Thrill Of The Knight

by Julia Latham

  And dropped to her knees. Her gown spread out about her, gleaming golden in the torchlight. The high stained-glass windows shown down on her as well; she’d chosen her position wisely.

  It was the last thing she could control. Now her entire life rested in the hands of one man.

  Chapter 25

  John, now standing hidden within the crowd in the great hall, saw the moment that Elizabeth began her purposeful walk to the king. He felt like a failure. Elizabeth’s people had wanted to fight for her, to win her freedom—and theirs. And John had been forced to back down.

  When he had seen her in that golden gown, dressed as the heiress she was, his heart had almost stopped beating, so above him did she seem. Yet the woman who’d brazenly bedded him was there, too, trapped within the role she’d been given in life, the role she’d agreed to honor.

  He’d almost wished she had seen his face, so she could decide between Bannaster and him one last time. Or was it at last time to declare himself?

  When she dropped to her knees before the king, in a silent hall where even breathing had stopped, he felt himself caught in a strange moment in time.

  Was he about to lose her to duty?

  Or win her love?

  “King Henry!” Elizabeth called in a strong, clear voice.

  Bannaster tried to laugh. “My dear, if you’re so impatient to begin the ceremony, there is no need for theatrics. I’m certain we can—”

  “King Henry,” she said again, “I have need of your help.”

  The king stepped forward, the tiny circlet of gold on his head glittering in the light. “I am sorry to hear that your betrothed has not arrived, Lady Elizabeth. But it is good that you wish to settle this great inheritance that you have borne with dignity.”

  “Your Majesty, I do not wish to be the bearer of unsettling news, but I can remain quiet no longer.”

  Bannaster tried to take the king’s arm, but King Henry was now frowning at her. “What distresses you, lady?”

  “Lord Bannaster claimed that in needing to protect me from the suitors who had begun to quarrel over my hand, he had to keep me secluded from my friends, from my people. He might have had the best motives, Your Majesty, but imprisonment is imprisonment.”

  A shocked gasp moved through the crowd, and John pushed closer to the center of the hall, his hand on the sword hidden beneath his cloak. Elizabeth risked much by speaking out against Bannaster.

  “You were not imprisoned,” Bannaster scoffed.

  “Nay, but only because I switched places with my maidservant in a quest to free myself without bringing harm to my people. But Your Majesty, my betrothed is alive. I love him, and I wish to marry him.”

  John almost stumbled as her words shocked him. She was risking the king’s censure, her own inheritance, everything—for him.

  He wanted to swell his chest in pride—and tremble in panic at what the king would decide.

  King Henry turned his formidable frown on his cousin. “You told me that Russell had not been found, that he was most likely dead.”

  “We all did assume that, Your Majesty,” Bannaster quickly said. “He is an untrustworthy man, who even now has deserted Lady Elizabeth.”

  That was all John needed to hear. He threw off his cloak and strode forward, then knelt at Elizabeth’s side. She looked up at him in shock and then wonder and then love, and he recognized the emotions on her face because they matched his own.

  “King Henry,” he said, “I am John Russell, ninth Baron Russell. I come to you to claim my bride.”

  He slipped his hand into Elizabeth’s and squeezed. Her skin felt cold and moist, but the smile she gave him warmed him.

  Before the king could speak, the great hall erupted in cheers that took several minutes to quiet. Bannaster had gone pale and angry, and the looks he cast at Elizabeth did not bode well for her happiness should John lose her hand.

  King Henry lifted one hand, and the last excited voices faded away. He frowned at John. “Lord Russell, have you proof of your identity? You have been gone many a year, and although you resemble some of the Russell men I’ve known, I cannot accept merely that.”

  John held up his hand where the ancient ring now rested in its rightful place on his finger. He saw Bannaster’s shoulders wilt, and then straighten. The fight was not over.

  “And I vouch for him, Your Majesty,” Elizabeth said. “I remember him well from my year fostering at Rame Castle. In our discussions, he has proven to me without a doubt to remember events that only a Russell would know.”

  The king frowned, and John felt despair begin to well within him. It wasn’t enough proof.

  Then one of the king’s councilors stepped forward. He was a short man, with an oiled beard, but he looked on John with approval.

  “Your Majesty, I was in Paris at this time last year, and I saw Lord Russell win a tournament with an impressive performance. This is the same man.”

  John bowed his head in acknowledgment.

  “You have my gratitude, Lord Fogge.” The king’s brow cleared a bit, although he still spoke sternly. “Lord Russell, I have discovered that the prosperity of Rame Castle has faded in the last few years.”

  “Aye, it has, Your Majesty,” John said. “I am dedicating my life to reestablishing the bond my family has always enjoyed with the land and its people.”

