by Hannah West
“Well there are over thirty men entered but the ones I have heard most of are Lord Norfolk, a charming Lord Jackson, and the Black Baron. Oh and the Scots, they are quite a sight to behold. One of the Lairds is a very handsome fellow. I heard he brought his mother with him as well.” She made a face. “The Black Baron is the one I would do anything not to wed. The tales of his cruelty know no bounds. He has taken three wives all who have died shortly after a year of marriage mysteriously. It is said he slaughtered hundreds with great pleasure during the war.”
A chill went up Evelyn’s spine. It sounded just like her father.
“Mayhap if I can convince the king, he will not wed me to such a beast,” Evelyn murmured to herself.
Chapter Thirty
It was time.
The tournament was about to start and the four of them were about to be introduced as the king’s prizes for his game.
All were dressed in their best silks and jewels, hair twisted up in fine styles just for the presentation of the brides.
The two sisters, not cousins she had found out, Anna and Elizabeth, had on matching gowns of pale blue, while their cousin Marie Anne wore a gown of deep forest green. Evelyn however wore a sparkling white gown with gold highlights on the sleeves and skirt, while Emma off to her side had chosen a pale rose pink dress.
All looked grand and every inch the nobles there bloodlines granted them. However none seemed as happy as Evelyn thought they would be. Was it not the life of nobles to make marriages for alliances?
The tent flap opened and the king’s steward waved them over.
“You shall proceed one at a time as the king announces you, wait until he is finished and then seat yourself as he does the same for the next,” he droned on in a high nasally tone looking over each of them with beady black eyes.
All nodded once and waited to hear who had to go first. The space inside of the tent grew tense.
“I give you the first of my goddaughters the Lady Marie Anne. Daughter to the Lord of Berkley. With her hand comes the gift of the lands of Berwick and all entitled. She shall be the fine prize you fight for today during our first event!”
A loud cheer rang out from the crowd.
“Next is Lady Elizabeth, daughter of the Earl of Penworth and with her hand comes dower lands in Surrey as well as a large chest of gold. She will be the prize of tomorrows event,” the booming voice of the king announced.
“Our last goddaughter is sister to Lady Elizabeth, the Lady Anna. With her goes another dower plot and more gold.”
Evelyn grew nervous and took a step back to run when Emma caught her hand.
“All will be will. Straight posture, small steps and a graceful smile,” Emma murmured to her before she was pulled alone by the steward and pushed through the opening.
Evelyn righted herself before she took the hand offered to her. When her eyes adjusted to the light change she gasped in shock.
The one who pulled her to her feet and held her hand was Lord Will!
“And last, but not least is the generous Lady Evelyn. Daughter to the previous Lord Norfolk, the Duke of Norfolk.”
The crowd grew silent and Evelyn looked out among the sea of face with a slight nervous smile as it was all she could manage at the moment.
If Lord Will was announcing them and it was supposed to be done by the king, that would mean he was king. Evelyn could not quite wrap her mind around that new fact.
“As she is my ward I will grant a title to go with her as well as the bequest left to her by her father intrust of the previous king. The lands of Arundel and everything within as well as ten cases of gold.”
Evelyn had froze. Surely her father had left her nothing. Mayhap it was a mistake or the king was being kind in granting her a dowry in the guise of her father.
King William used his other hand to lift Anna’s hand. “These two will be the final prize for my last event. The last two standing warriors shall each claim a bride!”
Evelyn looked over to Lady Anna and saw her expression was just as thunderstruck as her own.
However none was more stunned then the Lord of Norfolk.
As Evelyn looked over the other guest boxes surrounding the field she saw Lord Cesare shoot out of his seat as her father’s identity was told to all. She had watched as his expression changed from stunned disbelief to swift anger. He turned and went into the tent behind his box.
A tearing pain started in her chest until she felt something give way. It had happened and all it had taken was one final look from him. He had finally broken her.
One silent tear left a track down her cheek before it fell to the ground.
She took her seat to the king’s left at the end and waved Emma to sit in the chair next to her. Evelyn watched without really seeing after that.
The men who entered in to the first event were signed and the first event, jousting, began.
The only thing Evelyn noticed was that Lord Cesare had not entered for Marie Anne, like Marie had hoped.
Chapter Thirty-One
The jousting tournament ended in splintered lances, ear jarring roars of approval from the crowd and a single knight sitting atop his sweaty mount looking directly at Marie Anne through the slit in his helm.
“And our jousting champion is Laird Buchannan of the Scottish Isles!” King William announced in his booming voice to the crowd as he got to his feet, clapping.
Marie Anne’s face had gone pale as milk as she took in the height of the lumbering lord atop his steed.
He was taller than even Lord Cesare coming close to seven feet tall and was built like a powerful ox with thick cords of muscle.
Evelyn thought of Marie Anne who was quite tall for a woman and how the man would dwarf her. She only hoped he was ready to take such a vile woman as his wife.
