I am pleased to introduce to you Chapter twenty-four. You've been waiting quite patiently for it, so I won't keep you from it any longer. Read on! Oh, the title is from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Sweet Revenge
By Tatiana
Chapter 24: The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth
It was late afternoon; dusk had not yet arrived when William, Jocelyn, and the rest of the gang crossed the border onto the estate of Marquis Henri de Vaudemont. William's uneasiness had grown over the past few days. The whole group was weary from the hard pace and nearly nonstop riding. But at last, they had reached their destination. William couldn't help but notice the closer they drew to her home, the more reserved Jocelyn seemed to become. Not that he could blame her, he was feeling a bit nervous himself. He was about to meet the father of the woman he loved. Now that he thought about it, he was very nervous. He'd merely brushed aside Jocelyn's warnings before, but now they were beginning to take hold. On the other hand, Wat and Chaucer were eager to see Kate. William could tell they were anticipating the reunion because they had stopped bickering. For once they had agreed on something.
As they approached the castle, in the practice fields, outside the inner wall, Adhemar's men had sent up camp. As William, Jocelyn, and the gang passed, the soldiers stopped to stare at them. William sent Wat a look, warning him against any attempt at fonging. Wat scowled, and turned to stare with hostile intent at Adhemar's men, who glared back. They passed through the portcullis, greeted by many surprised cries, welcoming Lady Jocelyn back home. Almost immediately after they had dismounted, Chaucer, Wat, and Roland started off to look for Kate. Gunther looked from them to William and Jocelyn, not knowing whom he should remain with. William stopped them all.
" Let us find Adhemar first," William declared. " Where Kate is, he will surely know or go to eventually."
" Yeah," Wat agreed, his gritted teeth forming an evil looking grin on his reddening face. He ground one fist into the other. " Let's deal with Adhemar first."
" Now Wat, there will be none of that," William warned. " Unless you want to end up in the stocks."
" The stocks would be worth it for just one blow!" Wat sniffed bravely. Chaucer
" Now when we confront Adhemar, let me handle it," William said.
" Yes, yes," Geoff waved his hand. " We know."
" William," Jocelyn interjected. " Please keep in mind that my father is fond of Count Adhemar. Don't lose you temper."
" Worry not my love. I will be as courteous as a nobleman." William replied with a smile.
Jocelyn didn't look convinced. She turned behind her to Christina who merely shrugged. She gathered up her skirts and nodded to her companion.
" I will go and greet my father, prepare him for your entrance. Chaucer, Christina will come and find you, and then you will announce William." Jocelyn explained.
" Geoff has to announce William's coming into a room? That seems awfully hoity-toity." Wat snorted.
" That is how it is done Master Falhurst," Chaucer replied in a gallant tone, straightening his jacket.
Wat sent him a cross look. Geoff smiled, tickled at his little joke, and stepped forward to follow Jocelyn and Christina. Jocelyn looked to William. He reached out and gave her hand a squeeze.
" Everything will be fine," he said in a low, comforting tone.
Jocelyn inhaled a breath and with a nod, squeezed his hand in return. William sent her a smile as she turned to walk across the courtyard and into her home to find her father, followed by Christina and Chaucer. When they were out of sight, William's smile faded slightly. He then turned to his two best friends.
" Let's go guys," William said to Roland, Wat, and Gunther.
He took a deep breath. Wat and Roland each put a hand on his shoulders. William looked from one of his friends to the other. No words needed to be said. William knew his friends would always support him, no matter what. Together, they turned and followed after Jocelyn, Christina, and Chaucer.
Jocelyn found her father and Count Adhemar in the marquis's private study. They had been going over the details of the marriage contract when Jocelyn and Christina came upon them.
" Jocelyn?" her father gasped in surprise, rising from his chair.
" Hello, father," she greeted. She went to him directly and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Adhemar had also risen. He bowed low and made a move to take her hand so he could press his lips to the back of it. Jocelyn kept her hands and arms tightly to her sides. Adhemar's eyes sparked with amusement at her reaction.
" What a pleasant surprise, my dear!" Lord de Vaudemont smiled broadly. " You have always had impeccable timing! We were just speaking of you!" He gestured to Adhemar. " Weren't we Count Adhemar?"
" That we were," Adhemar agreed in a low tone.
" I do not doubt it," Jocelyn said in a cheerful tone, but her eyes were hard as they rested on Adhemar.
Adhemar's lips curved upwards into a smirk. His eyes traveled up and down her slender frame. It was all Jocelyn could do to keep from slapping the irritating smirk off his face.
" Father," she turned to the marquis.
" Yes my daughter?" Marquis Henri de Vaudemont addressed his only daughter affectionately.
" I have not come alone," she began.
" Yes I see," he smiled. His eyes focused over her shoulder. " Hello Christina."
He nodded kindly to his daughter's companion. Christina bobbed in a slight curtsy, her hands clasped in front of her, her lowered eyes glancing up timidly.
