‘And I never thought I would be bound to a husband again.’
‘Yes, but your destiny was always to wed, Lady Eleanor—as well you know.’ He raised an eyebrow.
‘And as you well know, Sir Hugh, I was wed.’ Not that her first marriage had been much cause for celebration, but this man didn’t need to know that. ‘So, you’ll excuse my reluctance at the thought of going through it again.’
He moved closer, his eyes fixed on hers, making her feel uncomfortable. Perhaps she shouldn’t have said that. Her unruly tongue always got the better of her. She waited for him to respond, but he didn’t. Instead he smiled knowingly.
She swallowed, trying to steady her nerves. He was so very tall, imposing and handsome. Had she missed that earlier? No, of course not. She had just ignored the fact that he was attractive. Ignored his height and those broad shoulders that filled his grey tunic. Ignored the way his dark hair fell over his forehead, covering a scar that split his eyebrow. She had also ignored the way his green eyes crinkled at the corners—and definitely ignored the way his lips broke into a lop-sided grin as they had a moment ago.
She groaned inwardly. Yes, he was attractive, but in an obvious way. No doubt he knew it too. Well, his easy smiles would have no effect on her.
‘I had thought, or rather hoped, that I might be forgotten—especially now that I’m an old widow.’
‘An “old widow”? You cannot be more than twenty, my lady.’
‘I’m one and twenty, sir.’
‘You’re right—that is ancient.’ He chuckled, shaking his head. ‘And as for being forgotten...? That would not be possible.’
Eleanor rolled her eyes and walked to the arched window, peering outside. ‘No, not with all the riches I bring.’
‘That is not the only thing, my lady.’ He followed her. ‘Tell me, are you always so forthright in your manner?’
‘I speak as I find,’ she said, with her back to him.
‘Even though it is not usual for a lady of your standing to be so...blunt?’
Eleanor heard him move towards her and knew he was no doubt standing behind her. ‘I suppose you might say that I do not possess the necessary maidenly manners that I’m sure you’re used to, Sir Hugh.’
‘You surprise me. Why do you not possess those maidenly manners?’
‘There was never any need,’ she muttered, turning around to face him. No need for good manners with a brute of a husband whom she’d come to despise and the King he’d served so faithfully—as did this man before her.
‘Is that so?’ he said as she shrugged her shoulders. ‘You would need them if you came to court, my lady, instead of burying yourself up here. Why don’t you?’
Lord above, how had this man managed to get himself in the position of interrogator? He was good—dangerously good. Eleanor would have to watch her step with him.
‘I was indisposed.’
‘Ah...and is that why you ignored the summons of your King?’
‘Of course not. You must appreciate that I have not been well,’ she said.
He inclined his head. ‘Indeed. I am glad to see you in good health now, my lady.’
Eleanor exhaled slowly, surprised that she had been holding her breath.
‘Well, Sir Hugh, what are we to do about our...predicament? You know King John as I do not. How do we get out of this unwanted marriage?’
‘There is no way out of our “predicament”, as you call it. Once King John sets his mind on something he is not easily swayed.’
‘Surely there must be something we can do?’
‘Would you refuse your King?’ He looked shocked—affronted, even.
‘Sir Hugh, I am named after the King’s mother, and my own mother served as one of her ladies when she was Queen. My family have always been loyal subjects, so you will understand if I don’t honour your question with an answer.’
‘Very well—but be under no illusion. There is no question of refusing the King’s request for our betrothal. He would think it a huge insult and it would be in your interests not to persist with that, my lady.’
There was no denying the mild warning that laced what he was saying. Yes, Eleanor was right to be cautious with Sir Hugh de Villiers. Still, she couldn’t resist a little probing of her own.
‘Do you always do everything the King bids?’
‘Naturally. I am sworn to him. I may be a soldier, and not an ideal husband, but if this is what King John wants, then so be it.’
‘As easily as that?’
‘It has to be,’ he said softly, watching her as she bit her lip, turning away.
How? How was she going to get him to understand that this was an impossible situation for her to be in?
But she knew that no amount of explanation would change the course her life was taking.
He was still staring at her. ‘So, my lady, are we in agreement?’
‘No...no, we are not.’
‘Lady Eleanor, the King will have you marry another if not me. And I hope that I am better than other prospective bridegrooms.’
True—he had a point. If not him then it would be another of King John’s cronies.
The hopelessness of her situation exacerbated the anger she felt. ‘I wonder what it is that has made the King want to honour you in this way, Sir Hugh? Could it have something to do with your valour or your courage or some such? Your heroic actions at the Battle of Bouvines?’ she said dismissively.
He looked somewhat taken aback that she had heard of this. ‘Who knows? John may believe it a fitting way to honour my “valour” and my “courage”,’ he said, matching her sardonic tone. ‘But you would have to ask the King, my lady. He does need to secure these lands with someone he can trust.’
‘You, I suppose? And through marriage you’ll acquire all of Tallany...including me?’
He winced, looking uncomfortable. ‘So it would seem. And as far as Bouvines is concerned, when any knight witnesses his King unhorsed and about to be taken for ransom, or even killed, there
