Page 223 of Historical Hotties
“What about it?”
“It will revert to the Crown.”
“Henry wants it as it is. That is why he is trying to force me to marry his trained dog.”
A guffaw bubbled up and Daniel ended up coughing to cover it up. He didn’t dare look at Thor, who was hearing all of this. But none of her insults or reasoning was going to make any difference where Henry was concerned. Daniel was going to have to take her to the king regardless of how she felt.
“I would suggest you meet the man you are to marry before you decide he is a fool, and idiot, and a trained dog,” Daniel said quietly. “I am sure the king would only choose the finest man for your husband.”
She shook her head. “He chose the man who fell at his feet more than any other,” she said unhappily. “I know how marriages are made, my lord. I am not a fool. My marriage to Robert de Tosni was a perfect example of that. My father forced me into that marriage when I was only fifteen years ofage because Robert’s first wife could not produce a son. Did you know that? Then I had three daughters and he blamed me for only bearing female children. As if I could control such a thing.”
“I am sure he did not mean it, but desperate men behave irrationally sometimes.”
She snorted. “Is that what you call it?” she muttered. “Fine. He was desperate, then. Just like my father was when he married me to him because my older brother, who was set to inherit everything, died of a fever. I was living a life with very few expectations upon me when Constantine decided to let himself die. And that threw me into the maelstrom, my lord. And here I am, waiting to be married to yet another man who will inherit all that is mine. Well, I hope he chokes on it. And I hope he takes my money, goes away, and leaves me alone.”
Daniel’s gaze lingered on her. “Is that what you want, my lady?” he said. “Truly? To be left alone?”
She pointed back in the direction of Gomorrah. “I want to go back where I came from and enjoy the rest of my evening,” she said. “But something tells me that is not going to happen.”
“You would be correct.”
At that point, Caledonia felt as if all of the fight had gone out of her. Her adrenaline rush from Gomorrah was gone now, replaced by a woozy feeling caused by too much drink and those damnable mushrooms. At least the knights weren’t dragging her around any longer, but her destination was clear—she was going to Westminster.
She knew why.
“You are taking me to my new husband, aren’t you?” she asked quietly. “Henry wishes to introduce us.”
Daniel didn’t hesitate. “Aye.”
She drew in a long, deep breath, one that signified resignation. “Do you know him, my lord?” she asked. “You have met him?”
“I have.”
She looked at him with both surprise and curiosity. “Who is it?”
“A worthy man.”
“And you know him?” she pressed. “Personally, I mean?”
“I do.”
“But you will not tell me who it is?”
“That is Henry’s privilege, don’t you think?”
She sighed again, looking away. “I suppose,” she said. “Can you at least tell me how old he is? What he looks like?”
Daniel did look at Thor then. The man’s faceplate was still up and Daniel could see his eyes, nose, and upper lip. When their eyes met, silent words passed between them—Daniel seemed to be asking for permission to tell her that her betrothed was right in their midst. It really wasn’t up to Thor. It was up to Henry. But it might make things easier all around if the lady and her betrothed were introduced to one another without the king’s overbearing presence, in a room full of judgmental men.
Daniel’s focus returned to Caledonia.
“On that corner is a tavern called the Wren and the Willow,” he said, pointing to something behind her. “It is right on the corner. Do you see it?”
Caledonia turned around, spying the tavern immediately. “I do,” she said. “I know it well.”
Daniel didn’t doubt that for a moment. “If you give me your word of honor that you will not run from me, I will send you over to that tavern, where you will sit alone at a table,” Daniel said. “I will bring your betrothed to you and you can meet one another before you see Henry. That way, you can decide for yourself what kind of man you are to marry. If he is a fool, an idiot, or a trained dog. Or none of those. He might be someone you appreciate. Would you be agreeable to such a meeting?”
Caledonia looked at him in shock. “You willbringhim to me?”