" No father, someone else escorted us here," Jocelyn placed both her hands upon her father's arm.
" I should hope so! If I had known you would be coming home a month early, I would have arranged for an escort!" Henri de Vaudemont exclaimed. " Who is this good man who has escorted my precious daughter home safely? Let him be announced so that I might thank him properly."
Jocelyn's eyes lit up. She turned her head towards Christina and nodded. Her attendant bobbed again, then turned and went out the door. She reentered the room moments later followed by Chaucer.
Geoff strode into the room, his knee-length coat swishing around his legs. He bowed to the marquis, then deeply to Jocelyn, and sent a slight, curt nod to Adhemar. Adhemar's eyebrows rose, his smirk remained upon his face, but flattened a bit as he flexed his jaw in annoyance.
"Marquis Henri de Vaudemont," Chaucer began in a deep, respectful tone. " Allow me to introduce to you, my lord, the World Tournament Champion. Along with your lovely daughter, he brings to your household honor, truth, bravery, and…" Geoff's eyes turned to Adhemar. "Honesty." Adhemar crossed his over his chest, his eyes level with the herald's gaze. " So without any more ado, I present to you my lord, Sir William Thatcher."
Chaucer bowed deeply, his arm extended towards the door. On cue, William walked into the chamber. His eyes immediately fell upon Adhemar. He sent the count a heavy stare. Adhemar returned it with a lazy, disinterested expression.
" Sir William Thatcher!" Jocelyn's father exclaimed. " I cannot thank you enough for finding it in your heart to bring my lovely daughter safely home to me."
William blinked and turned his attention to Marquis de Vaudemont. The man was a little taller than Jocelyn, with a stout body and graying hair. Jocelyn did not resemble her father much, except for her dark eyes. William bowed deeply to his ladylove's father.
" I fear I could not find it in my heart, Lord de Vaudemont, for your daughter has stolen it." he proclaimed gallantly.
Adhemar's smirk widened at his rival's antics. Flowery language might have won Jocelyn over, but her father would not be so easily swayed.
" Such words! Such words!" the marquis chuckled with delight. " To think, a poet and the champion of the World Tournament! You amaze me, Sir Thatcher."
" You are too kind, my lord," William said humbly, shaking his head. Adhemar's eyes twinkled with secret amusement.
" You must know Count Adhemar of Anjou, your worthy opponent in the jousting circuit," Lord de Vaudemont motioned to the Count at his side.
" We have indeed met," Adhemar agreed with Jocelyn's father. " It is good to see you again, Sir William." Adhemar laid into the "sir", his eyelids drooped lazily, one corner of his mouth tilting upward.
" I am sorry I cannot say the same, Count Adhemar." William replied bluntly. His stare was not friendly.
Marquis de Vaudemont's eyebrows shot up at the newcomer's candidness.
" What is this you say, Sir William? Just what has Count Adhemar done to you that would cause you greet him in such a disrespectful manner?"
" My lord," William began respectfully. " That man," He pointed at the count, " has abducted my blacksmith!"
" It's true, Father," Jocelyn piped in.
" That is a serious charge, Sir William," Lord de Vaudemont said in a deep, disapproving tone, ignoring his daughter who was clutching at his sleeve. He turned his attention to the count beside him. " What say you to this charge, Count Adhemar?"
" It is a false charge," Adhemar said in an innocent tone, looking quite stunned at the accusation.
" How can you say that?" William demanded angrily. " You have held her by threatening her life and livelihood!"
Adhemar did not treat William's infuriated demeanor with even a glance or bat of an eye. He looked straight to Jocelyn's father.
" Kate was Sir William's blacksmith, my lord, just as Gunther was my squire," Adhemar gestured to Gunther who was standing slightly behind Roland and Wat. " Is it a crime to take on a member of another knight's entourage? If it is, then yes, I am guilty, but so is Sir William." Adhemar reasoned in a cool, calculated tone.
" But you dismissed Gunther. I did not dismiss Kate." William interjected hotly. " There is a difference!"
" Calm down, Sir William," Adhemar drawled. " We are in the presence of ladies." He looked from Christina to Jocelyn.
" Quite right, Count Adhemar." the marquis voiced his approval of Adhemar's observation.
William's jaw clenched and unclenched in anger. Behind William, Gunther and Roland had resorted to grasping at Wat's arms to keep him from lunging at Adhemar. William took a deep breath in attempt to calm himself after he caught a pleading glance from Jocelyn.
" I apologize, my lord, but the fact remains that he has abducted my blacksmith." William repeated his earlier claim.
" Believe me, Sir William, I have not forgotten your accusation," the marquis said gravely. " It troubles me deeply. I must confess my ignorance in settling a matter such as this. I also must inform you that I trust this man enough to give him my daughter's hand in marriage. I am very wary against your allegation."
