The lot cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
Proverbs 16:33
She thought she was going to die. Eleanor sat on the edge of her seat ready to scream or faint or whatever women in this type of situation usually would do. Though in all honesty, she really wanted to run as far away from Thornwood as she could possibly get. Oh, she knew that didn’t make sense. She had dreamed of becoming Hugh’s wife since first she had laid eyes on him, but now, when it all could come true, she feared the possibility more than ever.
Why had he stepped into this contest? Because he loved her? Never once had he mentioned any such thing. Her mind skipped back to last eve. He said her eyes were beautiful and her smile was charming. Kind words, but not words of love.
Next to her, the king keep tapping his fingertips on the arm of his chair. His face a stony mask. Even though King Richard allowed Hugh to enter the tourney, His Majesty seemed cross. Her head ached beyond belief as it spun with a vast number of outcomes.
Oh, why had she given Hugh her consent to enter? Why had the king allowed her to decide? As if reading her thoughts, the king turned his head.
“So, my lady, who do you want to win? Do you fancy either of them or does your heart belong to another?”
Was he asking her opinion? Was he giving her a choice? “My heart belongs to no man, Your Majesty.”
“No man? Mmm...are you sure of that?” A sly smile slipped over his lips as Hugh and Theo both stepped to the line. “They are a fine pair. I think you are lucky to have either, a winning situation no matter the outcome.”
Eleanor held her tongue. She didn’t want to disagree with the king, but one contestant was vastly superior to the other. She held her breath as Julian shouted that Hugh would go first. He took his stance. She couldn’t watch. She closed her eyes.
The crowd roared and shouted. Eleanor peeked at the target with one eye. His arrow had landed a little left of center. If Theo hit the middle the tourney would be over. Her heart lodged in her throat and then slid down to the pit of her stomach.
Oh God, I cannot take this. What is your will? Theo stepped up to the line, and again Eleanor squeezed her eyes shut. This time when the crowd screamed out, so did she.
“My lady, take a look,” the king said calmly.
She turned her head toward the king, then she opened her eyes. King Richard’s face came into view. “Tell me. Did he win?”
The king chuckled. “Lady Eleanor, look.” He waved his hand toward the targets.
Her head throbbed. She took a deep breath and turned toward the butts. Theo’s arrow landed on the target exactly the same distance from the middle on the right. A draw.
The king began to clap his hands. Eleanor slumped back in the chair. A warm trickle of sweat weaved its way along her spine.
“Wonderful! Another try,” the king called.
Another try. Her heart could not take it. She scanned the crowd and saw Lady Catherine sitting on the other side of the field. Her face pale and etched. Clearly she could not take this either. Next to her sat Lady Grace, shifting in her seat, rubbing her large belly. She would not last long in this heat. Lady Breanna worried over both of them, giving both a drink of water while waiting for the next round. Her face a bundle of nerves. This had to end now. However, the king rubbed his hands together in glee.
Eleanor stood. “Excuse me for a moment, Your Majesty.”
King Richard waved her off. “Fine. Fine. It will be a few moments before they are ready to proceed. But hurry back, for they won’t wait for you before they continue.”
She spotted Sylvester leaning against a wooden tent pole, wiping the sweat from his brow and balding head. His hands shaking. “Oh, my lady. I am not sure my heart can survive this. I fear something else could go wrong.”
Gently, she touched his arm. “Have some faith. You know all is in God’s hands. I think I have an idea that will help.”
Eleanor whispered in Sylvester’s ear. He nodded and he took off in a flash toward all the makeshift tents. Weaving her way back to the dais, Darrin stepped in her path.
“What are you up to, Lady Eleanor?”
“I am up to nothing. You know as well as I this could go on forever. They are both evenly matched.”
“Aye, but one will tire first, they always do.”
“And who do you predict the winner today?”
He tilted his head sideways and gave a witty wink. “Whoever desires you the most.”
Frowning, she stepped around him, his laugh following after her. Perhaps it was time to show her own desires.
