Through the fog of sleep, Lea heard something—someone— moving about the chamber. She groaned, throwing off the covers with her eyes still closed. It couldn't be morning already.
'Stay there.' The bed dipped as Jared sat on the edge and put something in her hand. 'Eat this before you sit up.'
She lifted her hand to her face and opened one eye. 'Bread crust?'
'Just eat it.'
When she was done, he suggested, 'Now sit up and drink this.'
She took the cup from him and sniffed. Ginger. Lea shook her head. Why hadn't she thought of that? She sipped the hot infusion that would calm her queasiness. 'Thank you.'
Jared nodded, then rose from the bed, handing her a gown and stockings. 'When you are dressed, David is waiting.'
She studied the brilliant emerald gown. Intricate needlework, interspersed with gemstones, decorated the hem, neck and cuffs. The detailed craftsmanship of the leaves and flowers was beaudful and far more delicate and time-consuming than anything she would ever attempt. 'This isn't mine.'
'Yes, it is.'
'Where did you—?'
He waved off her obvious question. 'It doesn't matter. Rest assured the gown is yours.'
If she didn't fear the motion would make her ill, she would throw herself into his arms. 'It is beautiful, Jared. Thank you.'
He shrugged, looking more than a little sheepish. 'I couldn't have you saying your vows naked.
No matter how much I would enjoy the sight.'
Lea smiled. The lout had been listening to her. She blinked back surprised tears. 'Still, it is the most gorgeous gown I have owned. Thank you.'
'Are you crying?'
She laughed at the sudden harshness of his voice, then laughed lightly, hoping to dispel the gloom. 'Doesn't every woman cry on their wedding day?'
'I wouldn't know, would I?'
Lea sucked in her breath at her unthinking question and studied him intently. Something was wrong, that much was evident in his tightly drawn features. 'Jared, I...'
She paused. No. He wasn't truly angry. He was a moody, nervous groom on his wedding day. She was fairly certain that standing here doing nothing was only making him more frustrated. 'Tell the king I'll be down directly'
Jared shook his head. 'No. There is no rush. Take your time.' He pointed towards a tray on the bedside table. 'If there is something else you'd rather have to eat, let me know.'
Lea stared at the over-laden tray. Bread, cheese, fruit, a pottage, meat pie... 'Am I expecting company?'
At her question, Jared's sullen mood appeared to lift. He headed toward the door, laughing. 'No. I wasn't certain what
you'd want, so I chose a litde of everything that didn't look as if it might make you ill.'
Speechless, Lea stared at him as he bent to pick up something from the floor and then left the chamber. She turned her attention back to the tray and down at the gown still in her hands.
Never in her entire life had she ever received such attentive care. Not only had he found her the most beautiful gown ever created, he'd brought her morning repast to her in bed. He'd tried —and succeeded—in fending off her morning sickness with food and drink he'd chosen himself.
What had she done to deserve such attentive and kind consideration?
Nothing.
She wasn't going to cry. Lea held her breath. No. She would not cry.
Not for the unexpected kindness he'd shown her this morning, and most definitely not for the things that might have been, or could have been.
Nor would she shed tears for how much she could have loved him.
And, oh, how she could have once loved him.
But now?
Lea stared down at the gown through a watery gaze. Her chest constricted. She gready feared she was already lost.
'Surely you aren't wearing that to your wedding?'
Jared nodded at Rolfe as his captain entered the chamber. 'Apparently I am.' He pulled an emerald-coloured tunic over his chain maille. 'I didn't think you'd make it.'
'I arrived as soon as I could. It's not like you couldn't have sent word sooner.'
'I sent word as soon as I knew I'd have need of you. Besides, you had plenty of dme.'
Rolfe snickered. 'You gave me a day to make a two-day journey.'
'And you whine like an old woman.' Jared glanced over his shoulder. 'Thank you for coming.'
'Nothing could keep me from seeing you finally exchange vows with a woman—especially this one.'
'Bunk. You feared my parents adorning Warehaven's gates with your head if you didn't witness this event.'
Rolfe nodded. 'Well, yes, there is always that.'
He handed Jared his sword belt. I suppose you'll go armed, too?'
'That depends. Did you find Montreau's ring and sword?'
Rolfe handed Jared the crested signet ring, then retrieved the sword from the pile he'd dumped near the door. 'Found this buried in the weapons room beneath the keep. Cleaned it. And carried it here like a precious child. As you ordered.'
Ignoring his man, Jared glanced at the sword. The hilt alone, while ornate, made the blade more toy than weapon. Glittering gems fully adorned the guard. The leather and gold thread wrapping the grip would be uncomfortable to grasp for long. It was doubtful that a solid gold ball as the pommel would be of any use as a counterweight.
With unsharpened edges, the ceremonial sword would be useless in self-defence. Jared tested the weight in his hand and shook his head. He was right—the blade end was heavier than the grip.
'The scabbard?'
Rolfe's eyes widened. 'You wanted the scabbard, too?'
'No. I thought I'd carry it down your throat.'
