Page 53 of May Queen: May Day

“Oh, good,” she said. “I would like to return to the forest with your brothers to choose the right tree for the Maypole.”

“This isn’t about trees or silly May Day celebrations.” He spotted his brothers as well as his squire and flagged them down.

“What is it?” asked Lang.

“I want the three of you to accompany us to the village.”

“Oh, you’re coming along to cut down the tree?” asked Dayton. “Good, because I really don’t want to do it.”

“Nay, this has naught to do with trees.” He headed toward the stable and the three of them followed. “Nash, hurry and help the stable boy saddle our horses.”

“Aye, my lord,” said Nash, running ahead of them to the stable.

“I don’t understand,” said Lang. “Where are we going?”

“I need you two to be witnesses for what I’m about to do.”

“Brother, I know you’re angry, but please don’t tell me you’re going to . . . kill Lady Flora,” said Dayton. “If so, I refuse to watch.”

“Kill me?” Now Flora was getting worried. Had she misjudged Ricard? Would he really hurt her after all?

“I’m not going to kill her,” he grumbled, entering the stables.

“He wants us to watch,” said Lang.

“Watch what?” asked Dayton.

“You know.” Lang thrust his hips back and forth and threw back his head, moaning.

“Stop it, you fools!” snapped Ricard. “We are going to the church.”

“The church?” both Lang and Dayton said together.

“Brother, a church is no place to do either of those things,” said Lang, screwing up his face when he said it.

“I’m talking about getting married,” said Ricard.

“Oh. Married,” said Dayton with a nod. “I knew that.”

“Nay, you didn’t,” said Lang.

“Well, neither did you,” answered Dayton.

“Wait a minute,” Flora broke in. “We aren’t getting married yet. We’ve just posted the wedding banns and we still have a few days left yet.”

“Well, I’ve changed my mind,” said Ricard. “We’re getting married now.”

“Now?” She sounded panicked.

“Is there any reason why we shouldn’t?”

“Well I . . . I mean we . . . I uh . . . nay, I guess not.”

“I agree,” he said in finality. “Now, come along with me, Flora, because you are about to become Lady Wellington and Lady of Black Creek Castle.”