Hugh took a long drink of water then wiped his mouth. The heat of the day seemed to have increased tenfold. Anger had been the right medicine for Theo, for indeed, the man was determined to win. Hardly an ounce of sweat sat on his brow, while Hugh wallowed in a mass of moisture.
He shielded his eyes, looking to the dais, but Eleanor’s chair stood vacant. Had she lost interest in the tourney? Mayhap, there was another suitor she wished to be with?
Ack, his mind played tricks on him. He needed to focus on the task at hand. First, he must win. Then he would worry about Eleanor. This round Theo would go first.
Calmly, Theo took to the line. With ease his arrow landed on the target. Less than a fingernail to the left of the cloth, where Hugh’s arrow had landed before. Lowering his bow, Theo smirked at him, knowing full well that Hugh would have to compensate to his less comfortable side.
So be it. All was God’s will. Hugh took his stance, gauged the target and let loose his arrow, which arched in the sun’s rays and floated on the gentle wind. It landed to the right of Theo’s. A fingernail’s length from the center. Blast another tie.
The king roared and rose to his feet. “By Jove, another round!”
Eleanor was nowhere in sight. Did she not care who won? Mayhap he had made a huge mistake.
As before, the servants brought forth water. With his confidence faltering, Hugh took another drink. But before the arrows could be retrieved from target, another whizzed by his ear and landed in the middle of the two arrows. Dead center on the red veil. Shouts rang out from the crowd. King Richard’s gaze shot to the crowd.
Could another seek Eleanor’s hand? Slowly, Hugh turned to see who wished to upset the tourney.
Behind him, with bow in hand, stood his Eleanor. The wind had taken the short green veil from her head, and her chestnut hair sparkled in the golden afternoon sun. She turned to the dais and raised her chin like a queen before King Richard.
“Your Majesty. I think this tournament has gone on long enough. I humbly ask that you end this.”
The king stood with his hands on his hips; a look of befuddlement on his face. “But we have no winner. Do you not want a husband?”
For a moment, Hugh thought Eleanor would say nay, but she did not. Nor did she say aye. Ignoring the question, she strode out to the target and pointed to the arrows.
“Whose arrow is the best, Sire?”
King Richard glared at her audacity. No one would demand an answer to a question after refusing to acknowledge his question. Hugh flexed his hand on his bow. This could become very dangerous, indeed. The moments stretched and then, suddenly the king’s laughter exploded.
“Why yours, Lady Eleanor. You are the best archer here.”
At the expense of Hugh and Theo, the crowd joined their king in merriment. A bright shade of red filled Theo’s face and new gusts of hilarity filled the air. Eleanor set a sympathetic smile in his direction. Hugh began to wonder if entering this contest had been the right thing. Mayhap Eleanor truly did love Theo.
She turned back to the king. “Then I think I should be allowed to choose my own husband.”
The crowd gasped, howled, and even a few cried out. Hugh’s gaze drifted across the crowd and rested on his mother, who looked ready to swoon. What was Eleanor thinking, telling the king what to do? Why hadn’t he suggested such a thing to the king? Hugh gave himself a mental shake. In what world would a lady ever select her own husband? Nonetheless, he loved her enough to let her do so. But would the king feel the same?
Time paused as song birds flew in the skies and the perfumed fragrance of summer blooms floated on the mild breeze. Dogs barked and horses nickered. Peasants mumbled and nobles murmured. But King Richard did not shift his stance or whisper a word.
When not a soul seemed to breathe, King Richard exhaled. “You? You wish to select your own husband? From these two or is there another??”
It had never occurred to Hugh until today that Eleanor may have preferred someone else.
But the king had.
Her gaze floated to Theo and they exchanged a warm smile. Hugh dropped his bow to his side. The decision had been made. He had thought that maybe... He turned away and began walking to his burnt out keep.
“Lord Thornwood is my choice.” Her voice solid and strong rang out.
Stunned, he stopped, unsure if his hearing was faulty or if his mind played a cruel trick on him. Cheers and protests resonated from the crowd. Though he did not look back.
Finally, little Isobel came up to him and tugged on his sleeve. “Lady Elle wants you, Sir Hugh.” Taking his hand she turned him around, navigated him through the spectators and guided him to Eleanor’s side.