His man rolled his eyes and retrieved the scabbard from the same pile. He handed it to Jared.
'Aren't you in a fine mood this morning?'
'I'm pledging my entire future to a woman who fears war and warriors. What sort of mood should I have?'
'So you choose to attend the ceremony wearing—full armour?' Rolfe scratched his head. 'You sure you don't want to reconsider?'
Jared threaded the belt through the scabbard before securing the wide leather low on his hips.
'No. She needs to get used to the accoutrements of war."
'So you'll train her like you would one of the pages.'
When put in those terms, the idea suddenly seemed rather... crass. 'I tried talking. That didn't work. Lea isn't going to have her mind changed with words.'
'You'll frighten the poor little thing half to death.'
'She needs to get used to being afraid, otherwise she'll never work out how to come to terms with the fear. Besides, she isn't a poor little thing. She's just irrational when it comes to anything connected to battie.'
'I would think—'
Jared cursed. 'It doesn't matter what you think. I don't have time to ease her into this. There's no way to know when Matilda will call us away. Should I leave my wife witless with fear while I attend to my duty?'
'With no family to bolster her, she's going to be witless with fear the first few times no matter what you do.'
'Then what the hell do you suggest I do?' Jared resisted the urge to throw up his hands in frustration. 'Either you help me in this, or you can stay with her the first few times.'
Rolfe reached for the mailled coif he'd removed upon entering the chamber. 'I think spurs would be a nice addition. They'll clink against the stone floor of the chapel with a memorable echo.'
Jared tapped his heel against the floor. 'Already thought of that.'
Lea paced outside David's private chapel. As much as she wished not to go through with this marriage, Jared had been right —what other choice did she have?
None whatsoever.
She'd gone over all the possible things that could, and probably would, happen to him in her mind more times than she could remember. Not one of the scenarios ended with them growing old together.
All of them ended with their child becoming fatherless before she, or he
, reached adulthood.
And she was supposed to live with this fear, day in and day out?
How?
The only way she could think of was to first make sure Montreau didn't get dragged into Matilda and Stephen's war because of this marriage. And then somehow ensure Jared remained at Montreau.
But Lea knew the likelihood of that happening was slim at best. Jared had said himself that he'd not been raised to oversee
the land. He'd been raised and trained for batde. How much time would pass before he grew bored at Montreau?
Their days together could be few. She knew the choices before her. She could willingly give him her heart, knowing that some day soon it would be shredded beyond repair by his death. Or she could hold on to her heart, set aside the chance for love and not risk the pain this marriage would surely bring.
Neither option appealed to her.
But she had to choose one.
'Lady Lea, they are coming.'
Startled, Lea stared at Agatha. 'Who?'
The older woman rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. 'And where has your mind gone? The men are coming.'
'Oh.' Of course they were. Jared wanted this ceremony over and done with as quickly as possible.
'Are you ready?'
'Not that it matters, but, no.'
Agatha fussed over Lea's hair, readjusting the green ribbons through the braids. At the sound of voices coming from inside the chapel, she peered through the doorway. 'People are gathering.'
'This was supposed to be private.' It wasn't as if they were going to make a grand show of exchanging their vows.
'You didn't think King David was going to permit you to skip the blessing of this union, did you?'
The church's blessing was not required, but Lea knew that David's close relationship with the church would make it mandatory in his keep. So she shouldn't have been surprised that he'd sent for his priest and ensured the chapel would be filled with witnesses.
What had been surprising, however, was when he didn't put up more of a fuss when she and Jared had signed the nuptial document a short dme ago in David's chambers.
Jared had scrawled his name to the brief document without so much as reading a word. She, on the other hand, had made a point to read and reread each line before adding her signature and the Montreau seal below his.
It was odd to be the one agreeing to this union. Her father had taken care of all the details when she'd wed Charles.
While that had been a long, drawn-out process with days of haggling and more haggling, the agreement between her and Jared had been simple.
Since she had no need to essentially purchase a groom, the dowry was waved. In return, Jared had no need to pay for taking her virginity, so the bride price was also set aside.
He would retain possession of Warehaven and she of Montreau.
In truth. Lea was rather surprised Jared had consented to such an unorthodox agreement. But he had, saying only that it made little difference to him if they exchanged gold or property in writing when in reality nothing would change—they would both still be responsible for Montreau and Warehaven.
She knew her father would have balked. And even though King David urged her to think carefully of her future, she agreed with Jared. What difference would it make?
Thankfully neither property was entailed to a ruler, so she and Jared had the right to settle as they pleased.
Of course, a sizeable contribution would need to be given to the church for this hasty blessing.
She left that decision in Jared's hands.
The jingle of chain maille caught her attention. Lea frowned. Had David ordered troops to this ceremony? If so, why? It wasn't as if she intended to run away again. She'd tried that before with litde success.
And Jared certainly wasn't going to change his mind at the last minute. He'd made that perfectly clear. Besides, he now considered the child his responsibility. He would never dishonour himself by turning his back on his duty.
Nor had there been enough dme for anyone to discover their pending vows and take offence. The only person who might protest their union was Villaire. And he wouldn't have had the courage to come to King David's court prepared to fight.
