Mistletoe and Chain Mail: Christmas Read online

  “What about his title?”

  “That, I cannot save.”

  “What is your idea?”

  “I am going to marry her right after the king makes me a baron. Then I’ll convince Edward to give me Cavendish Castle and all the earl’s lands. I’ll let her father live with us, and I will even pay for the best healers to help him.”

  “What about the old lady? You’re not going to let her stay, are you?” Bryce sounded very concerned.

  “If this plan works, I’ll not only let the old woman stay, but I’ll kiss her under the kissing bough as well.”

  “Ugh, don’t make me retch,” said Bryce, wiping his hands on a rag.

  “Lady Eva, the mummers have arrived,” Sir Geoffrey, her steward, told her as a traveling troupe of performers in colored clothes with painted faces entered the great hall. “Shall I summon Lady Barbara and the earl?”

  “Nay, Sir Geoffrey,” answered Eva with a deep, sad sigh. “My father is sleeping late today as he’s been very depressed ever since the departure of Sir Adam. And my grandmother is in the kitchen with the servants trying to figure out why the food tastes so bad lately.”

  “Well, then may I escort you into the great hall for the show, my lady?”

  Eva nodded slightly. She didn’t really want to see mummers, but as Lady of the Castle it was her duty to be present when outsiders arrived. She had been enjoying the Christmastide festivities when Adam was here but now she couldn’t wait for them to end. When they did end, the king would arrive and then her life as she knew it would be over.

  “Sit here in the front, my lady,” said the steward, helping her get seated on the bench. “I’ll bring you a goblet of wine to enjoy while you watch the show.”

  “Thank you, Steward,” she said, not paying much attention as the music started and the colorful lords leapt into the room and up onto the trestle tables. Each of the men was dressed in parti-colored hose, half of the hose being one color and the other half was another. They wore tall hats that jutted out in all directions and had bells on the ends. They also had their faces painted in various colors and looked to her like naught but scary jesters.

  “My lady, your eyes are like diamonds in the dark sky of a black velvet night,” said one of the men, coming to her side. He knelt at her feet and held out a sprig of mistletoe. “Take it, Eva.”

  Her eyes snapped up to the man with the orange face and she almost cried out when she realized it was Adam. “How dare you keep sneaking back into the castle after I’ve told you to go.” She got up and headed quickly across the hall and Adam followed.

  “Please, Eva. I have an idea of how I can do my duty and your family won’t lose everything in the process.”

  She stopped just outside of the great hall and folded her arms over her chest. “I’m listening.”

  “Marry me.”

  “Marry you?” she asked with a roll of her eyes. It was hard to take him seriously when he looked so ridiculous.

  “Come here,” he said, taking her away from the crowded room and over into the shadows in the corner. “I think it might work. Once I’m baron, I’ll talk to the king and convince him to give me Cavendish Castle and your father’s lands.”

  “What?” Shocked and appalled by his plan, she could barely believe her ears. “So you are going to use me again, marrying me only to gain what you want?”

  “Nay, you don’t understand. I’ll be doing it to help you so you won’t lose everything. As my wife, you’ll still be Lady of Cavendish. Wouldn’t that make you happy?”

  “What about my father and grandmother?” she asked, still not buying his idea. “What will happen to them?”

  “They can live here as well. I won’t throw them out like you did to me.”

  “How noble of you,” she grunted. “What about my father’s title? Can you convince the king to let him keep the title of earl?”

  “Nay, I’m afraid I’d never be able to that,” he said with downcast eyes.

  “Then forget it.”

  “Forget it?” He looked up as if she were addled. “Don’t you understand what I’d be doing for you?”

  “Don’t do me any favors, because I don’t want them.” She turned and walked away.

  “Stop being such a stubborn wench.” His fingers closed around her arm and he twirled her around. “I love you, Eva, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to just let you be thrown out of the castle and have to live like a pauper.”

  “Is that it?” she asked him. “So now you pity me and that’s why you’re doing this? To save yourself from feeling guilty?”

  “Dammit, Eva, how many times do I have to tell you I’m doing it because I love you and want you to be my wife?”

  “It doesn’t matter how many times you say it. I don’t believe it.”

  “Then mayhap you’ll believe this.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard and passionate, claiming her as his own. She melted in his embrace, feeling a tingling sensation running through her body. She did want Adam as her husband, but she was still angry with him for deceiving her. Plus, she didn’t believe he could do all the things he said he would do. The king was a stubborn and powerful man and it was hard to influence him. Her father had always told her that through the years.

  “Adam, the troupe is leaving,” said another of the players with a black face that sounded like Bryce.

  “Think about it,” said Adam, releasing her. “And the next time I show up, I want your answer.”

  As much as it hurt her, she knew what her answer had to be. “I won’t marry you, so please stop asking. I don’t believe you can talk the king into the things you so confidently think you can get him to agree to. And I cannot be married to a man who was the one responsible for my father losing his title as well as his castle, his lands, and also his pride.”

  “Is that the way you really feel?” he asked her.

  “It is.”

