Page 38 of Knight School Chronicles Box Set

“ T hank you, my lord, for your audience.”

Gareth hadn’t expected to gain one so quickly.

Instead of having him come back, the steward swept him into a small but well-appointed solar chamber.

He would miss his afternoon lessons, but Eamon would hopefully be aware of it and share the situation with Lord Stirling.

It seemed the men were better friends than Gareth realized if Stirling knew of his affair with Evie’s mother.

“Of course. Sit, Sir Gareth. Our returning hero.”

He was glad Ashford had received word of his exploits at Lincoln. He’d been counting on it.

“Word has reached you, then, of the siege.”

“And your breaking though it? Aye. No need for modesty, Claymore. They say you led the charge and that it was a well-executed attack.”

With one exception. “We lost a good man,” he said.

“Ah, yes. Fitzwilliam was a skilled combat knight and will be missed indeed. But to not sustain any other casualties against the full might of Stephen’s army? Impressive.”

“We broke through just a small contingency of men,” Gareth said. “And quickly enough to unite Matilda’s forces with their allies. Our small numbers would not have matched Stephen’s otherwise.”

“Mmm,” he murmured. “Either way, if Matilda is able to hold Lincoln Castle without threat of siege, that could turn the entire campaign to her favor.”

“As is the hope, my lord.”

Capitalizing on the pause in their conversation, he met Lord Ashcroft’s eyes and said, “I would offer for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

He waited for the man to become completely aware of his change in topic and for Gareth’s words to penetrate. When they did, he continued. “I am aware of the status of my family and know you have hope for a more esteemed match. But with this campaign, I had hope?—”

“No.”

He had hoped to at least finish his thought. But it did not seem Gareth would be able to do so.

“I am already in discussions to betroth my daughter to another man. Though I can appreciate the valor of your exploits at Lincoln”—his eyes narrowed—“I would be interested to know how you have become familiar enough with my daughter to ask such a question.”

“I spoke with her when you welcomed me,” he said, his words true. “And again when I saw her in the village.”

Also true.

“And yet you wish to wed her? And believe she would accept such a proposal?”

“Some couples know each other less when they are betrothed than your daughter and I.”

“Why,” he asked, now angered, “would you believe she’d accept such a proposal?”

“Because she knows me to be a kind and honorable man. As I know her to be an intelligent and ambitious woman.”

Gareth wasn’t helping himself now, but it was clear Lord Ashcroft cared little if Gareth had led the charge at Lincoln. Or what sort of man he was. As both Evie and Eamon had predicted, little mattered to him but expanding his lands and power.

So he would make a point.

“Ambitious?” Lord Ashcroft, asked. Predictably.

“She wishes to use her love and knowledge of history in some way—an admirable quality. Do you not think?”

Of course, he did not.

“My daughter will do her duty and marry well. ’Tis all she will do.”

The door behind Gareth opened.

As if by the wrath of God, Evie stood there in the doorway. Clearly angry, and not at all following their plan, which was for her to stay away, knowing it would do little to sway Ashford if she did otherwise, Evelina stepped inside and closed the door.

“I will not.”

Also, she’d clearly been eavesdropping, which reminded Gareth of the first time they met. He smiled.

“Aye, daughter, you will.”

“Do not call me that.”

Gareth groaned. Not the plan at all.

“Pardon me?”

“I am not your daughter, and you know it well.”

To say Lord Ashcroft looked surprised would be understating the situation. Eyes wide, he sat up straighter in his wooden chair.

Evie moved to the back of Gareth’s, placing her hand on its top rail.

“Evelina, what are you about?” he asked, obviously displeased.

“You know precisely what I am about. You are not my father. That distinction is Sir Eamon’s, something I should have known a long time ago.”

“He told you.” Ashcroft’s face turned red.

“We knew you would not accept Gareth’s offer despite that you know well the kind of man he is, recruited to this order for his skill and valor.

Leading a charge that could well be the turning point all have hoped for, his bravery and honor unquestioned.

But you care little for those values. We are not alike, in that, however.

I care little for more lands and titles.

As we both know”—she waved her hand around—“neither makes you happy. You smile rarely, only tolerate my presence and?—”

“Enough.” Lord Ashcroft slammed his hand on the table, its contents scattering. “This is my hall, my chamber. And I will not be spoken to in it by my daughter in such a way.”

“I. Am not. Your daughter.”

With that, Evie turned and walked away, leaving Gareth alone with an extremely irate baron. He did not mind, however. Gareth had dealt with men such as him before. Remaining calm, he waited for Ashcroft to throw him out of his chamber. When he did not, Gareth shrugged.

“It seems we are at an impasse.”

“I would disagree,” the baron said. “By rights, she is my daughter and will not marry a traitor’s son.”

“Traitor?” Gareth raised his brows. “My parents are on the same side as you, my lord.”

“But were caught. Because they were careless.”

Ashcroft meant to goad him, but it would not work. “Not careless, but loyal. You are lucky to remain here, so publicly supporting the knight school, and yet not in Stephen’s crosshairs.”

“Do you threaten me?”

“I do not. As a Guardian of the Sacred Oak, I took an oath I mean to keep. But we will be exposed in time. With luck, Matilda will be on the throne before it happens.”

He stood. There was naught more to be said or done here this day.

“If you reconsider my offer?—”

“I will not.”

He was, if nothing else, consistent. Gareth bowed. “Then, good day, my lord.”

With that, he turned and left.

Gareth would find Evie to devise a new plan. He did not care for Ashcroft’s insistence that Evie’s betrothal was already underway and did not trust the man. She could be in danger of being wed against her will—something he would never, ever allow to happen.