The Marriage Parley

CHAPTER SIX

Were it possible, Richard would pray for a miracle to resurrect her husband, so he could have the pleasure of killing the whoreson.

That Michaelmas, he had known his father spoke true; she was not for him. God's bones, but the still untried man in him had wanted her to be. Her beauty had captivated him, teetering as she had been on the edge between woman and girl. She had worn a blue gown the exact shade of her eyes and laughed and giggled with her ladies.

The grown woman was so much more than that girl, and when the king had first tabled this match, it had been all Richard could do not to promise anything if only he could finally have her.

Fortunately, age also brought wisdom and his need for her did not outweigh his people's need to eat. "Shall we get to my terms?"

"Oh?" She blinked at him. "Certainly."

"I have promised to respect you and cherish you. That I will never raise my hand to you, but do not mistake me, Maggie." He held her gaze. "You will be my wife in more than name. You will be the wife who shares my bed and gives me children. Do not mistake my respect for your wishes as not wanting you."

Her cheeks colored and she cleared her throat. "I understand."

"There will be no separate keeps for us, Maggie, and no separate beds. So, I leave the choice in your hands. Rutherford or Elford?"

"My people would prefer me to remain at Rutherford," she said.

Richard nodded, because he had expected as much. Other than when she had married, Rutherford had been Maggie's home. It suited her with its elegance and fine furnishings, a velvet nest for a priceless jewel.

"However." She frowned, wrinkling the delicate skin between her eyes. "I cannot help but see the advantages to Elford. The keep is larger and can house more men at arms. Also it sits well within what will be the borders of our joined demesne and will be easier to defend."

"Aye, all that is true." Her honesty demanded the same from him. "Elford is large but has suffered much from recent deprivations. My father did not allow any coin for keep maintenance."

She gave a wry smile. "I imagine most of his coin went to fighting my father. My father was much the same way. My mother's family had sufficient foresight to prevent him from being able to spend her dowry in a similar fashion."

"Are we both arguing against our own keeps?" How the men waiting outside the tent would gnash their teeth if they knew.

Margaret laughed, unfettered and free. "I think we might be." Her amusement faded and then she said, "Elford. I choose Elford to be our home." She held up her hand when he would speak. "But I reserve the right to make some changes. For comfort."

"Elford it is. And do with that pile of stones what you will." Her expression had grown troubled again. Her dead husband had put those fears into her, and now he left Richard a hard farrow to plow. "You mentioned your dowry, and I will tell you straight I cannot afford a bride price for you."

"The king has taken care of that." She waved her hand. A mischievous smile crossed her face. "You will be glad to know he has been most generous on your behalf."

"The sodding king can afford it." Richard's pride smarted enough to make his words brusque. "He keeps beggaring the rest of us to fund his ambitions."

"Richard!" She gaped at him. "That is the king of whom you speak."

His given name on her lips gave him hope. Along with cutting his ties, he took it as an indication of the growing trust between them. Their progress thus far pleased him. He moved closer and perched on the table near her. "Command of the men at arms?"