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It no longer held any appeal for her.
The challenge would be to see what Bannaster was hiding and thwart him if necessary. And if she bore a son quickly, her ultimate—but secret—triumph would be in knowing that John’s child might be the next earl.
* * *
At the castle gatehouse just before dawn, John, wearing a hooded cloak, waited in the midst of a large crowd. He led the first wave of soldiers, who were dressed as farmers, as tradesmen, even a few as soldiers. Others would follow in groups over the next hour.
Luckily, Bannaster must have wanted many people in attendance, for half a hundred had waited since before dawn for the chance to see a noble wedding—or to see what happened when one was attempted. More people were slowly coming down the road. Plenty of wagers were being exchanged as to what Elizabeth would do. None of the possible scenarios considered by the villagers included the stealthy invasion by Alderley’s own soldiers.
When the gates finally opened, there was a mad rush to enter, overwhelming the few soldiers stationed there to inspect the visitors. They made several random attempts to search satchels, but at last they decided to join the merriment and toast the bride and groom.
From his place near the stairs up to the great hall, John could see his soldiers spread out through the crowds and begin to hide themselves behind or inside all of the buildings. Over the next several hours, one by one, Bannaster’s soldiers began to disappear. The skills in stealth that John’s men had acquired from the League stood them in good stead, because no one seemed to notice when a soldier was caught from behind and disposed of. The men were under orders to incapacitate rather than kill, but to do it all quickly.
* * *
The next morning, Elizabeth descended from the tower wearing the gold and white gown she’d had made for her wedding day. She let her hair flow freely as a maiden, and felt calm and full of purpose. She refused to dwell on what could not be changed, although Anne had wept and tried to talk her out of marriage.
Elizabeth knew she could not bear to consider what could never be—marriage to John, happiness with the man she loved.
Anne now walked sedately behind her as they entered the great hall, the first time she had left the tower in almost a fortnight. Bannaster was already waiting at the high table. He rose when he saw Elizabeth, and table after table went silent as well. Everywhere people gaped at her in shock. As she walked through the hall, people curtsied and bowed, their expressions changing into resignation. They understood what was happening.
Not so the soldiers, who talked among themselves in confusion. She hesitated for a moment at the table of the bearded soldier who’d once attacked her. After staring at her wide-eyed, he bowed to her and said nothing.
She walked on, smiling at her people, patting the head of Adalia’s son, who came running up to her crying out her name in delight. Elizabeth did not bother to meet Bannaster’s eyes at this further confirmation of her identity. He was no fool.
More people than normal crowded the great hall for the morning meal. Bannaster must have had couriers sent to the farthest villages in anticipation of the wedding, for people continued to stream in even as they all ate.
Elizabeth knew she should be greeting everyone, but on her wedding day, she felt almost numb…content to sit in solitude instead of making conversation. If she looked at too many people, she would be searching for John’s beloved face. She prayed that he was gone, that he was not here to witness her ultimate surrender. And surely Bannaster’s soldiers were still looking for him.
At last, Bannaster stood up and lifted his hands in the air. Voices died down instantly, as if they’d only been waiting for their cue.
Bannaster smiled. “Today is the perfect day for a celebration. Today the priest will be joining the great houses of Bannaster and Alderley.”
Only the soldiers cheered, and after a momentary look of impatience, Bannaster continued. “The truth has come out at last, and Lady Elizabeth has learned the errors of deception. Those of you who knew her true identity”—he paused, and there were low murmurs as people looked at one another—“your loyalty to her is commendable, but now that loyalty must extend to me, since we have agreed to marry.” He tried to lighten the tone of his voice. “I have more good news. I have just received confirmation that King Henry will be here in time to bless this union. He is but an hour’s journey away.”
Elizabeth caught her breath, and she stared about her in growing awareness. She and Anne exchanged shocked looks. The king was coming? Surely Bannaster had known, but he had not told her the previous night.
Because it might have changed everything.
Elizabeth felt hot and cold and flustered. What should she do? Until now she’d been the one to decide her own course—posing as a maidservant, and then finally revealing herself, bargaining for her position as Bannaster’s wife.
As if he recognized her conflicting thoughts, Bannaster suddenly became very attentive, and never left her side as the great hall was cleared of trestle tables for the wedding. There was no room for all of these people to stand outside the chapel doors for the wedding, as was the custom.
“I wish you would have warned me of our royal guest,” Elizabeth said to Bannaster. “I could have better prepared the castle.”
“While you were a maidservant?” he asked with sarcasm.
She bowed her head. “I hope the condition of my home does not reflect poorly on you.”
But Alderley was a jewel of a castle, one of the largest in the western half of the country, and they both knew it. Bannaster looked about with pride, as if he’d built it to what it was himself.
“The king will be pleased,” he said. “And he’ll be pleased with your acceptance of the inevitable.”
Elizabeth bowed her head.
At last, a great horn was heard in the distance. People rushed out to the inner ward to watch the procession of soldiers and courtiers, and the king himself. Elizabeth stood beside Bannaster within the large double doors of the great hall, looking down at the joyous scene in the courtyard. King Henry, thin and blond, smiled and waved, and she knew he was a man courting his people, for he’d only won the crown from his cousin, Richard III, the previous year.
The king ascended the stairs to the great hall, and as Elizabeth curtsied, Bannaster bowed low.