  “He only wants the heiress for her money,” Bannaster said angrily.

  The king arched a blond brow at him. “And money does not concern you, cousin?”

  Bannaster flushed. “I am not desperate for it. This man has neglected his estate, siphoning off the profits to support his life in Europe.”

  “That is a lie, Your Majesty,” John said firmly. “As the third son, I lived by what my sword arm could earn me. I only just discovered that, due to tragedy, I became the baron and inherited a bride.”

  “I have heard much of this sword arm of yours,” King Henry said, glancing at Lord Fogge.

  Even Bannaster could not have missed the interest in the king’s voice.

  John bowed his head. “You know it is in your service, Your Majesty. I will do as you wish.” He met the king’s stare once again. “But grant me my request; honor our parents’ wishes. In the time I have been at Castle Alderley, I have grown to love Lady Elizabeth Hutton with a depth of feeling I would never have felt possible.”

  “He lied his way in here—” Bannaster began.

  John interrupted. “Because I heard that my betrothed had been imprisoned, I felt the need for stealth, Your Majesty. I place myself on your mercy. I have learned much from my regrets of the past, my mistrust in my family, who only had the best motives for encouraging my stay in Europe. I have grown to understand the need for a father to teach his child to become a man. I never thought I would amount to much, but my father did. It is why he wrote that contract so that the Russell heir, and not one particular son, would marry Lady Elizabeth. I never understood what that meant.”

  “Cousin—” Bannaster began, with the first hint of desperation in his voice.

  The king silenced him with a look. “Continue, Lord Russell.”

  “I am a changed man, Your Majesty,” John said. He turned to gaze upon Elizabeth and took strength from the love shining in her eyes. “And it is because of this woman. Her courage humbles me. She risked her life for her people, where in the past I only risked my life for money. I thought adventure and travel could replace my family, could be my future, but she showed me how wrong I was. I have learned from my mistakes, and I need nothing more than her. She ran this entire castle and all of its many manors after her parents died, as she awaited me. It is my greatest regret that I could not arrive here in time to spare her the worry of imprisonment, her fear of the future. To earn her love is my goal in life. To stand at her side, her equal, is all I could ask for.”

  Elizabeth took his other hand, and kneeling, faced him. “Lord Russell, my betrothed, you have earned my love, and I regret I was too frightened of the future to offe
r it sooner.”

  He closed his eyes in gratitude. How had he deserved her—deserved her great love? He raised both her hands to his lips and kissed them with reverence. He had never hoped to touch her again, had never imagined she would offer herself to him so freely.

  “Your Majesty,” she said, her gaze never leaving John’s face, “this man came to Alderley with no army and no resources, due to his brother’s misfortunes. He risked his very life, even when we had only seen each other briefly as children. His honor and courage won my heart. Never did I think a man would deserve my devotion, but I gladly offer to John Russell my heart, my home, and my very life. I know he will care for it all.”

  The cheers were deafening, and King Henry had to raise both hands to quiet the crowd. Bannaster slumped back in a chair, his chin propped on his fist in dejection.

  “I have had you investigated, Lord Russell, and your lack of blame in your brother’s mistakes is recognized. The orders you gave to begin the restoration of Rame Castle were sound, and the prize money you offered was more than generous.” He grinned. “Even enough to pay the taxes you owe to the crown.”

  Hardly daring to hope, John forced himself to grin in return. “Of course, Your Majesty.”

  “Your experience in Europe will only increase the prowess of my army, and having you in command of Alderley’s troops seems like the perfect fit.”

  Elizabeth was squeezing his hands so tightly that surely her fingers must be cramped. Could it be true? Could they have won the king to their side?

  King Henry’s voice suddenly rose in volume. “I give my permission for the completion of the betrothal contract between Russell and Alderley. I commend my cousin for keeping a great heiress safe.”

  The last was said as he shot an amused look at Bannaster, who only gave a tight smile.

  “Shall we have a wedding?” the king asked.

  “But Your Majesty, the banns,” John began.

  “My cousin purchased a special license you may use. My signature will be enough to verify the change in the groom’s name.”

  John drew Elizabeth to her feet. “You have my gratitude, King Henry.”

  “As long as I have your sword arm when I need it.”

  “Of course.”

  The king turned back to pat his cousin’s shoulder, leaving John free to stare down at Elizabeth. All around them people prepared for the wedding. A lovely dark-haired woman smiled at Philip and they talked as old friends. She must be Elizabeth’s maidservant Anne, who’d been so brave up in the tower. John wanted to meet her, but since for the moment, no one was bothering Elizabeth and him, he drew his betrothed into his arms.

  He said, “That was a brave thing you did, confronting the king with the truth.”

