
“He’s home early,” Trudy said, tying the lace on my bodice. “And I haven’t even started on your hair.”
“My hair will be just fine.” I rose from the bench in front of my dressing table unable to contain my anticipation.
“But shouldn’t we pull it up, my lady? For the evening?”
I was already halfway across the room, my hair cascading around me in wild abandon. “I couldn’t bear to sit still for the time it would take to fix it.”
Trudy clucked, but then her face softened. After two months, the wounds from her ordeal with the tongue-ripper were finally beginning to fade. She shook her head, gave me a secretive smile, and then waved me onward. “Be off with you, then.”
I returned the smile. Although I hadn’t shared the news with anyone yet, I was sure Trudy knew, especially after consulting the physician that morning.
With my heart beating louder with each passing second, I stepped into the hallway. Due to the fading light of the autumn evening, the wall sconces had already been lit.
“He’s home, my lady.” Bartholomew gave me one of his gaping but endearing smiles.
I wanted to reward my old guard handsomely with riches and land for his part in helping Derrick escape from prison, but Bartholomew had resisted every reward, except one — my promise that he could continue to serve me as he’d always done.
“I didn’t think he’d be gone very long,” Bartholomew said, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “He just can’t be away from you, my lady.”
“Nor I him,” I said with a widening smile. It had been the first day I hadn’t traveled with him on one of his excursions into the kingdom to evaluate and plan for improvements. When I’d informed him earlier in the day that I wasn’t planning to go, he’d wanted to postpone the trip.
But I’d insisted that he go without me. And he’d only done so reluctantly only after a great deal of persuasion.
I moved after Bartholomew as he led me down the winding staircase to the Great Hall. Even though Derrick had entered the castle walls, I knew it would take some time before he reached the inner bailey, dismounted his horse, and handed it over to the care of one of the stable hands.
Nevertheless, I wanted to be ready for him, wanted to be the first to greet him when he entered.
I was surprised when I made my way through the back passage of the Great Hall to hear a commotion coming from the front entry. My new porter was racing to the doors.
I’d been sad to have to send James on his way to find employment elsewhere, but after learning of his part in helping the abbot, Derrick had wanted to lock James away in the dungeon until he rotted to death.
However, I was convinced that in his heart James had only thought he was doing the best thing for me, had believed the abbot truly cared about me, the same way I had. No one had considered that the abbot was consumed with controlling me so that eventually he could control my lands.
Instead of punishing James, I’d finally persuaded Derrick to release him with the condition that he would move far away and never return.
The banging on the front doors grew more insistent until through the hallway, I could see the new porter opening doors. My breath snagged in my chest at the sight of Derrick striding into the castle, his face having grown more attractive with each passing day. He spoke tersely to the porter and then bounded toward the staircase.
“My lord,” I called from the center of the Great Hall.
My call stopped him. And when he turned and caught sight of me, he started toward me with quick, firm steps that echoed with determination.
As he drew nearer, my heart pounded louder, especially when the intensity of his gaze found me. His footsteps didn’t lessen. He stared directly at my lips with such purpose that I trembled with the desire rising within me.
When he reached me, he swiftly captured me, dragged me against his body, and crushed me in his arms. His lips descended upon mine with a fierceness that sent heat curling through down to my toes.
For a long moment, I lost myself in his kiss and his embrace, until finally he broke away, sucked in a deep breath, and whispered against my ear hoarsely. “I missed you today.”
I smiled. “I missed you too.”
“Not nearly as much as I did, I’m sure.”
He brushed a soft trail of kisses across my ear, making me nearly forget reason. “I thought about you every minute of the day,” I whispered.
“Just promise you won’t ever do this to me again. Promise that you’ll come with me every time from now on.” His hands wove into my hair, combing the long strands. His lips followed, and he buried his face in my hair, drawing in a deep breath. “The people expect you. They love you.”
“They love you too.”
“Not as much as you.”
I was grateful that when I’d assumed full leadership of my lands the people had transferred their allegiance to me eagerly. I’d already proven to them my devotion and compassion, and thankfully they respected me for it.
“I hated spending the day away from you,” he whispered, pulling me closer. “Please promise I won’t have to do it again.”
“I can’t promise that, my lord,” I said coyly.
He froze.
“Although I shall be loathe to let you ride alone,” I hurried, “I cannot promise to be with you every time . . .”
He drew back and studied my face, his gray eyes suddenly darkening.
“At least not for the next seven months.”
His eyes met mine, alight with questions and searching deeply for answers.
I slipped a hand to my abdomen, splaying it with reverence.
His gaze dropped to my hand, and when it rose again his face was alive, the weariness of the day gone. “Then you are — ?”
“We are having a baby,” I whispered.
He broke into a grin.
After kissing me again, twirling me around, and shouting the news for all the servants to hear, he finally pulled me into his arms.
I’d known how much he wanted a family. After so many years
of grieving the one he’d lost as a boy, he was ready to move forward and to start building a legacy of his own. And I was more than a little relieved to know that I wouldn’t have the same problem as my mother in conceiving.
“Thank you,” he whispered, holding me tightly.
“Let’s thank the One who deserves it most.”
With a happy smile, he led me to the chapel, where we offered prayers of thankfulness to God for all that he’d given us. Every day, I offered him thanks for the opportunity to serve him alongside my husband, that I had the blessing of experiencing true love. I was more than grateful for the duke and his wisdom, his love, and his guidance. And I was grateful that my loneliness was truly gone, that I’d gained not only a lifelong companion, but also his friends as mine.
After praying and feasting together, we ended our day as we usually did, in front of the hearth with the chess game between us.
“Pup’s behaving strangely tonight,” Derrick said after one of his rash moves. Pup only lifted his head, lolled his tongue in a semblance of a smile, and then rested his head on his paws again.
I reached down and scratched the dog on his furry white head. He was lying by my side for the first time in weeks. In fact, he hadn’t lain by my side since Derrick had become lord of the castle. He’d taken to his new master with a loyalty and love that mirrored mine.
Derrick grinned at the dog. “You don’t suppose he knows . . .”
I studied Pup, the alertness of his ears, the restlessness of his posture. “Do you think he senses we’re having a baby?”
“I believe so.” Derrick bent forward and gave the dog a loving pat on his back. “I think he knows how much I want to protect you and the baby and so he’s just doing my bidding.”
“Well, if this is what it takes to win the affection of my dog again, then I shall have to do this more often.”
Derrick’s grin only widened.
Just then, Pup raised his head and stared in the direction of the front hallway. Within seconds, the new porter entered. “I beg your forgiveness for the interruption, my lord. But a messenger has just arrived.”