denies kinship, but he is not baseborn. Take heed.”
“You must not agree to this, Father. On my mother’s grave, I appeal to your kindness …”
Lord Lavergne closed his eyes as if contemplating his next words. “It is difficult for you, Aurélie, but in time you will see the wisdom in this. Marriage is but a means of ensuring your safety, protection for your dower purse …”
Her ears began to ring and his words blended one into the next. Lavergne droned on of marriages used to form alliances, to bridge rent families, to end wars. Brides could purchase peace, ease conflicts … all a matter of sound negotiation as estates changed hands or were won and lost in the event of war. She shook her head violently, her hands going to her face as if she would press back the tears. “I cannot. I cannot. I will
not!”
“Enough!” The command came as loudly and unexpectedly as any bolt of lightning. The stammering Lord Lavergne and weeping Aurélie both jumped in surprise, became silent, and looked at Hyatt. He no longer leaned against the wall in a relaxed manner, but stood to a full menacing height and held clenched fists at his sides. There was an angry scowl on his face and he appeared to struggle for control.
“Your reluctance comes as no surprise, madame, but do not carry the game to dangerous lengths. You do not have to love me or approve me. I need your close presence to lessen the rub on these villeins. I did not plan your husband’s death, nor did I intend your misery. In taking De la Noye in the name of my king, I allowed a sum to retire the deposed lord in some humble dignity. For the last time I tell you, I regret it was impossible. But ’tis over. English and French must parley if there is to be profit. There is no discussion.”
Aurélie swallowed hard and looked at her father. He shook his head. However angry she might be at his involvement in the matter, it was clear he was no match for this man. All the arguing Lord Lavergne could do in a lifetime would not alter the decision or strength of rule.
She fearfully drew a new breath. “Would you have me, so recent a widow, prepare the hall and see the priest for a wedding, or will I be allowed some time for …”
“There is no need for further preparation,” Hyatt said flatly. “It is apparent you will judge me only as the conquering foe and refuse to see me as a man, flesh and blood, like any other. Neither will you show gratefulness that you are to be
wed
to protect your father’s hard-earned dowry and thus kept safe as is your right through marriage, when I could as easily turn you out for wandering armies to feast upon. If you will cleave only to your hatred and ignore your advantage in this proposal, then we shall not celebrate the event, and we shall have it done. We shall go now to the priest.”
“But …”
There was a sound behind her and she turned abruptly to see Sir Girvin change his posture, indicating his intention to enforce his lord’s decision by any means necessary.
Hyatt walked toward her and reached out to her. She eyed him cautiously and moved her slight and trembling hand into his. Her flesh was cold and clammy all over and she stood on shaky legs.
“I am not an ignorant woman. Only one who has suffered grave losses,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster. “You are not a patient man.”
His eyes warmed as he looked down at her, but his mouth remained stern. “You are wrong, Aurélie. I am more patient than most. But it is clear to me that you dislike my patience, for you test its limits. Had you but opened your mind to discussion, we might … But never mind. If you choose to see me only as harsh and wicked, certainly you shall.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and led her to the door.
For a moment she felt as mindless as a puppet, for her actions were not at all her own. He led, her feet moving by his order, her passage by his command. She knew her options to be death or agreement. He
“You must not agree to this, Father. On my mother’s grave, I appeal to your kindness …”
Lord Lavergne closed his eyes as if contemplating his next words. “It is difficult for you, Aurélie, but in time you will see the wisdom in this. Marriage is but a means of ensuring your safety, protection for your dower purse …”
Her ears began to ring and his words blended one into the next. Lavergne droned on of marriages used to form alliances, to bridge rent families, to end wars. Brides could purchase peace, ease conflicts … all a matter of sound negotiation as estates changed hands or were won and lost in the event of war. She shook her head violently, her hands going to her face as if she would press back the tears. “I cannot. I cannot. I will
not!”
“Enough!” The command came as loudly and unexpectedly as any bolt of lightning. The stammering Lord Lavergne and weeping Aurélie both jumped in surprise, became silent, and looked at Hyatt. He no longer leaned against the wall in a relaxed manner, but stood to a full menacing height and held clenched fists at his sides. There was an angry scowl on his face and he appeared to struggle for control.
“Your reluctance comes as no surprise, madame, but do not carry the game to dangerous lengths. You do not have to love me or approve me. I need your close presence to lessen the rub on these villeins. I did not plan your husband’s death, nor did I intend your misery. In taking De la Noye in the name of my king, I allowed a sum to retire the deposed lord in some humble dignity. For the last time I tell you, I regret it was impossible. But ’tis over. English and French must parley if there is to be profit. There is no discussion.”
Aurélie swallowed hard and looked at her father. He shook his head. However angry she might be at his involvement in the matter, it was clear he was no match for this man. All the arguing Lord Lavergne could do in a lifetime would not alter the decision or strength of rule.
She fearfully drew a new breath. “Would you have me, so recent a widow, prepare the hall and see the priest for a wedding, or will I be allowed some time for …”
“There is no need for further preparation,” Hyatt said flatly. “It is apparent you will judge me only as the conquering foe and refuse to see me as a man, flesh and blood, like any other. Neither will you show gratefulness that you are to be
wed
to protect your father’s hard-earned dowry and thus kept safe as is your right through marriage, when I could as easily turn you out for wandering armies to feast upon. If you will cleave only to your hatred and ignore your advantage in this proposal, then we shall not celebrate the event, and we shall have it done. We shall go now to the priest.”
“But …”
There was a sound behind her and she turned abruptly to see Sir Girvin change his posture, indicating his intention to enforce his lord’s decision by any means necessary.
Hyatt walked toward her and reached out to her. She eyed him cautiously and moved her slight and trembling hand into his. Her flesh was cold and clammy all over and she stood on shaky legs.
“I am not an ignorant woman. Only one who has suffered grave losses,” she said with as much dignity as she could muster. “You are not a patient man.”
His eyes warmed as he looked down at her, but his mouth remained stern. “You are wrong, Aurélie. I am more patient than most. But it is clear to me that you dislike my patience, for you test its limits. Had you but opened your mind to discussion, we might … But never mind. If you choose to see me only as harsh and wicked, certainly you shall.” He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and led her to the door.
For a moment she felt as mindless as a puppet, for her actions were not at all her own. He led, her feet moving by his order, her passage by his command. She knew her options to be death or agreement. He
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