" Believe me, Lord de Vaudemont, when I say that the man standing next to you is possibly the most base person in Christendom." William swore in a low tone.
" That is going too far young man!" Jocelyn's father cried. " It is one this to accuse a nobleman of a dishonorable deed, but to slander his name is beyond all good decorum!"
" William meant no disrespect, Father!" Jocelyn interjected, defending her love. " He is just very upset, and he fears that Adhemar may have mistreated Kate. Surely you can understand his concern for his good friend?"
" What is this?" Henri de Vaudemont demanded of his daughter. " You are calling this knight by his given name?" He turned to William with a glare. " What ideas have you filled my daughter's head with?"`
" None that were not already there in the first place!" Jocelyn argued beginning to get angry.
" Please daughter, let's not get into that right now. There is enough going on already without you bringing your outlandish ideas of the rights of women."
Jocelyn opened her mouth to protest when suddenly the sound of heavy boots in the hall interrupted the intense argument. First through the door strode to soldiers bearing the royal colors, followed immediately by the Black Prince himself. Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and stared in awe and astonishment.
" Prince Edward!" Lord de Vaudemont exclaimed in utter astonishment, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open.
All eyes were trained on the unexpected prince; the room was still, all its inhabitants stunned into silence.
Recovering from their shock, Adhemar and William, along with Jocelyn's father arose and bowed deeply at the waist. Chaucer, Wat, Roland, and Gunther all but dropped to the floor.
" Please excuse this intrusion upon your household, Marquis de Vaudemont," Edward began good-naturedly.
" It is no such thing my lord!" Jocelyn's father insisted, stuttering in his surprise. " My household is at your disposal. Please pardon our meager accommodations. We are not accustomed to entertaining royalty."
" I thank you for your generous hospitality," Edward said courteously.
" To what do we owe this great honor?" Lord de Vaudemont asked.
" Word reached me that my two best knights were headed to your home," Edward replied, gesturing to William and Adhemar. " I could only conclude that there must be something of great importance and value here." His eyes went to Jocelyn. He inclined his head, his lips curved upwards into a charming smile. " I see my assumptions were indeed correct. Your home has in its possession, a gem more lovely than all the jewels in my father's crown."
Lord de Vaudemont beamed. The prince's comments filled Jocelyn's father's heart so full of pride, his chest swelled from its expansion.
" I commenced travel immediately in hopes I could reach your home while Count Adhemar and Sir William were still here," Edward finished his explanation. Prince Edward turned his gaze to both Adhemar and William. " You are both looking well," he commented to them.
" Thank you, Your Majesty," they replied respectfully.
" I hope my arrival has not interrupted anything important," the prince's tone was apologetic.
" Actually it has, but it is a welcome interruption, Prince Edward. A most welcomed one, indeed." the marquis sighed, his eyes going to William. " Sir Thatcher has made a serious charge against Count Adhemar."
" What charge?" Prince Edward asked in a careful tone.
" He claims Count Adhemar has abducted his blacksmith," Lord de Vaudemont said, his voice was grave, his expression serious. " The count denies his accusations, of course."
" Of course," the prince murmured blankly, glancing at Adhemar.
" I for one am disgruntled at such a proposal, whichever the outcome." Jocelyn's father declared. " In either case, I am displeased by having such matters settled in my home."
" As you have the right to be," Prince Edward said in an agreeable tone. " But, as it has already been spoken of, perhaps it would be best to settle the matter here and now." He turned to William. " What is your claim, Sir William?"
" Count Adhemar abducted my blacksmith no longer than a fortnight ago, and has held her against her will in an effort to obtain armor from her, and to ruin my career." William answered directly.
" What say you of this, Count Adhemar?" Edward turned to his other knight.
" I say it is a false claim," Adhemar stated firmly, without blinking. He unmoving gaze rested upon William, who stared back at him.
All eyes in the room shifted between the two men. Prince Edward studied his two knights with a somber expression on his face. Jocelyn stood to William's right. The marquis, not knowing what to think, stood behind his desk, speechless.
" There is only one way I can think of to settle this matter," the prince declared, drawing all eyes in the room to him. " How lucky that I had already sent for her, as I have business of my own to conduct with her." He turned to the door and nodded to his own attendant.
The man bowed and turned and left the room. Everyone's eyes followed the servant until he disappeared, then trained them back on the prince, all of them filled with questioning. Moments later, Edward's man came back into the room, followed by two others. Between the two other men walked a bewildered looking dark-haired petite woman. She glanced back and forth in bewilderment at the men at both of her elbows.
" Kate," Prince Edward greeted warmly. Kate looked to him, her eyes widening in surprise as she recognized him. She began to curtsy.
" Kate?" Adhemar murmured softly. Halting her motion, she turned her head in his direction. Her brow furrowed slightly as her gray eyes fixed upon him with a sort of sad softness. His expression went slack, as her unguarded gaze seemed to pierce through his very being.
