An Uncertain Choice

“Perhaps it’s possible one of the other knights is jealous of Sir Collin,” the abbot said. “Since he seems to be winning Lady Rosemarie’s heart the quickest, perhaps they decided to eliminate their competition. Maybe one of them hired someone to assassinate Sir Collin.”


The duke and Sir Collin both erupted with protest, defending the other two knights vehemently in their absence. I shoved aside the abbot’s accusation too. I didn’t know Sir Bennet or Sir Derrick well, but I couldn’t imagine either one of them resorting to such tactics.

“I’m not worried about who’s responsible,” Sir Collin said after he’d resumed his calm. He reached for my hand and his long fingers wrapped around mine, their warmth encompassing me. “I should think that I’d like to get injured more often since I’m in heaven to have you by my side all the day long.”

Even if his touch was forward and made me slightly self-conscious in the presence of everyone else, I didn’t pull away.

“I would take an arrow in my body any day if it meant I’d get to enjoy your undivided attention all the more.”

“’Tis not necessary to gain my attention so drastically, sir.”

His grin and the twinkle in his eye shared his jest. But before he could tease me further, the abbot stood, scraping his chair so that it grated against the floor. My wise counselor cleared his throat and gave a pointed look at Sir Collin’s hand holding mine.

I rapidly withdrew my hand.

The abbot pursed his lips before speaking. “Perhaps the knight’s injury is a sign from God that he’s displeased with all these activities.”

I sat forward. A sign from God?

I hadn’t considered that possibility. Was it possible that God was displeased with my intention of breaking the Ancient Vow? After all, my thoughts had been centered less on God lately and more on the young knights. In fact, I’d been so busy the past week, I’d hardly had time for my charity work.

A sick feeling swirled in my stomach.

“Sir Collin’s injury is most definitely not a sign from God.” The duke spoke directly to me as if he’d heard my anxious thoughts. “God himself instituted marriage when he created Adam and Eve. He designed the basic attraction between men and women. ’Tis natural, good, and right when young people begin the process of finding mates.”

“Perhaps right for those who cannot resist temptation to the world,” the abbot replied. “But for those who are stronger, like her ladyship, God offers a chance to do so much more for his glory.”

“Marriage doesn’t put an end to one’s ability to serve God and bring him glory.” The duke remained unruffled. “In fact, I’ve seen many married couples who have done more for God together than was possible as individuals.”

“You raise a good point, your Grace,” the abbot said, bowing slightly to the duke before facing me again. “Your parents worked well together, my child. I cannot diminish all of the good they did.”

I nodded my gratefulness to the abbot for his words to allay my concerns. However, a new anxiety had taken root within my heart. I’d vowed to be a compassionate ruler, to do even better than my parents. Would marriage and love distract me from my mission?

“Come now, Lady Rosemarie.” The abbot started toward the door. “We shall go to the chapel and pray. Prayer is always the solution for our troubled spirits.”

“You’re right, Father Abbot.” I rose, letting my gown flutter around me on the humid breeze that blew through the window.

“You’ll offer a prayer on my behalf, will you not?” Sir Collin sat up, his gaze following me as I made my way around the bed. “I want to be back on my feet by the time of the dance.”

The abbot stopped abruptly and frowned at the duke. “You have no intention of going forward with plans for a dance, do you? Not now that one of your own has been hurt.”

“Collin’s strong. He’ll recover in no time.” The duke smiled at the young man lying within the shadows of the canopied bed. “And even were he bedridden, he wouldn’t begrudge Lady Rosemarie the opportunity to have a dance.”

The sheriff stepped forward. “I agree with Father Abbot. With a murderer still on the loose, I cannot guarantee her ladyship’s safety if you go forward with the festivities.”

The duke cocked his brow and met my gaze. “Lady Rosemarie, we’ll do whatever you wish. After all, it’s your future.”

I appreciated the duke’s deference to me, but I didn’t know what to do. What was the safest choice for everyone involved?

I resisted the urge to glance again to the abbot. The sheriff already thought I was weak, and I would only confirm it in his eyes if I asked the abbot what I should do. In fact, the sheriff’s hard gaze was trained on the abbot as though waiting for his command. He likely thought I was incapable of deciding anything for myself.

Although the thought of contradicting my wise counselor made me uneasy, I squared my shoulders. “We will continue with the dance.”