Ransom approached them, the sense of being an imposter shuffling in his chest. His first concern was putting them at ease.
“Welcome to Josselin castle,” Ransom said. “I’m sure this change of events has been a surprise to you both. But I look forward to getting to know you.”
The young man, John Dearley, nodded quickly in agreement. “I’ve been here two days. Lady Elodie came yesterday.”
“And I’ve only just arrived myself,” Ransom said in a pleasant tone. He directed his comments to Elodie. “I’m certain once I leave this room, I’ll become lost immediately. Have you walked the grounds yet?”
“Yes, my lord,” said the girl, giving him a guarded look. She glanced back down again quickly.
“We both have,” said Dearley. “It’s a beautiful castle. I’m rather envious. My given name is John, but I actually go by my family name, Dearley. There was another boy, another child, who lived nearby, and he had the same name. We were both called by our last names instead, and I’ve come to prefer it.” His explanation came out in a great gush of words, after which he flushed with embarrassment and looked away.
Ransom wasn’t sure what to say. He saw the discomfort in both of them. They seemed so innocent, so young. He thought it best to end this first conversation quickly.
“Well, I’ll call you Dearley, then. As for the castle, I should like to see it myself.” He looked at Dearley. “We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning to rendezvous with the king and report back on my mission to the Vexin. Be ready to ride by sunrise.”
Dearley lifted his head, his eyes widening with surprise. “You mean . . . you wish me to come as well?”
“Yes. You’re part of my mesnie now. You go where I go. It’s just the two of us for the time being. I want to see how well you can handle a blade. There may be trouble in the near future. You must be ready for it.”
The look of surprise turned to one of excitement. “I will . . . of course! Yes! Tomorrow at dawn. I should bring my armor?”
“That would be a wise thing. Now, Lady Elodie. I will leave instructions with Westin . . . he’s the steward . . . ?”
She looked at him and nodded, her brows knitting in confusion.
“Good. While I am gone, you are the lady of the castle. You are in charge.” He gestured to the room. “My younger sister, Maeg, is someone you can rely on for advice. You can write to her at the Heath and even invite her for a visit if you wish for company. I don’t know how often I will be here, but I’ll always try to let you know in advance before I come. Does that suit you?”
She swallowed, but her look of nervousness didn’t fade. Was she wondering whether he would force her to marry him? According to Simon, that was the usual way of things. He had no intention to follow through, but he suspected it would be a mistake to address the matter so soon. It would embarrass her, no doubt, and she already looked desperately uncomfortable.
“That is all. I bid you both good day.”
As he left, he found himself remembering the young man he’d been. Feeling the wheel of time turning.
Ransom and his troop of knights left at dawn as planned, and John Dearley was the first one in the courtyard ready to go. They rode into the morning together, keeping a slow-enough pace that they could speak comfortably, and Ransom discovered the young man was quite adept at diplomacy, languages, and the history of treaties. As the day progressed, Dearley became more comfortable with him, more affable and friendly. Still, it was not until they arrived at Beestone castle to rest for the night that Dearley broached a delicate topic. The castle stood on a bluff, easily seen above the tree line.
“I’m grateful for the chance to serve you, Sir Ransom. I was surprised to hear you were chosen for the king’s council so quickly, but now I understand. I just . . . I’m curious . . . if you plan on taking Lady Elodie as your . . . well, you know . . . as your wife?”
Ransom was listening to him, but his gaze was on the castle they approached. Seeing it brought many dark memories to Ransom’s mind. Beestone was the castle where the cloaked lady had attacked him. It was where she’d killed Devon.
The brooding on his face must have made Dearley assume he was offended by the question, because the boy quickly retreated from it. “I’m sorry. It was impertinent of me to ask.”
Ransom looked at the young man. “It is fine that you asked, Dearley. And I’ll answer you. No, I don’t want to marry her. The king wants me to, but I’ve given my heart to someone else. Someone I cannot have.”
Dearley listened to that and nodded, his eyes lost in thought. “I see. She’ll be relieved, I think.” He paused, as if weighing his words, then said, “She told me . . . before you came. She said that she was to be given to you, without any choice in the matter.”
Ransom chuckled. “Oh, I can believe it. You may tell her, on my behalf, that she’s safe from me.”
Dearley grinned. “With your permission, I shall send her a message.”
“You don’t need my permission, but yes, tell her, by all means.”
Dearley nodded, his smile fading. “Your lady love. I’m sorry it did not work out between you.”
Ransom shrugged. “Maybe it will someday. I don’t know.”
The young man’s eyes widened. “I find that difficult to believe. She’s in the East Kingdoms.”
Ransom looked at him in bafflement. “Who are you talking about?”
“Princess Noemie, of course. King Lewis had her marry again. You went there yourself . . . to the East Kingdoms, did you not?”
He felt the burn of resentment in his heart, not against his ward but against those whose wagging tongues had perpetuated the myth that Ransom had tried to seduce Devon the Younger’s wife. His name had been cleared in the end, but many people preferred the salacious lies.
Ransom looked into Dearley’s eyes. “I tell you on my honor as a knight, that what you heard is untrue. I value loyalty above all. And I was loyal to my king, to the Younger King. The stories are just that. Stories. I did not go after her. I left before her.” Ransom shook his head, feeling the anger crackling inside him, his dark side straining to emerge. “I traveled with a caravan into the desert, providing protection for a Genevese merchant and his men. We did not venture far into the East Kingdoms. That is the truth. And I swear it on the Fountain.”
Dearley gazed at him, nodding with great seriousness. “I believe you, Sir Ransom. I . . . I admit I’ve heard many stories about you. The queen once ransomed you for twenty thousand livres, did she not?”
Ransom sighed. And then, because he wished for there to be no misunderstandings, he proceeded to tell Dearley his story from the beginning.
When he arrived back in Kingfountain with the cohort of knights, Ransom saw that the palace was thronged with soldiers, most of whom were mercenaries. The stables were all full, and horses were being tended in the courtyard. He left Dearley to find provisions and a place to stable their mounts while he went into the castle to report back to the king.
He was brought to the king’s chamber, where he found Lord Kinghorn and Lady Deborah with the Elder King.
King Devon smirked when he saw Ransom. “Do you like my little army?”