Denoir Castle
Robin secreted Maria through the woods, for her uncle was still searching for her. He would have helped them find her if she hadn't been the one to choose to go missing. He wanted Maria's happiness, whatever that meant, and right now he knew she needed to stand her ground with her uncle.
He led her through the forest and through Denoir castle. He introduced her to the cook, Baxter Delaunie, and the maids, Alice, Caroline, and Jocelyn. He told Maria that Alice would be the one to help her if she ever needed anything. Alice bobbed a curtsy in Maria's direction, her eyes meekly on the floor. He was smiling when he showed her around the castle. Alice followed them at Robin's request.
"And this is my room," he said, gesturing towards his open door. Cautiously Maria peeked into the darkened room. The bed was a large, with dark wood. The carved canopy looked like a highly decorated box. From the wooden canopy hung black curtains that were pulled back so Maria could see pillows the color of a rich red wine. He had a tapestry hung over the gray stone walls showing the beginning of a wild hunt. She knew by now it was a family tradition to go hunting every year, one that was as old as the ancient Denoir family. On the opposite wall a shield decorated elaborately with the Denoir shield hung amidst the entire coat of arms, carved into the walls.
"The family crest," Robin said, noticing her attention as her head tilted slightly to one side. He stuck his hands in his pockets, feeling awkward as she explored his space. The shield that hung on the wall was red. An outwardly scalloped silver banner crossed it diagonally. There was a gold crescent in the top of the banner. The shield had a black lion and a black heart to either side of the silver banner. The black heart had a gold crown over it. Carved into the wall was a helmet over where the shield hung and the rest of the Denoir crest, which included two lions on either side of the shield. The lions were standing on hind legs, with faces turned outward toward the viewer.
"The Denoir family was originally a result of the marriage of Lord Norman De La Coeur and a Princess Fleur De Noir," he told her, "The De La Coeur family was powerful in Normandy and the time and the De Noirs ruled Navarre."
"Normandy and Navarre are ruled by the French monarchy," Maria pointed out.
"Navarre wasn't fully a part of France until 1620," he replied, "The marriage was an attempt by Fleur's father, Pierre De Noir, King of Nevarre, to gain power and keep Navarre independent of France with powerful English allies like the De La Coeur family. Fleur's brother and father died childless in a coup d'état and she became the last of the De Noir family. Lord Norman De La Coeur had his youngest son take the name Coeur Denoir. He was the first Coeur De Noir, the father of the first Moon Princess, and my ancestor. He had a whole new coat of arms drawn up for himself when he was knighted and he changed the name Denoir to be one word. This castle came with Sir Coeur Denoir's knighthood as a result of service to the English crown."
"The De La Coeur's were English?" Maria asked.
Robin shrugged, "How the De La Coeur family became powerful in England is another story. It has a bit to do with Normandy being under English rule before 1204. There are Delacoeur's here and in London and De La Coeur's in Normandy that are relatives of the Denoir family. It's a bit complicated."
"Why did the first Denoir change his name to be one word?" she asked.
"He was being knighted and being given a castle by the English monarchy; he wanted to be more English. Some of the De La Coeur's in England did the same thing," Robin told her.
"Given her the family history, my boy?" Coeur Denoir said, coming up behind them.
"Yes, father," Robin replied, "She was admiring Sir Coeur Denoir's coat of arms."
"Well, that's good," the current Coeur Denoir replied, "If you're done with her for now I would like to have a few moments with Miss Merryweather in my study."
Maria settled her skirts a bit in one of the hard wooden chairs of Coeur Denoir's study. The entire castle, she decided, lacked a woman's touch with decorating. She didn't see any of Loveday's influence here and she had expected to see some sign of her. She supposed it had something to do with Loveday's tumultuous relationship with Coeur Denoir and her abrupt departure all those years ago. Somehow Maria could easily see an enraged Coeur Denoir rampaging through the castle, throwing out all signs of Loveday, and frightening the maids.
"Well, Miss Merryweather, you do have yourself in a bit of a predicament, don't you?" Robin's father asked her.
Maria was silent. The bite of tears was at her eyes but she didn't cry.
"It is my understanding that you ran from Merryweather Manor when you were informed you would have to get married someday, sooner rather than later. Was the thought of marriage so terrible for you?"
"No," Maria was sad but she spoke thoughtfully, "I had always expected to marry someday."
"Then what was it?" he pressed the matter, "What caused you to want to flee Moonacre in such a hurry?"
"I was not going to flee Moonacre," Maria objected, surprised that he would think so, "It was just the opposite; I didn't want to be presented to society in London and to have to choose a husband there. I know I can't stay at the Manor forever since it is Uncle Benjamin's house to share with Loveday. They'll have children soon and I'll be nothing but a burden. I just couldn't live with the idea of leaving Moonacre. I would rather live in the forest like Loveday did for years than to marry and move to London."
"Merryweather would never allow you to live in the forest," Denoir told her seriously, "Neither would my daughter."
Maria shrugged, "So, I left without asking for approval."
Denoir laughed at that.
"Ah well. But Maria, you are not exactly suited to living in the forest and my boy would much rather you lived here. That's why I told him to kidnap you, you see," Denoir said.
"He didn't kidnap me," Maria objected again.
"Oh, but no one will argue that he didn't kidnap you. Especially since you're here," Denoir pointed out.
"Why would you say that Robin had kidnapped me?" Maria asked of him with some alarm.
"Maria, that has been the way Denoir men acquired wives in the past. Not always, of course, but Coeur Denoir kidnapped his wife and it isn't uncommon," Denoir told her.
"That... that must have been over three hundred years ago," Maria stammered, "Things are different now. You can't simply kidnap a wife anytime you want to marry a girl."
"Oh, but we have," Denoir told her, "You can hardly save your honor and innocent reputation now that you are here. You've been away from home for more than just one night and there is no one to say you haven't been with Robin the entire time. Besides, why would you object to marriage by kidnapping? Marriage to Robin will prevent you from being a burden to Benjamin and Loveday. Marriage to a Denoir will prevent you from being married off and shipped back to London."
Maria had no idea what to say to any of it so she stayed shocked and silent.
Sensing what he thought might be hesitation on Maria's part, rather than the stupor it actually was, Denoir continued to push the idea of Maria marrying and becoming a Denoir.
"I assure you my plan was put together with your best interests and Robin's best interests in heart. Robin is not without means, he is my only heir and all that is mine will go to him before too long. The Denoir family is a proud lineage," he hurried on, knowing pride wasn't something she particularly admire, "though, to his credit Robin is particularly humble. You would be welcome here, Maria."
"What about love?" Maria asked, her throat dry.
"Well," Denoir cleared his throat with some trepidation, "That is between you and Robin, my dear. I am simply explaining to you what I see as your best course of action."
"What has Robin to say about this?" Maria asked.
"Ah, well, I imagine he'll be pleased with what I've put together," Denoir assured her, "He's extremely fond of you, as I'm sure you are aware."
"Extremely fond," Maria muttered.