Page 37 of Knight of Chaos
“As always, I am yours to command,” Theobald replied waiting for her words that would undoubtedly change his life.
“I have been pondering the paternity of Mistress Ingrid since you first brought her to my court. I have no doubt that she is far more than some farmer’s daughter.”
“She has never mentioned any of this to me,” Theobald replied with a shake of his head.
“Nor would she for I have the notion that she knows nothing of what I am about to tell you. The sword she carries with her has some interesting markings on the blade, and I have studied it whilst we were at the royal castle.”
Theobald frowned. “I did not think anything of them only that mayhap her father had thought the etchings would be pleasing to his daughter.”
“Aye, ’twas my thought as well until I studied the sword further. I believe Ingrid is none other than the lost heir of Calbridge Castle,” Empress Matilda said before she gave a heavy sigh.
“Is that not near Penhow in Wales?” Theobald asked, mulling over what the lady was telling him. Ingrid’s parentage was beginning to come to light.
“You know your geography well, Norwood. Penhow is part of the estate although ’tis located several miles from the main castle. ’Tis a small keep but still part of what would be her inheritance.”
“But that would make her—”
“—Lady Ingrid de St. Maur.”
“Bloody Hell!” he swore before raking a hand through his hair. “How is this possible?”
“’Tis hardly uncommon. ’Twas the usual story of feuding brothers who each wanted the estate coming to blows, although why the younger thought he had a claim is a mystery. One brother stayed and then died without leaving any offspring to take over. The other departed, vowing never to return. No one could find him. There had been rumors that Ingrid’s father changed his name to Seymour. Clearly, he told his only daughter nothing of the fact that she was to inherit a vast fortune that would see her, and her children’s children, settled comfortably for years to come.”
Theobald stood there stunned and then thought about their conversation but moments before. “Yet you still wish me to wed her?”
A smirk lit her face. “’Twould be advantageous to all those concerned. I shall give you the title you so richly deserve. You shall marry the woman you obviously care for, if not already love. There is a steward currently watching over the land. Once you and the lady are wed, you shall both maintain the estate in my name and in doing so, gain my favor. What could possibly go wrong?”
A sound of disbelief left him. “What could go wrong? I can think of one main thing that is almost certain to go wrong—she will think I marry her only for the coin and wealth she will bring to our union. ’Tis not the way I had hoped to propose to the woman.”
“I care not how you go about making her your wife only that you do so upon our arrival at Gloucester. I will, of course, approve of your union and we can have the local priest perform the ceremony.”
“Is this a request or a demand?” he snarled not caring for the cool calculation with which the Empress arranged their lives. She cared little for the feelings or preferences of two people who would have eventually found love together on their own. Nay, she only cared for the fact that another estate would be governed in her name. He should not have been surprised for truly what else did a reigning monarch wish for but more land to rule? He supposed he should be grateful the Empress was willing to allow Theobald to marry Ingrid instead of giving her to someone else in her court.
“Does it make a difference?” She took up his arm again and they began making their way back to camp.
No answer was needed. He would perform his duty and ask Ingrid to marry him. He could only pray that she would agree so that they would not be forced to wed. He had no doubt the Empress would hold them both at the point of a blade if they thought to defy her.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ingrid paced theforest floor, pulling her mantle around her to keep the cold from her body now that she was no longer in front of the fire made at camp. Theobald had asked her to walk with him after they had partaken of their evening meal. She had been more than happy to share a private moment together. That was until he started informing her of his conversation with the Empress.
“Surely you are jesting with me.” Ingrid fumed to the sound of dry leaves crunching beneath her boots. “My father would never have kept something of such import from me!”
“Mayhap he thought to protect you,” Theobald offered.
“From the truth of my own birth?” she shouted.
Theobald reached out for her arm, halting her pacing. A heavy sigh left her when his arms wrapped around her waist bringing her close. Her emotions were running amok. Betrayed by her own father! How could he not tell her she was in truth an heir to an entire estate? By rights alady! Tears leaked from her eyes from the knowledge that her own father had not trusted her with such information. ’Twas not as if she would have left to go seeking the riches she presumably had a right to own. Perchance this was what he had feared but she would never know. ’Twas not as if she could go ask him why he had kept something of such import to himself.
“I wish with all my heart I could give you the answers your father did not impart to you, Ingrid.” Theobald stroked her hair, and she tightened her arms around his waist. At least this man would give her the comfort she stood in need of.
“I do not understand why he would keep this from me. I would not have left our farm, no matter what awaited me in Wales. He should have had more faith in me. ’Tis not as if all the riches in the world would have changed who I am as a person,” she said whilst wiping away her tears.
Theobald reached down to cup her cheeks. His thumbs caressing her skin caused goosebumps to raise up on her arms. She tried to see his features, but the darkness of the night kept them hidden from her.
“There is more…” he said, stepping away to now do his own pacing.
Heaven help her, there was more! What further torment could be uttered this night that had not already caused her world to spin out of control?
