by Rizzo Rosko
James and other knights rushed down from their positions above and around the castle to gape at their lord. "Milord, were you attacked?" Asked James, who continually sent Elizabeth cautious stares.
How did he intend to answer the question without revealing his humiliating defeat at the hands of street thieves. None of her expectations prepared her for his arm around her waist, pulling her close until her body was firmly against his.
"I am in the company of a beautiful woman and wearing only a blanket. Do I look like a man who has suffered a defeat?"
There was a pause, then most of the knights laughed at the meaning behind his words. Elizabeth flushed and ducked her head. How dare he make her out to be some common whore! She would shriek his ear of later, lord or no lord!
James was the only man in the group who showed no mirth. His eyes trailed up and down Elizabeth's filthy gown, her muddy face and hair, to the blanket Blaise had draped over his shoulders and wrapped around his midsection. "Lord Blaise, your horse—"
"Ah, yes.” Blaise’s blue eyes returned to Elizabeth. Her shock tripled as he stared at her with something akin to admiration. “While no man can best me in a match I am ashamed to admit that 'twas all too easy for them to sneak off with my belongings while I was with a woman such as this."
Elizabeth's face heated with anger as the men laughed again, shrugging off the fact that their lord was robbed as long as it was done while he was apparently bedding a woman.
Although she was the more filthy of the two of them, he was the swine!
"And as you can see, the gown she wears is for travel." Blaise said, pulling the skin packaging open so the men could see the fine green gown and bodice beneath, leaving them no room to think that their lord was traveling with some meager peasant.
Eager to stamp on any misconceptions before the men in front of her took her to be a whore eager to be the plaything of any man among them, she spoke without thinking. "Aye, as your betrothed 'twas easy for me to enjoy your attentions, lord Blaise."
The knights stopped laughing. They all stared at Elizabeth with round eyes, including Blaise. He righted his features before the other men, squeezing her tighter to his side. "That is was, my sweet Eliza." He hissed her name as though it were cursed.
Elizabeth instantly regretted her mistake in presuming she could insinuate something like that and get away with it. Whatever punishment or humiliation was available for her words, Blaise would likely see to it that she suffered it.
"Where is my father?" Blaise demanded.
"Right here."
Elizabeth spun at the sound of the commanding voice. An older man with blond hair with flecks of grey in it approached, his back straight and face that of concern. A child of five or six ran at his side to keep up with the longer legs of his father before picking up speed and rushing to Blaise.
Blaise knelt down and threw his arms open for the squealing child to rush into. “Blaise!” The boy said. “Where were you?”
Blaise stroked the blond head. “Just having a pleasant walk.”
“Aye, too pleasant by the look of things.” The knights stepped aside for the older lord, and when he was in front of them he eyed his eldest son with curiosity.
Elizabeth's mouth nearly dropped. This man was his father? She was sure she had made a mistake because they looked nothing alike.
Lord Gray stood tall and proud before his son, but not taller, and the older man sported hair that spoke of soft sand which suggested Blaise inherited his hideous hair from his mother. And while Eliza could never accuse Blaise of appearing skinny, he almost appeared small when his shoulders were compared to the broad mass of his father’s.
As if hearing her thoughts and becoming insulted by them, Blaise gripped her hand and yanked her towards the older man. "Father, this is lady Eliza Hollow—”
“Elizabeth.” She corrected.
Blaise’s lips curled. “Elizabeth. My betrothed." He hissed the last part much the same as he had hissed her name, squeezing her hand as he did so. "Eliza, this is my father, lord William Gray."
Had Blaise not introduced them Elizabeth would have gone on believing she'd made a mistake in his identity. She curtsied low, wishing to avoid any questions the man might give her following his shocked gaze. He surely did not expect his son to confess to being betrothed to a woman who looked as though she sat below a serf on the grand scale of things.
She groaned at the mental image she gave herself, wishing with all her might that she had time to throw away the ragged thing she wore so that she might be dressed properly like she planned.
