“And I was not,” Brandt replied, his gaze upon Deston intense. “Ellowyn will be my wife. You offered her to the table and I was the first to accept. Now, will you draw up the contract or will I?”
Deston’s jaw dropped. “You cannot mean it.”
“Why not?”
“Because… because she is… andyouare… you cannot be serious!”
“Again, I say that I am very serious,” Brandt replied. “Why do you find it so hard to believe? I want your daughter for my wife. I was going to ask permission in a more private setting, but since you made the offer public, you have given me little choice but to take my desire public as well.”
Deston just stared at him. His gaze moved between Brandt and Ellowyn, who looked rather hopeful. Then, reality hit him. This was not a random discussion or something Brandt had accepted without consideration. This was something that evidently Ellowyn and Brandt already had on their minds. He could see it simply by their expressions. That thought did not sit well with him. He set down the meat in his hands and wiped his fingers on his breeches.
“We will discuss this in my solar,” Deston’s voice was low. He stood up from the table. “Come with me, my lord.”
Brandt didn’t hesitate. He stood up and followed the man towards the keep entry and the small solar off of the foyer. When they faded from view, the table sat there in stunned silence. Ellowyn got up and ran off before anyone could stop her.
She headed straight for the solar.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Would you mindtelling me why this notion of marrying my daughter has possessed you?” Deston was surprisingly hostile. “Whatelsehappened on the trip from London that I have not been informed of, eh? You two did not become closer that propriety allows, did you?”
Brandt kept calm. “Nothing more happened than what I told you,” he replied, “except that Wynny and I have grown quite fond of each other. I want her for my wife.”
Deston’s round face flushed with outrage. “But you are the Black Angel, for God’s sake!” he said. “Iknowwhat you have done in France with Edward. I know your reputation for ruthlessness and horror. What about all of those women and children you murdered? Well?”
Brandt stood his ground. “Such things happen in war.”
Deston wasn’t satisfied with the answer. He began pointing fingers at Brandt. “You have used thechevauchèestrategy,” he hissed. “Burning, pillaging, and looting farms and towns. That is all anyone can speak of. Burning everything to the ground and then stealing the spoils. Does that mean women, also? How many women have you stolen, de Russe, to fill your lusty veins?”
Brandt’s jaw ticked. “I do not steal women and I do not lust,” he said. “What I do is in the quest for Edward’s victory and I will be judged only by God. Wars are made in such ways, and victory is achieved because of it. But none of this has anything to do with my offer for Ellowyn.”
Deston threw up his hands. He was a passionate man as it was, now more passionate on the subject of his beloveddaughter. He was off-guard by the subject matter and defensive. Although he respected Brandt’s military ability and valued the alliance, he did not want such a man for his daughter. Too much about him was dark and frightening.
“It has everything to do with Ellowyn!” he said. “You are asking me for my life and my heart– you, a man who kills women and children and calls it warfare. Women and children do not fight you, de Russe. What you do is dishonorable!”
It was the magic word as far as Brandt was concerned. He would not be called dishonorable by anyone, not when he worked hard to uphold his knightly honor in a world that knew little. His manner cooled dramatically.
“As the son of a great knight, I should expect better treatment from you,” he growled. “You are basing your entire argument on rumors and gossip, something that only women do. You never once asked me to explain the truth of the matter but instead insult me based on slanderous half-truths. I still hold the greatest respect for your father but for you, I now hold none. Anyone who would call me dishonorable without fact is a fool and you, my lord, are a blatant one. How on earth Braxton de Nerra could father someone such as you is beyond my comprehension.”
With that, he turned on his heel and threw open the solar door. He heard a yelp, realizing as he stepped out into the entry that Ellowyn had been standing by the door. He opened his mouth to apologize to her but her focus was purely on Deston. She cut Brandt off before he could speak.
“Howdareyou say such horrible things to him!” she hissed to her father. “You always considered yourself a fair and equitable man but I heard nothing fair or equitable when accusing Brandt of dishonor. How could you do such a despicable thing?”
Deston stood in the doorway, flushed and emotional. “Wynny, this is none of your affair,” he scolded. “Go away now. This is not your business.”
“Not mybusiness?” she repeated, outraged. “It is indeed my business because Brandt is the man I wish to marry. He is kind and compassionate and wonderful, Father, and I will not have you say such terrible things about him. You were not in France. You do not know what went on. Furthermore, Grandfather was there years ago and who is to say he did not do his share of terrible things? Did you not tell me once that war is full of terrible actions by honorable men? It is evident your words are empty and I am ashamed of you!”
Deston swallowed hard, refusing to look at de Russe at all. In fact, he turned back for his solar. “I will not discuss this,” he muttered. “De Russe, the men you asked for await in the bailey. You will leave before dawn.”
The door slammed, leaving Brandt and Ellowyn in sudden and terrible silence. Brandt looked at Ellowyn. He wasn’t sure what to say to her. She met his gaze steadily in spite of the fact that she was still quite angry. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm.
“He has denied us,” she said quietly.
“I know.”
“What will you do now?”
He sighed, shaking his head as he raked his fingers through his hair in thought. “I am not sure,” he muttered. “Leave before dawn as I have been instructed, I suppose. Your father needs time to cool his anger. Then I will try again.”
