Once the dancing started, a young pageboy presented Jacqueline with a piece of parchment. After she accepted it, he bowed and left to continue with his other duties. She broke the seal on the missive and quickly scanned what was written inside. She smiled. “This evening is just getting better and better.”
Beth peered over Jacqueline’s shoulder, and asked, “Is that from the earl?”
“Aye. We have been sent our packing orders. We leave at dawn on the morrow. Mother will join us as well.”
Terric picked up his goblet and drained the rest of his wine before he stood. “If that is the case, I suggest we all retire for the night.”
Following suit, Jacqueline got up from the bench and offered Beth her arm. “On the morrow then, Sir Terric,” she said formally. Before quitting the hall, she once more looked at her father. She nodded in his direction, making it known she understood his wishes.
* * * *
They were greeted by Sir Guy when they arrived at Carisbrooke Castle. He anxiously searched each face in their party, waiting to see who would speak first. When he received no response, he took matters into his own hands.
“Well? Are you all going to leave me to guess what happened in London? Or are you going to give an old man peace of mind and tell me?”
Jacqueline took pity on him and linked her arm through his and led him toward the hall. “You are hardly an old man, and well you know it. I am parched from our travels so let me quench my thirst, then I will be happy to tell you everything.”
“Just do not keep me waiting too long.”
To ensure Jacqueline would not take any longer than she needed, he hurried her through the hall doors and then sat her in one of the chairs before the fire. He fetched a tankard of ale himself. Her mother and the others entered the hall at a more sedate pace.
Jacqueline sipped her ale and could not help but notice how Sir Guy hovered over her, impatiently tapping his foot. She said laughingly, “I can see you are not going to leave me be until I tell you.”
“Nay, my girl, I will not. Now out with it,” Sir Guy grumbled.
“You have not welcomed my mother properly as of yet. Should you not do that first?”
“She can wait. Talk.”
“I guess I have tortured you enough. I challenged the earl at the grand tournament. As you can see, I am not the worse for wear from it.”
“That is it? That is all you are going to say?”
Terric came to stand behind Jacqueline’s chair. “She is being modest, Sir Guy. Jacqueline did more than hold her own against her father. She managed to keep from being unhorsed and scored a point on one of the runs.”
Heedless of the tankard of ale she held, Sir Guy snatched Jacqueline from her chair and squeezed her in a bear hug. Her drink spilled into the rushes. The older man placed her back onto her feet. “I wish I could have seen you in the list.”
“The grand tournament will be the last time I am to enter the list. I have done what I set forth to do.”
Hearing Jacqueline’s words, Lady Elizabeth came over and sat in the chair next to her. “Does that mean you will let your hair grow back and start wearing gowns like a proper lady?”
Jacqueline reached up and pulled on her cropped auburn locks. “I will let my hair grow back, but I will not give up wearing a man’s attire.”
“Not even after you wed? Terric might not want his wife going around dressed like that.”
She once again found herself speechless by her mother’s statement. Jacqueline had not known her mother knew how close they had actually become. She shot a look at Terric, who shook his head to let her know he was just as surprised as she.
Lady Elizabeth clucked her tongue. “Do you think I did not know what went on during Terric’s previous stay? Just because I said naught of it does not mean I was oblivious to how you felt about each other.”
Jacqueline felt herself furiously blush. “You knew all this time?”
“Of course I did.”
“I thought you would be disappointed in me.”
“If the circumstances were different, I might have reacted in another manner. What you did helped to protect you from the earl. If he had discovered your ruse, he would not have been able to use you to further his gains. You are no longer a maid, therefore, not so prized as you were in the past.”
Her mother was canny, but she had not realized how intuitive she actually was. “What would you have done if Terric had no intentions of marrying me?”
“I would have not allowed what happened to take place. That is irrelevant now. Terric loves you. He will do all in his power to protect you.”
Terric, having remained silent during the discussion between Jacqueline and her mother, acknowledged the older woman’s praise by bowing his head in her direction. “I am glad to hear you find me acceptable, my lady. Then am I correct in assuming you will allow me to take Jacqueline to wife?”
“Aye, Sir Terric. You may have Jacqueline as your wife. The sooner the better.”
The elation Jacqueline felt upon hearing her mother accept Terric quickly changed to concern. “Why the hurry, Mother?”
“Even though your father did not see through you, I still do not trust him. He is a sneaky, conniving man. He could be the one who fooled us all. Not the other way around. The sooner Terric puts a wedding ring on your finger the better I will feel. Even the earl cannot break the vows spoken before a priest.”
Jacqueline felt a wave of uneasiness sweep through her. She hoped her mother’s fears would turn out to be unfounded. If it would save her from any malicious plans the earl might have in store for her, she would gladly marry Terric on the morrow.
Chapter Twelve
“If you do not stand still, Jacqueline, I am likely to mortally wound you with these pins,” Lady Elizabeth said exasperatedly.