" Kate," William breathed, a grin spreading over his face. Kate's attention transferred over to William. Her face lit up with pure delight as she beheld him. Her lips curled back to reveal her teeth in a bright smile.
Adhemar followed Kate's eyes with a snap of his head. His face hardened as he took note of her unspoken interaction with William. His eyes shot daggers at the man who her joy was directed at.
" Kate!" came a joint cry from across the room.
Kate's eyes roamed once more around the room, seeking out the familiar chorus of voices. Her smile widened as far as her cheeks would permit. Wat, Chaucer, and Roland stood just beyond William. Chaucer and Wat grabbed at each other's arms, partly to stop the other from running across the room to her, and partly to stop themselves. Roland just beamed at her. Kate's heart swelled with emotion. She had not realized until then how much she had missed them all.
Prince Edward watched the reunion with a slight smile on his face. The camaraderie between William and his company had always amazed him. The prince turned his watchful eye to his other knight, Adhemar. The count's expression, for the first time Edward had ever seen it, was unguarded. He was struck by what he saw there. Jealousy, an emotion that had not been present in his features until a certain blacksmith had entered the room. The prince found it quite interesting.
In the meantime, Jocelyn's father was glancing around in pure confusion. His eyes flitted every which way, not knowing where to rest.
" What the devil is going on?" he finally cried in exasperation.
All attention shifted to Marquis Henri de Vaudemont. His eyes were wide, taking in the scene before him. His expression was one of pure confusion. William looked to Prince Edward to explain. Edward nodded, understanding that William feared Jocelyn's father already though of him unfavorably for accusing Adhemar earlier and did not wish to anger him further by attempting to explain.
" Kate is William's blacksmith and he and his men are very good friends with her. They have not seen each other in a fortnight." Edward offered.
" I was under the impression that she was Adhemar's blacksmith," the marquis interjected.
All eyes went to Adhemar. Adhemar, his face showing no emotion, made not attempt to either confirm or deny it.
" That's a lie!" Wat spouted. " Kate would never serve Adhemar!"
" Then why would she be traveling with him as his blacksmith?" Henri de Vaudemont demanded; his tone held a hint of anger. He was becoming aggravated.
" He abducted her my lord," William spoke up. The marquis's eyes widened in surprise. Adhemar's gaze rested firmly, but indifferently upon William. " He has held her against his will in an effort to get revenge against me."
" Why would he want revenge against you?" Jocelyn's father asked curiously.
" I have taken from him what he values most. His pride. I unhorsed him in the Championship Tournament, and I have the affections of the lady he would make his bride."
" Jocelyn?" the marquis gasped. His eyes moved slowly to rest on his daughter. Jocelyn lowered her eyes, not meeting her father's gaze. Henri de Vaudemont shifted his attention to Prince Edward. " This is preposterous! The Count is one of the most honorable men I know! He would never do such a thing!"
" Then you do not know this man as well as you think you do," Chaucer called out from his place by Wat and Roland.
" I am outraged!" the marquis exclaimed. He looked to Adhemar with concern. " Count Adhemar, will you say nothing in your own defense?"
Adhemar had been standing silently, taking in the exchange without revealing any emotion by way of his expression. His eyes were watchful, shifting between everyone in the room, especially Kate. Kate was watching the proceedings silently. Her gray eyes were wide as they flickered between those who were speaking.
" I see no reason to speak when I have no proof to back up my words," Adhemar said with an innocent shrug.
" Which is one of the reasons I sent for Kate," Prince Edward declared, bringing everyone's attention back to the female blacksmith standing in the center of the room. " If it is proven by Kate's verification that Count Adhemar did indeed abduct her, I fear I would be forced to take his command of the free companies from him." Adhemar's expression remained motionless, but he could not conceal the jolt of alarm in his eyes. Edward watched his reaction. " Kate will settle this dispute."
" Yes of course!" Lord de Vaudemont exclaimed. " She shall tell the truth once and for all."
All eyes went to Kate once more. Kate glanced around her, the weight of all the gazes made her uncomfortable.
" Kate," Edward said softly.
Kate looked to him; her expression was slightly apprehensive. The corners of the prince's mouth tilted slightly upwards in an encouraging smile. Kate attempted a smile in return, but only managed to turn the outmost corner of her lips upwards for a moment.
" Did Count Adhemar abduct you and hold you against your will?" Edward asked.
Kate took a deep breath and held it. Every person in the room, including Adhemar leaned forward slightly, waiting for her reply. The room echoed with a loud silence. Kate's heart was hammering so fiercely in her chest that she feared everyone in the room could hear it.
