Jacqueline Navin - The Flower And The Sword

He was also aware of her cruelty, but he preferred to think of it as more a lack of sensitivity. That quality he did not lay claim to. He did not approve of it, but he accepted it as part of Catherine. No one was perfect, after all.

Pride was taken in the sweet blessing of Elspeth. Another man might resent the third of a trio of daughters most of all; the last chance at a son and heir gone. But Enguerrand doted on his youngest. She was an extraordinary child, had been since birth. Serene, with a wisdom beyond her years yet ever innocent, he cherished her. As much as he loved her, he could not bear to grant her only wish. To send Elspeth to the convent would be to lose the only joy in his life.

As for Lily, he gave his middle daughter little thought. She had always been stubbornly independent, not anything like his beloved Elspeth. Nor was she cunning like himself, like Catherine. She was more like his wife, whom he had married in accordance with his parents’ wishes and never understood. So, he had mostly left Lily alone, trusting Catherine to see to her rearing, and never really giving her much thought.

Which was why he was so surprised when Rogan asked to marry her.

Catherine wanted him. She had come to him and said she would take Rogan as husband. Knowing well the machinations of his daughter’s nimble mind, he sensed that she had strong reasons for wanting the match, and so he had agreed.

What he had never considered was that Rogan would not want Catherine. When Enguerrand broached the subject, Rogan simply said, “I must decline.”

Enguerrand pressed him for an explanation, but the man only shrugged, offering only that Catherine was not to his liking.

Enguerrand grew irate. “You insult me, St. Cyr. Your brother deals dirty with me, now you refuse to make the matter right. Good God, you had the gall to best the Dane. Do you not even have the decency to lose to your host’s champion?”

“I never lose, not even on purpose,” Rogan answered calmly.

“The only person who has shown me respect has been young Andrew. Yes, Andrew. You may not think much of him, judging by that look on your face, but the young priest is the only one who has gone out of his way to treat me with deference.”

Rogan maintained a stony silence.

“You have done nothing to mend the breach between our families. For all of your talk of wanting to preserve the goodwill of the Marshands, you are doing nothing to secure it.”

It was a heavy threat. Again, Enguerrand was not stupid. He knew this man wanted peace. Desperately. Enguerrand pressed his advantage. “I have shown great restraint, giving you the chance to redeem yourself, and you flaunt this chance and insult Catherine. That is two rejections from you St. Cyrs. That hardly bodes well for reconciliation. Tell me, Lord Rogan, what do you find objectionable about my daughter?”

After a pause, Rogan answered carefully, “Nothing objectionable, I assure you.” He seemed to wrestle within himself for a long moment. “It is just that I would ask you to extend your generosity once more,” he said at last, “and give to me Lily’s hand instead.”

Enguerrand was astonished. “Lily? Why do you want her?”

“I had been thinking of it in any case, but your proposition forces me to act more quickly than I would have liked.”

“You want Lily?”

“She has impressed me favorably, and she seems more of a wife to suit my particular temperament Catherine is lovely, well-bred and exemplary in every way. But she is too fine and would require attention I cannot give her. I am not a duke, but merely a soldier.”

“A damn fine warrior, I would say,” Enguerrand said, despite himself. “Lily, eh?”

Rogan nodded. “Yes. Surely you cannot deny she is beautiful, but more importantly, I must say I find her enchanting. On the few occasions I have spoken to her, I have been greatly impressed with her spirit and interesting mind.” A slow smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I shall certainly find it no hardship to take her to wife.”

Enguerrand shook his head and muttered something unintelligible.

Rogan continued, “I believe she would be favorably disposed to my offer.”

That aspect of the bargain had not occurred to Enguerrand, nor did he much care. He rubbed his bristled chin. This Rogan St. Cyr’s choice of Lily he certainly could not understand. And Catherine would be furious. Still there was no reason to refuse. He gained his ends just as well with the second daughter as the first. And with Lily married off, he still had Catherine to bargain with in a future alliance. Perhaps another powerful family could be approached.

“All right then, let us discuss the bride-price.”

Rogan held up a hand. “In the interest of healing the wounds of our families, I will waive the dowry. And as my new father-in-law, I shall make, shall we say, a small gift to you in appreciation for your sacrifice of your daughter who is to become my wife.”

“But that is—”

“Unconventional, I know. But I insist.”

Enguerrand paused. The man was obviously trying to buy him, but it was unnecessary. Enguerrand had already agreed. What a fool!

“Very well,” Enguerrand said. “I shall announce it at once.”

“I wish to have the ceremony as soon as possible. Three weeks should be sufficient to have the banns read and make the necessary preparations. I have urgent business in the northern shires and must leave as soon as we can accomplish this.”

“Very good.” Enguerrand nodded. He rubbed his hands together, planning. He hardly noticed when Rogan took his leave.

This was unbelievable! To get a daughter married without a dowry was incredible enough, but to actually profit from the deal—marvelous!

Immediately, his spirits plummeted when he remembered Catherine. He dreaded telling her Rogan wished to marry her sister.

Suddenly Rogan’s bribe seemed not so foolish after all.

Enguerrand made the announcement that night at dinner, standing without preamble and roaring for the entire hall to hush and attend him.

Rogan was surprised to note the thrill of excitement go through him. He had not had a chance to speak to Lily today. They had only exchanged glances, hers shy but unable to hide her pleasure. He was, surprisingly, anxious to speak with her and impatient to know her reaction to their impending marriage.

Enguerrand called out, “Listen up, all and everyone! I have an important announcement.” The noise dimmed. Rogan caught Catherine’s eye and was surprised to see the glimmer of triumph there. His stomach clenched as he realized she thought the announcement would be of her marriage to Rogan.

Damn Enguerrand, the old fool!

And if Catherine had not been apprised of the change in her plan, then it stood to reason that Lily was likewise uninformed. He whipped his head around to watch her as Enguerrand said, “Rogan St. Cyr has requested the hand of my daughter, Lily…”

His voice faded, and Catherine was forgotten, for as the words descended, Rogan could only stare at his wife-to-be.

The naked emotion on her face attested to her ignorance of the arrangements that had been made that day for her future. Her features registered shock, quickly replaced by a look of purest joy as she swung toward him in disbelief. Her clear eyes, such a singular shade of blue-green, opened round and wide and looked like brilliant bits of aquamarine.

Rogan felt something inside of him twist in an oddly pleasant way. Good God, if he had ever had a moment’s doubt about the matter, it was put to rest as he smiled at Lily. He had never seen her look so exquisite. And he had never felt so sure of anything, he reflected. He rose and held out his hand. She fairly beamed as she stood and allowed her father to place her slim hand in his palm.