Until just a moment ago, Alexandrine had enjoyed the evening meal she shared with her brother and her father, but right now she could really not believe what she thought she had heard. "Excuse me, Father, could you please repeat that?" she begged the Baron after she had recovered somewhat from her shock.
The latter had apparently no problem complying with his daughter's wish. Probably he had even expected that he would have to repeat what he had said. "In a request received from England I have been asked if I could consider marrying my daughter to a knight," the older man restated his comment from a moment ago. As he had dropped his statement on her without any warning, it should, indeed, not surprise him that she had had trouble grasping his words.
The young woman was only capable of staring at him in bewilderment. She had truly hoped it would take much longer for such an offer to reach the castle of Challon. She had chanced that all of their neighbors were aware of her reputation. Not that she had ever compromised her virginity, but she was quite prone to activities not befitting a young Lady of noble birth. Therefore, she had sincerely hoped to be given more time in which she would be uncommitted, but apparently this was not to be granted to her. To be honest, however, she had not expected her father to reach out so far. Moreover, she had to assume that he would accept this request straight away, since in all probability he would not take the risk of waiting to see if there would be any further ones.
With his next words he then confirmed her fears: "I will reply that I agree with this offer. I don't believe it to be that worse, for the young man is a Norman of noble birth, and also the son of a knight and crusader. In his younger days, he has fought for the King right here in Normandy, too."
Even though Alexandrine had been aware that this day would come, she could not hold back her tears at this moment. At the same time, she could well understand why her father was acting like this. She knew that it was not that he did not love her, he was simply worried about her. He wanted to see her taken care of, but most of all he wanted to keep her out of trouble. Moreover, he wanted to protect her from herself, even if she did not think she needed that kind of protection.
"We will travel to England," he went on, without becoming distracted by his daughter's behavior, "for the bridegroom to get to know you. And you him, too, of course. But you should always keep in mind that the only alternative to this marriage as far as you are concerned is the monastery. You do know the reputation of the convent of St. Leger, Dear, don't you?"
These words made her cry even more, for she was indeed aware of how conditions were in this convent. Certainly, there happened to be some nunneries where the noble nuns could lead a really good life, without any deprivations, but said convent was not one of them. The vows of poverty were taken very seriously in that house and the women who stayed there led a life completely secluded from the outside world. There was no way she could ever endure that kind of life. She preferred to try her luck with a man she did not yet know. After all, how often had she been told that she would be very charming and that she could make other people liking her, which in turn led to her being treated well.
"It won't be that bad, my Dear," her father attempted to comfort her now after all, for it was quite hard for him to resist his daughter's tears. It was only the knowledge that all he was doing was for her that gave him the strength to put his decision into action. But his love for her also caused him to tell her something else, which he actually had not wanted to reveal to her yet, as he assumed it would make it even more difficult for her to accept his decision.
"There is a reason why your bridegroom is not married so far. Unfortunately, his father hasn't left him any property."