“Sorry, Mother, but you have had me standing here for hours. All the while you have poked and prodded me.”
“It has not been hours. You exaggerate. It only seems that way because you have done nothing but fidget. Either you hold still or your wedding gown will not look at all proper.”
Jacqueline gritted her teeth and sighed in defeat. Her wedding day was two days hence. Her mother, along with Beth, had been frantically stitching her gown since their return from London the week before. She would have gladly worn a less elaborate one, but she did not have the heart to try to sway the two women into change their minds. They had enthusiastically started to work out the details the day after their return home.
The tight sleeved undergown was made from silk, dyed the color of a cloudless blue sky on a summer day. The looser overtunic was stamped velvet two shades darker blue than the undergown. The pattern was the Montacute coat of arms. The earl had sent the velvet to be used for Jacqueline’s gown when she was to have wed the Earl of Somerset. Her mother had suggested they use it now. The reason she gave was that it really was exquisite and why should they not use it for what it had originally been intended. Jacqueline had agreed in the end.
Along with the undergown and overtunic there were tippets, trailing strips of cloth that fastened just above the elbow. They were also made from the same velvet. Around her hips, she would wear a girdle made from gold that had pearls set into each link. Upon her head, she would wear a sheer sky-blue veil, which would be fastened to a point at the centre of her forehead.
The two women worked in the solar with the door firmly shut. Her mother did not want Terric seeing Jacqueline in her wedding gown before they were to exchange vows. So when a knock at the door could be heard, she nodded for Beth to see who it was.
Beth opened the door a half inch, then peered out. “Do not bother trying to come in because I will not let you.”
Jacqueline heard Terric reply. “I have no intention of stepping into the solar. I have been warned off with dire threats to my person should I do so. I was just wondering if I could have a word with Lady Elizabeth.”
Jacqueline’s mother joined him at the door. “Sir Terr
ic, I hope this is not a ploy to see Jacqueline’s gown.”
“I can assure you it is not,” he said. “If I remember correctly, you told me you would drop me down that very deep well Carisbrooke is known for.”
Lady Elizabeth chuckled. “I would do it.”
“There is no need for that well today, my lady. I would like to speak to you, privately, if you can spare a few moments.”
Her mother turned to look over her shoulder at Beth and Jacqueline, and asked, “Can you finish without me, Beth?”
The younger girl nodded. “Aye, of course.”
“Then I am all yours, Terric.”
* * * *
After slipping through the partially open door, Lady Elizabeth led Terric to the chamber next to the solar. It was not quite so large since she only used it to do the castle accounts. The space inside was mostly taken up by a large desk. She walked around it, then seated herself behind it and motioned for Terric to sit in the chair on the opposite side.
Once he had, she waited for him to speak. She had a feeling she knew what he wished to talk to her about. So she waited while he collected his thoughts.
Terric cleared his throat and seemed to force himself to begin. “With the wedding so close, I thought now would be appropriate to broach this subject with you, my lady. It is something I wish I did not have to ask.”
Terric seemed on the verge of squirming. “Just spit it out, man. I do not bite, you know.”
“Since I have no lands of my own, would you approve of Jacqueline and myself living here at Carisbrooke? I hope in a few years, while I follow the tournament circuit, to be able to purchase some land.”
“I had assumed that after your marriage you both would be staying at the castle. It will no longer be necessary for you to follow the circuit.”
Terric appeared slightly taken aback at her words. “Living off your good graces for long does not sit well with me.”
“Do not worry. You will be earning your keep, Terric. With William now gone, there is no Lord of the Isle here. I wish you to take his place.”
“Let me get this straight. You want me, a landless knight, to take over William’s duties?”
“Aye, I do. As Jacqueline’s husband, you are the only logical choice. It will not be an easy position to fill in the beginning, but I am sure you can learn all you will need to know.”
“You do not want me to do the circuit anymore?”
“Nay, I do not. You may participate in a tournament or two, one that is close to the isle if you wish, but only for the sport of it.”
Terric smiled and stuck out his hand. “I accept your offer, my lady.”
With hands clasped, they shook. Terric stood, sketched a quick bow, then left Lady Elizabeth alone in the chamber.
* * * *
Terric took a deep breath and stared at the clear night sky. The stars flashed like so many diamonds. He still could not believe his good fortune. He had found the woman he had been waiting for to be his wife. Along with a woman who loved him, now he had a place to call home. To be part of a family. Something he had not had for so many years.
His father, Philip Aubrey, was a minor knight with a small holding and already married when Terric’s mother, the fair Rosamond, caught his eye. She was the love of his father’s life, but sadly, only a peasant. Her family farmed a section of land that belonged to Philip, and they paid him rent to work it.
At first, Philip’s intent had not been to make her his mistress. Even though his marriage was a loveless one, it was not his way. Rosamond eventually won him over and they became lovers.
Terric was born a year later. He only had a few short months with his mother—a time of which he had no recollection being only a small babe. His birth had been too hard for her. She never fully recovered and finally succumbed.
