Chapter 23
Jonathon couldn’t imagine what on earth Raven and her parents were talking about for so long.
He was excited to have actually been made a master at his craft, but suddenly it didn’t seem as important as it had before.
His one true dream was no longer bettering his occupation.
Now Jonathon’s dream was only to be married to Raven.
“Jonathon, it’s settled,” said Raven with a big smile, walking over with the others to join him.
“What’s settled?” he asked.
“You will have your own shop right here inside the castle’s walls, and it is going to be expanded to give you plenty of room to do everything you want to do,” she told him.
“Plenty of room for us, too,” said Gerold, looking over at Avery.
“Now, Raven, I don’t think that is a good idea.” The last thing Jonathon wanted was to be watching Raven with her new husband, never able to get away from his agony of seeing them together.
“Of course, you’ll be living inside the castle during the construction of your new shop,” said Corbett. “And afterwards too. Although Gerold and Avery will have to live at the smithy.”
“Excuse me?” asked Jonathon, trying to be polite. “I have no idea what you mean.”
“Father, tell him,” said Raven, looking as if she were about to burst.
“Jonathon Armstrong, I have decided to agree to let you marry my daughter, even if I know I’ll regret it later,” said Corbett.
“What?” Jonathon’s brows raised. “I don’t understand. She already has a betrothed. Whitehead.”
“Not yet. Not really,” said Corbett. “I haven’t signed a contract with Whitehead, so nothing is in writing. Besides, as my family pointed out, he didn’t really win the tournament because you had to withdraw from the competition.”
“I don’t understand, my lord. I am a mere commoner, not a noble. How am I allowed to marry your daughter?”
“You will be my new weapons advisor, as well as the castle smith and my master armorer. For that, you’ll need a title, so you will be Lord Jonathon Armstrong from now on, even if you are not really a noble by blood.”
“A-a courtesy title?” asked Jonathon, not believing his ears.
“That’s right. Plus, I won’t allow anyone married to my daughter to be called anything but a lord.”
“Jonathon, this is wonderful, isn’t it?” asked Raven. “Now we can be married, just like we wanted.”
“Not to mention you’re a master now and will have your own shop,” said Avery. “Father will be so proud.”
“Everything is happening so fast my head is spinning,” said Jonathon. “What about Sir Whitehead?” he asked. “Won’t he be angry?”
“Nay. I will be able to handle him,” said Corbett, clearing his throat.
“Dear, tell them the rest of it,” said Devon.
“The rest of what?” asked Raven.
“Oh, let me tell her, please,” said Rook.
“Go on.” Corbett nodded.
“When Sir Whitehead saw you knock Sir Nevar off the horse and try to break his arm, he wanted nothing to do with you,” said Rook, with a chuckle. “I can’t say I blame him.”
“Really?” asked Raven. “He said he didn’t want to marry me?”
“That’s what he said, dear,” answered her mother. “However, your father was ready to hold him to it.”
“Whitehead was frightened off by you, Raven,” explained her father. “He only really wants the money awarded for winning the tournament. He told me he wouldn’t have a bride who might try to kill him in his sleep.”
That made everyone in the room laugh.
“Raven, your obnoxious ways actually did you a favor this time,” said Rook. “Who would have thought it?”
“When I marry Jonathon, I’m going to act more like a lady. I’m going to be a good wife,” Raven promised. “Jonathon, say something. Do you still want to marry me? You have my parents’ blessing now.”
“Mayhap he doesn’t want a wife who might try to kill him in his sleep, either,” said her brother, receiving another punch to the arm from Raven.
“Raven,” said Jonathon, walking over and reaching out to hold her hand. He got down on one knee. “I would love more than anything to be your husband. That is my dream now and nothing else matters. But do you really want me? I’m just a common man.”
“Jonathon, get up,” she said, seeming embarrassed. When he stood, she threw her arms around his shoulders and kissed him hard on the mouth.
“Mmph,” he said, feeling more pain in his arm, but her kisses outweighed it, so it didn’t matter.
“Of course, I’ll marry you, Jonathon, and you are far from common, believe me. Father, how soon can we have the wedding?” asked Raven. “Can we have it right away?”
“Let’s wait until everyone from the tournament leaves first,” said Corbett with a chuckle.
“Yes, Raven,” agreed Devon. “You are our only daughter and we want this wedding to be special. It will take a little while to plan.”
“I don’t want to wait,” said Raven.
“Raven, I agree,” said Jonathon. “If we wait for a month, it will give my arm time to heal.”
“It’ll also give more time for construction to get underway on Jonathon’s new shop,” added Avery.
“Then it’s decided,” said Corbett. “Let me go pay Whitehead some money and tell him he is off the hook.”
“Father!” said Raven with a scowl.
“I mean, I’ll tell him that he’d be better off with another bride,” said Corbett.
“Thank you, Mother and Father,” said Raven, holding Jonathon’s hand.
“Lord Corbett,” said Jonathon stopping him before he left.
“Aye?” Corbett turned around.
“I realize I’ve done some things that are less than honorable and I am sorry. I will willingly accept any punishment that you see fit.”
“Nay. You will not be punished,” said Corbett.
“That’s right,” said Rook. “Marrying my sister is the worst punishment a man could ever have.” He ducked out the door after his parents, most likely so Raven wouldn’t punch him again.