Chapter Two #3
Christopher went limp with relief. He knew the face and he knew the man. “Leeton de Shera,” he hissed. “How in the hell did you find me?”
Leeton just laughed as he approached, and the other two knights tore off their helmets as well, joining in the laughter.
“Christ on his Mighty Throne,” Christopher muttered a curse, gazing at the others. “You brought the devil twins with you. Max and Anthony de Velt.”
The de Velt twins were mirror images of each other, of average height but built like the mighty mountains of the north, with long dark hair and brown eyes.
Leeton, however, was as blond as Christopher and more so; even his eyelashes and eyebrows were white.
He was tall and well-built, and had been Christopher’s close friend since they had fostered together in Derby.
He had not chosen to crusade with Richard, instead, remaining as captain for the Earl of Derby.
Christopher wondered what he was doing so far from his fortress.
“Why aren’t you at Derby?” Christopher demanded, taking Leeton’s outstretched hand and shaking it.
Leeton shrugged. “I still am, on occasion, but no longer as captain.”
Christopher grew serious. Leeton was by far one of the best knights he had ever seen and he was puzzled as well as concerned.
“Why not?” he asked.
Leeton’s face grew sad, soft, as he released Christopher’s hand. “Do you remember the earl’s daughter, Rachel?”
Christopher nodded. “Of course, Leeton I knew her well.”
“I married her,” Leeton replied quietly, but Christopher could read the tremendous grief in his friend’s eyes. “Two years ago. Last year, she bore me a son. She died three hours later.”
Christopher was stunned. Aye, he had known the fair Rachel, and he knew Leeton had always been sweet on her. For them to marry was not a surprise, but he was deeply saddened by Rachel’s death. He could see that Leeton was still having trouble coming to terms with it.
“Please accept my condolences,” he said softly. “But your son was healthy?”
“Aye, Richard is magnificent,” Leeton nodded.
“He lives with the earl and his wife. I, however, cannot bear to stay at the keep because it was where I met my wife and where she died. So I have spent a great deal of time in Worcester, and in Nottingham, on errands for the earl. I see Richard when I can.”
Christopher sighed heavily, feeling the man’s anguish. “If I had a son, I would not let him out of my sight,” he murmured. “How can you be apart from him?”
Leeton cleared his throat and lowered his gaze. “He is the image of Rachel, Chris,” he said softly. “Every time I look at him, I see her, and my grief is fresh.”
Christopher understood. With silent sympathy, he clapped his friend on the shoulder and the two of them turned back to the others, now engaged in lively conversation with Edward and David.
“Chris, what’s this I hear that you are to be married?” Max asked loudly.
Christopher nodded coolly. “Unfortunately, in order to gain this magnificent keep, I have to marry the heiress,” he said. “I have only met her today, and today we will be married. You will all attend the ceremony, of course.”
“You are getting married?” Leeton was shocked. “Jesus, Chris, what a hell of a surprise. How on earth did this happen?”
Christopher didn’t want to go into that at the moment. He gave Leeton a wry smirk. “By decree of our illustrious Richard,” he said, rather grandiose. “He commands and I obey.”
Leeton could see the reluctance and the humor, and it was difficult not to tease Christopher because of it.
“Your devotion to our king is indeed limitless,” he said dryly. “So what does this woman look like? Twisted and old? Medusa in the flesh?”
Before Christopher could answer, David’s gaze suddenly moved to the keep and he found himself following his brother’s focus.
On a second floor window overlooking the bailey, a small figure in blue silk and flowing blond hair stood watching the knights.
When Dustin noticed she had been sighted, she abruptly disappeared back into the castle.
“That,” Christopher said, “is her.”
None of the knights said a word, looking up at the window as if she were still standing there. The de Velt twins’ mouths were hanging open. All jesting faded as the shock of the lady’s appearance settled.
“That is Medusa in the flesh?” Leeton asked in disbelief. “God, Chris, you failed to mention she was absolutely beautiful. I feel like an arse.”
Christopher shrugged noncommittally. “The fact that she is easy on the eyes will only make the marriage a bit more palatable,” he said. “But I have come to see that she is exceedingly stubborn and disrespectful.”
“Who cares? The two traits can be changed,” Leeton insisted. “You cannot do a thing about her looks, but her manners can be molded. She can make you a fine wife.”
Christopher shrugged carelessly again, his only answer. The conversation turned back to the king, the prince, and the crusade, and Christopher whole-heartedly joined in. But in the back of his mind, the small woman with the incredible hair kept appearing and try as he might, he could not shake her.