Page 26 of One Knight
The king shook his head again. “Kneel, Sir Henry.”
Henry was too well trained to hesitate, but Elisande’s hand gripped his chain mail tighter.
Henry caught the king’s wink at her, but had no idea what he was up to. The king drew his sword, and Elisande darted in front of him.
“Please, Your Majesty?—”
“What is this?” King William asked.
“Elisande,” Henry said, a note of horror coming through his voice.
“A woman stepping between a knight and a sword. I have never, in all my days, seen such a sight.”
“Please don’t hurt him, Your Majesty.”
“Elisande, stand aside,” Henry said from his knee, gripping her about the waist, intending to lift her out of the way.
William held up a hand. “It is all right, Sir Henry.” The king studied his wife. “You, a Saxon woman, would throw yourself into perceived danger to protect a Norman knight?”
“To protect my husband, Your Majesty.”
“From his king even?” William burst out laughing.
Elisande seemed to stand taller. “From anyone, Your Majesty.”
William looked from her to Henry. “A prize indeed. Mathilda will love her.” He looked back to Elisande. “Please step aside, my lady. Your husband has nothing to fear from his king.”
After a deep breath, Elisande moved.
William’s sword rose and tapped Henry on one shoulder and then the other. “I dub thee Lord Baron de Vere. Rise, Your Lordship. I can’t have your wife outranking you. You will be lord of your lands and home. And more lands will come to you as well.”
In shock, Henry rose and bowed to his king. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I did not expect?—”
“Consider it a wedding present. With such a fine, courageous bride, nothing less would do.”
CHAPTER 12
The last thing Elisande had expected was a royal wedding breakfast, but it was exactly what she received. Life, it seemed, was full of surprises.
Sir Geoffrey stood by her chair while the king took Henry aside to speak to him privately.
“What were you going to do? Have the king skewer you in front of Sir Henry?”
“I didn’t really think about it,” Elisande replied.
“Just like you didn’t think about leaping from a horse and throwing yourself between us and that cart?”
She looked up at the knight. “Do you have a point?”
Sir Geoffrey laughed as he shook his head at her. “You are a unique woman in my experience, Lady Elisande. I suppose, since Sir Henry—Lord de Vere—is one of the bravest men I have evermet, it comes as no surprise that his lady would be equal in character.”
His compliment surprised her.
“And here I thought, you were rebuking me.”
“Never, my lady. But my lord would no doubt appreciate you taking more care with your person. He can handle himself. Having fought by his side for over a decade, I can promise you that.”
“I’m certain you are correct, Sir Geoffrey. I will do my best,” Elisande said, taking a bite of cheese.