Lord Gray peered behind her instead and addressed Blaise. Elizabeth’s knees shook when a pleased smile lifted his lips. "Betrothed?"
She couldn’t believe it. Was the man not angry?
"Father, may I have a private audience with you in your solar?" Blaise rushed his words, grabbing Elizabeth's hand in his iron grasp again. She fought to keep from showing any pain as his hand squeezed too hard.
William blinked, seeming to sense the desperate mood surrounding his son. "Very well, but I want you dressed first."
Blaise looked down at himself, as though remembering how little he wore. He released Elizabeth's hand and rushed across the courtyard.
Elizabeth rubbed her wrist, her entire hand cold now that his firm grip no longer kept it hot.
Lord Gray put a gentle hand over her shoulder and pulled her along with him. "Come, lady Elizabeth, I shall introduce you to the mistress of the house."
Her body tensed at his unexpected touch and soft voice, especially since her crusty garments were now ruining his clean clothes. But he did not seem to mind, nor did he give another glance to the hideous gown she wore with its dirty hems and tears. Indeed, he did not even hesitate as he led her in the same direction Blaise had run off in.
His words of being introduced to the lady of the castle finally reached her. Elizabeth jerked to a stop in panic. "Nay, milord, I—" She cleared her throat and forced calm into her heart. "Please, milord, may I dress first? I am appalled in the manner I presented myself to you and would like to do better for your wife."
He laughed. Laughed! "I do not believe Marianne will much care how ye look, but I shall send you off with a maid if it calms your soul."
He spoke in such a gentle manner that Elizabeth already felt at ease in his presence, as though she’d known him her entire life.
Elizabeth had always been taught that wealthy men, lords, and ladies were cruel beings who did not much care for pleasantries unless they were directed towards themselves. Her mother told her that they took what they wanted, and did not care a whiff of anyone else.
She had always known it had been a mistake. The nobles were called nobles for a reason and lord Gray was proof enough of that. She'd known the man for less than five minutes and she liked him already.
***
Elizabeth was taken an empty room, and as promised, a young servant girl came to help her out of her filthy rags. The tight sleeves pealed from her arms like a second skin, and Eliza’s body seemed to inhale a breath of fresh air as it was removed.
Despite the wonderful welcome and treatment, Elizabeth could hardly contain her awe at her surroundings. 'Twas no servant’s room she had been directed to. She could tell even though she had never been inside of a castle before.
The elegantly carved four poster bed, with a mattress that looked thick and soft with clean quilts was the item worth the most admiration. She could not wait until she could sleep in it. Thick rushes on the floor welcomed her feet, and painted oak furniture were proof enough that lord Gray must indeed have enjoyed their first meeting.
As she had yet to explain that she'd saved the life of lord Gray’s son, 'twas likely she’d only been shown this room because lord William assumed she truly was lord Blaise’s betrothed. She shuddered to think of what he would do when he discovered it had just been a jest on her part.
Eliza wanted to bathe, but with how quickly her gown had been thrown on her, an
d the promise of meeting the lady of the castle in mere minutes, she didn't dare ask for one. ‘Twould be too presumptuous and take far too long.
“Ye seem out of sorts, milady.” The girl said while her fingers worked on the many buttons and laces.
Elizabeth scratched her arm under the tight sleeves; dirty skin itched beneath the fine fabric, driving her mad. Though she had scrubbed her face with an old rag before setting off with Blaise, her body protested any further movement before washing. “Could we perhaps take another moment for me to wash?”
The servant girl’s face widened, as though she hadn’t thought of it. She turned her head to the empty basin where water should have been, and bobbed an apologetic curtsy.
“Forgive me, milady. I ‘ad not realized water ‘ad not been brought in.” The girl promptly scurried out of the room like a frightened bird. Elizabeth stood confused when alone. How long would she take? Would Elizabeth still be in time to be introduced to lady Gray?