  “Then if you don’t trust and believe me, I suppose there is no reason for me to return.”

  “I suppose not.” She still vibrated from his kiss, and focused on the ground as she held her arms around her. She couldn’t look into his eyes because then he would see how much she really wanted him.

  “Look at me when you say you don’t want me, Eva.” He reached out and lifted her chin with his hand. “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t love me and that you want me to leave forever. Do that, and I will go and never bother you again.”

  “I don’t love you, and I want you to go,” she said, about choking on the words because she didn’t really mean them. But this is what she had to do. Her grandmother would never let her marry Adam, and her father would be nothing but a broken man if his title were taken from him. She couldn’t marry Adam when her family was going to have to pay for his actions.

  “Goodbye, Eva,” he said softly, making her want to cry. He left immediately with his squire. Eva stood there watching, not able to call him back even though she wanted to be his wife more than anything in the world. She had made a decision that she thought her grandmother would want her to make. Her decision was in the best interests of her father, she told herself. Adam was only using her to get what he wanted, wasn’t he? Suddenly, she was no longer sure.

  Chapter 11

  Pipers and Drummers

  Two days had passed and Eva didn’t see Adam again. When the troupe of pipers showed up at her doorstep yesterday playing bagpipes and wearing plaids, she was sure one of them was Adam. But alas, none of them were.

  And today a group of traveling musicians put on a show playing drums. Her head had been about to split open as she went from one drummer to another looking into each of their eyes hoping one of them was Adam. None of them were.

  Tomorrow was the Epiphany and also the day the king was to arrive at her doorstep. Since Adam had taken her missive and gone to the king with all her family’s secrets, there was no hope that the king wouldn’t show up.

  With the drummers gone now, she sat at the fire watching
the remains of the Yule log burning away. The cage with the doves named Adam and Eve sat on the table next to her. The birds chirped happily and seemed to be in love, not worried about the future or the past. If only she could be as carefree. The turtle doves were a gift from Adam and she would cherish them always.

  “Lady Eva,” said her steward, coming to her side. “Should I pull the rest of the Yule log out of the fire since it is almost consumed? It is custom to always save a piece for the next year to bring good luck.”

  “Nay,” she said, staring into the flames, trying to forget about all her trouble. “Let it burn. There is no good luck coming to this family ever again. Sir Geoffrey, I haven’t told anyone, but now I’m going to tell you something that I should have mentioned long ago.”

  “My lady? What is it?”

  “I’ve been keeping you from speaking with my father for the past six months because I didn’t want you to know that he can no longer use his sword arm. His leg is no longer broken, but I have the healer keep the splint on it because he cannot use his right leg either.”

  “I know, my lady. I’ve known for a long time and so has everyone else in the castle,” Geoffrey told her.

  “You do?” she asked, surprised. “And yet you didn’t say a word?”

  “Nay, my lady. It wasn’t my position to question your ways. It is no secret that the earl’s speech is slurred although he is not drunk. Everyone realizes his condition but we ignore it because we honor and respect the man and don’t want him to be reminded that he may never again be the strong warrior he used to be.”

  Tears filled Eva’s eyes. “Now I feel like the biggest fool of all. In trying to protect my father and his holdings, I have deceived not only you and everyone in this castle but also the king.”

  “The king?” asked Sir Geoffrey.

  “Yes. I wrote missives to the king to ward him off, pretending they were coming from my father.”

  “I see.” The knight remained quiet for a moment and then looked up. “May I speak freely, my lady?”

  “Please do.”

  “Is this part of the reason why Sir Adam left?”

  “It is. He discovered my secrets. He is the king’s spy.”

  “A spy?”

  “Aye. He used me to get what he wanted and now he wants to marry me so my family can hold on to Cavendish Castle as well as my family’s lands.”

  “Then why don’t you do it, Eva?” came her father’s voice from behind her. Eva turned to see her grandmother standing there holding on to the back of her father’s wheeled chair. She must have brought him into the room without Eva realizing it since she was so lost in deep thought.

  “Father,” she said, jumping up and running to his side. “What are you saying?”

  “I may be only half a man but I still have eyes,” he told her. “I saw the way you and Sir Adam looked at each other. I like the man. He makes me laugh.”

  “Not to mention he is the best cook we’ve had at this castle since your mother passed away,” added Lady Barbara.

  “Grandmother?” Eva looked at the old woman in surprise. “Are you saying you agree with Father that I should marry Sir Adam?”

  “If it’ll make you happy and your father wants you to, then who am I to object?” answered Lady Barbara with a sigh.

  “Sir Adam wants to marry me,” she told them excitedly. “He was promised the title of baron if he brought the king information about you, Father.”

  “I see.” He glared at Lady Barbara. “I didn’t know you two were writing missives to the king in my name, and although I thank you for trying to protect me, I am not happy about all the deception.” He talked slowly and his speech was still slurred, but he seemed to be trying hard to control it.

  “So you would rather have had the king know about your accident and strip you of your title and take away your castle and lands because of it?” asked Eva.