Laird Buchannan removed his helm and dismounted his war horse to stock over to Marie Anne sat and stopped in front of her. The piercing gaze he held to her gave away no thoughts.
King William smiled at the pair. “In addition to winning her hand the wedding shall take place tonight! Congratulations!”
At that announcement both gave the king a look of surprise.
William clapped his hands together. “And so comes the end of our first event! For the chance of winning the hand of the lovely Lady Elizabeth, you must prove to be a master of archery! Let tonight’s celebrations begin!”
All stood as the king made his exit and Evelyn made her move to leave when she noticed a beautiful older woman staring at her from a group that had gathered around Laird Buchannan.
The woman had long black hair that fell well passed her smooth waist and pale colored eyes the bore into Evelyn.
It looked as if the woman had been about to come over to her when the man caught her arm and said something with a shake of his head. The woman said something back but he shook his head again before looking over to her.
He gave her a small nod of acknowledgement and steered the group away back to the area their tents were in.
A nagging feeling ad Evelyn staring after them until Emma steered her away and took her back to the castle.
…
Not long before the evening meal the wedding was to take place and Evelyn came across the sound of a woman crying. She looked for that person and was shocked to find Marie Anne curled up on a stone bench in an alcove.
Evelyn felt her heart go out to the other young woman. She was to marry someone she did not know and she would be forced to wed tonight.
Even if she had been mean to Evelyn she still deserved kindness on a day such as this. Why were the others not with her?
Taking a seat next to her Evelyn pulled her close as she cried. Marie didn’t even resist a little, she clung to Evelyn.
After she calmed down some Evelyn asked, “Why are you so upset?”
“I am to marry a barbarian and then I will be forced to leave my homeland to live in the wilds of Scotland!” A sob escaped her. “All I wanted was a man who could show me kindn
ess. But the Scots are such savages. I fear what my husband will do.”
“I have heard tale that the Buchanans' be fine men, brave and full of honor. I am sure Laird Buchanan is a very kind man. Be grateful it was not the Black Baron. Take heart and give him a chance. He might be just what you were looking for,” Evelyn said with a gentle smile. “Better to know your future then have it remain unclear.”
Marie smiled through her tears. “Why are you being so nice to me, when I was most cruel to you?”
Evelyn smiled. “Even they need kindness, even if they were cruel. Be to others as you wish them to be to you.” She patted the girl’s hand. “Now where are your cousins?”
Marie’s eyes filled with tears. “They said since I was to marry a Scot that I was too soiled to consort with them. They abandoned me.”
“Well,” Evelyn said standing up. “They are beneath you now. They shall get what is coming to them, I am most sure. Now you must cheer up. You are to be wed shortly and will have a new home with new people. A new start and a new chance at happiness. If only all of us were allowed that.”
Marie nodded, standing up. “You are right. It is too late now to do anything and I must find my happiness with my new husband. Will you stand with me?”
Evelyn grinned. “I would be so honoured.”
…
The wedding was short lived ending in a loud party made of the evening meal. Music was played and people danced making merry.
Evelyn enjoyed the merriment from her seat, watching with vivid eyes as her new friend danced with her new husband. The only thing that dampened her joy was the fact that Lord Cesare had left as soon as he ate. He had not stayed after seeing her.
Evelyn felt someone sit in the chair next to her.
“Why do you sigh so?” asked a sweet lilting voice.
Evelyn looked over to see the Scotswoman who had stared at her during the joust. She had the most startling eyes pale violet ringing in dark grey.
“It is nothing,” Evelyn said looking back to the new couple.
“Do you fear who you are to wed?” the lady asked.
Evelyn nodded slightly. “The Black Baron has made it clear that he seeks me. I fear I may be won by him and I fear him above all else. He is cruel like my father was I hear. I do not wish to court my death.”
“The Black Baron is indeed an evil man,” the woman agreed. “Do you care for any man in particular?”
“Even if I did it matters not now. As long as the man who wins me is kind to me, it does not truly matter,” Evelyn sighed, resigned.
“Would you like the Highlands, do you think?”
Surprised Evelyn looked back to her, to see the woman smiling. “What?”
“My son’s friend is the Laird of the Douglas’ and he be looking for a wife and he was charmed by you. He is a kind and fair lad.”
Too stunned for words Evelyn just stared openly at her.
“If you would like to meet him I can bring him over to meet you. He had planned on entering for you. Mayhap you can look upon him as your champion.”
Evelyn’s emotions and thoughts roiled. Could she choose someone she had never met? Would meeting the man help ease the dull pain in her chest? Could she accept Scotland as her new home?
She turned her thoughts to Lord Cesare and asked herself if she could forget him and his touch if she gave herself to another man who she would call husband.
Her heart whispered no while her head said she must.
She wanted no more of this pain and wished to find her happiness again. This would be the first step she would need to take.
When Evelyn nodded the pensive look on her face melted away.
