Chapter Eighteen #2
Matthew wanted off the subject of Trenton.
To tell Ranse the reality of the situation between Lysabel and Trenton might very well make the man refuse the marital contract and, in this case, Matthew felt it was important not to tell him.
Lysabel had rejected Trenton, so whatever existed between them was finished.
Ranse didn’t need to know about something that didn’t concern him.
At least, he hoped that was the case.
Alixandrea had voiced her concern about the betrothal, telling Matthew that it wasn’t fair to put Ranse in the middle of the lovers, but Matthew had to believe that whatever had flared between Trenton and Lysabel was over with.
His daughter had rejected the man, and if there was an ounce of honor in Trenton, he wouldn’t cause trouble.
Matthew was thankful that Gaston was at Wellesbourne to curb his son should the need arise.
But whatever happened, Matthew had to do what was best for his daughter.
And this was the best.
“Trenton is a good man,” he said after a moment.
“But the fact remains that my daughter is in need of a husband, and you are in need of wife. I realize it is a great deal to ask of a man to accept a woman, her two children, and a pregnancy, but I hope you will consider it. I can think of no better man to entrust my daughter to.”
Unaware of Matthew’s inner turmoil, and the real reason behind the betrothal, Ranse had no reason not to consider everything.
It was true that the Syon Lordship was attractive, but the most attractive part of the deal was Lysabel herself.
She was a beautiful woman and her daughters were adorable.
Ranse knew he could become quite attached to them, and he thought that, perhaps, God was behind this offer of marriage because He knew how badly Ranse wanted to be a father.
His one and only chance at it had ended in tragedy, and although he’d told Matthew that he hadn’t considered remarrying, that wasn’t entirely true. He had.
Perhaps, this offer was God making amends to him.
It was something Ranse couldn’t refuse.
“I have considered it, my lord,” he said. “I see no reason to refuse. I am deeply honored by your offer and most happily accept.”
Matthew almost collapsed with relief. “Are you sure? You do not want more time to think about it?”
“I am sure, my lord.”
Matthew sighed, very grateful for the swift decision. “Good,” he said. “I am quite pleased, Ranse, and I know Lysabel will be pleased, also, when I tell her. Until then, not a word to anyone, please. I must speak to my daughter about this first.”
Ranse nodded. “Of course, my lord,” he said.
Then, he paused a moment, hesitant when he spoke.
“I know that you are aware that my father is Lord Tottington. You may also be aware that I have two older brothers who will inherit everything when my father passes away. My family has never been close, my lord. Not at all. In the time I have been at Wellesbourne Castle, I have felt closer to you and your family than I have ever felt to my own. Now, to be part of that family is truly an answer to prayer. I want to be somewhere where I belong.”
Matthew smiled at the man. “You belong here,” he said. “We all think a great deal of you, Ranse. When you marry Lysabel, you will officially become one of us and we are most happy to have you.”
Ranse smiled at the man, a smile that bespoke of the joy in his heart. Finally, he would be someplace where people would love and respect him.
He would be home.
As Ranse left the solar and headed out to attend to his duties, it was with a joyful heart, but as Matthew remained in his solar, thinking on the contract he’d just made, it was with a heavy heart.
He was thinking that, perhaps, he’d just played a dirty trick on the man; perhaps, it wasn’t right to put Ranse in the middle of Lysabel and Trenton, as Alixandrea had suggested.
Still, Matthew genuinely felt he had to do it.
He had to help his daughter forget the man who had made her feel love again, and this was the best way to do it.
To give her another man to replace the one she’d lost.
Now, to tell Lysabel. It wasn’t something he was looking forward to. But first, he had to tell someone else.
Gaston.
It was early afternoon when Gaston found Trenton in the stables, sitting on a tiny stool while soaking Snowdrop’s still-sore leg with a mixture of mustard and vinegar.
Gaston could smell the pungent combination as he approached the stall where both Honey and Snowdrop were tethered.
Leaning over the side of the stall, he looked at what his son was doing.
“What’s the matter with the pony?” he asked.
Trenton glanced up at him. His face was pale and his eyes bloodshot, indicative of the roaring headache he had as a result of his drinking binge the night before.
