Chapter Twelve
“If you do not stand still, Jacqueline, I am likely to mortally wound you with these pins,” Lady Elizabeth said exasperatedly.
“Sorry, Mother, but you have had me standing here for hours. All the while you have poked and prodded me.”
“It has not been hours. You exaggerate. It only seems that way because you have done nothing but fidget. Either you hold still or your wedding gown will not look at all proper.”
Jacqueline gritted her teeth and sighed in defeat. Her wedding day was two days hence. Her mother, along with Beth, had been frantically stitching her gown since their return from London the week before. She would have gladly worn a less elaborate one, but she did not have the heart to try to sway the two women into change their minds. They had enthusiastically started to work out the details the day after their return home.
The tight sleeved undergown was made from silk, dyed the color of a cloudless blue sky on a summer day. The looser overtunic was stamped velvet two shades darker blue than the undergown. The pattern was the Montacute coat of arms. The earl had sent the velvet to be used for Jacqueline’s gown when she was to have wed the Earl of Somerset. Her mother had suggested they use it now. The reason she gave was that it really was exquisite and why should they not use it for what it had originally been intended. Jacqueline had agreed in the end.
Along with the undergown and overtunic there were tippets, trailing strips of cloth that fastened just above the elbow. They were also made from the same velvet. Around her hips, she would wear a girdle made from gold that had pearls set into each link. Upon her head, she would wear a sheer sky-blue veil, which would be fastened to a point at the centre of her forehead.
The two women worked in the solar with the door firmly shut. Her mother did not want Terric seeing Jacqueline in her wedding gown before they were to exchange vows. So when a knock at the door could be heard, she nodded for Beth to see who it was.
Beth opened the door a half inch, then peered out. “Do not bother trying to come in because I will not let you.”
Jacqueline heard Terric reply. “I have no intention of stepping into the solar. I have been warned off with dire threats to my person should I do so. I was just wondering if I could have a word with Lady Elizabeth.”
Jacqueline’s mother joined him at the door. “Sir Terric, I hope this is not a ploy to see Jacqueline’s gown.”
“I can assure you it is not,” he said. “If I remember correctly, you told me you would drop me down that very deep well Carisbrooke is known for.”
Lady Elizabeth chuckled. “I would do it.”
“There is no need for that well today, my lady. I would like to speak to you, privately, if you can spare a few moments.”
Her mother turned to look over her shoulder at Beth and Jacqueline, and asked, “Can you finish without me, Beth?”
The younger girl nodded. “Aye, of course.”
“Then I am all yours, Terric.”
* * * *
After slipping through the partially open door, Lady Elizabeth led Terric to the chamber next to the solar. It was not quite so large since she only used it to do the castle accounts. The space inside was mostly taken up by a large desk. She walked around it, then seated herself behind it and motioned for Terric to sit in the chair on the opposite side.
Once he had, she waited for him to speak. She had a feeling she knew what he wished to talk to her about. So she waited while he collected his thoughts.
Terric cleared his throat and seemed to force himself to begin. “With the wedding so close, I thought now would be appropriate to broach this subject with you, my lady. It is something I wish I did not have to ask.”
Terric seemed on the verge of squirming. “Just spit it out, man. I do not bite, you know.”
“Since I have no lands of my own, would you approve of Jacqueline and myself living here at Carisbrooke? I hope in a few years, while I follow the tournament circuit, to be able to purchase some land.”
“I had assumed that after your marriage you both would be staying at the castle. It will no longer be necessary for you to follow the circuit.”
Terric appeared slightly taken aback at her words. “Living off your good graces for long does not sit well with me.”
“Do not worry. You will be earning your keep, Terric. With William now gone, there is no Lord of the Isle here. I wish you to take his place.”
“Let me get this straight. You want me, a landless knight, to take over William’s duties?”
“Aye, I do. As Jacqueline’s husband, you are the only logical choice. It will not be an easy position to fill in the beginning, but I am sure you can learn all you will need to know.”
“You do not want me to do the circuit anymore?”
“Nay, I do not. You may participate in a tournament or two, one that is close to the isle if you wish, but only for the sport of it.”
Terric smiled and stuck out his hand. “I accept your offer, my lady.”
