David and Christopher had departed Windsor early in the morning and headed to Lady Orford’s manor near London where the Hamptons were lodging. They went to offer their support to the protection of Lady Emilie, and to discuss the situation in general, but Lyle seemed convinced the only thing to do was to go home immediately. He didn’t seem to want to speak about anything else. Not that anyone could blame him.
“I understand your fear for her,” David said. “But you must understand that removing her from London may not solve the issue. John will send men to Canterbury. If they think they can get to me through Emilie, then they will do it.”
Lyle sighed heavily. “Canterbury Castle is well fortified,” he said. “I will bottle it up and we will stay there until this situation calms.”
“When will that be?”
“When they are no longer after my daughter!”
“Then you may be in for a very long wait.”
David was looking at Lyle as he spoke and not at Brickley, who was standing behind Lyle and posturing threateningly. After smashing David in the jaw last night, he’d been hauled away by Leeton and Edward, and then sent home in disgrace by Lyle. But this morning, the rage was still there, as was a nasty hangover. Everyone, including David, could see the anger in Brickley’s expression. The man didn’t have to say a word; his scowl said it all.
“Then what do you suggest, David?” Lyle asked, struggling not to become irate at Brickley’s angry behavior. The last thing he needed was for the man to go after David again. “That I turn her over to the House of de Lohr for protection? Is that what you have really come to tell me?”
David was trying to remain calm, which was difficult for him in cases like this. He was usually the hot-headed and passionate one. “We have come to tell you that we will do all we can to protect Emilie,” he said. “It may be that you will have to allow us to take her back to Lioncross and put her under our protection. She will remain with Lady de Lohr, properly tended of course, but the fact of the matter is that we have more resources and a far larger army than you do. We can offer her better protection.”
Lyle waved him off. “Pah,” he said. “That will only make things worse. If I take her home and keep her under my protection, then John and his cohorts will eventually forget about her. But they will not forget about her if she remains tied to the House of de Lohr.”
David sensed something permanent and ominous in that statement, as if there was a veiled threat somewhere in those words… IF she remains tied to the House of de Lohr. David looked at Christopher, a silent plea for help, and Christopher took the hint. He knew that David was too embarrassed, and too uncertain, to discuss the situation on a personal level so Christopher sought to help his brother. Things needed to be said that a room full of knights didn’t need to hear, and in particular, Brickley. The first thing he did was turn to Edward, Leeton, and Dud, standing behind him.
“Give us some privacy, please,” he said. Then, he looked directly at Brickley. “This conversation is not for your ears. You will leave this room.”
No one disobeyed an order from Richard’s champion. Brickley, who had so far only been focused on David, seemed mildly surprised by the order.
“I am under Canterbury’s command,” he said to Christopher. “If he wants me to leave, he will tell me.”
Christopher’s eyes narrowed. “You struck my brother last night with no punishment from me,” he said. “Unless you want me to change my mind, you will vacate my presence. I am still not entirely pleased with your behavior, de Dere. Get out of my sight.”
Brickley seemed more apt to obey after that. Even Lyle turned to him and gave him permission to leave, both of them sensing that it was perhaps the smart thing to do. Enraged de Lohr brothers were never a particularly healthy thing, so Brickley left the room without a hind glance. Edward, Leeton, and Dud followed him. When the door of the soar closed quietly, Lyle looked at Christopher.
“You will never again order one of my men about in my home,” he said quietly. “Is that clear?”
Christopher cocked an eyebrow. “My lord,” he said, establishing that he meant no disrespect with what he was about to say. “You allowed your man to strike my brother last night. That is not what allies do to one another. I will not demand that he is turned over to me for punishment so be grateful for my mercy. I believe I am being most fair in this.”
Lyle eyed Christopher before sighing heavily with regret, with sorrow at the entire situation. What Brickley did could very well alienate the House of de Lohr from the House of Hampton, and that wasn’t something he wanted.
“I am sorry for that,” he said, looking to David. “I apologized to you last night, David, and I will apologize to you again now. I am sorry for Brick’s behavior. He was not himself.”
David simply nodded in silence, eyeing his brother again. He didn’t want to go back to last night; he only wanted to speak on the future. Now, it was time for Christopher to get to the real reason behind their visit.
“My lord,” Christopher began, his manner cooler than it had been moments earlier. “David and I have come to be truthful and plain with you. We are very concerned for Emilie’s safety and it is true that David feels responsible for what has happened, but I believe there is a solution to the situation.”
Lyle lifted his eyebrows expectantly. “I am listening.”
As Christopher moved towards Lyle, David shifted positions and went to set his helm onto a nearby table. The gloves came off as well, and he set them next to the helm. He didn’t want to look like he was ready to go to war, especially in light of what Christopher was about to say. He wanted to appear as respectful and non-threatening as possible. He wanted to look like good and kind husbandly material for Emilie. He could only pray that Lyle would be receptive to his brother’s proposal because it had taken Christopher all night to convince David it was the right thing to do. Now, David was completely convinced it was the right thing, too.
He had never wanted anything more in his life. His attention was riveted to his brother as the man began to speak.