“I would like that very much,” Evelyn added with another nod.
The older woman nodded. “I shall be right back.” She paused and looked at Evelyn again.
Evelyn felt that weird feeling in the pit of her stomach again, as if she should know this woman.
She thought she would say something but the woman shook her head with a sad smile and left in search of Laird Douglas.
Evelyn stared after her until she melted into the large crowd, then turned her focus back to Marie and Laird Buchanan.
…
It had been a pleasing surprise to meet Laird Douglas, he had a wild charm to him and a wonderful sense of humor that Evelyn took an interest in.
They talked for a long while before he asked her, “Why have you not been wed before now, lass? You’re very bonny and smart.”
It was a story that Evelyn was tired of telling but she did anyway.
“I lived at the convent near here until a short time ago. I miss it sometimes but I am glad that I am no longer bound for that life. I have longed for a family ever since I was a little child.”
Laird Douglas leaned forward. “In that case, lass, will you let me fight for you?” His bright green eyes flashed with the steely glint of seriousness.
“I would be honoured if you did,” Evelyn said with a shy nod.
“It’s settled then.” He stood and cast a grin down at her. “It has been a pleasure, my lady.” And with that he walked away from her.
Evelyn liked him and believed he would suit her well. He was kind and he would be good to her she knew. Laird Douglas seemed honourable.
Lady Buchanan, Laird Buchanan’s mother, started to make her way over to once Laird Douglas left, but her son stopped her with a few words and a glare.
She returned his words and tried to pull away.
So Laird Buchanan left the room pulling her with him leaving a stunned Marie behind.
Worried for Lady Buchanan, Evelyn followed behind. When they reached a hallway clear of people he let her go. Evelyn peeked around the corner to see what was going on.
“We agreed to stay away from her until the end of the tournament,” the man snapped.
“Well I could not help it. She was distressed. She is to be wed off to in two days, to any man who wins. What was the harm in offering her comfort? She likes Ian and he was entering for her anyhow. Now at least he knows her and is motivated to win her.” She put her hands on her hips.
“Aye, but you could have ruined the plan. She does not know who we truly are. After fifteen years of searching we have found her and your old husband dead. Have a little more patience and soon you can tell her, but first let’s get her home,” Laird Buchanan said gentling his tone to his mother.
She wiped her tears from her eyes stubbornly. “I just want my daughter back. That bastard took her from me when she was but a babe.”
Evelyn stilled as her heart thundered in her chest in the thick silence.
A sound drew their attention and they peered at the area Evelyn was in.
Without a thought Evelyn fled.
Chapter Thirty-Two
King William, while he was disappointed about a Scot winning the hand of one of his goddaughter, was in a whimsical mood. While his cousin hadn’t entered in the first event, he wondered which one Cesare would enter.
It seemed however things were going according to plan otherwise.
He watched as the night wound down, the wedded couple were off to their chambers and the night’s guests sought out their own beds.
Tomorrows events were sure to be a focal point and a grand affair.
However he knew that his next goddaughter was not happy about who was expected to enter and win her hand and her event.
…
Cesare had been stowing all day in his silent fury. He felt used and discarded.
Evelyn had known who her father had been and had hidden it from him. So in truth this should have all been hers. The castle, the land and the gold. She was the rightful heir of Norfolk and all of this should have passed to her husband upon marriage.
What stung the most was she had not trusted him enough to tell him.
Why had she not?
Had she never cared for him?
She should have told him who her sire had been. He may have been stunned but he would not have bee
n angry as he was now.
Cesare knew well that one did not choose one’s parents, nor their birth.
However he was also angered over the fact that she would protect the man’s name after all that had beheld her at the man’s hands. He had heard of the tales that surrounded the previous lord. He had marred four times over, each ending in the death of his wife and the last costing him his only living child. Some say he was a drunken fool, while others had called him raving mad.
Cesare would agree the man had been mad, stark raving mad at that.
And so now he had to make a choice and he now had less than a day to do it.
…
The archery had begun and once again the Lord of Norfolk hadn’t entered. Rumours started to fly over which of the last to remaining ladies he would fight for.
Some said he was blinded by lust, others by love. A few even said he cared nothing for any of the wenches and he thirsted for the blood of men in the malay.
Evelyn knew not why he had not entered in the other events, but she was sure he wanted the king’s last goddaughter. He had made it clear that he would not wed her and Evelyn felt disheartened however she held onto the hope of Laird Douglas winning and choosing her.
She was sorry however for the way Cesare had found out about her sire. She had been ashamed to admit such a man had been her sire, so she had not told him lest he pitied her more then he already had.
Evelyn was brought back to the present when the spectators roared their approval over a shot fired by Alec de Bourg as he advanced to the next round.
He was the seventh son of a viscount, held no titles of his own, but was a favourite of the court. He was handsome enough and was a master of many weapons, but the bow was his weapon of choice.