That was all the encouragement David needed. As he and Alexander headed for the hall, Christopher turned to Peter. He was precluded from speaking because Addax was suddenly among them, having just come from showing Lord de Barenton the garderobe. He immediately embraced Peter, as they were good friends.
“What took you so long to get here?” Addax demanded. “The joust competition is nearly over.”
Peter shrugged. “And? Who is in the lead?”
“Finals are tomorrow,” Addax said. “Essien and I have survived, so there is a good chance we will go up against one another. So have the de Wolfe brothers.”
Peter’s eyebrows lifted. “Wolfie and William?”
“Exactly.”
Peter appeared gleeful. “I did not realize Wolfie was here, too,” he said. “What great bouts those will be. And everyone is still in good health?”
“Good enough.”
“No one is the walking wounded?”
“Not too terribly.”
Peter rubbed his hands together in anticipation. “Then this will be exciting.”
Addax began to pull him toward the hall, undoubtedly taking him to the food and drink awaiting him, but Christopher stopped them.
“Nay,” he said quietly. “Not yet. Peter, you’ve arrived at a most opportune time. I fear I will need your help.”
His turn of mood was obvious, which had Peter’s attention. Both he and Addax paused, their attention on Christopher.
“What is it, Papa?” Peter said.
Christopher glanced at Addax. They both knew what he was about to say and Addax simply nodded, knowing what was at stake.
“It seems that we need your calming presence with Essien,” Christopher said. “You’re a good friend of the man. He served you at Ludlow for a time.”
Peter was puzzled. “He did,” he said. “But why must I be a calming presence?”
“Marriage,” Addax muttered.
Peter looked at him in surprise. “What marriage?”
Christopher answered. “I’ve brokered a deal with Harald de Efford that would see Essien marry the man’s widowed daughter,” he said. “It is a good arrangement, Peter. Upon the marriage, Essien would be quite wealthy and would be given the small castle at Birlingham, which is part of de Efford’s property. However, when de Efford passes, Essien would inherit the title of Earl of Mercia. That is de Efford’s hereditary title from a lineage hundreds of years old, and he would also inherit Eckington Castle. It would be an enormous inheritance through the marriage.”
Peter could immediately see the benefit of it. “Something he would not have otherwise,” he said.
“Aye.”
“But he has to marry the widow to get it.”
“Exactly.”
Peter understood fully why his father said he needed help with Essien. “I see.” He sighed heavily, knowing that Essien would not take anything to do with marriage well. He’d simply never been interested in a marriage for as long as Peter had known him. “He’s not going to be happy with this, I suspect.”
“I do not care if he is happy or not,” Addax said sternly. “In fact, Essien and I were speaking today about his duty to carry on our family name. He does not seem to feel any urgency about it.”
Peter shrugged. “Essien loves women,” he said. “He simply doesn’t want to marry one. At least, I’ve never known him to express any interest.”
“I know,” Addax said. “I do not think I did, either, before I met Emmy. I suppose Essien only needs to find the right woman to change his mind, but the reality is that it may never happen. Not unless we force his hand.”
“And you believe this is the right way to go about it?”
