Did he intend to marry Evangeline off to someone else? Westley’s blood rose into his face. He would defy the king and spirit her away this very night and have their marriage blessed by the bishop near Glynval. They could hide out somewhere in the German regions of the Holy Roman Empire.
Around them sat a few of the king’s knights who had spent the last several days in the dungeon as a consequence of their loyalty to the king and running afoul of Lord Shiveley’s guards. And across the table from Westley sat Father. But in spite of the fact that there weren’t many dignitaries to hear his announcement, the king stood until he had the attention of the entire room. Even the servants who were bringing platters of food stopped and looked on.
“Friends and loyal subjects”—King Richard looked oddly humble—“it appears my fair cousin, Evangeline, daughter of my uncle Lionel, Duke of Clarence, possesses supernatural discernment of character. If she had not rejected the traitorous Earl of Shiveley, he might have succeeded in his plot to overthrow me and usurp my crown. Cheers for my favorite cousin, Evangeline of Berkhamsted Castle!”
The room roared with cheers and foot stomping so loud it was nearly deafening. Evangeline blushed and smiled, acknowledging the crowd with a nod and a wave of her hand. When the noise finally died down, the king resumed speaking.
“I am forever grateful for the bravery of this woman, and also to the men of Glynval, who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of England.”
More whoops and shouts went up.
“Lord Ranulf le Wyse and his son Westley risked much to come here and fight for me, and so . . . for his bravery, I shall create a new earldom to replace the Earldom of Shiveley, which upon his execution shall cease to exist, and Westley le Wyse shall henceforth be . . . the Earl of Glynval.”
Loud cheers erupted. Westley’s heart leapt inside him at the thought of being the Earl of Glynval. But was that all the king intended to give him? A title?
Westley stood and bowed to the king. “Thank you, Your Majesty. That is very generous.”
“And because you, along with your father, not only successfully thwarted the evil intentions of my closest advisor and since you obviously have found favor with my fair cousin, I grant you the right . . . to marry the brave and insightful Evangeline.”
Westley could not stop the smile from stretching across his face. “I thank you, my king. I most gladly will marry Evangeline, if she is willing.” He turned to her and held out his hand, then knelt. “Do you accept me?”
“Of course. Yes!” Evangeline’s red hair formed a halo around her face. She gave him her hand.
He got up, bent, and kissed her briefly on the lips. The entire room cheered and roared.
The king lifted his goblet. “I wish you joy, long life, and many children.”
Everyone drank to them and shouted out their goodwill wishes, and Evangeline’s cheeks shone a pretty pink.
Evangeline stood beside Westley as they were wed quietly in the Berkhamsted Castle chapel. Muriel and Frederick, whom King Richard had promoted to the position of steward of Berkhamsted Castle, stood nearby as the priest blessed Evangeline and Westley’s union.
After a few days in Berkhamsted, they traveled back to Glynval. At the next Glynval hallmote, held in the manor courtyard, a jury of twelve sworn men were appointed to collect and present evidence relating to the incident at the Harvest Festival. They found John Underhill and his men guilty of seizing Evangeline and carrying her away and locking her in the dairy, as several witnesses swore an oath corroborating Evangeline’s story, having seen John Underhill’s men carrying a sack just the size and shape to be the maiden. They also found John and his men guilty of seizing and assailing Westley le Wyse, of inflicting a small stab wound in his side, and of threatening to kill him in very specific terms.
The jury fined John forty shillings, and his men six shillings each because they were poor, and they all were ordered to stay in their own village of Caversdown and never to set foot in Glynval again.
“I don’t think John will object to such a light punishment,” Evangeline said when the hallmote was over and they were having dinner with Westley’s family.
“You should have seen his face,” Westley said, “when he found out you were the king’s ward and I had been made an earl.”
Evangeline laughed.
“And Sabina has accepted an offer of marriage from someone in another village and she has already left her father’s house.”
“Oh?”
“Yes,” Lady le Wyse said. “Sabina’s mother came and told me herself, and apologized if her daughter had done anything to upset Evangeline.” Lady le Wyse raised her brows in a knowing way.
Evangeline nearly said something ungracious, but she squeezed Westley’s hand under the table instead. She was too full of joy to wish anyone ill, even Sabina.
“Mother, tell her,” Cate said suddenly with a wide smile.
“Tell me what?” Evangeline asked.