Page 30 of Knight of Chaos
“’Tis nothing,” Theobald replied hoping to brush off any concerns regarding the fair Ingrid.
Blake laughed. “Hardly! ’Tis apparent you are in a foul mood at the loss of your little bird.”
“Aye,” Oswin chimed in. “But do not fear, Theobald. She is certainly in good company as a newly appointed lady in waiting for our Empress.”
Reynard took a long drink of his own wine before setting down his cup. “Best not to aggravate him, if you know what is best for you,” he advised. “Trust me, you will not like the outcome.”
Kingsley chuckled. “I think he can stand the jesting on his behalf. Afterall, the fair lady has more than proved to us who she favors.”
Oswin grumbled into his cup, clearly annoyed he had not been chosen. “More’s the pity,” he finally muttered.
Theobald eyed the group not wishing to add to their jesting of him. “I am certain Mistress Ingrid is doing just fine in her new appointment.”
Oswin slammed his goblet onto the table. “By God’s Bones!Do you not know the lady at all?” he shouted whilst coming to a stand. “She will be miserable all dressed up in gowns and whatnots! She belongs with us!”
Theobald’s brow rose at Oswin’s outburst. “Us?” he asked, his tone low and threatening.
“Aye!” Oswin responded before his gaze swept the group. “Fighting amongst us on the battlefield.”
The men began to match Oswin’s ramblings and Theobald had to agree, at least silently, that he would miss the woman fighting near his side. Oswin was right. Ingrid would indeed be miserable being forced to act like a lady, quiet and demure, confined in heavy dresses. But he also knew that the woman he had come to admire would find a way to handle the situation she had been thrust into despite any reservations she might hold in her heart.
Theobald, however, continued to eye Oswin warily. “She will adapt as she must, or do you not know the lady at all?” he taunted in return, not bothering to rise to Oswin’s bait.
Richard waved at Oswin. “Sit down and calm yourself. From the little I know of the woman, I agree with Theobald. Mistress Ingrid will indeed adapt to her new surroundings—as must we all.”
“Aye,” Blake chimed in. “Wasting our time inside these castle walls will surely be the death of me.”
Kingsley nodded. “I much prefer hefting my sword to our enemies who would do our Empress harm.”
Theobald took another drink. “We were ordered to attend the Empress and be on hand if she needed to make a quick escape of the city. We should be honored she asked for us with so many who would jump at the opportunity to serve her directly. Let the matter rest. We must adhere to her demands.”
The men grumbled their objections but agreed there was not much else they could do. A trumpet blared echoing in the hall announcing the Empress’s arrival. And then thereshewas. Ingrid in all her glory, and it took all of Theobald’s willpower to prevent himself from rushing to her side.
If he had thought the woman beautiful before, then her appearance now was nothing short of breathtaking. Her hair appeared as though ’twas on fire as it glowed in the light from the torches in the room. Her dark red tresses fell in waves of heavy curls down her back, bouncing with life with each step she took. Her gown fitted her slim body like the garment had been made specifically for her, and the blue color suited her. Costly jewels hung from her neck and ears causing Theobald to assume they had been given to her from the other ladies. They presented a unified front whilst they strode behind their elegantly gowned Empress.
Ingrid began glancing around the room until their eyes met. A weak smile presented itself across her face even whilst Theobald’s hungry eyes continued to devour her with every step she advanced into the hall. She gave the briefest of nods before she once more turned her head forward. She lost her footing when her shoe caught in her dress, and she bumped into one of the ladies in front of her. The woman appeared aghast before she whispered something in Ingrid’s ear. Ingrid looked as though she mumbled her apologies before she once more began to follow along like a duckling on wobbly legs attempting to keep in step with her mother. He could see for himself she was uncomfortable in her surroundings, and he could hardly blame her. It stood to reason that a farmer’s daughter thrust into the world of court would be struggling to find a way to fit in.
They made their way to the raised dais where all who were present would get a full view of the Empress. Once she was seated, her ladies in waiting joined her and Empress Matilda motioned with her hand that the meal could be served. Wine was poured and Ingrid reached for her chalice and took a long sip of the heady drink. She closed her eyes as if in relief before setting the cup down and proceeding to fill the trencher placed in front of her.
“What a beauty,” Oswin whispered whilst a chorus ofaye ayesfollowed his words.
Theobald certainly could not gainsay his friend’s comment for in truth, Ingrid was a true gem among the women who were currently present in the room. In fact, he only had eyes for her. Although she did not glance in his direction again, Theobald was well aware of her every move.
Richard leaned forward. “You best marry her, my friend, before someone else beats you to the honor of requesting her hand.”
Blake took up his knife and stabbed at a piece of venison when the platter was put before them. “Aye,” he murmured sniffing the meat before placing it on his trencher. “We know of at least one such knight who would like such an honor. Others in this room will surely follow.”
All eyes turned to Oswin who grumbled a reply under his breath. “Best leave it be, gents.”
Theobald began to fill his trencher until he realized the silence amongst his friends was deafening. “What?” he growled out again, annoyed that they would not leave him in peace to consume his meal and let his thoughts run amok.
Kingsley swallowed his food before replying whilst pointing his fork in Theobald’s direction. “You best heed his words, Theobald, or you shall lose a prize worth more than any gold filling your coffers,” he said before he began eating again.
Theobald chuckled in his attempt to turn the conversation to get his mind off the lovely Ingrid. “You all spend too much time worrying about my marital status. Come… there is wine to drink and food to fill our bellies. We should make merry as my brother suggested, given we are now in the presence of our Empress.”
Oswin’s cup stopped midair and instead of taking a sip he placed the goblet down none too gently. Wine sloshed over the goblets rim. “You do not wish to wed her?”
Theobald knew he could in no way deny his heart’s desire. “I did not say I did not wish to make her my wife,” he replied quietly. “I only know that for now, I will not take my situation with Ingrid too seriously for if I do, I am sure to lose her. Life has treated me unfairly where women are concerned and I do not wish for it to repeat itself with Mistress Ingrid.”