She turned her head and looked over to her friends, Chaucer, Wat, and Roland who were watching her eagerly. Wat held his fist to his lips; his face was red. Her gaze then shifted over to William, who stood beside Jocelyn. The two lovebirds watched her as though she were their last hope. William's eyes seemed to plead with her. Kate slowly turned her eyes to meet Adhemar's. His green gaze was steady and unwavering. Sharp and deft, it cut through Kate's heart like a knife. She let out the breath she'd been holding in a long sigh. Holding Adhemar's gaze, she opened her mouth to reply. Everyone leaned further forward.
" No." Kate whispered. Adhemar's mask faltered for a moment. His eyes softened, his forehead furrowing in disbelief.
" What was that?" Wat asked in bafflement, thinking perhaps he'd heard her wrong. Kate glanced around the room uncertainly, her eyes darting back and forth. She let out a breath.
" No," Kate repeated a little more loudly. Her voice was firm. She lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders. " He did not."
" What?" William gasped.
" What?" Jocelyn breathed.
Kate broke eye contact with Adhemar to look over to William. Her heart flooded with anguish at his expression of utter grief. Wat, Roland, and Chaucer stood behind them, their eyes wide in disbelief, and their mouths hanging open. Kate swallowed painfully and closed her eyes tightly. When she opened them again, her gaze found Prince Edward's. His expression was neither surprised nor hurt. Instead there was something akin to sympathy in his eyes. He too, knew what it meant to sacrifice.
" I am at a loss for words here!" Marquis Henri de Vaudemont cried. His face reddened with anger and slight embarrassment.
" It is an epidemic, let me assure you, my lord." Chaucer spoke up from behind William, in an empty tone.
" How could this happen?" Lord de Vaudemont shook his head.
" A misunderstanding I am sure," Edward covered in a soothing tone. " Just a misunderstanding." He reassured Jocelyn's father.
" A bloody big misunderstanding!" the marquis huffed.
Adhemar's gaze never left Kate during the whole exchange. He was more shocked than anyone. Everyone was so rapped up with Jocelyn's father's anger that they did not see Kate close the short distance between her and Adhemar.
" We're even now." she calmly said to him in a low tone that only he could hear. " You saved my life, now I've saved yours. We are even." With that she stepped back to where she had stood moments before, beside Prince Edward.
Adhemar could only stare at her, speechless.
" Count Adhemar!" Henri de Vaudemont exclaimed, bringing Adhemar out of his semi trance. " Surely you have something to say about all of this! You have, after all, been severely wronged by Sir William's accusations. Have you nothing to say?"
Adhemar was silent for a moment. He looked around the room. All eyes were trained on him. For a few moments he could not react. With a sudden, abrupt shake of his head, he inhaled a breath, set his shoulders, and opened his mouth to reply.
" Indeed, I do have something to say," Adhemar nodded, gathering his wits about him. His eyes passed from William, to Prince Edward, and rested on Jocelyn's father. " Sir William sought to discredit me in your eyes, my lord."
" That is evident, but why?" Marquis de Vaudemont wondered aloud.
" He hoped to cast me from your favor, and replace me," Adhemar replied, his eyes going to William. " He desires your daughter's hand in marriage as well. To dishonor me in your eyes was the only way you would ever choose him over me. Isn't that right, Sir William?"
William's jaw clenched, his eyes shooting daggers at Adhemar. Adhemar's lips curved upwards in a self-satisfied smirk, knowing he had hit the nail precisely on the head.
" He has no title other than that of a knight, no holdings, no source of income other than tournaments." Adhemar continued, meeting William's stare with a mocking one of his own. "He only has his winnings, a thachter for a father, and a motley crew of misfits for his attendants. He is beneath Lady Jocelyn. But by discrediting me, he hoped my supposedly dishonorable actions would overshadow his own shortcomings. "
William's nostril flared, his hands forming tight fists at his sides. Kate, eyes wide with alarm, moved the short distance to his side, and put a hand on his arm. William let out the breath he was holding, his rigid body relaxing at her touch. He forced his hands to open; consciously making the muscles of his body relax. He glanced at Kate, eyes thankful. She took her hand from his upper arm, and stood by his side. The muscle in Adhemar's jaw stood out as he watched their interaction.
Having calmed himself, William turned his eyes back to Adhemar. " I may not have titles or land, Count Adhemar, but I have something you will never have."
" And what is that?" Adhemar's eyes narrowed, while his tone was nonchalant.
" Jocelyn's heart," William replied, his eyes sparkling triumphantly.
" What?" the marquis gasped. His eyes flew to his daughter. " Jocelyn? Is this true?"
Jocelyn's raised her eyes from her feet to look at her father. Her expression was as meek as William had never seen. She moved her eyes to the floor once again.
" Yes father," she said delicately, in a hushed tone. She sent a sideways glance to William. His expression was pained at her reaction to his declaration. She swallowed and raised her chin. Her posture became more self-assured. " My heart belongs to Sir William Thacher and always will." Jocelyn declared firmly, sending William a loving glance.