“Do you remember the conversation you and I had about a month ago regarding the attraction between my brother and your daughter?” Christopher asked. “It was after one of the meetings of Richard’s cabinet. We discussed Emilie and David and their respective… moods, shall we say. Do you recall?”
Lyle did indeed remember. A bit surprised by the question, he glanced hesitantly at David, over by the table, before replying. “I thought that conversation was to remain between us,” he said.
Christopher smiled faintly. “You will forgive me for letting David in on it,” he said, “because it seems that my brother feels very strongly about your daughter. Although the situation with John has pushed our hand a bit, it is true that my brother has been planning to ask your permission to court your daughter with the purpose of marrying her. As the head of our family, I would like to make that formal proposal to you now with the assurance that my brother is quite fond of your daughter and she would want for nothing. As you know, our mother was the sister of a former Earl of East Anglia and even now we are related to the current earl. He is our cousin. Through our parents, both David and I will inherit some wealth, but David has accumulated a good deal of wealth of his own over the years. As the Lord of Lioncross Abbey, I inherited the small barony of Kington when I married my wife. It is a lesser title, and one that I do not particularly use, but the point is that I have another title that I also inherited upon my marriage to my wife, one of Lord Broxwood. I was going to bestow it upon my firstborn son but I have decided to grant my brother the title when he marries. My brother is a fine and noble man, my lord, and would make a fine husband for Lady Emilie. I would be grateful if you would consider it.”
It was the offer Lyle had been hoping for. It had all come down quite properly, as it should have, through David’s older brother and head of the family, and he was terribly thrilled. More thrilled than he thought he would be. But the mess with John and Ralp
h weighed heavily in his mind and heart as well; these men wanted to hurt Emilie because of David. Could he knowingly marry the woman to a man who had a target on his back? A man who was associated with King Richard so strongly that even Richard’s brother was out to kill him?
In good conscience, Lyle wasn’t sure he could do that to Emilie. It was true that he didn’t want her to marry Brickley, but at least with Brickley, she would be safe and anonymous.
But it would also mean that the earldom of Canterbury would pass to Brickley upon Lyle’s death because Emilie was the heiress. In that respect, Lyle was faced with a very serious question – who would he rather see inherit the earldom? Brickley or David? Of course, it was David. A young knight who had made a name for himself, who was a fighter among fighters, related to perhaps one of the greatest houses in England. David and his brother Christopher had built an empire, and a marriage between Canterbury and de Lohr would seal that alliance forever.
But it also might bring John down over their heads. The truth was that with Richard missing, John was the next in line for the throne. Was Lyle willing to risk the wrath of the next king of England by marrying his daughter into the House of de Lohr?
Lyle wasn’t sure. But Christopher and David were waiting for an answer, so he cleared his throat softly.
“I am deeply honored, of course,” he said, looking between Christopher and David. “David, are you sure about this? You have only known my daughter a short amount of time and there was a period there where you stayed away from her for a couple of months. It seems to me that your relationship with my daughter, so far, has not been a completely trouble-free one.”
David spoke. “It was my own stubborn stupidity,” he said. “It had nothing to do with an argument between us. It was a simple misunderstanding that I let get out of control. Emilie has forgiven me, for which I am grateful.”
Lyle thought on that. Pensively, he turned away, heading for one of the fat-stuffed leather chairs that faced the hearth. He sat heavily in one, contemplating what had been asked of him.
“I am sure it was not all your fault,” he said. “Emilie can be stubborn herself at times. Adverse, even. When she gets something in her mind, it is very difficult to change it. You should know that about her.”
David gave him a half-grin. “I am not concerned about it,” he said. “She seems to be willing to discuss what ails her, which is an admirable quality. It should lessen the chance of misunderstandings in the future.”
Lyle nodded, thinking on his beauteous eldest daughter. “You must also know that you are not the only bee humming about her hive,” he said, turning to look at David. “Brick has already asked for her hand in marriage, six months ago. What do I tell him if I pledge her to you?”
It was a sore subject with David and he struggled not to become snappish about it, but that self-control was too much to hope for given the emotions of the situation.
“That is not my concern,” he said. “You can tell him to go to hell. From me.”
Christopher cleared his throat softly, intervening before he insulted Lyle and ruined his chances for a betrothal. “Heads are still heated since last night,” he said to Lyle. “You will have to forgive my brother. Being caught off-guard by a punch to the jaw has naturally soured him against Brick.”
Lyle lifted his eyebrows, putting up a hand as if to soothe David’s irritation. “Do not hold too much against Brick,” he said. “He has loved Emilie far longer than you have. You are the usurper in his eyes. But I never wanted him for her, you should know that. I would much rather have a de Lohr for my daughter.”
David went from rage against Brickley to overwhelming thrill at Lyle’s words. “Thank you, my lord,” he said. “May I accept that as your decision to my request to court your daughter?”
Lyle’s good humor faded. “I must be honest with you,” he said. “I am torn. As the House of de Lohr, you lads seem to attract all kinds of trouble, trouble that bleeds over into those you associate with. My daughter is now caught up in that trouble and I do not know, in good conscience, if I can knowing allow her to marry into so much danger. I am greatly torn by this, David. I must have time to consider all sides of this situation.”
