Helen wept.
“Cease.”
She sniffed, wiping her nose on her sleeve.
“Do you, Helen, come to be with Caleb of your own free will?”
“I do.”
Christian turned to the boy.
“And you, Caleb, do you come to Helen of your own free will?”
“I do.”
“Then let you be joined together. Be happy and care for one another for all of your days.” He looked to Caleb. “Do you have a ring?”
The boy reached in a pouch at his waist and came out with a plain silver band.
“Place it on her hand and let this ring bind you together for all time.”
Christian clapped his hands together, happy for them both. “Caleb, kiss your bride. I stand here as witness, and will tell your father the deed is done.”
The door banged open, and Helen’s father ran toward them, wringing his hands. “Tell me ’tis not so? You dare to bring him here?”
Christian turned to the girl’s sire.
“They are married. I stood as witness.” The man raised his arm to hit his daughter, and Christian stepped in between them.
“I will see the boy set up to apprentice as a carpenter. I will send him to Nicholas Spencer, a cousin on my mother’s side. They will be well cared for with Nicholas.”
He took the pouch from his waist and looked inside, fingering the coin. Christian dumped a portion of it in Caleb’s hand.
“Caleb, for you and your new bride.”
The rest he gave to the girl’s father. “Be happy for them. Go home or go with them.”
The father looked to Helen. “How could you do this? I promised your mother.”
She hugged her father, weeping endless tears. “But Father, she would have wished me to find love, as you did. I care not for a title. I only want to be with Caleb.”
He patted her on the back. “Then let it be so. For I will not have discord between us.”
“But you could come with us. Lord Winterforth said so.”
The father looked to Christian, who nodded. “I will put it in the letter to Nicholas.”
“I can never repay your kindness.”
“Go and be happy. ’Tis all I ask.” Christian strode from the chapel happier than he had been since his betrothed had arrived. Now he must find Ashley. For he had much wooing to make up for, and he must woo her before he wed her.
CHAPTER 23
Ashley woketo the sound of the gates opening. She jumped out of bed, the stone cold on her feet as she looked out the window. A figure rode out—it must be Christian going on one of his nighttime rides. In the light of the torches she could make out he was dressed in all black. Even the horse was black. It hit her. He was the man in the hooded cloak, playing Robin Hood. It had to be.
Pulling the dress on, she swore. It was difficult, but she thought the dress wouldn’t fall off. Quinn had gone to bed, and the guard replacing him had fallen asleep. Not making a sound, she stepped over him and ran down the stairs. At the stables, one of the boys was yawning.
“I’m going with Lord Winterforth.”
