Chapter Twenty-One #3
Ranse’s expression was serious. “But I am glad I heard it,” he said, looking to Lysabel, who was standing near the lancet windows that overlooked the bailey.
When he spoke, it was to her. “From the beginning of your father’s offer, I could feel that something was off.
He said you had issues to deal with, and in our discussion earlier today, that was very clear.
I could tell that you were extremely dissatisfied with this betrothal and I am sorry you felt as if you could not tell me the truth. ”
Lysabel’s sobbing had stopped, but as she looked at Ranse, she began to feel overwhelming guilt. Guilt that so sweet and fine a man had to hear the truth the way he had.
“How could I?” she asked. “I told you all that I could, all that I felt comfortable telling you. Had I told you about Trenton, it would have looked as if my father had withheld truths, but that is not why he did not tell you. He did it because he did not wish for there to be any encumbrances on the start of a new life together. Knowing I was in love with another… that would have put an immovable obstacle between us and it was not something you deserved.”
Ranse nodded, appreciating her candor, but his attention moved back to Matthew. “Forgive me, my lord, but I feel as if you did not tell me the truth because you knew if you did, I would have refused your offer.”
Matthew sighed faintly. “That is possible,” he admitted. “But I felt it was an unnecessary burden for you, most of all.”
Ranse wasn’t so sure, but he didn’t counter him. His gaze moved from Matthew to Trenton, who was standing back over by his father, looking pale and worn. There was anguish in every feature.
God, he knew the emotion behind such an appearance.
He knew it well.
“When my wife died, I looked much as you do now,” he said.
“I had just lost something that meant a great deal to me and you look as if you are about to lose the same. I do not know why Lord Wellesbourne offered me Lady de Wilde’s hand instead of you, but having heard what I have, I will respectfully decline the offer.
If you are worried about me standing in your way, I will not.
I could not marry the lady knowing she loved another, and that is the truth.
When I marry, I want my bride’s full attention. I think that is only fair.”
Trenton, much like Matthew and Lysabel, was coming to feel badly for de Troyes. He was honestly shocked that the man was being so agreeable about this and he felt guilty for ever thinking terrible thoughts about the man.
“I agree with you,” he said. “And there is some lady, somewhere, who will be deeply honored to bear the name of Lady de Troyes, and I believe she will be very fortunate, indeed. If you are wondering why Lord Wellesbourne offered you Lady de Wilde’s hand in marriage instead of me, it is because I am a man of questionable reputation.
I have been married three times, my most recent wife having died in a fire two days ago.
So, you see, even though I love Lysabel and she loves me, I could not marry her, and Lord Wellesbourne, as every father should, was concerned for her future and her honor.
He did not want her entering into a clandestine love affair with a married man.
But before you judge me, know that my marriage to my third wife was an arranged marriage and she hated the sight of me.
She did all she could to dishonor the de Russe name, so it wasn’t a marriage at all.
It was a union of chains, and I was its prisoner.
It is true that I loved a woman other than the female I had married, but it was not a dishonorable love, I assure you.
It is one I will take to my grave with me, and beyond. ”
It was a succinct, calm explanation of the situation and coupled with what Ranse had already heard, he could put the puzzle together. He saw what had happened. Nodding his head at Trenton, to thank the man for the honest explanation, he turned back to Matthew.
“My lord, although I am greatly honored by the offer of Lady de Wilde’s hand, you will understand when I say that I have reconsidered and must refuse,” he said.
“Last year, I lost the love of my life. It was the worst thing that could have happened to me, so I understand what de Russe is facing at this moment. He is watching his entire life slip away. I had to face the end of what I had, and there was no choice, but now you have the choice. You can make two people happy beyond their wildest dreams. I beg you – on behalf of one who has loved and lost – to do the right thing. Let them be together.”
With that, he turned on his heel and left the solar, walking past Gaston, who put a hand of gratitude on the man’s shoulder.
He also walked past Dane, who smiled at him approvingly, and finally Cort, who was also smiling at him.
It seemed that Ranse had done right by all of them and once he left the solar, it was Gaston who finally turned to Matthew as the man sat at his table, drained and emotional.
“Before Lysabel and Trenton came into this solar, you had given me the choice of what to do in this situation,” he said, making his way to the table.
Reaching out, he extended his hand to Matthew, who took it strongly.
They held hands for a moment, silently reaffirming bonds of trust and love and friendship.
In spite of everything, those bonds had never been stronger.
“Matt, listen to me. I do not have much time left, but in the time I do have, I would like to see my son happy. Let them wed. Please.”
Matthew was looking up at him, fighting off the tears. Gaston had admitted what Matthew didn’t want to hear, the fact that his life, at some point in the near future, would come to an end. To Matthew, it was a dying request.
He would honor it.