Page 20 of Knight of Havoc
When they came together again, she was once more lifted high but this time her reaction was far different than when Reynard had performed this same move. Her gaze traveled to the man who continued to twirl her around, but all Elysande could think of was she wished Reynard was still the man dancing with her. Her feet touched the floor and she instantly wished for the music to come to an end.
When the last notes were played by the minstrels, Elysande found her hand tucked into the crook of Lord Constantine’s arm as he began to escort her from the floor. She thought he would return her to where she had been seated but instead he took her to stand near a wall where they were, for the most part, alone.
“I have had my eyes on you since your arrival here at Oxford, my lady,” Constantine finally drawled.
That this stranger had been watching her caused the hair on the back of her neck to rise. “I am hardly anyone noteworthy, my lord,” she said keeping her tone civil even whilst her gaze traveled the room in search of Hawke or even Reynard.
“I was surprised our empress did not take you under her wing and have you attend her. ’Tis an honor to become one of her ladies in waiting,” he said with a wave of his hand.
“I am certain the empress has her reasons, and naturally I would not dream of questioning her as to what that may be,” Elysande answered but frowned when he stepped closer.
“You should make yourself more available to her,” he suggested and took her hand. “’Twill do you no harm to put yourself before her whenever the opportunity arises.”
“I am certain the empress will call me to her if she has need of me. I do not see how following her every move and interfering will do me any good… not that I need help of any kind.”
Constantine waved his free hand. “Everyone is eager to gain Empress Matilda’s favor. ’Tis the way of court life that you should adhere to. How else are you to become one of her attendants?”
“I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions on where my life will lead, my lord,” she scoffed, attempting to pull her hand away. This man was making her uncomfortable, and she wished to leave his side without causing a scene.
A disbelieving chuckle left him. “You would be wise to heed my words. I heard your precious Blackmore is all but falling down and in need of many repairs. You will need monies lining your coffers to ensure you can restore your estate to what it once was. For that, you will need a husband who is wealthy for such a miracle to happenandthe empress’s help.”
“I do not need a husband to restore my land to its former glory,” she said miffed that this was what most men thought. What made them so obstinate in the belief that a woman could never make it on her own without the assistance of a husband?
He pulled her closer. “Aye. You do. And if you stop to think hard about the prospect of marrying you would see ’twill be the solution to most of your problems. I think we would suit.”
She yanked her hand from his hold and stepped back. “You do not even know me.”
Constantine shrugged. “There will be plenty of time to get to know each other after we are wed. In fact, I have already proposed the idea to the empress.”
She gasped at the prospect of being wed to such an egotistical man who seemed to feel he had the right to take over her life. “You presume too much, sir,” she fumed.
A smirk turned up at the corner of his lips. “I know you must be overwhelmed at the thought of marrying me. But my own estate is not far from Oxford, and I am wealthy enough in my own right. An added bonus to our union is that I have the empress’s ear. We would do well together.”
She could only stand there in disbelief. Her eyes traveled to the empress sitting on her throne, and Elysande gulped when the empress raised her chalice toward the pair of them in a silent toast. She could not marry the earl. She could live a hundred years and in her heart she would never be able to love him.
Chapter Fifteen
Reynard watched Elysandefrom the distance separating them and scowled. He did not like how close Warin was standing next to the lady nor did he care for the fact that their own dance had been interrupted by one who was close to the empress. He wanted to interrupt the pair but did he have the right to do so? Nay. He knew he did not, much to his annoyance.
Blake nudged him out of his stupor. “Are you just going to stand by and not go to the lady’s rescue?”
“Aye… not very chivalrous of you,” Kingsley agreed with a laugh.
Oswin stepped closer to the group. “She does not appear pleased with whatever their conversation is about.”
A growl rumbled in Reynard’s chest. “Leave me be,” he grumbled, taking a sip of his wine even as his eyes remained on Elysande.
Richard held out his goblet and it was refilled by a passing servant. “’Tis best to leave all matters where Lady Elysande is concerned to Warin. I hear there is an understanding between them. I believe the empress approves of a union between the pair.
“What?” Reynard erupted. The men around him began talking at the same time.
Richard held up his hand. “’Tis only a rumor at the moment, but you know how quickly these things happen and can escalatehere at court. Besides,” he turned his blue eyes directly to stare at Reynard, “a match with Warin will ensure she can restore Blackmore. If not Warin, there are others who I have heard are interested in making a match with the lady.”
Blake frowned. “Warin is an arse and full of himself. The lady could do much better.”
Oswin laughed. “With who? You?”
The men chuckled when Blake cursed. “I did not say I was interested in the ladythatway.”
