Page 39 of Knight of Chaos
Upon their arrival at Gloucester, the Empress, completely exhausted from their race across the countryside, had to be lifted from her horse and carried inside. After several more days of recuperating, she was finally well enough to resume worrying over those she had left behind in Winchester. A runner soon came from Winchester. The news was not good. The Empress’s reaction to learning her half-brother had been captured had caused the woman to remain behind closed doors as she plotted her revenge on the usurper’s wife, Queen Matilda. The woman meant to trade the earl for her husband, Stephen. Empress Matilda had no notion to comply.
Theobald had no idea what would happen next but was not surprised when the Empress entered the chapel with her attendants to witness his marriage to Ingrid. He gave a short bow when the Empress took her place, and she returned it with a nod of her head. However, ’twas the sly smirk that briefly crossed her lips that caused Theobald to clench his teeth and fists. She was getting what she wanted.
His eyes scanned the back of the chapel waiting for his soon-to-be bride. The room was barely filled. Only his brother and the knights closest to Theobald and Ingrid occupied the pews behind their Empress and her ladies. ’Twas a sad situation especially when he had always envisioned his wedding as a large, joyous event. Mayhap at some other date he would be able to make this up to his lady.His lady…
He gave a heavy sigh. Theobald and Ingrid had been given no choice but to comply with the Empress’s wishes… nay… demand. Theobald could not think of their situation as anything other than being forced. This was no way to begin a marriage, especially when he had held such high hopes of telling Ingrid how he felt about her. They should be full of joy while celebrating their special day. Instead, Theobald would be lucky if Ingrid would, at the very least, not attempt to cut his heart out. She wasthatupset, and he could not blame her.
Yet all thoughts of how angry she had been left him the moment he espied her gracefully striding into the chapel. A dark green gown framed her body to perfection while a golden chain swung from her hips with each step she took. Diamonds hung from her neck and sparkled from the torches in the room. Her red hair had been tamed and braided forming a crown around her head with most of its length falling in soft curls down her back. She was glorious and most certainly befitting her new station in life. A lady by any means and he meant to tell her so the instant she was at his side.
She made her way to stand before him and he reached out his hands to take her own. Her fingertips were icy cold, and he prayed he could make her feel the warmth of his love again soon.
“You are radiant, my lady,” he said with a bow. His green eyes bore into her hazel ones and for the briefest of instants he saw love shining in their depths. But it was quickly masked as though she had no wish for him to see her emotions, let alone her love for him. Still… the love that had begun to bloom between them was hiding right beneath the surface of the irritation now etched upon her visage.
“You are handsome, as well, my lord,” she softly murmured giving reference to the title the Empress would bestow upon him once they were married. Being the Earl of Calbridge would take some getting used to, he supposed. Somehow the title did not hold much meaning if Ingrid could not see for herself that he loved her for the woman she was and not the wealth and prestige she brought to their union.
“Your gown matches my eyes. Well planned,” he teased and saw a spark ignite in the depths of her eyes. Aye… that attraction they had for one another was still there. He only needed to remind her of what had begun between them.
“An accident, I assure you. I had nothing to do with the gown I wear any more than I was given a choice on who I was to marry.” Ingrid lifted her head, defiant to the bitter end. But no matter. They would perform their duties as was required of them. ’Twas unfortunate they would need to settle their differences tonight once they were alone together to consummate their marriage.
“Whether an accident or not, you are always beautiful in my eyes,” he said in a husky whisper. She gulped, clearly not believing his words until the priest cleared his throat. With one more look at the lady next to him, he reluctantly turned his attention to the man waiting to make an honest man of him. “Please proceed, Father,” Theobald replied, tucking Ingrid’s hand at the crook of his elbow.
“We come here today…” the priest began and then droned on about the weakness of the flesh. Theobald tuned him out only to come around when the priest asked the couple to stand before the altar and say their vows. He did so in a strong and steady voice while Ingrid’s cracked in misery. Once the priest proclaimed them husband and wife, Theobald bent forward to seal their vows with a chaste kiss. ’Twas nothing compared to how he really wished to show his affection, but they had an audience, and he would not embarrass his bride by making a public display.
Empress Matilda stood and clapped her hands. “Well done!” she exclaimed, coming to stand next to the priest. Theobald bowed while Ingrid curtsied. The Empress waved her hand and Eden stepped forward holding a sword. She handed the thin, ceremonial blade to the Empress then returned to her place in the chapel. “Take a knee, Sir Theobald.”
Theobald knelt and bowed his head whilst the Empress tapped the blade on one shoulder then the other. “I dub thee the Earl of Calbridge, rightful lord of Calbridge Castle and its lands. Arise, Lord Calbridge, and sign your marriage documents with your new title.”
“My Empress,” Theobald, said kissing her ring when she held out her hand. “You are too gracious.”
“You have earned the right to your title by serving me valiantly. Continue to do so as I have previously commanded you,” the Empress ordered. She motioned to the altar awaiting their signatures.
“Shall we, my dear?” Theobald asked waiting for Ingrid to proceed him.
“I suppose the damage has already been done and there is no turning back,” Ingrid fumed until the Empress took her hand, having overheard her words.
“You will do well to not only obey me but your new lord and master,” the Empress hissed.
Theobald could see for himself how Ingrid struggled to hold back her temper, but her eyes still blazed with fury.
Ingrid defiantly raised her chin. ’Twas obvious to any who observed her that she would cower to no one. “With all due respect, Empress, I have no master,” Ingrid stated through clenched teeth.
The Empress’s brow rose at this blatant show of Ingrid’s strength and courage to speak up for herself. Or was it stupidity? There were not many who would face the Empress when she was speaking. “You do now, and he is your husband. I expect you to go and claim your lands, Lady Ingrid—”
“—I have no lands that are my own,” Ingrid interrupted until the Empress stepped forward, clearly done with Ingrid’s insolence.
“Aye, you do. They are as much your lands as they are your husband’s. Claim them and your people, and do so in my name,” the Empress warned.
“Aye, ’twill be done, my Empress,” Ingrid murmured, finally bowing her head in submission.
The Empress leaned forward to speak softly so only Theobald and Ingrid could hear her words. “You will thank me one day for this service I have done for you. I have no doubt Norwood would have eventually proposed his desire to wed you. However, I would not have a lady in my keeping be spoiled because a man could not keep his hands off her.”
“I will endeavor to heed your words, perchance given some time for me to come to terms with my new… situation,” Ingrid retorted.
A snort left the Empress. “You will have you hands full with this one, Norwood. I pray you are up to the task of taming her.”
Ingrid’s eyes widened but Theobald took her hand raising it to his lips. “I would not dream of taming such a fierce creature, Empress. She is perfect just the way she is.”
He saw the briefest of smiles light up Ingrid’s face until she moved ahead of him to sign the parchment declaring they were wed. Once their signatures were written on the document, red wax was dripped onto it and the priest took his signet ring and made it official. They were wed. Mayhap not how he had planned but married all the same. He could only pray they could somehow find a common accord to move forward in their future life together.