Those thoughts barely left her head before the girl rushed back inside with a pitcher in her hands. She poured the water into the basin that sat on the table, and Elizabeth sighed and surged forward like a starved man towards food.
She splashed her face and rubbed her neck with the cool liquid while the girl behind her worked on loosening her gown so that she might scrub her arms. She washed until the water turned brown with the mud from her hair, face, and arms. The servant girl swiftly carried off the soiled water and brought fresh water to her so that she might finish cleaning herself.
Ah, what would she have done without the swift little bird behind her? Elizabeth did not care that the water splashed against her gown as long as it was only in small drops, just so long as she emerged a clean lady.
She scrubbed everywhere she could without entirely removing the only fine bit of clothing she owned, even scraping the dirt out from under her fingernails.
Her skin felt lighter, not tight with drying mud, and while her hair was again soaking limp because of when she put her entire head in the basin, she still felt clean and refreshed. She heaved a happy sigh and addressed the girl trying to dry her hair without wrinkling her gown. "I think I am ready now. What is your name, girl?"
"Olma, milady," she said, leaving her hair so that she might return to helping Elizabeth back into her gown. "Shall I send that one for washing?" She asked, indicating the filthy gown with a jerk of her head.
Elizabeth looked at it and winkled her nose. "Nay, I shall never wear it again after tonight."
***
Elizabeth was led to the solar where Blaise intended to explain to his father that he was not betrothed to the woman he brought home with him. While she did not look forward to the embarrassing encounter, she delighted when all eyes in the room focused on her.
Blaise's especially. No longer wearing the shoddy blanket she presented him with earlier, her heart fluttered at the sight of his clean tunic, boots, and leggings.
Elizabeth resisted the urge to reach up and touch her heart. How strange! She had seen him naked before and walked with him knowing there was naught beneath that foul robe she gave him but hard flesh, and yet the sight of him fully clothed still sent a shiver through her.
He suddenly seemed ... perfect. Even his hideous hair, now washed of the dirt that darkened the orange color, seemed as bright as a flame on top of his head.
He turned his head away from a conversation with his father, looked at her, and his jaw dropped a few inches while the color of his eyes seemed to become a brighter shade of blue.
She had no jewels to speak of, but the gown she wore and hard scrubbing made her feel as refined and beautiful as any real lady. The little servant girl, Olma, had done a wonderful job braiding her thick brown hair in a shining crown above her head.
Would Blaise be giving her such a look of intensity had she covered half her head in a headdress?
Remembering herself, she curtsied to everyone in the room. "My lords, my lady." She amended, seeing the woman standing beside lord Gray. Her belly protruded heavily away from her body, but that did not deter the gentle smile on her face.
She had hair of such brilliant, impossible red that Elizabeth would have been certain she was Blaise’s mother, if only they did not appear so close in age. “Are you to be my new daughter?”
“New—” Elizabeth sputtered, her body heating. Had Blaise not explained that they were not to be wed after all?
Lord Gray took the woman's hand and pat it gently. “Marianne, my dear, I am sorry to say that 'tis not to be. You have only just arrived shortly before our guest, and have not heard Blaise's confession.”
William looked pointedly at his son. Blaise’s face coloured all the way up to that flame-shaped orange head of his, and in turn Blaise sent a sharp glance towards Elizabeth. “Aye, Marianne. Elizabeth and I are not to be married. ‘Twas her simple chattering that spawned that rumour.”
Elizabeth bristled under her gown and clenched her fists. "I would have made no comment at all had you not been jesting with those men outside that I was your whore."
William snapped his eyes towards Blaise. 'Twas the first time Elizabeth had seen their calm blues appear so sharp. "Is that true?"
Blaise had the decency to duck his head in an abashed manner. "Father, I was attacked on the road last night in the rain and robbed of everything."
Marianne brought her hand up to cover a small gasp. William's eyes widened. "Was this the reason for your grand entrance today?"
Blaise nodded. "Aye. I simply did not want the men to know that I had been taken in by a few peasants. So I explained to them that I was robbed while bedding her."
