Even if it hadn’t exactly been noble.
Creston began to understand that after a while, but he still completed his orders as assigned. He never questioned, never complained. He was a knight serving the king and he simply did as he was told. But the results of that loyalty put him in a situation where he was denied what he wanted most.
His loyalty to the Crown had cost him everything.
That was when his service to the king came to a halt.
Racked with grief, Creston had walked away. Weeks of hiding out from John’s soldiers, who were looking for him, had led him to a seedy tavern near the Thames called The Pox. He’d been drinking himself into oblivion when he met St. Gerard de Bottreaux, the heir to the Blackchurch empire. St. Gerard had been passing through London and the meeting with Creston had been purely by coincidence, but a good coincidence when Creston saved St. Gerard’s life from a drunkard with a big knife. One thing had led to another and, in gratitude, St. Gerard offered Creston a position at Blackchurch.
It was the best decision Creston had ever made, even if his father hadn’t thought so.
But that didn’t matter now.
“I’m not going to have that discussion with you,” Creston said after a moment. “Blackchurch has been lucrative. It has been rewarding.”
“You are nothing more than a tutor of men.”
“It was mysalvation.”
They stared at each other, having quickly reached an impasse in their conversation. However, Royston wasn’t finished. He well remembered his stubborn little brother and knew that all of the arguing in the world wouldn’t sway him.
He had to go to a higher power.
“I’ll see what St. Denis thinks about this offer,” he said. “He’s your liege, is he not? If he thinks this is a good idea, you’ll have to obey him.”
Creston frowned. “Leave him out of this.”
Royston shook his head. “I won’t,” he said. “Creston, you do not seem to understand. I am the head of the family. That means you must obey me. Any court in the land will side with me if you refuse to obey my wishes. Worst still, if your beloved liege knows about it and you refuse him, too, then I suspect you will no longer be a Blackchurch trainer. Men like you do not disobeyorders from St. Denis de Bottreaux and still remain in your position.”
By the time he was finished, Creston’s fair face was red with rage. “Whywould you do that?”
“Because you are being ridiculous when I am trying to do something good for you.”
Creston wanted to throttle the man. He really did. But he also knew that he had no leverage in the situation because everything Royston said was correct—he was at his brother’s mercy, with Royston as the head of the family. He was a subject of St. Denis de Bottreaux and if the man thought he should marry and become an earl, then there would be no argument. He would do as he was told.
As upsetting as that was.
“When is this all supposed to happen?” he muttered angrily. “The marriage, I mean. Have you planned my life out to the very last minute?”
Royston held his ground at his brother’s baiting. “She is already on her way here,” he said. “She should arrive very soon. The marriage will take place as soon as she arrives.”
Creston was about to explode. He rolled his eyes and hung his head, staring at the ground as clenched fists rested on his slender hips. He was trying to decide if he should kill his brother where he stood, but wisely decided against it. It wouldn’t solve anything.
His betrothed was still coming.
“I have a class to instruct,” he finally said, pushing past his brother.
Royston watched him go. “I will be at The Black Cock Inn,” he called after him. “Come and see me tonight and we shall finalize the details. If you do not come, I shall go straight to St. Denis!”
Creston paused at the door, gearing up for a sharp retort, but he thought better of it. More insults wouldn’t force Royston to change his mind. Therefore, without a word, he simply yanked open the door and stepped through.
Royston followed his brother’s path to the doorway, watching the man storm off across the quiet compound. He knew his brother was angry, but he also knew, as Creston knew, that he had no choice. Creston would marry de Bulverton’s granddaughter and that would be the end of it. Considering the woman was already on her way to Blackchurch, Royston needed his brother’s agreement sooner rather than later.
Or things might become a little… difficult.
CHAPTER TWO
“The Earl ofSidbury?You?”
