Ruth A. Casie
Page 23
“And you should be,” she said. “Pride is only a sin when you become arrogant and conceited, like Bryce.”
He took her in his arms. “I have never been as frightened as I was today knowing what you planned.”
“And did you know?”
“Yes, but I didn’t see the vision. I just knew what you were doing and knew I had to stop you.”
“Ramon was the caped creature in my vision. More than not wanting to remember him I didn’t want to remember him killing Father. I needed to show the king who the real traitor was.”
“If you had succeeded, you would have forced Edward’s hand. All I could do was put a haze over the vision so it only appeared to be a great mist. You wagered a great deal.”
“I only wager when I know I will win.” She gave him a smile. “I wagered you would be safe. That was all that mattered.”
“And Bryce. The king, and everyone else, believes it was the poison.”
“Perhaps that’s best.”
“You may be right. I was concerned when you couldn’t complete what you started.”
“On the contrary, the day I removed the blade from your side I saw a vision in the basin. I knew then that you had to vanquish your assassin. If you didn’t all would be lost.”
“I could have lost you forever.” He drew her close and held her tight. “I love you, Lisbeth—more than anything, I love you,” he whispered into her ear. He eased her face up to his and sealed his declaration with a kiss.
Two Weeks Later
Alex’s parents entered the library where he was still fussing with his surcoat and belt.
“Here, let me fix that for you.” His mother adjusted his belt and brushed the hair from his eyes.
Alex chuckled. “It’s been a long time since you’ve straightened my clothes. I think it was the first time you took me to court and presented me to the king.”
“I had no choice. You kept tormenting your brothers so. They roughed you up a bit. When I turned to check on you before we entered, I was appalled to see what you looked like. It seems I was always straightening your tunic and fixing your hair. Well,” she patted him on his chest. “From now on Lisbeth can do it.” She looked over Alex’s shoulder. “Philip, we must go.” She gave Alex a long look. “You’ll do. Your father and I will meet you in the Hall.”
“Are those tears I see?” Phillip asked his wife as they left the room.
“I always cry at weddings. He really is like you—all proud and unbearable.”
“He has a good woman to help him, like I do.” Alex saw his father squeeze his mother’s hand.
“I’m the lucky one,” she said as the door closed behind them.
No, thought Alex. I’m the lucky one.
His brothers came in. Each carried a tankard of ale.
“Alex, drink your last as a single man with us.”
He took the brew and looked at his brothers hard and long.
“Alex, you look ready to bolt. Surly it’s not Lisbeth and marriage that has you brooding,” his brother Cameron teased.
Alex laughed. “No.” He raised his ale in a salute to the family crest and drank deeply. “The Stelton Legacy must be faced.”
His brothers settled down and listened. “Alex, the legacy has been a mystery for centuries.”
Alex related the story of Tannin the Hawk and William the Brave to his brothers. “My sin was pride.”
“Yes, we know that much about you—all proud and full of yourself,” said Cameron. There was a rumble of chuckles from his brothers.
“I battled my demon and have been greatly rewarded. I could have lost everything if it hadn’t been for Lisbeth. You each have your own challenge to face.”
“So, it begins,” said Geoffrey, the oldest brother, propped up against the desk.
“Yes, when you complete your quest you will find something that completes another part of the crest.” He waited for his words to sink in. “And, in the end, hope that our ancestor William the Brave comes out the victor.”
“Alex, this beautiful woman won’t wait forever.” Philip came to the door.
“Father’s right. You don’t want to give her any excuse to cry off.”
The men left the room. Alex and Edwin lingered behind.
“I want what you have, Alex. A home, land, a woman. I want it all.”
“Edwin, Mother’s property and income are already yours. Do you really want more?”
Edwin looked at him, a pained expression on his face. “It isn’t enough.”
“My challenge was to overcome my excessive pride and to know the value of my own worth. I completed my quest but I almost lost Lisbeth.”
“It isn’t enough.” The young man went on ahead.
Alex looked after his brother. Greed would be his challenge. He hoped Edwin would do well. But now there were more important things for him to take care of. He squared his shoulders, opened the door to the Great Hall, took his place, and waited for his bride.
*
“Lord Alex.” Philip announced and ushered Alex in front of a solid man in elegant robes. Bennett and Cameron joined him.
“Kneel sir,” the cleric, sword in hand, demanded of Alex. “Kneel and prepare for the sword of courage. Take your rightful place and humble yourself before your king and maker. As you bravely and solemnly come here today, you have shown to all present that you are worthy and ready to care for this woman, Lisbeth, you have chosen from this day forward. To take thy woman’s hand is an act of bravery only supplanted by the call to arms. Do you understand and accept this, sir?”
“Yes, I understand.”
The robed man easily handled the sword. “Three times I tap thee, once in the name of our king…”
A shout rang up from the attending audience.
“…once in the name of our bishop, and once in the name of our holy protector. Now that you have knelt and been christened and tapped, I declare thee ready to receive your bride. Now this is the day and time appointed for betrothal, Lord Alex and Lady Lisbeth are here with family, friends, and neighbors, standing together.”
*
“Lass, Wesley and Darla would be proud,” Jamie whispered while they stood waiting to enter.
Lisbeth looked up at Jamie, tears filling her lids. Unable to speak, she squeezed his arm.
“I knew all along you two were perfect for each other.”
She followed his gaze to a pair of satchels that stood in the entranceway. “He promised he would bring me back to the lodge himself when the threat was over.”
Jamie flashed a concerned look.
She smoothed her skirt and fixed the circlet of pears she wore. “We leave after the wedding feast. We’ll be back here in a fortnight.”
“I knew he was a man of his word.” He kissed her forehead. “I like him even more.”
The door opened. Everyone turned as Lisbeth glided into the room wearing her magenta-and-gold gown.
“She’s exquisite,” she heard Alex mutter under his breath.
“Indeed,” Cameron, his best man, agreed.
The service was a blur. She had eyes only for Alex. The next thing she knew she was in his arms. The ceremony over, they stood with everyone around them with a goblet of wine in their hands.
“Alex, a toast to your new bride,” demanded Jamie.
Alex searched Lisbeth’s eyes “Mine,” he said in a tender voice. The room was hushed.
Lisbeth put down their goblets. “Forever,” she replied and sealed their oaths with a kiss.
*
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About the Author
Ruth A. Casie is a seasoned professional with more than twenty-five years of writing experience but not necessarily writing romances. No, she’s been writing communications and marketing documents for a large corporation. Over the past few years, encouraged by her friends and family, she gave way to her inner muse, let her creative juices flow and began writing a series of historical time-travel romance novels.
When not writing you can find her at home in Teaneck, New Jersey, reading, cooking, doing Sudoku and counted cross-stitch. Together with her husband, Paul, they enjoy ballroom dancing and, with New York City close by, going to the theater. Ruth and Paul have three grown children and two grandchildren. They all thrive on spending time together. It’s certainly a lively dinner table and they wouldn’t change it for the world.
Ruth is a trustee and on the executive board of Shelter Our Sister (SOS) in New Jersey. SOS is Bergen County’s only shelter for victims of domestic violence. She frequently speaks at various functions around Bergen County on behalf of the shelter.
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ISBN: 978-14268-9577-7
Copyright © 2013 by Ruth Seitelman
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