"You foolish boy." Lord Gray hissed.
Elizabeth's mouth dropped when, instead of scolding him further, lord Gray pulled Blaise from his seat to hold him. "I care not about the nature of your robbery so long as you are returned safely."
Blaise pulled eagerly away from his father's grasp and cleared his throat. "Aye, well, 'tis also the reason why I bring Eliza with me today. She saved my life."
All eyes returned their attention to her. Elizabeth’s body warmed under their curious stares. She ducked her head as though she could avoid the heat.
Lady Gray grinned proudly. Lord Gray eyed her curiously, rubbing his chin. "Is that so? Against a band of thieves? Well then, I can certainly see why you wouldn't want the men outside knowing of that."
"William!" Lady Gray’s grin disappeared.
"I was only saying," he muttered.
Elizabeth decided to speak for herself before Blaise could utter another word. "Actually, milord, I came upon Blaise later. The men attacked him and left him for dead in the middle of the road. He lay in a puddle, and if he had been left there and not awoke before the rain could fill it with more water, he would have drowned."
William looked to his son for confirmation.
Blaise sighed, as though hesitant to admit to his near defeat at the hands of a puddle. "'Tis true. I have the wound on the back of my head to prove it."
"Thank the Lord you are safe!" Lady Gray said as her husband reached his hand behind his son’s head to find the giant lump. Blaise hissed when his father’s fingers touched it.
"It appears we owe you quite a bit of thanks, Elizabeth." Lord Gray said. "I am not one to let a deed like this go without its reward. Name whatever you wish, and I shall give it to you."
Blaise smiled playfully at her. "She has expressed an interest in working in our kitchens."
"Nay! No! I—" Elizabeth stopped herself, humiliated by her outburst. She cleared her throat and softened her voice. "Please, milord, my father was a wealthy, noble man, but unfortunate Fate had me taken from him before the time I was born and raised in poverty. If ye believe ye owe me anything, I would like to have that rectified."
William shook his head. "I cannot give you a title, but if money is what ye seek, I can arrange for something."
***
Blaise awaited her reply, waited for Elizabeth to prove that she was j
ust another greedy harlot out to make a profit off of him. Admittedly, ‘twas difficult seeing her as anything but innocent with the beauty that seemed to encase itself in her very being. She practically glowed with it as her wide eyes blinked a few times while she thought of what answer she would give.
Her dark eyes turned and met his. Blaise’s breath stilled. How did she have the power to do this to him! She gazed inside of him as though attempting to see what was in his head.
Blaise did not like it. He scowled and turned away.
Elizabeth returned her attention to his father and hesitated, as though unsure of herself.
After a moment she shook her head. "Nay, milord, for payment in saving the life of your son, I humbly ask to be able to live in this castle with you and your family."
Blaise rocked back on the soles of his booted feet. Surely she jested! He looked to his father. The man scratched his chin as though contemplating an answer.
Finally, William looked at him. "'Tis your life she spared, what say you?"
Blaise wanted to deny her the right to live in the castle as an equal instead of a servant since that was the wench's goal the whole time. He stared into her eyes, the same color as the mud which had been caked on her during their walk back to the castle. He'd nearly been thrown off his guard when she presented herself, washed and dressed like a true lady, but he knew the truth.
Or at least, he thought he did. The pleading look she sent him now was nothing like the manipulative stares he used to receive from Robert whenever the man wanted something.
He knew better now. He would never allow himself to be so small that he could be manipulated again.
Still, Elizabeth was...different. He sensed something beneath her, hiding, and he did not like it. But if he was wrong about her, would he be tossing a woman who had saved his life, with nothing but the best intentions in mind, out into the cold?
He needed to know for certain before he made that decision. He needed to prove to himself whether she was innocent or guilty of using him for her own benefit.
Whether she be a greedy social climbing wench or not, she still saved his life. The least he could do was allow her to stay while he made up his mind. "She stays, for now."