Her deep brown eyes glistened in the low amber rays of the late afternoon sun. A wisp of her chestnut hair caressed her soft, flawless skin, and Hugh wondered how he’d ever thought of her as plain. Eleanor was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever known, inside and out.
Isobel released his hand and pushed him closer to Eleanor. A pleasant shade of pink flowered on her cheeks, before she dropped her gaze to the ground.
With gentle fingers, Hugh raised her chin. He captured her lips with his and the crowd’s roar echoed across the fields and into the vacant keep. He broke the kiss and put his forehead against hers. “Are you sure?” he asked softly.
Delicate tears sprung on her eyelashes. “With all my heart,” she whispered.
“Aye, mine too. I love you, Lady Eleanor.”
Her eyes glistened as she smiled. “I have waited a long time to hear those words.”
Isobel began to jump up and down, clapping her hands. Her attitude became infectious. Applause and cheers sprang from...most.
King Richard stood among the still.
Hugh took Eleanor’s hand in his and gently gave it a squeeze as they turned to face their king. They might have chosen each other, but their desire might not match King Richard’s.
“So. It would seem the choice has been made to everyone’s agreement. Yet, no one has asked what I think of this match,” Richard bellowed.
Isobel covered her ears while silence rushed through the masses like wind through a wheat field. A deep frown settled on the king’s face as his gaze flipped from knight to knight and peasant to peasant to finally come to rest on Hugh and Eleanor.
“It would seem that most are in agreement with your choice, Lady Eleanor.” The king’s cool stare chilled the festive mood. He pulled out a silk pouch from his ornate purple cape and called for a servant. In his fingers, King Richard held a small gold coin. “Take this coin to my brother, John. For he has won the wager.”
Murmurs rumbled through the crowd and Eleanor and Hugh exchanged a puzzled glance. The servant nodded and took off to retrieve one of the king’s horses.
Still harboring a look of disappointment, the king explained. “It may amaze you that I maintain some semblance of communication with my brother. He knew I planned to dismantle any alliances he made while I was gone.” He then waved in Hugh’s direction. “When I saw John’s decree to have you find a husband for Lady Eleanor, I was intrigued.”
None of this surprised Hugh. John enjoyed being a meddler. That he drew King Richard into the game, however, was astounding indeed. The whispers of the crowd grew. Eleanor started to shake, with anger or fear, Hugh did not know. With a light squeeze of the hand, Hugh tried to calm Eleanor’s trembling’s.
The king cleared his throat. “John believed Lord Thornwood would fight to gain Eleanor’s hand and asked me to see the situation out. I knew full well John had a hand in all the de Maury marriages.” The king glared at Julian and Guy. “Except the one I saw through.” King Richard then turned a kind smile on Breanna and Royce.
Taking another deep breath he continued, “Believing this all to be utter nonsense, I agreed for a marginal price. One gold coin. I lost,” he boomed.
The crowd stood in stunned silence. Everyone knew the king had great pride and did not like to lose at anything. Hugh wondered if he would end this day with his head on the chopping block. Whatever the outcome, for a brief moment, Eleanor was his. He squeezed her hand one more time then released it, stepping forward.
“Your Majesty. ’Twas I who encouraged Lady Eleanor in her choice.” Out of the corner of his eye he could see her shaking her head. Blast the woman, could she not see he was trying to save her?
The floorboards of the dais creaked as King Richard shifted his stance. “Hold your tongue. I have every intention of honoring this marriage. When my spies thought John’s interference might come to fruition, I had to come and see for myself the situation.”
Come and see. Hugh froze. Of course. His deep love of Eleanor, another thing he needed to discover.
“I planned to put an end to it, but then had another idea,” the king paused and looked about. “I believe Lord Thornwood is loyal to me. Therefore, I approve. They shall be wed on the morrow, for I have a war waiting for me.”
Like a flash flood the crowd roared to life. Hugh bowed to his king then took Eleanor in his arms and planted a deep, possessive kiss on her lips.
