She paused, gazing up into his handsome face. “I am an active member of the community and take my duties as the daughter of the Sheriff of the Shire very seriously. I hear much and I see much. Do not think I live an isolated life, my lord. My opinion is based upon tales and information that has come to me over the years.”
He looked down at her; she was such an exquisite creature but, truth be told, he was coming to feel some disappointment. She was not honored by the marriage, that much was clear; she also had a very bad opinion of his profession and, consequently, him. If he were to admit it to himself, it was somewhat of a blow to his self-esteem. He’d never met a woman who hadn’t been overjoyed at a mere word from the mighty and powerful Davyss de Winter. Now he had married one who didn’t care in the least. He tugged gently on her elbow to get her moving again.
“I would like to give you a bit of advice, my lady,” he said as the door to the church loomed before them; he could see his men waiting outside. “I do not presume to discount your opinions because they are your own. They are not truth as I know it. But if I were you, I would think twice before insulting men who have spent their lives fighting and killing for their cause. The men that serve me are battle-born, hard to the core, and have demonstrated that fierceness in battle time and time again. The stories I could tell you about them would give you nightmares for the rest of your life. You have expressed your reservations to me so let that be the end of it. From this moment on, you are the wife of Sir Davyss de Winter, Champion to our illustrious King Henry and an honored knight of the realm. Whatever you think of me personally, I should like you to at least show some respect for that position. It is an important one. Is that clear?”
She paused just as they reached the door, the sunlight glistening off her miraculous hair as she turned to look at him. “Our parents made this arrangement, my lord, and for that fact alone, I will respect my father’s wishes. My acceptance of this marriage has nothing to do with you or your standing. I do it because my father wishes it.”
“And I do this because my mother wishes it.”
“Then we are clear.”
Davyss took her outside to his waiting men, who couldn’t help but notice she was far calmer with him than she had been with them. They assumed Davyss had worked his usual magic and convinced the lady to be calm and compliant. He was particularly good at convincing women of his wishes.
The lady was mounted on Davyss’ charger and he mounted behind her. With a piercing whistle from Davyss, the group thundered off in the direction of Castle Acre Castle.
CHAPTER THREE
“She does notwant anything to do with me. Do you now see how miserable you have made us both?”
Lady Katharine sat patiently as her eldest son ranted. In the lavish solar of Breckland Castle with its massive walls and elaborate gardens, Davyss had been pacing around for over an hour. His source of agitation was his new bride, now locked in a chamber in the powerful keep of Castle Acre Castle. Davyss was afraid what would happen if he didn’t lock her in, so he had bolted the door and headed for his mother’s castle to let her know what, exactly, he thought of her little matchmaking scheme.
“It matters not how either of you feel,” Katharine replied steadily, carefully stitching thepetit poiin her hands. It was a colorful collection of birds. “You are married and that is the end of it.”
Davyss’ jaw ticked faintly. “It isnotthe end of it. She hates all I stand for, Mother. She will not be an agreeable or compliant wife in the least.”
Katharine continued to stitch. “Is that what you were expecting?” she didn’t look up from her hands. “Mere agreement and compliance?”
“What else is there?”
Katharine lifted her thin eyebrows. “There is much more, my son. Perhaps that is why I arranged this marriage so you would understand that there is more to life than kings and compliant women.”
He faced her, a scowl on his face and his hands on his slender hips. “What are you talking about?”
Katharine glanced up at him, a hint of a smile on her old lips. “You have seen thirty years and four, Davyss. What have you learned in that time? That the more men you kill and the more power you wield, the more women will fall at your feet unconditionally? Have you ever had a conversation with a woman that was not foolish courtly flirting? Have you ever known a woman to show strength of character or courage in the face of adversity? Or do you simply view them as sheep as you select yourdame du jourfrom the flock?”
His scowl was gone by now. After a moment, he sighed heavily. “I am sure you are driving at a point but I cannot see what it is.”
“Aye, you can,” Katharine set her needlepoint down. “I am trying to tell you that there is more to life than fighting, dying and cheap women, Davyss. You are a wise, intelligent man and God has given you excellent character and judgment. You are at an age where you need to understand that family is as important as those things you have fought all your life to achieve; a good wife, intelligent and strong without political aspirations, and sons to carry on your name. And, if you are lucky, you and your wife will be fond of each other like your father and I were. It makes life worth living to rise every morning to the face of someone you are very fond of. It means more than all the money and power in the world.”
He lifted a dark eyebrow at her. “If you wanted me to experience a fond wife, then you have most definitely cursed me. She shall never be fond of me.”
“She will make a man out of you.”
Both eyebrows lifted in outrage. “Is that what you think? That I am not a man yet?”
Katharine’s smile broke through. “You still have a great deal to learn. Telling a woman how powerful and handsome you are is not the mark of a true man.”
He snorted and turned away. “I doubt there is anything my new wife could teach me.”
The old woman’s smile faded. “Allow me to tell you something about your new wife, Davyss, and perhaps you will understand what type of woman it is that you have married,” she set the needlepoint on the table and leaned back in her chair. “From a young age, Lady Devereux has known the true meaning of service and charity. Her mother started the poorhouse on the northern edge of Thetford several years ago and your wife helped her mother feed and shelter the needy. I have heard tale that she has gone without so that others less prosperous could have just a little. I began hearing rumors of this years ago so I started giving money to the poorhouse to continue the charity work that Devereux and her mother started. All the while, I kept my eye on this girl. I knew she had depth of character and morals that most women could only hope to bear. And I knew, someday, that I would marry one of my sons to her.”
By this time, Davyss’ belligerent expression was gone. “I know that place you speak of.”
“Of course you do. You pass by it every time you come from London to visit me.”
“They call itLa Maison d’Espoir, I believe.”
“Aye, they do. The House of Hope.”