Marquis de Vaudemont's eyes went wide. His hand flailed in the air behind him, searching for the chair he had vacated on the prince's entrance. Finally his fingers came in contact with the smooth oak armrest. He stepped backward and slowly lowered himself into the seat.
" I don't quite know what to say," he said carefully.
" Father, I love William," Jocelyn went to her knees at his feet. She took his hands in her own. " I want to marry him, not Count Adhemar."
Lord de Vaudemont shook his head in sheer disbelief. " How could this happen? Where did I go wrong? How did I raise such an ungrateful child?"
" I am very grateful to you father for everything you have done for me." Jocelyn interposed his parental lament. " But I feel I should be able to chose my husband. I chose Sir William."
" Yes, but what you want is not what you need. You need the man who can best support you and give you the best future. What you need is to wed Count Adhemar." her father contended.
" I won't," Jocelyn shot to her feet, dropping her father's hands. She turned to glare at Adhemar. " I will never marry a snake like him."
" Jocelyn!" Marquis de Vaudemont shouted. Jocelyn flinched. " It is not your place to make ultimatums regarding your future. I am your father, and as such, I will decide whom you will wed. I only want what is best for your future, my dear."
" Don't you want my happiness too?" Jocelyn asked quietly. " I love William, father. I will be miserable for the rest of my days if you force me to marry Count Adhemar."
Her father did not immediately reply. His expression softened. The affection he held for his daughter was evident in his eyes, but his expression was grim.
Adhemar saw the marquis's weakness. His love for his daughter was blinding his common sense. Love was his weakness. Love was nothing but a weakness. Adhemar's brows furrowed. Marquis de Vaudemont was torn. This was not acceptable. Adhemar was better than William in any comparison. The only thing William ever beat him at was… Adhemar's eyes widened. That was it. A sly grin spread over his face.
" I have contrived the perfect method with which to solve this dilemma," Adhemar declared loudly, drawing all eyes to him.
" And what is that?" William demanded incredulously, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
" We will compete for Jocelyn's hand." Adhemar suggested.
" What?" William demanded.
" We will joust for Jocelyn's hand in marriage. We will take tomorrow to prepare, and then joust the next day. The winner will wed Lady Jocelyn." Adhemar repeated his idea, this time elaborating. His mouth was spread in a self-satisfied smirk. He liked the idea better and better the more he thought about it.
" Are you serious?" William asked, shocked.
" Quite serious," Adhemar replied. " It is the only truly fair way to settle this dispute. Wouldn't you agree Marquis de Vaudemont?"
Adhemar turned to the marquis for confirmation. Jocelyn's father thoughtfully stroked his chin with his fingers. His forehead was wrinkled in concentration. Finally he glanced up to reply.
" I would," he stated with a nod. A small smile played at his lips. " It is indeed a fair method, and quite a quite exciting one at that."
" Father!" Jocelyn gasped. " Surely you don't mean gamble me away!"
" Calm down, daughter. You exaggerate." the marquis waved her hand at her. " I am merely establishing a way to get the best husband as possible for you."
" By awarding me as a trophy to the winner of a contest!" Jocelyn cried.
" Better than selling you to the highest bidder as you so often berated me for in the past! At least in this challenge your choice has somewhat of a chance!" Marquis de Vaudemont shot back, his patience with his daughter wearing thin.
" What do you say Thatcher?" Adhemar's eyes sparked with challenge.
William glanced from him, to Jocelyn, and back to him. Jocelyn stared at him; her eyes demanded he refuse to participate.
" I don't," William began.
" What's the matter, Thatcher?" Adhemar taunted. " Afraid you'll lose?"
William's eyes narrowed into slits. Tension between the two knights was thick enough to cut with a knight. Adhemar arched an eyebrow questioningly. William looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Very well," William agreed after a few moments. " I accept your challenge."
" No you do not!" Jocelyn cried. " I will not stand for it!"
" The day after tomorrow then?" Adhemar said to William, completely ignoring Jocelyn's protest. William nodded in confirmation.
" Wonderful!" the marquis exclaimed, making his approval known.
With a cry, Jocelyn spun on her heel and fled from the room. William watched her go with a distressed expression. He started after her. Prince Edward caught his arm.
" Is this wise William?" he asked, his voice filled with concerned uncertainty. " I must confess I have reservations against this. I cannot say I approve."
" Wise or not, it is the only way I'll ever be able to win Jocelyn's hand from Adhemar," William replied, his voice held a note of desperation.
With that said, and without waiting for the prince's reply, William hurried from the room in search of Jocelyn. Down the hall he saw the flash of her skirts moving around a corner of the hallway.
" Jocelyn!" he called. " Wait!"
She slowed to a stop, allowing him to catch up with her.
" This is the only way," he declared when he was by her side.
" I won't be a prize William!" she exclaimed. " I am no man's prize to be won and boasted on!"
" You are a prize Jocelyn. The greatest prize in all of the world." William argued softly. " You were my prize at Paris, and you'll be my prize tomorrow."
