And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Isaiah 30:21
When the bright glow of the sun gave way to the purple hue of evening skies, Eleanor slipped away from the women’s tent and headed back to the keep. She had not seen Hugh since the king had spoken to him earlier that day. The only news she received delivered the final blow to her already aching and fragile heart. The tournament would be finished tomorrow.
Even with a few guards standing on the battlements, she managed to sneak in and up the blackened great hall steps. At the entry, she paused. This would be her last walk through Thornwood. She’d either be going back to Taine Manor or to Lord de Vin’s keep after tomorrow. Her spirits sunk low. If Theo won she may come back for a visit, but she knew if Sir Thomas won, she would never see these wall again.
She didn’t know which would be worse, to never walk this keep again or to return and see Hugh sitting in the lord’s chair with no one sitting next to him. Whatever the outcome, she planned to be a good wife to the man who won her hand and prayed that would be enough.
A clanging and a grumble drew her to the stairs. With careful steps she crept upward. A light shown far down the hallway. Eleanor’s stomach skipped and her heart began to race; candle light flooded from Lady Jane’s room. She opened her mouth to call for the guard when the voice within the room began to whistle. Would a thief make such noise if he wished to take what was left of Thornwood’s fortune?
Instead she picked up a burnt board and headed down the hallway. With small, light steps she inched forward. Whoever was within mumbled again and then gave out a heavy sigh. “What a mess.”
At the doorway she saw the most pleasant sight silhouetted in the bright light. “Hugh.”
In the middle of the room sat a pile of goods. Hugh had a handful of jewels in his hand. “What are you doing here? The keep isn’t safe.”
She dropped the board from her hand and moved into the chamber. “I thought someone was making off with the rest of your wealth.”
“There is not much left within and if someone wishes to have it, they are welcomed to it.”
“But you will need these things to rebuild Thornwood.” She stepped into the room and went to his side, taking a string of pearls from his hands. “I know how hard it was to open this room to save Isobel.”
Puzzlement skipped across his face. “Hard? Nay. Once mayhap it would have been, but not now. I would have given the clothes off my back to save Isobel or any other soul. A person’s life is more important than goods...or a keep.”
“Still, you will need what you have left if you ever hope to restore Thornwood.”
Hugh gently removed the pearls from her hand and threw them on the pile. “I am not sure I wish to rebuild Thornwood.”
“What are you talking about? This place is your life.”
He cupped her hands in his and her toes began to tingle when he gazed into her eyes. “This means nothing to me now. I told you, if I build anything, it will be the chapel first.”
“The chapel,” she squeaked. “But how will that help in supporting Thornwood?”
He gave her hands a tender squeeze. “Why, prayers in the chapel will help nurture souls and give the true gift–eternal life through our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
A light flickered within Eleanor and spread a warm glow throughout her. They may never be together, but he had discovered something so much more important. “You have found your faith again.”
A broad smile crossed his face. “Aye, and Simon will be a priest.”
“I suspected as much. I am so happy for him.”
“And that is why I wanted you and Theo to have what is left of Thornwood if something would have happened to me.”
Eleanor pulled her hands from his and turned away, fearing tears would spring to her eyes. “I do not want or need your keep.” She almost said that she wanted and needed him, but knew those were not the words he wished to hear.
“I stand corrected. I was just thinking of the future of the people here. If I die, Simon will not want it and I am not inclined for the Church to get another de Maury keep.” he said quietly.
He spoke of Julian giving Crosswind Keep to the Templars.
“Please understand, I know you can make Thornwood wonderful again and someday you may change your mind and wish to marry again.” When she faced him, her heart lurched. For a moment his gaze held hers with a deep truth she interpreted as love, but slowly it faded and she doubted its existence.
Shaking his head, he looked to the pile. “That will not happen. My heart has been given away and will not return.”
A tiny stab of sadness deflated any hope she had; his heart must have, indeed, belonged to Jane, even though she used him so cruelly. Instead of dwelling on what could never be, she decided to dwell on the few moments she would have with him.
“Well then, if we cannot find you a mate perhaps I can help you find what you are looking for.”
The darkness left his eyes and a smile returned. “I am looking for a brooch I gave to Jane years ago before we got married. ’Twas my mother’s and a favorite of hers. I pestered her until she gave it to me because I knew Jane loved it. Now I wish to find it and give it back to her. With another grandchild on the way, I thought she might want to give it to Breanna.”
