Chapter Fifteen

R eynard watched Elysande from 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 escalate here 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 lady that way."

All eyes turned in Reynard's direction. "There is nothing between Elysande and I. We are merely friends."

Richard stepped forward to place one hand upon Reynard's shoulder. "I would say you lie, my friend. The looks exchanged between you and the lady whilst you danced told anyone who looked close enough that you care for each other."

Reynard gulped hard. "I cannot give her what she needs."

Richard nodded to the other men present. "Leave us," he ordered. Once they complied he turned once more to Reynard.

"I suppose you feel the need to impart some words of wisdom, Richard, so get it over with," Reynard grumbled. He raked his hand through his hair and then took another gulp of wine.

"If you care at all for Lady Elysande, I highly suggest you speak to our empress and express your interest in the lady as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may lose more than… as you say… a friend. 'Tis time you let go of the past and allow yourself to live life to its fullest potential. Lady Elysande could be the woman of your dreams, Reynard. Keep the memory of Johanna in your heart but I think 'tis far past time that you allow yourself to fall in love again."

Richard got straight to the point he wanted to make, and Reynard shot him a look of indifference, causing the brother of his heart to chuckle. "What do you know of finding a woman who you could love?" Reynard shot back. "I do not see you falling into the trap of such an emotion that only causes havoc in our lives."

"Mayhap I have not come across a woman who would be my match…" Richard got a far-off look that Reynard had seen on his brothers' faces before. He straightened up, realizing that this pointed to the idea that perhaps Richard had actually come across such a paragon of virtue: a woman worthy of him.

"Ha!" he exclaimed, pointing toward Richard. "You have seen a woman that held your interest. Who is she?"

Richard shook his head apparently clearing his musings. "I have no idea. I caught but a brief glimpse of a woman during the siege of Winchester. In fact, Theobald's lady wife allowed the woman to go free. I took chase once I felled the enemy before me but she disappeared."

"And now you, too, dream of a woman you cannot have," Reynard teased with a smirk of satisfaction.

"Well… I can hardly lay some claim upon a woman I only briefly observed during the heat of battle but I was intrigued by her. There are not many women who would place themselves in the middle of a war," Richard replied with a shrug.

"Why do you not go and find her?" Reynard asked.

"You know as well as I do that I am not free to do so. Not while I am still in service to our empress. Besides, where would I even begin to look? The siege was months ago, and she could be anywhere."

"In the meantime, we remain miserable thinking of women who weave a spell around us and only leave us wanting for what cannot be," Reynard answered, then took another sip of wine. "I hate the feeling of being trapped."

"I suppose I may one day chance upon her and there may be hope. Wymar and Theobald do not seem to mind that they have found their women. It cannot be all bad. For that reason, I would hardly call love a trap. Besides, your lady is only a few steps away. You only need to cross the space and let your intentions be known. If you do not, someone else will lay claim to her."

Reynard set his cup down whilst his eyes roamed the distance between himself and Elysande. When he saw Elysande yank her hand from Warin's, the last shreds of his self-control snapped within him. "Excuse me, Richard," he muttered.

"Wise choice," Richard exclaimed and Reynard swore he heard Richard's laughter when he left his side.

When he finally crossed the room to stand before Warin and Elysande, did he detect a look of gratitude shining in the lady's eyes? He held out his hand and without hesitation Elysande slid her fingertips into his palm.

"I believe this next dance belongs to me. You will excuse us, of course, Lord Constantine," Reynard said and he pulled Elysande to stand beside him. He never gave Warin the chance for a reply even though the scowl the man gave him spoke volumes. Warin was not pleased but Reynard could not care less.

He did not take Elysande to start the next dance however. Instead, he continued through the great hall, past the main entrance of the keep, and continued through the castle until he came upon what served as a library. He bolted the door ensuring their privacy.

"What are you doing, Reynard? We should not be here alone. What will people think?" she whispered. But despite her protests, she made no move to unbolt the door. Instead, she backed up further into the room.

"I do not care what people think," he mumbled still irritated at how close Warin had been standing near Elysande.

She turned away from him. "The empress will not be pleased if what Lord Constantine just informed me is true."

He rushed to her side and turned her to face him. Witnessing the tears cascading down her cheeks caused something to lurch in his chest. He rubbed his thumbs over the wetness as he brushed it away. "What did that cad say to you to cause your tears?" he asked quietly before he took hold of both her hands.

"He said he has spoken to the empress about a possible match between us," she choked out. "I cannot marry a man I do not know or love." Her tears began anew whilst she hid her face in her hands. God's Blood… 'Twas worse than he thought and now he knew for certain Richard had spoken the truth but a short while ago.

"Most marriages are arranged thusly," he uttered but the moment his words left his mouth, he knew with a certainly he should not have said them.

"But 'tis not how I imagined mine!" she sobbed. "Since my parents were never around, my grandfather swore I would be able to choose whomever I wished to marry. He prayed it would be for love and not for my monies that would one day line a man's coffers, not that there was anything left of those funds after Stephen's men ransacked Blackmore." Her tears continued whilst she tried to take in gulps of air.

"Your grandsire was a wise man." He pulled her into his arms, running his fingers down the length of her silky hair. "We shall think of something," he murmured trying to ease her pain and feeling a part of him shatter knowing she was hurting.

She pulled from his arms. "I have no idea what can be done. I am about to be but a pawn in a game played by others where some man gains the title to my lands," she sneered before she went over to a desk and began fidgeting with several objects. The quill, the inkwell, several pieces of parchment were hastily picked up, then put back down as if to distract her from the reality of her life. But 'twas the stick of red wax that snapped in two that caused her to throw the remains back on top of the desk in frustration. Her hands clasped the edge of the desk whilst her head hung in what he knew was despair.

"I can talk to the empress—"

"And tell her what?" she bellowed, turning to face him. Her hands became fists at her sides before she continued. "Will you ask to take his place? Commit yourself to me as you did to Johanna?"

"I do not know that she would give us permission to wed since I do not have the wealth and security that Warin could offer you," he said honestly and for the first time in his entire life, he wished that things could be different. Wymar had had the family's name and lands rightfully returned to him, which was as it should be. Theobald had been forced to wed but it turned out to be a love match and he gained more than just a wife with his union to Ingrid. But where did this leave Reynard without his own title and lands? He supposed he was at the mercy of the empress and what she might bestow upon him, but he did not wish Elysande to think he would only wed her for what she, too, would bring him.

Another sob escaped Elysande before she squared her shoulders and wiped away her tears. She came to him and placed her hand upon his cheek. "If only things were different and we had perchance met in some other place in time. You would be so easy to love if you were to open your heart to me, Reynard…"

Her words trailed away and she offered him the smallest of smiles. Going onto the tips of her toes, her hands went to his shoulders, and she leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss upon his cheek before she fled from his side.

The sound of the bolt sliding to allow her to leave caused him to turn, but he only had time enough to watch her rush through the door once she opened it. He should have gone after her but somehow he could not move. The warmth of her lips upon his cheek had almost been his undoing and suddenly the vow he made to himself years ago no longer mattered. Nothing mattered but somehow having Elysande in his life. Somehow Elysande had crept into his heart and he wanted her to stay there. He would speak with the empress at the first opportunity. He could not have his lady marry another…