But not all were happy. The proclamation had ended with words of fighting and battle. His brother and his friend would leave behind their wives to fight in France. Though he loved Eleanor with all his heart, he had to make one last try to save them from such a fate.
Hugh turned a gentle eye to Eleanor. “One moment, my love. I must speak with the king.”
Her eyes shined with a bewilderment he also held. This morn they’d been on different roads, and now they would travel together.
“Go. For I, too, have someone I need to speak with.” She looked to Theo, who stood like a stoic stone, still holding his bow in hand. They had both played him unfairly. But Hugh vowed to make it up to him.
Somehow.
The moment Eleanor took steps in Theo’s direction he turned his back on her. He walked from the field with even strides and his head held high. Being prudent, no one said a word to him as he passed. But that did not give Eleanor pause.
“Theo,” she called. “A word with you, sir.”
He did not slow, nor did he turn around even though she knew he heard her call. His pace did not stop until he was at the entrance of his tent.
Nor did Eleanor give up her pursuit. “Sir Theodore. I owe you an explanation.”
“None needs to be given,” he stepped inside and she followed. He turned on her. “You should not be in here. Think of your reputation, lady.”
The hurt in his eyes tinged the edges of her heart. “I don’t give a fig about my reputation. But I do care about you.”
He laughed and threw his bow on his pallet.
“I know you are hurt. If I had thought that Hugh would have...” She looked down at her folded hands unable to say what she knew would crush him even more.
“Entered the contest,” he finished the statement for her. “Fear not for my heart, Lady Eleanor. I knew where yours laid long before Sir Hugh did. But I thought if he was too dim to see the treasure before him, then I was not.”
His words stunned her. “Treasure. You only wished to wed me because of my tie to Taine Manor.”
He took both his hands and ran them through his sandy brown hair. “Aye and nay. When the suitors began to arrive, I thought them all fools for wanting to wed for property, not knowing what other prize they would get. I was not fond of you when we first met.”
Eleanor thought back to their meeting and could not blame him for his indifference. For she hounded him like a treed fox, demanding he get her to Thornwood Keep swiftly. “We did not meet on the best of terms, but you did dawdle so.”
That brought a smile to his face. “Sir Hugh didn’t want you to arrive too quickly.”
That small revelation sent a small pinprick to her heart. “Oh,” she said softly.
With a heavy sigh he took her hands in his. “He was a regimented man. You were a distraction he didn’t want. But you were the distraction he needed.”
She pulled her hands from his and averted her eyes. “Now you are trying to make me feel better.”
“Look at me, Eleanor.”
Begrudgingly, she raised her gaze. “I knew from that first day, you loved him. Who wouldn’t notice? You beamed like the Star of Bethlehem every time he looked at you. Unfortunately, his stubbornness made him blind.”
Her cheeks warmed. “Well. We all know I’m not a beauty.”
Theo shook his head. “Oh Eleanor, you know naught about yourself. To any real man, you are a treasure that transcends physical beauty. You make people laugh and feel alive. You care for others before yourself. There is not a vain bone in your body.”
Her body flooded with heat; she could not stand up under such uncomfortable and rare praise. “I do have my faults.”
He laughed again. “Oh, how I know. You tend to stick your nose in things that do not concern you, and once you take hold of an idea, no one will sway you from it. Still, what makes you, you is infectious, and that is why I wanted to marry you. Not just for the property.” He rubbed his short beard. “Though that was indeed a nice extra.”
A compliment laced with a dig. She couldn’t blame him; she had hurt him. “I am sorry for what happened.”
“Fear not, for I have other plans already.”
Eleanor wanted to know what those could be, but before she could ask, she heard Sylvester shout outside the tent.
“My lady. My Lady Eleanor, come quick. Lady Grace is...is about...to have her child.”
Oh dear. Saints be praised. The heat and excitement of the day must have brought on the trial. “I’m sorry, Theo. We shall talk later.”
He smiled. “Nay, my lady. Think no more of me; you have much to attend to. A birth and a wedding.”
His words whirled through her. Tomorrow she would be Lady Eleanor of Thornwood. Oh dear.