With hands clasped, they shook. Terric stood, sketched a quick bow, then left Lady Elizabeth alone in the chamber.
* * * *
Terric took a deep breath and stared at the clear night sky. The stars flashed like so many diamonds. He still could not believe his good fortune. He had found the woman he had been waiting for to be his wife. Along with a woman who loved him, now he had a place to call home. To be part of a family. Something he had not had for so many years.
His father, Philip Aubrey, was a minor knight with a small holding and already married when Terric’s mother, the fair Rosamond, caught his eye. She was the love of his father’s life, but sadly, only a peasant. Her family farmed a section of land that belonged to Philip, and they paid him rent to work it.
At first, Philip’s intent had not been to make her his mistress. Even though his marriage was a loveless one, it was not his way. Rosamond eventually won him over and they became lovers.
Terric was born a year later. He only had a few short months with his mother—a time of which he had no recollection being only a small babe. His birth had been too hard for her. She never fully recovered and finally succumbed.
Philip already had two sons by his wife—both much older than Terric. That being the case, it was not necessary for him to acknowledge Terric as his son, but he did. He was not able to bring his motherless son to live with him, though. Philip’s wife would never have allowed it. So Terric had been raised by his grandparents.
At the age of ten, his father arranged for Terric to be fostered out. Knowing he could not offer much to the son of his love, he did what he could. He took steps to make sure her son became a knight, for which Terric was forever grateful. The life of a farmer had held no appeal for him.
Having made a complete circuit of the walls, Terric descended to the bailey below. He walked toward the keep in the direction of the hall and caught sight of a shadowed figure moving to intercept him. Once it became more discernible, he shook his head in disbelief.
“What are you doing out here so late?”
“I could very well ask you the same question,” Jacqueline replied saucily. Before Terric could protest, she wrapped her arms around his neck and brushed a kiss across his lips. He placed his hands on either side of her waist, pulling her hard against him.
“Is it not bad luck to see me? We wed on the morrow.”
“Just silly superstition. I needed to see you before I went to sleep. Come morning, mother will make sure we do not meet until the ceremony.”
“We did see each other at the evening meal. It has only been a few short hours since we parted. Did you miss me so soon?”
“Of course.” Jacqueline smiled seductively, then ran her hands through his hair. “I do not think I can wait until after the ceremony.”
Terric groaned. “Are you trying to seduce me, minx?”
Jacqueline rocked her hips against his. “If I am?”
He unwrapped her arms from around his neck, then set her firmly away. “Tempting, but nay. We are going to do this properly.”
She stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. “You will not change your mind?”
“Nay. Now go to your bed. Alone.” Terric turned Jacqueline around, then pushed her in the direction of the keep, adding a swat to her rump to keep her moving.
Terric waited until Jacqueline disappeared within the building before he followed. He wanted to make sure she was safely in her own chamber. He needed the time to calm down the raging desire she had stirred inside him just by being in his arms. If she were to accost him again, he was not at all sure he could refuse her a second time.
Finally entering the hall, he found it deserted, which was a great relief. On the morrow he would make it up to Jacqueline since he had refused her offer. Once she was his wife, he might never let her out of his bed.
* * * *
The day of their wedding broke in a bright wash of sunlight. Jacqueline could not have wished for a better one. If the blue cloudless sky was considered a good omen for the start of her new life with Terric, then it portended good fortune.
Having followed her mother’s strict admonishment of not seeing her intended before exchanging their vows, Jacqueline had not gone to the hall to break her fast. A servant had brought her a tray instead. Now she waited for the heated water for her bath to arrive. She did not have a long wait. Her mother, ever efficient, instructed the servants to prepare it once Jacqueline had sent down her tray.
With a knock, Lady Elizabeth opened the door and stood aside for the parade of servants lined up behind her. Once the hip bath had been dragged into the room and then filled, the servants were dismissed, leaving Jacqueline and her mother alone. Jacqueline stripped off her robe, then immersed herself in the bath.
Lady Elizabeth went to stand behind her and washed her hair. “I never thought this day would come—the day I saw my daughter marry the man she loved.”
Jacqueline wiped water from her eyes. “You no more than I, Mother. Especially after what we had done to stop my marriage to the Earl of Somerset.”