  “Daughter, I have lived a good life. And while no man wants to live as half a man, not able to defend his family or king, accidents do happen. If it is my destiny to live this way, then so be it.”

  “Father, how can you say that?” asked Eva, tears dripping down her cheeks. “You are a good man and deserve all these things.”

  “So is Sir Adam. You should marry him, Daughter. He will protect you and take care of you. That is something I will never be able to do again.”

  “I love you, Father.” Eva hugged the man and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

  “Do you love Sir Adam?” asked her father.

  “I do. I love Adam and want to be his wife.”

  “Then, mayhap before I am stripped of my title, I will betroth you to him.”

  “Nay,” she said with a shake of her head. “I have already told him I don’t love him and that I don’t want to be his wife. It is too late.”

  “It’s never too late,” said her father. “Have faith, my dear.”

  “Mince cakes?” asked a servant girl holding a tray in front of Eva.

  “Nay,” she said, sniffing and wiping a tear from her eyes. “Wait, I would like one,” she decided, holding it up and taking a bite. And, once again, she made the wish for her father’s health to return and, this time, to be Sir Adam’s wife.

  Chapter 12

  The Arrival of a King

  Twelfth Night was over and the Epiphany had come. This was the day that the Magi arrived to see the baby Jesus, a long, long time ago.

  Eva waited at the door of the keep nervously, waiting for one king, not three, although she wished for no kings on this day.

  King Edward’s procession entered through her front gate. This was the day when her life would change forever. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, she walked alongside Sir Geoffrey, hurrying across the courtyard to greet Edward and his wife, Queen Philippa.

  Her father waited with her grandmother inside the great hall. The servants in the kitchen had been cooking since before the rise of the sun, trying to prepare something suitable to serve a king in case he should arrive at their door. She felt so nervous that her knees knocked together whenever she stood still.

  “The King and Queen of England,” announced the herald. The courtyard filled quickly with knights and nobles as well as servants as everyone gathered around to greet their ruler.

  “Your Majesty,” said Eva, holding on to Sir Geoffrey’s arm and curtseying to the king as he dismounted. The king helped his wife from her horse and they both strolled over to her. Dressed in rich clothes with crowns on their heads and rings on their fingers, Eva would have marveled at the sight of their noble, elaborate entourage if she hadn’t been dreading it so much.

  “Lady Eva, I don’t see your father,” said Edward, looking over the heads of the onlookers. “I would think he would be here to greet me.” Edward’s red hair and long beard made him look even more majestic. And Queen Philippa at his side looked so beautiful that it took her breath away. Now Eva felt even lower than she had before, because she was naught but a liar looking straight into the eyes of those she had deceived.

  “My king,” she said, looking up to Edward in question. Why would he ask such a thing? “I’m sure Sir Adam has told you that my father had an accident and can no longer use his sword arm or even walk since he lost the use of one leg.”

  By the surprised look on the king’s face, she realized he knew none of this. “Sir Adam told me nothing of the sort,” said Edward, glancing over to his wife. “But had he given me the information, he would have been made baron.”

  “What are you saying?” asked Eva, feeling her heart beating rapidly against her ribs. “Isn’t Sir Adam one of your . . . spies?”

  “He used to be,” answered the king. “And he was damned good at his job. But when he failed to complete his last mission, I was severely disappointed in him. I was willing to give him one last chance to earn the chance of becoming a baron, but he turned me down.”

  “He did?” asked Eva, unable to believe her ears. Only a fool would turn down the chance of becoming a baro
n.

  “Aye, he turned me down, even though he’d wanted the title for a very long time. I don’t understand why, and he didn’t explain. However, it was then that he asked for his leave from his position. It sounded like it was what he really wanted, so I granted him the right to go his own way.”

  “He left?” she asked. “Where did he go?”

  “I do not know, Lady Eva. All I know is that to turn down the chance of becoming a baron is the only stupid move the man has ever made.”

  “My dear, it is good to see you again,” said Queen Philippa, breaking into the conversation. “Now, if you’ll kindly escort us inside, I’d like a warm cup of mead and to get out of the cold.”

  “Of course, my queen,” she said, blindly, curtseying and escorting the sovereigns into the castle. She found it hard to believe that Adam had never told the king about her missives or about her father’s condition. He must truly have loved her, she realized, to keep her family’s secret and turn down the chance of becoming a baron as well. Now, she worried for him since, as he said, keeping information from the king could very well be considered treason.

  “Earl Cavendish,” said the king as soon as they entered the keep. “I hear you’ve had an accident and are no longer able to serve me.”

  “Aye,” said her father, not saying anything more.

  “Well, I am sorry to hear it. And I am also sorry to have to tell you that I cannot allow you to keep your title. Neither can I allow you to keep the castle or your lands.”

  “It’s all right, my king,” said the earl, about breaking Eva’s heart. “It was an honor to serve you all these years, and I would do the same if I were in your position.” His words were still slurred, but not as much as usual. Eva figured her father was trying his best to keep up appearances in front of the king. “Your Majesty, before you strip me of my title, I have but one request.”

  “What is it?” asked the king, fingering his beard.