Cole wasn’t sure what more to say about it, but he was saved when the door to the tavern lurched open and Atreus appeared. He came to the table in his usual congenial fashion and hugged Cole before sitting down next to the man. Julian shoved a cup of wine at him, but Cole was concerned now that they had yet another body at the table when he very much wanted the introduction between Corisande and his father to be something personal and intimate. With Atreus and Julian at the table, it was going to be baptism by fire for Corisande into the world of de Velt. Either she would accept the family or she’d run away screaming.
The thought made Cole inwardly chuckle.
More food and drink were brought to the table and the conversation moved to the battle on the morrow. More knights entered the tavern– Christopher and David de Lohr, Alexander, Kress and Achilles, Bric and Dashiell, all of them lumbering into the tavern in a big group. When they saw Jax, they kicked men out of a nearby table and pulled it up to Jax’s table, joining in so now there were at least eleven knights at the table, all of them talking over each and calling for food.
Cole saw his opportunity for a nice, private introduction between his father and Corisande fly out the window. The Executioner Knights were now part of the de Velt party. The insults and laughter were coming fast and furious. He loved these men like brothers, but he very much wanted his nice little quiet supper with his father and Corisande to just be the three of them.
But that wasn’t going to happen.
Catching his father’s attention, he stood up and crooked his finger to the man.
Curious, Jax obliged and followed his son up the stairs to the second floor of the tavern. There were five doors on the landing and Cole went to the one furthest from the stairs and rapped on the door. Jax started to speak but Cole held up a hand, begging him for patience, as the door finally opened.
An exquisite blonde stood in the opening.
“Papa,” Cole said, his eyes glimmering with warmth. “This is Lady Corisande. I do not think I want to introduce her to a table full of knights. It might be a little overwhelming for her, but I very much wanted you to meet her. Cori, this is my father, Ajax de Velt.”
Corisande appeared a little startled by the surprise introduction, but she quickly dipped into a curtsy. “My lord,” shesaid. “It is an honor to meet you. My father has always spoken most highly of you.”
Jax didn’t say anything for a moment. His gaze was lingering on Corisande and, after a moment, he reached out to gently take her hand.
“You remind me of my wife when she was your age,” he said. “You have that same strong and lovely look about you.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“My son tells me that you are a surgeon.”
Corisande nodded. “I learned from my mother, who is no longer with us,” she said. “I have been my father’s surgeon for a few years now.”
“And he always brings you on a battle march?”
“The men have a better chance of surviving if I come, my lord. I am not afraid.”
Jax just stood there and held her hand, his gaze studying her. “I can see that,” he said after a moment. “Cole tells me that he wishes to marry you.”
That brought some surprise from Corisande, who looked at Cole before replying. “I… I wish to marry him, too,” she said. “My father will give his permission if the situation with Audrie de Longley is settled, my lord. Cole told me about it and as I explained to him, I have no wish to build my happiness on someone else’s sorrow. The situation must be resolved before I will marry him.”
Jax fought off a grin as he kissed her hand and let it go. “Very noble, my lady. Most women do not care for another woman’s feelings when it comes to a husband.”
Corisande shrugged. “I am not heartless,” she said. “A knight I was fond of left me for another lady years ago, too, and I will not do the same thing to someone else. It is a cruel thing to do.”
“And if Lady Audrie insists on marrying Cole?”
Corisande tried not to falter at the mere thought; Jax could see it. She took a deep breath and steeled herself. “I would be the heartbroken one,” she said steadily. “But I would understand. She had a claim with him long before he knew me.”
Cole looked at his father, distressed that Jax would say such a thing to her when they both knew Audrie was already set to marry another man. But Jax had asked the question for a reason– Corisande’s answer would speak volumes of her character.
He wanted to see what kind of woman wanted to marry his son.
“A reasonable attitude,” he said after a moment. “But an unnecessary one. Lady Audrie’s father, the Earl of Teviot, is in the encampment with his men. He has sought me out this evening to tell me that his daughter wishes to marry another man, something I just told Cole without even knowing he wanted to marry you. But now, I shall tell you, too. Lady Audrie is no longer an obstacle to this union.”
Corisande’s eyes widened. There was even a little glisten of tears as she looked at Cole, utter joy on her face. “Oh… my lord,” she breathed. “That is most welcome news.”
Jax could see, as she looked at Cole, how much adoration she had for his son. That glowing expression told him a great deal about this woman his son wanted to marry. As a father, it touched him, for every parent wanted their child to have the love and admiration of a wife or a husband. It looked like Cole was going to be so blessed.
Jax put a hand on Cole’s shoulder.
“She is perfect for you,” he said. “You have my permission to marry her if she will have you.”