“That odious man. With you wed to Terric, you will be safe. Our ruse will no longer be necessary.”
Continuing to wash herself, Jacqueline knew her life could very well have been much different if her father had had his way. She would have been tied to a man she thoroughly detested.
Her bath finished, she stepped out of the tub and toweled dry. She donned her robe once more. All that was left to do was to dress in her wedding gown. Jacqueline’s nerves were getting the best of her. She did not regret her choice in marrying Terric. If anything, she felt overjoyed by it, but she needed a few minutes alone to collect herself before the ceremony.
“Mother, is there enough time for me to sit by myself for a while?”
Lady Elizabeth smiled. “Not long, but we can work it in.” She placed a kiss on Jacqueline’s cheek, then left her alone.
Jacqueline sat on the window seat with her back toward the chamber door and looked out the window. Watching the normal goings-on down in the bailey helped to calm her. A warm breeze blew through the open shutters. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
At that moment, her chamber door opened. Thinking her mother had returned already, she did not bother to open her eyes. It was a shock to feel the cold blade of a dagger pressed to her throat by someone standing directly behind her. She inhaled sharply.
“Be a good girl and turn around.”
Jacqueline felt all the blood drain from her face at the sound of that voice. How could he have gotten into Carisbrooke with no one knowing? Why today, of all days? Doing as she had been ordered, she turned to face her father.
He wore a hooded cloak, which partially hid his face. He pushed the hood back. His sharp gaze swept her from head to toe. “So, I was correct. It was you in London and not William. I did not think you were capable of doing such a thing. Especially since you have been dead and buried these past few years.”
Jacqueline raised her chin a notch and gave the earl a defiant look. “You left me no choice.”
“The choice was not yours to make. As your father, it was my right to arrange an advantageous match for you.”
“You mean an advantageous match for yourself.”
The earl reached out and painfully grabbed a handful of her hair. “I will not tolerate any disrespect from you, girl. I see your mother was too lax in her duty in the raising of her daughter.” He released his grip and roughly shoved her away. “I want you to put on some clothes and then you are leaving with me.”
Jacqueline rubbed her aching scalp, but did not move. “Nay, I will go nowhere with you. Today is my wedding day. I will not leave.”
“I am afraid you will. I have plans for you.” He picked up her wedding gown from the bed and threw it at her. “Put this on, and if you refuse, I have no compunctions about putting it on you myself if I must.”
Her father would do exactly that. She turned her back to him and did what he had said. Once she had donned the gown, she faced him once more. He motioned her to where he stood next to her writing desk.
The earl placed a fresh sheet of parchment on top of it. He took up a quill and dipped it into the ink well. Holding it out to her, he said, “Write.”
Jacqueline shook her head. “Nay.”
He jabbed the quill at her again. “You will write a missive to your intended, telling him you have changed your mind and no longer wish to wed him.” She still refused to comply, and her father forcibly placed the quill in her hand. “If you do not, I will have your mother removed from the isle. I will make her a beggar on the streets with no coin and no roof over her head. Do I make myself clear?”
Meekly, she nodded. Her father held all the power in this situation. She could not change that, but she had one barb in which to wound him. “You have not asked about William. Are you not interested to know why he did not go to London?”
“Anything you have to say about William is irrelevant. Sit.”
Jacqueline pulled out the chair and seated herself behind the desk. “True it might be, but it will affect you greatly.”
“Then tell me. Do not think I cannot see through this ploy to stall for time. We will be gone before anyone can stop us.”
She looked up at her father, wanting to see how he would react to her news. “As you wish. You did more than wound William during the tournament at Windsor. You killed him.”
The smug expression the earl wore slipped. Her words seemed to sink in. He appeared deeply affected by the news of William’s death. She was certain he had felt no such sorrow when informed of her “death.” To him, she was just a useless female—only good for furthering his position through a marriage to a nobleman.
Not able to look at her father’s expression of pain any longer, Jacqueline turned to the blank piece of parchment. The earl swallowed audibly, then said, “Write the missive and make it convincing. For if your lowly knight does not believe it and tries to come after you, I will gladly end his pathetic existence.”
Jacqueline dipped the quill into the inkwell before she placed it on the parchment. As she wrote, tears filled her eyes. Terric would never forgive her for this.