“She has a bowed tendon, I think,” he said, returning his attention to the leg. “Cissy has not been able to ride her for several days. How did you know to find me here?”
Gaston threw a thumb towards the stable entry. “Markus is out in the yard with some de Wilde horses,” he said. “He saw you come in.”
“What is he doing with those horses?”
Gaston shook his head. “I do not know,” he said. “It is possible he is preparing to return to Stretford Castle at some point. He must, you know. Mayhap he is just looking them over.”
Trenton didn’t say anything. He seemed focused on the ponies and not on anything more than that, but Gaston was sure it was a self-protection measure.
Stretford meant Lysabel, and he didn’t want to think about her at the moment.
When the woman that a man loves rejects that love, sometimes all that is left are tasks to take the mind off such things. The wine hadn’t helped him forget.
Perhaps being busy would.
Gaston knew Trenton was hurting. Even if he didn’t know the man at all, his history or his heart, simply looking at him would have been enough to tell him that Trenton was a man in pain. Aside from the physical pain he’d brought on himself, of course.
There was anguish in his manner.
Unfortunately, Gaston was there to compound it.
He’d just come from Matthew, who had delivered news that was going to be devastating to Trenton.
In truth, Gaston was still reeling from it and he had no idea how Trenton was going to take it.
Matthew wanted to tell Trenton himself, and he’d told Gaston first so the man would know and possibly help him fend off an emotional response, but Gaston didn’t think it would be wise for Matthew to deliver the news personally.
He wasn’t entirely sure just how in control of himself Trenton would be when he found out and he didn’t want him lashing out at Matthew in his anger.
Therefore, Gaston was prepared to take the brunt of it.
There was little choice.
“I have a need to speak with you, lad, if you can spare me the time,” he said. “It is important.”
Trenton was fussing with the pony’s leg. “Now?” he asked. “Can it not wait?”
“Nay, it cannot.”
Trenton sighed. “Then what is it?”
Gaston suspected there was no chance of pulling Gaston off some place private, so he simply leaned over the side of the stall and prepared to speak in a quiet tone.
But as he opened his mouth, there was a great commotion at the entry to the stable as Boden, Gage, and William came charging through, laughing and shouting at each other, going to collect their horses.
Gaston stood up, facing the young knights as they charged through like bulls.
“Where are you going?” he said to Boden, who was the closest.
Boden had a rope in his hand. “Into Warwick,” he said. “They are having a horse market there and we want to see their stock.”
Gaston sighed heavily, leaning aback against the side of the stall. “Boden, I just bought you that blue roan not three months ago,” he said. “If you want another horse, you are going to have to buy it yourself. I am not buying you another one.”
Boden smiled at his father. “You are not buying it,” he said flatly. “Willie is. Willie lost a bet and now he is going to buy me a horse.”
Gaston waved him off and turned around, back to Trenton. “Go, then,” he said. “But stay out of trouble. And no going to the taverns there. Do you hear me?”
Boden put his arm around his father’s shoulders. “I hear you, you rotten old man,” he said affectionately. Then, he spied Trenton with the pony. “Do you want to come with us, Trenton? I’ve heard there are a great many fine horses up for sale.”
Trenton glanced at his younger brother. “Nay, thank you,” he said. “You go ahead and spend Willie’s money foolishly and leave me out of it.”
Boden snorted and rushed off, rope in hand, as both William and Gage led their horses out of the stable so the grooms could prepare them.
There was still a good deal of shouting and laughing going on as the de Russe brothers threatened William with something, and William vowed to punish them both.
There was so much chatter flying around that it was difficult to know what, exactly, had been said, but knowing those three, it could be anything.
As the shouting died away, Gaston returned his attention to Trenton.
“Your brothers have missed you,” he said quietly. “Boden has always looked up to you a great deal.”
Trenton simply grunted in response. “You had something important to speak to me about?”
He wasn’t in the mood for small talk; that much was certain. Leaning over the side of the stall again, Gaston’s gaze lingered on his eldest son.
“It is time to go home, Trenton,” he said after a moment. “There is no longer any reason for you to remain here and I… I am weary. I want to go home and see your mother.”
Trenton stopped what he was doing and looked up at his father, sharply. “What is wrong, Da?” he asked, standing up and looking at the man with great concern. “Are you feeling poorly?”