The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux

him. He could not control his shudder as he remembered the strength he had seen the man demonstrate this morn. He loved his daughter and hoped he did not make an error. "M y daughter, Lyonene, is ... unmarried and of a marriageable age. She has near driven me mad for a year, for she has turned down dozens of men who have desired her for wife." It was difficult to continue, for Ranulf's brows had drawn together in a black look.
    M elite decided to help her husband. "What William means to say is that we have reason to believe Lyonene would accept you, and therefore we offer you our daughter in marriage."
    William continued. "I can offer a dowry of two and a half knights' fees. Lyonene is also my heir and upon our death stands to inherit all of Lorancourt."
    Ranulf tried to calm his racing heart. He cared naught for the dowry, but he must, for William's sake, appear to consider it. The Warbrooke estates contained twelve castles, one of which was M alvoisin. The other eleven all at least equaled Lorancourt. A castle was supported by so many knights' fees, ranging from five to over a hundred. Ranulf did not know how many hundreds of knights'
    fees be owned.
    M elite seemed to know his thoughts. She put a hand over his large one, which rested on his knee. "I believe I am right that you have grown to care for my daughter. M y interest is in her welfare, not talk of knights' fees and inheritances. Do my eyes and senses tell me true?"
    "Aye. She is the prize. Not any dowry could equal her."
    William missed the messages that M elite and Ranulf passed to one another. "Then it is agreed?" He was astounded.
    "On a condition. It must be put to Lyonene as a request. I will not have her forced into a marriage." His 39
    eyes narrowed with memory. "She must agree freely. There is no other man, no previous betrothal?"
    William waved his hand. "None, and, if my wife is to be believed, the girl will agree readily enough. You will be wanting guests of the court?"
    Ranulf considered for a moment. "Nay, I can ask no one, for Edward and Eleanora would come and bring all their retainers, near three hundred people, and few of the other earls travel with less people." He watched William's stare of horror—to feed and lodge so many people! Ranulf continued, "It is cold, too cold for a tourney now, so if it does not offend you, your lovely wife or my Lady Lyonene, the marriage will be simple and I will leave with my bride soon after for M alvoisin."
    William's feeling of relief was almost tangible. "Aye. It will be as you wish. Now, for the day. The banns must be posted for three Sundays. This is Saturday. If you were to sign a betrothal agreement today, we can plan the wedding for three weeks hence.
    Does that suit you, my lord?"
    "Aye, of course." He rose to leave. "Then I leave on the morrow, for there are many preparations to make, and I will return in three weeks' time." His eyes gleamed as he looked at M elite's smiling face. Impulsively, he placed his great hands on her shoulders and kissed her cheek.
    She took his arm and walked with him to the stairs. "It is near time for dinner. I have sent a message to your men; mayhaps you would like to change your clothing."
    Quietly, Ranulf went up the worn steps to his room. As he slowly washed and changed into a dark-blue velvet tunic and tabard, he chuckled to himself. What would his Black Guard think if they knew their leader was as nervous as a green boy, all because of an emerald-eyed lioness?

    * * *
Lyonene stared through the open shutter, needing the blast of cold air to revive her. Her back was to her father, and his news had nearly felled her. Lord Ranulf had agreed to marry her! She could not help a rebellious feeling over the fact that the marriage had been arranged without her knowledge. She thought of her cousin Anna. A page had come and said her father wanted her below stairs. M oments later she had found herself married to a man she'd never seen before.
    Lyonene took a deep breath of air and