Jocelyn turned her back to him. " I wanted my father to accept you, William, because I loved you, not because you bested Adhemar. Don't you want him to accept our love?"
" No," William smiled, shaking his head. He put a hand on Jocelyn's shoulder and turned her to so she was staring straight into his eyes. " I don't. I want to marry you Jocelyn, and I will do anything in order to do so. Once we are wed, nothing and no one else matters! Not even your father."
Jocelyn's brow creased with thought. William moved her other hand to grasp her other arm. She left out a ragged breath. She ducked her head, breaking eye contact.
" And if you lose?" she asked, her voice a aching whisper.
" Jocelyn," William sighed. " I've beat him before." he insisted.
" And he you," she argued.
William moved his hand to tilt her chin up. Their gazes met once more. His eyes bore into hers.
" I will win or lose at your command, my lady." His voice was serious. Jocelyn's eyes widened. His expression softened, as did his tone. " What is your order?" he smiled so softly it made Jocelyn's heart ache.
She held his gaze for a few moments. Slowly her face relaxed. She let out a long sigh.
" Win. Win William," she bid him. " Win my hand like you've won my heart." The corners of her lips turned upward.
William's face split into a grin as he lifted his hand to cup the side of her face. He leaned towards her slowly. Their lips met in a sweet, but brief kiss. William pulled her close, holding her against his chest, and kissed her forehead and then her hair. He held her tightly within the circle of his arms. Closing his eyes, he said a silent prayer to God, praying he would not fail.
* * * * *
Night fell over the home of Marquis Henri de Vaudemont and the surrounding countryside. The torches in the courtyard were lit. Under the cover of the darkness, Adhemar stood in the shadows of the courtyard, watching for any stirrings from inside the castle. It was not long ago that he left the company of Jocelyn's father. Adhemar leaned his shoulder against a cold stone wall and crossed his arms over his chest. Prince Edward's arrival had been completely unexpected. He had obviously come to help Thatcher. After Jocelyn and William disappeared, the prince had taken Kate aside, to another room so he could speak with her privately. Neither of them had emerged from talks for the better part of a half an hour. Adhemar's forehead furrowed deeply as he wondered what the prince wanted with Kate. His face softened unconsciously when his thoughts turned to Kate. Why had she denied his abduction of her?
Just then a flash of movement caught his eye, bring him out of his wonderings. The torchlight reflected off the petite figure's dark hair as she emerged into the courtyard. Glancing cautiously around the courtyard and not noticing her captor in the shadows, she started across the square, curiously in the direction opposite where Germaine and his men were camped.
" Kate," Adhemar called out in a firm tone.
Kate continued on her path, striding quickly across the cobble stoned courtyard as though she had not heard him. Pushing off the wall, Adhemar straightened and stepped out of the shadows after her.
" Kate!" he called again, his tone deeper and irritated at having to repeat himself.
Kate halted reluctantly, her shoulders heaved up and down in an impatient sigh. She stood still, waiting for him to draw near, but not turning around to face him.
" Where are you going?" Adhemar demanded when he'd caught up. He stepped in front of her, turning so they were toe-to-toe and face-to-face.
" No where that is of any concern to you," she replied simply, refusing to look up at his face.
Adhemar frowned. " I know very well you were going to look for your friends. Let me try a simpler question. What do you think you are doing?" he questioned in a hard tone. " I did not give you permission to seek out Thatcher's crew. So I will ask again and I expect a straight answer. What do you think you are doing?"
"I should ask you the same question," Kate shrugged nonchalantly, but her tone was full of accusation. She kept her eyes trained on his chest.
" What do you mean?" Adhemar demanded in a shocked manner.
" I thought you were no longer trying to live up to your father's expectations! What do you call that in there then?" Kate hissed. Her eyes shot up to his. She pointed behind her to the marquis's castle. " So much for your claim that you don't try to please him. You obviously still are even though he is no longer a part of your life or this world for that matter!"
" I am not trying to please my father!" Adhemar insisted angrily.
" Oh really?" Kate asked with a snort, unconvinced. " Than what is all of this then?" She threw up her hands gesturing to their surroundings. " And challenging William to a joust? What is that all about?"
"I'm pleasing myself, not my father." Adhemar shot back. " I have a score to settle with that Thatcher and in two days time I will have completed my revenge against him."
" That will make you happy? Once your score with William is settled, will you finally be happy then?" Kate demanded. Her wide, questioning eyes bore into his, searching for a truthful answer.
Adhemar did not reply for a few moments. Her probing gaze made him hesitate before retorting. " Yes." His voice was quieter than it had been earlier.
" And what about Jocelyn?" Kate inquired more softly; her eyes fell back to his chest for a moment. " Her heart belongs to William. Will it please you to wed a woman who does not love you and likely never will?" She slowly raised her eyes to his again.