Men's voices drifted down the corridor leading to the chapel. She turned to see who was coming to this ceremony prepared for battle.
When three men in full armour rounded the corner, Lea's breath caught. She heard Agatha's whoosh of breathy approval.
While, yes, Jared, King David, and Rolfe created a feast for the eyes, this was her wedding, not a melee. What did he think he was doing?
She directed her glare towards Jared, prepared to demand an explanation. But his hard, dark stare from behind his nasal helm seemed to dare her to complain.
An unspoken threat glinted from his gaze, effectively chasing away her chasdsement. He stopped before her, took her hands in his and graced her with a seductive half-smile.
Lea's heart somersaulted. A sudden shocking warmth low in her belly sent a heated flush of longing and embarrassment to her cheeks.
She was marrying a lout.
One who obviously knew he could so easily take her breath away with nothing more than a look.
She smiled weakly at her loss of coherent thought. 'You did this on purpose.'
Jared only nodded.
Lea looked down and caught sight of her grandsire's sword hanging from Jared's belt. She closed her eyes, knowing that every dme in the future when she thought of their wedding she would see a man dressed for battle.
Oh, yes, he'd most certainly done this on purpose. Nothing else would have emphasised the fact she was about to willingly swear an oath vowing to take this man—this warrior—as her husband.
Her future complaints and fears would be useless. There would be no doubting that she'd known exactly who and what she'd sworn to accept.
Lea scraped her teeth across her lower lip. Then, squaring her shoulders, she took a breath before returning her gaze to his. 'Jared...'
He backed her away from the small gathering at the chapel door. 'You left me litde choice, Lea.'
His voice was soft and steady.
She stared down at their hands, unable to think of what she'd wanted to say.
Jared slid the edge of his hand beneath her chin, forcing her to look back up at him. 'Lea of Montreau, I will not force you. Will you wed me? Will you accept who and what I am?'
'I...' Why did her voice tremble? Why did her chest constrict at the mere thought of saying no?
He remained silent, waidng for her to decide.
The simple act of finally giving her the right to decide chased away her will to decline his offer.
Their days together wouldn't be easy. But the nights she didn't spend alone, shaking with abject fear, would be pure bliss.
Lea sighed. 'You'll pay for this one day, Warehaven.'
She was fairly certain her low, seductive tone of voice wiped away any hint of threat.
Jared cupped her cheek and smiled. 'I will count the hours until then.'
A collective sigh from behind Jared's back made Lea laugh. Had the king, Rolfe and Agatha been holding their breath, waiting for her to say no?
She brushed her cheek against his palm. 'Could you do one thing for me?'
'That depends.'
'When I'm old and feeble I would like to think back on this day and remember a face, not some warrior demon seeking to haunt my dreams. Could you at least remove your helmet?'
He stepped back and for a long moment she feared he would say no. To her relief, he unlaced his helmet and beckoned Rolfe forwards to assist him with the coif.
Once the armour was removed, the heat returned to her belly and cheeks. Just looking at him made her shiver with need. She would never voice it aloud—his self-worth was large enough as it was—but she was marrying a very fine specimen of a man.
Lea reached up to brush her fingers through his hair before slowly lowering herself to one knee before him. 'Yes, I will exchange
my vows with you willingly, Jared of Warehaven.'
Chapter Nineteen
Jared knew his concerns that she'd not uphold the honour of Montreau and Warehaven had been unjustified. It was a lack of faith that he'd make certain to amend.. .later.
He assisted her to her feet, tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her back to the chapel door.
Still outside of the chapel, with their chosen witnesses— David, Rolfe and Agatha—behind them, they stopped before the priest.
'Do you both come willing to this blessing?'
Lea's voice mingled with his as they gave their affirmative answers.
The priest stepped back, leaving the two of them to attend to the man-made part of this ceremony.
Jared took a steadying breath. To his amazement his hands trembled like those of an old man. Lea smiled, obviously aware of his unusual reaction, and placed her hand on his chest.
The slight touch, her gentle smile, calmed his riotous pulse, giving him the power to speak without embarrassing himself.
They'd never exchanged official vows of the future, so he said, 'I, Jared of Warehaven, do so swear to receive you as mine, so that you become my wife and I your husband.'
To his relief, his words were steady.
Lea lowered her hand and stared up at him. 'I, Lea of Montreau, do so swear to receive you as mine, so that you become my husband and I your wife.'
The priest asked, 'Are there any known impediments to this union?'
King David and Rolfe answered in unison, 'Nay.' The strength of their reply would have given anyone with an objection pause.
When the priest nodded, Jared recited the vow he'd thought never to speak to her. % Jared, take thee, Lea, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health 'dl death do us part. Thereto I plight thee my troth.'
Sofdy, with a suspicious shimmer in her eyes, Lea repeated, 'I, Lea, take thee, Jared, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health 'til death do us part. Thereto I plight thee my troth.'
King David and Rolfe each handed a ring to the priest, who blessed the tokens before giving them to him and Lea.
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