Philip already had two sons by his wife—both much older than Terric. That being the case, it was not necessary for him to acknowledge Terric as his son, but he did. He was not able to bring his motherless son to live with him, though. Philip’s wife would never have allowed it. So Terric had been raised by his grandparents.
At the age of ten, his father arranged for Terric to be fostered out. Knowing he could not offer much to the son of his love, he did what he could. He took steps to make sure her son became a knight, for which Terric was forever grateful. The life of a farmer had held no appeal for him.
Having made a complete circuit of the walls, Terric descended to the bailey below. He walked toward the keep in the direction of the hall and caught sight of a shadowed figure moving to intercept him. Once it became more discernible, he shook his head in disbelief.
“What are you doing out here so late?”
“I could very well ask you the same question,” Jacqueline replied saucily. Before Terric could protest, she wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed a kiss across his lips. He placed his hands on either side of her waist, pulling her hard against him.
“Is it not bad luck to see me? We wed on the morrow.”
“Just silly superstition. I needed to see you before I went to sleep. Come morning, mother will make sure we do not meet until the ceremony.”
“We did see each other at the evening meal. It has only been a few short hours since we parted. Did you miss me so soon?”
“Of course.” Jacqueline smiled seductively, then ran her hands through his hair. “I do not think I can wait until after the ceremony.”
Terric groaned. “Are you trying to seduce me, minx?”
Jacqueline rocked her hips against his. “If I am?”
He unwrapped her arms from around his neck, then set her firmly away. “Tempting, but nay. We are going to do this properly.”
She stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. “You will not change your mind?”
“Nay. Now go to your bed. Alone.” Terric turned Jacqueline around, then pushed her in the direction of the keep, adding a swat to her rump to keep her moving.
Terric waited until Jacqueline disappeared within the building before he followed. He wanted to make sure she was safely in her own chamber. He needed the time to calm down the raging desire she had stirred inside him just by being in his arms. If she were to accost him again, he was not at all sure he could refuse her a second time.
Finally entering the hall, he found it deserted, which was a great relief. On the morrow he would make it up to Jacqueline since he had refused her offer. Once she was his wife, he might never let her out of his bed.
* * * *
The day of their wedding broke in a bright wash of sunlight. Jacqueline could not have wished for a better one. If the blue cloudless sky was considered a good omen for the start of her new life with Terric, then it portended good fortune.
Having followed her mother’s strict admonishment of not seeing her intended before exchanging their vows, Jacqueline had not gone to the hall to break her fast. A servant had brought her a tray instead. Now she waited for the heated water for her bath to arrive. She did not have a long wait. Her mother, ever efficient, instructed the servants to prepare it once Jacqueline had sent down her tray.
With a knock, Lady Elizabeth opened the door and stood aside for the parade of servants lined up behind her. Once the hip bath had been dragged into the room and then filled, the servants were dismissed, leaving Jacqueline and her mother alone. Jacqueline stripped off her robe, then immersed herself in the bath.
Lady Elizabeth went to stand behind her and washed her hair. “I never thought this day would come—the day I saw my daughter marry the man she loved.”
Jacqueline wiped water from her eyes. “You no more than I, Mother. Especially after what we had done to stop my marriage to the Earl of Somerset.”
“That odious man. With you wed to Terric, you will be safe. Our ruse will no longer be necessary.”
Continuing to wash herself, Jacqueline knew her life could very well have been much different if her father had had his way. She would have been tied to a man she thoroughly detested.
Her bath finished, she stepped out of the tub and toweled dry. She donned her robe once more. All that was left to do was to dress in her wedding gown. Jacqueline’s nerves were getting the best of her. She did not regret her choice in marrying Terric. If anything, she felt overjoyed by it, but she needed a few minutes alone to collect herself before the ceremony.
“Mother, is there enough time for me to sit by myself for a while?”
Lady Elizabeth smiled. “Not long, but we can work it in.” She placed a kiss on Jacqueline’s cheek, then left her alone.
Jacqueline sat on the window seat with her back toward the chamber door and looked out the window. Watching the normal goings-on down in the bailey helped to calm her. A warm breeze blew through the open shutters. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
At that moment, her chamber door opened. Thinking her mother had returned already, she did not bother to open her eyes. It was a shock to feel the cold blade of a dagger pressed to her throat by someone standing directly behind her. She inhaled sharply.
“Be a good girl and turn around.”
Jacqueline felt all the blood drain from her face at the sound of that voice. How could he have gotten into Carisbrooke with no one knowing? Why today, of all days? Doing as she had been ordered, she turned to face her father.
He wore a hooded cloak, which partially hid his face. He pushed the hood back. His sharp gaze swept her from head to toe. “So, I was correct. It was you in London and not William. I did not think you were capable of doing such a thing. Especially since you have been dead and buried these past few years.”
Jacqueline raised her chin a notch and gave the earl a defiant look. “You left me no choice.”
Knight of Her Life Page 11