David’s thrill turned cold and he looked at Christopher, silently beseeching the man to come to his aid. Christopher understood the expression of disappointment on his brother’s face.
“We understand, my lord,” he said. “It is a very big decision. We do not want to rush you as you decide your daughter’s future. That being the case, however, we are back to the original purpose for our visit to you – to offer Emilie protection from Ralph and John. I still believe it would be better to let her remain with us than for you to take her back to Canterbury. John could summon a mighty army if he really wanted to take her.”
Lyle looked at Christopher, his expression serious. “Are you attempting to frighten me into giving my daughter over to you?” he asked. “Because if you are, it is most certainly not working. In fact, now that I know of David’s formal interest in her, I am resolute in the fact that she will be returning with me to Canterbury. I would not send her with you to Lioncross now. That would be foolish on my part.”
David suspected that his honor was being slandered. “Why?” he asked. “Do you think I would do anything improper in that case, playing patty-fingers with your daughter because she is under my brother’s roof?”
Lyle shook his head; he could see that he had offended the man. “Nay,” he said firmly. “But you must admit that it would not be the best and brightest decision, David. You have feelings for Emilie and, as I told your brother once before, it is my belief that she has feelings for you. In fact, I know she has. Now, just how much restraint would you two have if I were to send you off together, sequestered against John’s reach?”
As David sighed heavily and hung his head, afraid he might say something rude, Christopher stepped in. “Am I to assume, then, that you are refusing our protection for her?”
Lyle looked at the big knight. “I am taking her home, with me,” he said quietly but firmly. “Your brother may send her missives and he may even come to visit. But she goes home to Canterbury and I will think on your brother’s proposal of marriage to her. It is a big decision I must make and I want to make the right one by my daughter.”
“And Brick?” David said, his jaw ticking faintly as it often did when he was frustrated. “He will go with you to Canterbury.”
“He will.”
“And he wants to marry Emilie as I do,” he said. “You worry about me playing patty-fingers with her? What about him?”
Lyle stood up from his chair. “He would never do that under my roof, David,” he said. “He would not compromise Emilie so.”
“And I would? You would trust me less than him?”
Lyle shook his head as he made his way over to David. In an act of reassurance, and to calm the man down, he put his hands on the young knight’s shoulders. “The fact is that I trust you as much as I trust him,” he stressed. “But Emilie does not have feelings for Brick as she has for you. He can try to play patty-fingers all he wants with her and she will only refuse him. But you… she would not refuse you, and our will-power is only so strong against women, is it not?”
David understood what he was saying. He wasn’t particularly happy with it, but he understood. “Mayhap,” he said vaguely. “But you will consider my offer of marriage, will you not?”
“I will.”
“May I inquire on your decision in the next few months?”
Lyle shrugged and dropped his hands from David. “You may,” he said. “I will think very hard on it. I like you, David; I truly do. You must understand how difficult this is for me.”
“What of Emilie? Will you tell her?”
Lyle nodded. “Eventually,” he said. “If I tell her now, she will pester me into an early grave. So you will permit me to tell her at my discretion, please.”
David didn’t have much choice. He simply nodded as C
hristopher spoke. “Will you at least let me send an escort of de Lohr troops back with you to Canterbury?” he asked. “How many men did you bring with you?”
Lyle turned to him. “This was supposed to be a tournament, not a battle,” he said. “I left the majority at Canterbury and only brought fifty men with me.”
Christopher pondered that rather low margin of men. “Then I will send another one hundred home with you to ensure you make it back to Canterbury with no issue,” he said. “I would also like to send a knight.”
Lyle cast a long glance at David. “Not your brother,” he said. “I would be pulling him and Brick apart at every turn.”
Christopher was forced to agree. “I will send Dud with you,” he said. “Sir Thomas Dudley. A big man with short brown hair. You have seen him in my entourage. He is an excellent knight who will not get caught up in anything… emotional.”
Truthfully, Lyle was grateful for the additional escort. “You have my thanks,” he said. “We shall be leaving before dawn. David, if you wish to tell Emilie farewell before we depart, I am agreeable to that. But you will not tell her about your proposal of marriage. Are we clear?”
David nodded. “We are, my lord.”
Lyle was satisfied. He began to move towards the solar entry, motioning to Christopher as he went. “Come along, Chris,” he said. “Let’s you and I do some damage to boiled beef and fresh bread as we break our fast together. I would guess, due to your early arrival, that you’ve not yet eaten this morning.”
Christopher passed a glance at David as he followed Lyle. “Nay, we have not,” he said. “I am quite famished.”
Christopher was looking at David but David wasn’t looking at his brother; he was beginning to brood, upset that Lyle hadn’t given his instant consent. Christopher knew that. He hoped to speak to Lyle more about it when they were eating, leaving David to say his farewells to Emilie. Given Lyle’s reluctance, and the fact that Brickley would be by Emilie’s side all the way back to Canterbury and beyond, Christopher hoped that it wouldn’t be David’s last glimpse of the lady who had stolen his heart.
The de Lohr Dynasty Page 132