His words were said with such eagerness; truly he was a new man and she loved him all the more. “I’ll help you find it. What does it look like?”
“A blue stone that is rimmed by a circle of pearls.” He headed to the far corner of the room, moved a gold oil stand out of the way, and began digging through another pile of Jane’s things.
“Like the beautiful color of your eyes?” she teased.
He threw a gown her way before turning back to the pile. “Now you play with me. Your eyes are just as beautiful. They go along with your charming smile.”
Eleanor retreated to a dark corner in the room and put a hand to her head, trying to hold back the sting of tears. He must have sensed something wasn’t right for he abruptly stood and turned her way.
“I already looked there, besides you cannot see anything in that dark corner.”
She could not bring herself to answer, nor could she move from the spot.
“Eleanor?” He came toward her. “What is wrong?”
She held up her hand as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “Stop.”
He paused. “Did I do something?”
“Why must you always say things that aren’t true?”
The baffled expression he bore just caused her to cry all the more.
“Eleanor. If I have hurt you, I am sorry. I never want you to be unhappy.” He came toward her, wrapping her in his arms.
She pushed away immediately. “My eyes are not beautiful. Nothing about me is beautiful. I wish you would just stop saying such things. You make...you make me want to...”
Eleanor ran out of the room, down the stairs, out of the keep, and did not stop until she entered the women’s tent. He would not understand the words he said in politeness were like a rose she wished to cherish forever.
News of the tourney being completed traveled quickly and by the next morn, a bright sunny mood, which matched the weather, settled on Thornwood again. Hugh strode out to the butts where Julian and Guy were already measuring out the line.
Julian waved. “Blessed morning, Brother. I think we are ready for the tourney to continue.”
Raising his head to the cloudless morn, Hugh frowned. After finding his mother’s brooch last night and returning it to her, he went to his own tent, but could not sleep. As was his usual habit when sleep evaded him, he headed to the forest in search of Darrin, but the man could not be found.
Returning, he lay there in the dark trying to sort out what he had said to make Eleanor cry. To him, she was beautiful. Others thought so, too. Theo did and so did the people of Thornwood. Why could she not see that? He thought to seek her out again this morn, but then feared he would say something else that would upset her.
So instead, here he stood, listening to his brother and friend comment on how grand the finale of this tourney would be.
“I heard Cook has salvaged enough food to have a feast once Theo wins. Of course, we had thought to persuade Sir Leonard to give us one of his goats. Mayhap Saint Peter, he is the fattest,” Guy said.
Hugh looked over to where Eleanor’s uncle sat with his sainted goats. “Nay. Not the goats,” Hugh answered dryly.
Julian laughed. “I have offered the chapel at Crosswind to have the wedding. Eleanor is a fine woman and deserves every happiness. Don’t you agree, Hugh?”
Nay, he did not. Oh, he wanted Eleanor to have every happiness, but he still wasn’t convinced that Theo was the right man. Mayhap there was a better candidate out there.
As the day wore on and the time for the tourney approached, Hugh’s mood grew dark. When Eleanor appeared in a lovely green gown, with her soft chestnut hair plaited in a long braid which fell down her pleasant back, Hugh’s gut twisted miserably.
Her delicate hand rested on King Richard’s arm, who nobly assisted her to the dais. She ascended the stairs like a queen, and King Richard simpered over her like a smitten lover. Hugh’s blood all but boiled.
“I think you are to take the empty chair to the left of the king.”
Hugh looked over his shoulder to find Darrin. “Where have you been? Aren’t you going to help make sure Theo beats Sir Thomas?”
Darrin smirked. “Good day to you, too. We are in a fine mood, aren’t we?”
Hugh glared at his friend without an answer.
“Not up for conversation? Well, to answer your questions, I spent last eve dining with the king, and I think your brother and Guy have things in hand. So I will watch the outcome of this contest with my fellow friends.” He pointed to Royce and Simon sitting next to his sister, mother, Lady Ariane and Lady Grace.
Hugh started to laugh. “You were a guest at the king’s table. Oh, I did need something light to lift my spirits this day.”