" Ah, I do not believe in love, remember?" Adhemar let out a quiet, humorless chuckle.
How could she forget? Kate's face fell, her expression going slack. His forehead furrowed at her reaction. He watched her closely, awaiting a rebuttal.
" You have no heart," she accused softly, sadly, almost choking on the words.
Adhemar's expression twitched, an almost flinch. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed and set his features in a firmer expression.
" That is yet another thing we seem to agree on," he said in a low voice.
It was Kate's turn to flinch. She inhaled and exhaled a breath. Her doleful gray eyes beheld him with something akin to disheartenment. Her shoulders slumped as her head dipped in defeat. Adhemar frowned. He had never seen Kate react in this manner. He did not like it. She was a fighter. But it was almost as though she'd given in. It irked him. Kate's expression then hardened, and she raised her chin a notch. Setting her shoulders rigidly, she stepped forward, moving past him. Adhemar's hand snaked out and he caught Kate by the arm and spun her around to face him once again.
" I'll ask once more," he ground out between gritted teeth. " What do you think you are doing?"
" Leaving," she said, her chin proudly jutting out even further. " I'm going back to where I belong. With William, and the guys. Away from you."
" Oh, no you're not," Adhemar argued angrily. " You have not yet made me my armor. What makes you think I would let you go until you've completed it?"
Kate reached inside her apron and pulled out a long, folded sheet of parchment. On the back was a broken royal seal. " This." She extended her arm forward, offering it to Adhemar.
Adhemar eyed the correspondence cautiously. He took it from her and slowly unfolded the thickly textured ecru paper. All too familiar handwriting greeted his eyes. It was Prince Edward's broad script, in bold black ink. Adhemar's frown deepened as he read what the Prince had written.
Kate,
It is my understanding that you may be being held in duress on account of your manufacturing of armor. I have seen this armor of yours, and I must confess that it impressed me. You are a fine craftswoman. I have come to desire a set of such armor, and I wish to commission a set for myself. I will pay top price for a set of black armor that I may wear in future jousts.
I sincerely hope that you will consider my offer. Not only will it be beneficial to your purse and reputation, but it will also show my approval of the fact that you are working with armor. Certain persons who shall remain unnamed would no longer have means by which to bend you to their will. I will eagerly await your response.
Prince Edward IV
Adhemar resisted the urge to crumble the letter in his fist. It was a commission by the Prince for Kate's armor. The Prince's wishes would override the law prohibiting female blacksmiths to work with armor. That meant…
" You have no power over me anymore," Kate finished his though for him, her voice a whisper.
Adhemar's eyes shot up from the letter to meet hers.
" You are going to Thatcher and his band of misfits?" he all but growled.
" Why shouldn't I?" Kate asked with a shaky laugh. " I am one of those misfits. What reasons have I to stay with you?"
Adhemar was silent for a time. His jaw line was as rigid as his stance. " None at all." he answered, his tone was hollow.
Kate swallowed and nodded in response. She turned her head slightly to the side so he could not see the tears that had begun to well up in her eyes. After blinking them back she tilted her face towards him once more.
" Goodbye Count Adhemar," she said in a formal manner. " I would say it's been nice getting to know you, but I would be lying."
" Goodbye," Adhemar replied, his voice had softened. " Kate."
The sound her name on his lips made a shiver travel up Kate's spine. She hurriedly stepped around him for the second time, and rushed out of the courtyard. She did not look back. As soon as she was out of Adhemar's sight, she ducked around a corner where she leaned back against the cold surface of a stone wall. The tears that wanted to spill earlier began to flow steadily from her eyes. She closed them tightly and slid down the wall until she was seated on the ground. Her shoulders shook as silent sobs racked her body.
If Kate had looked behind her when she had exited the courtyard, she would have seen Adhemar standing perfectly still, watching her retreating form, and then after she was gone from sight, his eyes remained on the spot where she'd disappeared from his sight. She was gone. He no longer had a hold on her. She was returning to Thatcher and the rest of his men. That damn Thatcher. He had taken everything that Adhemar had ever wanted, first the World Championship, Prince Edward's favor, Lady Jocelyn, and now Kate, Kate's armor that is. He had only wanted Kate's armor. That was all. Wasn't it?
Adhemar shook his head. It didn't matter. He could beat William without Kate's armor. At least then he would get revenge against William and get some of his own honor back. Jocelyn would be his. He didn't need Kate's armor to accomplish that. But he couldn't help but wonder why her goodbye had struck a chord in him, a chord that felt as though it had not been struck in a very long time. Adhemar shook his head again and spun on his heel. It was nonsense. He was imaging things. But then, the look in her eyes had been so…
" Get a hold of yourself man!" Adhemar growled as he went in search of his herald to discuss what needed to be done in preparation for the joust to take place in two days.
* * * * *
So ends Chapter 24! And so it has begun, the beginning of the end. Stay tuned for further developments!