Page 215 of Historical Hotties
“I have, your grace.”
“Well paid for them.”
“Aye, your grace.”
“You are not poor, lad.”
“Nay, your grace, I am not.”
“But you still have no property, no title, and no future other than what your father and brother dictate.”
That was a rather brutal way of putting it, but it was the truth. Thor was still confused as to why he was even here, now struggling not to become annoyed. Had he been brought here only to be made to feel inadequate?
He cleared his throat quietly.
“My father and brother have always been quite generous, your grace.”
“But would it not be better not to be dependent on them?”
Thor took a deep breath, tamping down the irritation. “All men are dependent upon each other, your grace,” he said. “That is simply the way of the world. May I be so bold as to ask what point you are trying to make?”
Henry knew he had pushed him to the edge, so he backed off. “I am going to change your future, Thor,” he said. “All men are dependent on other men, that is true, but almost every great lord you know has been made great, or greater, by a strategic marriage. Your own father was a mere knight until he married your mother. Now he is a great earl because of her. But I am going to make you greater than your father.”
“I am not sure that is possible, your grace, but I will ask the obvious—how?”
“With a great marriage.”
That hadn’t been something Thor expected. His bright blue eyes flickered in confusion, then in shock when he realized what the king meant. He was a man of careful control, but it was threatening to slip at the moment.
“A… a marriage, your grace?” he stammered. “Me?”
Henry nodded. “Listen carefully, Thor,” he said. “The lady who will be your wife is a lady with a family older than England. Through her father, she descends from the last king of Mercia, Ceowulf Wyldefruth. The House of de Wylde, as it was styled by the Normans when they came to these shores. Lady Caledonia de Wylde de Tosni is the last of her line. A very ancient and powerful line. She was married young to the Earl of Stafford, Robert de Tosni, but they had three daughters. When he died, he was left with no sons and was the last of his line as well. Lady Caledonia not only bears the Mercian line, but the Stafford line also. She is the Countess of Tamworth and Stafford, with more lands, castles, men, and vassals than almost anyone in England. She is an extremely valuable heiress and one I believe would give you the destiny you deserve.”
Thor was speechless. He stared at Henry for a moment, unable to look at his father for reasons he wasn’t quite sure of. Perhaps it had something to do with Henry saying he would make him greater than his father. Given that he loved his father and admired him, he thought that was rather an insult to him.
But damnation… He could hardly believe what he was hearing.
“I am honored, your grace,” he finally said. “Honored and stunned that you should be so generous.”
Henry cocked his head, hearing the hesitation in Thor’s voice. “But…?”
Thor cleared his throat softly. “But my vocation is my life,” he said. “I realize that marriage is a contract and nothing more, but I will widow the woman the day I marry her. I will always be sworn to you and my position as Lord Protector.”
Henry nodded. “I know,” he said. “And I am grateful. But you deserve this.”
Thor wasn’t so sure. “And I appreciate that, your grace,” he said. “But the truth is that I am not ready for marriage. I’ve not even considered it. If that is offensive to you, then I apologize, but that is the truth of it. Simply put, I do not think I will make a very good husband.”
Henry looked at him seriously. “No one is a good husband at first,” he said. “It takes time and effort. Even your father will tell you that. Will you not try?”
Thor shrugged. “As I said, I’ve not considered it.”
“Then think of this,” Henry said. “With the power and wealth you would have as the Earl of Tamworth, you would command thousands. Thor, this is a great opportunity for you to position yourself as one of the great warlords in England. As great as any de Lohr or de Wolfe. For that kind of position, you could at leasttryto be a good husband. Do you understand me?”
Thor nodded quickly. “I am not refusing, your grace,” he said. “I suppose I am a little overwhelmed, but I am not refusing. I am simply telling you my feelings on the matter.”
“But youwillconsider this?”
Thor paused. Drawing in a long, deep breath, he found himself looking to Edward de Wolfe, to Roi standing near him, and even to Daniel and, finally, Prince Edward. They were all in various stages of approval about the offer, nodding faintly at him, silently showing their support. Hediddeserve this. As the second son of an earl, this was an astonishing opportunity, and Thor understood that.