Darrin threw back his shoulders, lifted his chin and put his hands on his hips. “I was indeed with the king. If you do not believe me, just ask him. Look, His Majesty is waiting for you.”
Indeed, the king glared in his direction and, so it seemed, so did everyone else. Theo and Sir Thomas were already positioned in front of the butts behind the drawn line, bow in hand. The target was prepared, a piece of Eleanor’s red veil lay stretched across the butts. Julian and Guy were ready to call the start. Hugh’s family and the crowd waited for him to take his place.
He felt sorely tempted to turn and walk away. But a pleasant smile drew his gaze. There she sat. His Eleanor. Nervous. Mayhap even fearful, but still putting on a cheerful face. Ready to accept any fate God would give her.
If she could see this farce through then so could he. Raising his eyes to the heavens, he inhaled deeply. The warm air filled his lungs and seemed to renew his soul. He closed his eyes and sent up one more prayer. Find the right man for her, Lord. Someone who could love her for the charming, beautiful woman she is. Someone who would cherish her forever.
Opening his eyes, he headed to the dais. Now things were in God’s hand.
Hugh bowed to his king. Turned to Eleanor, bowed and placed a gentle kiss on her hand. “You look lovely, my lady.”
She dropped her gaze and he noticed a slight blush rose in her cheeks as her lips trembled slightly. Quickly, she offered her thanks. Had not the king given him a baleful look, Hugh might have grabbed Eleanor by the hand and dragged her away. Instead, he took the seat on the left side of the king and fixed his eyes on the two unworthy competitors before him.
King Richard leaned toward him. “So. You think this Sir Theodore de Born is the right man for Lady Eleanor?”
“Sire. He will be kind to Lady Eleanor.”
“Mmm. I suppose kindness is enough as long as his loyalties lay with The Crown. Is that not right, Thornwood?” the king whispered.
Hugh balled his hands at his side. “I-I...” Lady Eleanor sneezed and Hugh leaned forward to see if she was okay. She smiled and his breath felt tight in his chest.
The king tapped the arm of his chair. “Of course, we will never know if his fondness is because she comes with property. I wonder if he would show interest if she came without Taine Manor. Funny, he has not glanced in Lady Eleanor’s direction once. I thought you said he had some fondness for the lady?”
Hugh clenched his jaw as he watched Theo adjust his bow. Did he care for Eleanor? When she arrived he thought her to be a termagant. But as time went on he seemed to care a great deal for her and she for him—or did she?
King Richard shook his head. “I’m trying to come and see how they could possibly be a good match.”
Come and see. Hugh stared at his king. This could not be. Those words couldn’t really have come from the king’s lips. Though Hugh knew he could not question his king without offending him.
“What’s the matter, Thornwood? Are you ill? You look like you took a few whacks in the head,” the king said, with a glint of humor in his eye.
“I-I...” What could he say? That those words, come and see, had healed his relationship with his son and returned him to his faith? The king would laugh him off the dais.
Unless the king somehow helped orchestrate it. Was the old man a spy of his? The thought evaporated quickly. None but Hugh had seen this man and never had he been spotted in Thornwood Keep. Nay, the old man wasn’t a spy, but then who was he? Come and see. Come to see. Come to see that Simon was meant for the Church. Come to see that Jane’s filthy lucre could be used for good. Come to see that Eleanor...Eleanor...
Hugh stood and it occurred to him that what he was about to do was nothing short of a death sentence. “Your Majesty, I wish to enter the tourney.”
For a split second, the soft wind ruffling the king’s banners was the only sound heard. When Hugh’s words registered, the crowd roared. Theo and Sir Thomas protested. Julian and Royce stood with their mouths open and Darrin and Guy let out knee-slapping hoots.
Eleanor rose to her feet. “Are you mad?” Her voice came out as soft as the wings of a fluttering sparrow.
King Richard said nothing, but stroked his short beard. Slowly, a deep frown settled upon his face.
The crowd noise died down. Theo and Sir Thomas approached the dais.
Sir Thomas cleared his throat and bowed low. “Sire, you cannot allow this. We have been in this contest from the beginning. Sir Hugh can’t suddenly decide to enter. ’Tis not fair to anyone who has participated.”
Theo said nothing, but nodded in agreement.
With a loud sigh, the king slapped the arms of his chair, ignored the pair before him and glared at Hugh. “Are you sure of this?” he said quietly.
