Chapter Three #3
He was looking straight at Emmeline, who realized that she had been caught in the midst of two angry men. When she saw Maximilian looking at her, she quickly curtsied and averted her gaze. She didn’t say a word, but Claudius had much to say.
“Still your tongue, boy,” he hissed. “You were raised better than that. Lady de Witt has come at my invitation, and you will show her all due respect. Now, greet her properly or you’ll not like my reaction.”
Maximilian knew he’d been rude, but he was so angry at his father that he didn’t care. He removed his gauntlets, a wry smile creasing his lips.
“Is that so?” he said. Then he slapped his gloves onto his saddle and faced Emmeline. “My lady, I am sorry you have come. I truly am. I did not ask my father to come, but he has pulled you into his scheme, and if I have offended you, then I am sorry. You have not exactly caught me at my best.”
It was an apology. Sort of. Addax, who had been watching the scene carefully, came to stand next to Maximilian.
“Lady de Witt has never been to a tournament, Max, so rest assured that she probably does not know that falling from your horse is a sign of failure,” he said.
“I have been explaining things to her, and she is quite eager to learn. Mayhap you would be willing to teach her, since you are so well versed in the rules of a tournament.”
He was looking at Emmeline, silently encouraging her to agree with him, but it took her a moment to catch on.
“I found it all quite exciting, my lord,” she said to Maximilian. “I thought you looked splendid astride your horse. A Spanish jennet, is it not?”
Maximilian was prepared to brush her off, but her recognition of horseflesh had him give her a second look. “Aye,” he said. “He is a jennet. Do you know much about horses, my lady?”
Emmeline nodded. “I have several,” she said. “Do you only ride one horse when you compete, or do you ride different horses for different events?”
She was focused on him in a positive way, and it seemed to calm him down quickly. He forgot about his enraged father and went to her, looking her over as if only just seeing her for the first time.
“It depends,” he said. “If the field conditions are bad, then I have heavier-boned horses that I will ride because their legs are stronger. But if it is dusty and dry, the jennet is an excellent choice.”
“Do you train them yourself, then?”
Maximilian nodded. “Mostly,” he said. “My lady, would you like to accompany me to the village? I’ve not eaten all morning.”
Even though Emmeline had already stuffed herself, she nodded. “With pleasure, my lord.”
Maximilian extended an elbow to her, and they began to head off toward the village, with Emmeline talking about horses as they lost themselves in the crowd.
Addax watched them go, breathing a sigh of relief, before looking to Claudius.
The man was also watching them go, probably with the same relief that Addax was feeling.
“She has a good way about her,” Addax said to him. “I think she and Max will get along well enough.”
Claudius scratched his cheek. “They’d better,” he muttered. Then he looked at Addax. “You have been a gracious host today, even if my son has not.”
Addax dipped his head in thanks. “My pleasure, my lord,” he said. “If I can be of further service, you need only ask.”
Claudius considered that statement. “I do have something more for you,” he said. “Are you familiar with Berwick?”
Addax nodded. “I am, my lord.”
“Do you know St. Andrews?”
Addax turned to point northeasterly, toward the town. “I do, my lord,” he said. “You can see the bell tower from here.”
“A grand cathedral,” Claudius said. “I’ve visited it several times. When do you compete next, Addax?”
Addax glanced over at the arena as they prepared for another bout. “This afternoon at some point,” he said. “They’ve not yet announced the schedule.”
Claudius took a few steps in his direction, putting a hand on Addax’s broad shoulder. “When they do and you know for sure, come and see me,” he said. “I am afraid I will need your help with Max.”
“What help, my lord?”
“I will take the lady to the church. You will bring Max.”
When Addax realized what he meant, he couldn’t help the sigh that escaped his lips. “My lord, I am afraid that is asking a good deal of me,” he said. “I know how Max feels about this marriage. It should be you bringing him to the church.”
“I will have the lady.”
“You are the only one who can force him to comply, my lord. I cannot force him.”
He had a point. Thwarted in his plan to force Addax to handle Maximilian, Claudius had to concede.
“Very well,” he said. “You can take the lady. Come and see me when the schedule is announced, and we shall have a wedding before you ride again.”
With that, he headed off in the direction of the village to ensure that his son was behaving himself with his betrothed, but all Addax could think of was the fact that this was a bad situation for all concerned.
Maximilian didn’t want to marry, Claudius was determined that he should, and poor Emmeline was caught in the middle. Poor, sweet, beautiful Emmeline.
Addax couldn’t help but feel sorry for the lady.
She didn’t deserve what Maximilian was going to undoubtedly dish out.