An Uncertain Choice(13)

“Oh, Pup.” I bent over and wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my face in his luxurious fur.

At that moment, the outer doors of the castle opened wide. The morning sunshine poured in, bathing the spacious hallway with glorious light. I quickly dislodged myself from Pup and straightened, but not before the visitor caught sight of my affection toward the dog.

“Good morning, my lady,” came a strong, clear voice. I didn’t have to look closely to guess it was one of the three knights who had come with the duke. Even without the armor from yesterday, there was no disguising the noble stature and bearing that set him apart as a knight.

As the knight glanced at Pup and then back to me, I blinked against the sunlight and fought off a wave of embarrassment at my most unladylike display with my dog. I braced myself for his censure, for everyone knew that good hunting dogs were not to be coddled. But instead of a frown, his lips twitched with a smile. He surprised me even more when he knelt, held out a hand, and gave a low whistle.

Pup wagged his tail and trotted across the hallway, lowering himself and lying before the knight in complete submission. The knight rubbed a gloved hand across the dog’s back before scratching his neck. I gaped in wonder and then turned to study more closely the man who could so easily win the affection of my dog.

At the sight of his manly frame, his lean but muscular body, his strong shoulders, and the proud lift of his head, I drew in a shaky breath of nervousness. How did a young woman speak with a suitor? It had been years since I’d interacted with Thomas, and then I’d been only a girl. But now that I’d resolved to give the duke’s test a good effort, I knew I must endeavor to know the three men who’d come to court me.

“Pup likes you.” I spoke past the shyness that threatened to send me scampering back up the winding staircase.

The knight’s eyes were the gray color of burnished steel. His hair was a hazy blond, not at all like my pure golden strands, but tested, tried, and weathered by battles and elements from which I’d always been sheltered. The muscles in his face were as taut and well defined as the rest of his body. The only imperfection on his face was a scar alongside one of his eyes — ?eyes that even now seemed to see past the walls that surrounded me and to the vulnerable young woman I really was.

I shifted my attention to the open doorway. Outside in the fading coolness of the morning, the duke and his retinue were saddling their horses.

“You can’t be leaving so soon.” I started forward, my pulse lurching. I must stop them and inform the duke of my decision. Surely it wasn’t too late.

The young knight released Pup with a pat to the dog’s hindquarters and then stood. “No, my lady.” He stepped aside to let me pass. “We’re only making preparations for a hunting foray.”

It was then I noticed his attire — ?his plain tunic and the leather belt at his waist containing his quiver of arrows, along with a long bow draped over his shoulder.

Even with the knowledge of the excursion, the urgent thudding in my heart didn’t lessen. I hastened outside onto the upper landing. The inner bailey spread out before me a confusion of horses, hunting dogs, and men. “Your Grace,” I called to the duke, who stood with his other knights conversing and laughing.

But my voice went unheard above the din of the barking dogs.

“Your Grace,” I called again.

A long, shrill whistle sounded behind me. I turned to find that the young knight had followed me outside. With a curl of his tongue, he whistled again, the piercing sound penetrating the melee below us and bringing the men to the silence I desired.

For a long moment, I could only stare at the knight, at the confidence in his gray eyes, at the boldness of his manner. Was he the one who had so daringly rescued the criminals yesterday in the marketplace? And was he the one who had so bravely entered the sheriff’s well-guarded estate and brought me information in the chapel?

His gaze was unswerving. And I could see that there was no pretense in him. He wasn’t putting on airs or trying to be anybody other than who he was. Yet neither was he divulging whether he’d come to my aid before.

“Lady Rosemarie,” the duke said, hastening to stand at the base of the steps and smile up at me. “You look lovely this morning. I trust all is well.”

“Yes, your Grace,” I answered, tearing my attention from the young knight. “I’m sorry to disturb your hunting preparations. But I would like to make an announcement.”

“Anything for you, Lady Rosemarie,” he replied with a bow.

“After much prayer and consideration . . .”

The duke’s eyes were warm and happy, as if he already guessed my next words. And suddenly I knew that no matter the outcome, my dear friend had been wise to present this option to me, even if the idea of courting three different men made me uncomfortable. Even if in the end I entered cloistered life anyway. At least I would be a stronger and better woman for taking this risk.

“I have decided to accept your challenge.”

At my words, the two knights below stepped forward, surprise and delight registering upon their countenances. I could feel the other young knight behind me stiffen. I glanced at him again, hoping to see the same eagerness that the other two showed. I was unprepared for the glimmer of frustration I saw in his eyes before he shifted his focus to a nearby servant drawing water from the well.

“This is good news indeed,” the duke said, drawing my attention. “I’m glad you’re considering it. I’ll make all the arrangements for the courtship and festivities. In fact, we shall begin the month with a dance.”