Hugh hesitated. Was he? Did he want this? A small sparrow fluttered by, catching Hugh’s gaze. He watched the bird glide over the heads of the crowd out into the woods, toward the stream where the water ran freely, choosing its own path. When he could see the bird no more, Hugh’s gaze floated back and rested on Eleanor’s open and honest face, full of hope.
She smiled and he smiled back. “Aye, Your Majesty. I do.”
Sir Thomas had the audacity to snort, while Theo wisely remained quiet, his gaze on Lady Eleanor, too.
The king never rose from his seat, but moved his gaze between Hugh and Eleanor. “What does the lady say? Do you want this man to enter the tourney?”
“I know not what to say. Why does he wish to enter this tourney?” she whispered.
Again the king slapped the arms of the chair and this time he rose to his feet. “He seeks your hand in marriage, woman. So what say you? Do you want him in or not?”
The roar of King Richard’s voice startled Eleanor, and Hugh almost punched the royal in the stomach for frightening her.
“I have no objections,” Eleanor said quickly, before she sat down, her head facing forward, devoid of any emotion.
With a sharp nod the king waved his hand. “Sir Hugh de Maury will enter the tournament for the hand of Lady Eleanor. So say I, your king.”
That should have been the end of it, but Sir Thomas, stupidly opened his mouth. “But Your Majesty—”
“I have given my command. Do you wish to gainsay me?” King Richard thundered.
The chastised knight turned pure white before he stumbled back to the line. Without a sound or an expression to give away his thoughts, Theo bowed before his king and returned to his position behind the line.
Before Hugh could call for his long bow, Darrin came forward with the weapon in hand. “Thought you might need this.”
“Did you now?” Hugh said, grabbing the bow.
“Aye. I was counting on it. Guy and I had a small wager,” Darrin said with mirth in his eyes. He held out the bow. “It’s all set.”
Indeed, it was strung and perfectly bent the way Hugh liked it. That his friend knew what would happen irritated him beyond measure. Without a thank you, Hugh grabbed his bow and stalked over to the line, next to Theo.
Adjusting his own bow, Theo raised a quizzical eyebrow. “So did you decide you want Taine Manor for yourself?”
His words made Hugh wonder if Theo was motivated by love for Eleanor or love for land. “As you, I seek Lady Eleanor’s hand.”
Theo’s hand stalled on his bow, then he turned away without comment. Hugh finished up his preparations and nodded to Julian. The crowd buzzed with whispers and wagers as his brother came forward.
Julian walked slowly in front of all the competitors. “Having the best arrow on the last round, Sir Thomas will go first. Sir Theodore will then proceed and Sir Hugh will follow. The best two archers will proceed to the final round.”
Moving out of the way, Sir Thomas came to the line and loose his arrow, which landed high above the red cloth. A loud peal erupted from the crowd; Sir Thomas blamed the contest changes for his lackluster performance.
Theo threw a dark glare at Hugh before he stepped to the line. The wind came mild and soft like a simple caress. Perfect conditions to let an arrow fly. All Hugh could pray was, Thy will be done.
He closed his eyes and heard the string’s even ping. When he opened them, he saw Theo’s arrow had struck the cloth a little to right of the middle. An excellent mark.
His throat dry, he turned his gaze to Eleanor, but she did not look at him. Her face forward, her eyes stared at what was left of Thornwood Keep. Was he doing the right thing? If he won, what would she gain except years of trying to restore a modest holding? Sir Thomas had ample land; Theo claimed to love her. Would she prefer one of them?
Hugh’s hand shook as he took his stance. The wind picked up just as he took aim. His bow weaved slightly to the left and then to the right. Should he throw the round? Is that what she wanted? Was that what God wanted? He couldn’t seem to hold his mark. Then, though he couldn’t see her, he knew her gaze was upon him, warm and encouraging. Hugh released his arrow which flew in a straight line directly to the left of Theo’s.
An even match from the center of the red cloth. Sir Thomas was out of the running. His face looked like sunset just before dusk, turning from a deep red to a light pink when he realized Theo would have beat him even if Hugh wasn’t in the contest. To Sir Thomas’ credit, he bowed and left the field as a champion. A round of cheers went up for his performance and effort.
And then there were two.