  She shrugged. “No braver than you, sneaking back into this castle for—was it the third time? What did you plan to do?”

  It was his turn to shrug. “To be honest, I wasn’t alone. Your soldiers came back in disguise with me.”

  She gaped at him. “But I told you—”

  “I know you wanted no violence, but the League of the Blade had helped us train them, and they wanted to be used. We removed many of Bannaster’s soldiers before Bannaster himself came outside. I gave orders not to kill, if it could be helped.”

  Her eyes widened. “I remember when Bannaster left! But he returned and said nothing.”

  “That is because I had my sword at his throat before Milburn interrupted us. Perhaps he didn’t want to admit his defeat. The plan was to make him see the futility of the fight. The king’s arrival changed everything of course; how could I kill his cousin? Then I would never have the chance to win you.”

  “But would you have watched me marry him?” she asked softly.

  He grinned. “I’m glad we won’t ever have to know.”

  Philip cleared his throat behind them. “John, someone wants to see you.”

  John forced his gaze away from Elizabeth and frowned. “I don’t—”

  “The Bladesman is waiting for you both in your bedchamber.”

  John was about to tell Philip that the Bladesman could just wait, but his friend looked so solemn, so serious, an expression rare for him.

  Elizabeth patted John’s arm and smiled up at him. “We have a moment. Let’s go before the king notices our absence.”

  How could John refuse her?

  Philip accompanied them to the chamber, but only because John insisted. Inside, the Bladesman was waiting before the hearth, hands clasped behind his back. He gave Elizabeth a smile.

  John looked down at her. “This is the man who helped train your soldiers. I wish I could introduce you, but he has never introduced himself.”

  The stranger kissed Elizabeth’s hand, and she allowed it, saying, “You have my gratitude, kind sir.”

  “I fear we helped but little, as you both helped yourselves. Lord Russell, this situation could have led to bloodshed, yet between the two of you, a solution was found that satisfied all—except perhaps Lord Bannaster.” His smile faded, and he regarded John with a solemn gaze. “Lord Russell, we are greatly impressed with you. We would like to make you an offer of membership in the League of the Blade.”

  Elizabeth gasped.

  “Sir, I cannot accept your offer,” John said.

  “What?” Philip stepped forward. “Good God, man, are you a fool? They only offer this honor in the rarest of circumstances.” Philip watched the stranger expectantly, and when the stranger said nothing to him, he gave a hearty sigh. “If it can’t be me, I wish it to be you.”

  “But I will be married this day,” John said. “I will not leave my wife.”

  The stranger said, “We only call members into service twice a year, for never more than a fortnight.”

  “I couldn’t—”

  “John.” Elizabeth spoke his name. “You don’t need to prove anything to me. I know I have your heart and your devotion. But this is a chance for you to help people, as you’ve helped me. You are a warrior for the king, and the League aids justice. Though they do not work for the king, he would not want you to refuse.”

  “Elizabeth, how can I leave you?” he whispered.

  “The same way you’ll leave when you have to attend Parliament and when I am too big with child to travel. We all take risks every day. You are a knight, better trained than most. I trust you to take care of yourself—and to claim the adventure you’re due. ’Tis all right to want more from life than a satisfied marriage. I want you to be the man that you are.”

  “Take it,” Philip urged.

  John looked at the three people gathered around him, lastly at the stranger, who waited with infinite patience, as if he’d done this many times before.

  “Very well, I accept your offer. But do not even think to come to me until at least six months have passed,” he warned.

  The man smiled. “And then your training begins.” He allowed Philip to lead him out of the chamber, listening to Philip’s questions while wearing an expression of great forbearance.

  John hugged Elizabeth and kissed her brow. “I love you.”

  “And I love you.” She cupped his face in her hands and tilted him lower. “That was not a proper kiss.”

  “You’re already telling me what to do?” he said, laughing.

  “About some things, perhaps,” she said, and gave him a loving kiss. “I might as well have been trapped in that tower, my head above the clouds, but you brought me down to earth and showed me what real love is.”

  He grinned. “I am glad you think so, sweetling. But tonight you can order me about all you wish.”

  With a sigh, she murmured, “I will gladly let you take the lead.”

  About The Author

  JULIA LATHAM has an abiding love for the Middle Ages, when knights were knights and ladies had to tame them. After several varied jobs, the last in computer programming, she realized her life’s dream of being published with Avon Books. She lives in Central New York with her three children, her dog, Apollo, and h
er husband, Jim. Visit her website at www.JuliaLatham.com. Julia also writes USA Today bestselling novels under the name Gayle Callen

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  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  THRILL OF THE KNIGHT. Copyright © 2007 by Gayle Callen.

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