An Uncertain Choice(34)

Another knock on the door interrupted us. Trudy bustled to answer and again spoke to a servant in the hallway before stepping back inside holding out a small box. “Another gift,” she said, her eyes wide with wonder. “This one from Sir Collin.”

I took the box, untied a pretty ribbon holding the lid shut, and then opened it. This time, Trudy’s gasp was louder, echoing my inner wonder. There, enfolded in silk, was a necklace alternating diamonds and pearls from clasp to clasp.

“I can’t accept this,” I said in swift protest.

“The servant said you must have it. If you return it, Sir Collin will only send it right back.”

I lifted the necklace from the box, letting it dangle from my fingers. The jewels sparkled in a dazzling array.

Something inside whispered that I couldn’t accept such a gift from Sir Collin. As much as I’d enjoyed Sir Collin’s bantering and easy ways, as much as I liked his goodness and generosity, my feelings for him weren’t yet deep enough to take something so extraordinary.

“You must wear the necklace with the gown.” Trudy bustled to the bed and spread out the rustling layers of the gown. “It matches so nicely.”

A third knock sounded on the door and brought a smile to my nursemaid’s face. “Another gift, my lady? Which knight do you think it’s from this time?” She answered the door and talked with the servant in the hallway. “I was right,” she said a moment later as she closed the door. Her ruddy face beamed as she brought forward a box. “Another gift.”

Would it be from Sir Derrick? My heartbeat skittered forward at the thought. What would he send me? How would he choose to favor me?

The box was longer, and when I opened it I understood why. It was a long, sheer veil attached to a crown of red rosebuds interspersed with the purest white baby’s breath.

“Oh, my lady.” Trudy’s words came out a reverent whisper. “How lovely.”

It was exquisite. But I couldn’t seem to summon the pleasure I knew I ought for such a gift. “It’s from Sir Bennet?”

“Yes, my lady. How did you know?”

I couldn’t quite say, except I had the feeling a gift from Sir Derrick would be different somehow.

I cast aside my strange disappointment and attempted to conjure appreciation for the headpiece. Sir Bennet was as thoughtful as always and certainly had an eye for beauty.

As Trudy began the process of preparing me for the dance, I couldn’t stop waiting for the final rap on the door, the one that would bring Sir Derrick’s gift. But as the hour passed silently, without any further interruptions, my heart filled with uncertainty. Surely he wouldn’t neglect to send me something, not when his friends had taken such trouble to bestow such fine gifts upon me. Especially after the way we’d bantered in the rain. Had he misplaced his gift? Or forgotten?

But as the afternoon wore into evening, my heart pinched with the truth: he had not forgotten to give me a gift. He’d simply chosen not to.





Chapter

13




“Are you ready, dear one?” The duke tucked my hand more securely into the crook of his arm.

I stared at the massive doors of the Great Hall and swallowed hard. “Yes, I believe so.”

Dressed in a knee-length doublet with polished silver buttons, the duke stood tall, his face clear of worry, his eyes brimming with pride. “Your father and mother would have been delighted to see the beautiful young woman you’ve become.”

I glanced at the full crimson skirt, at the tight-fitting waist and bodice that shaped me perfectly, and at the diamonds and pearls that sparkled brilliantly. “I know I’ve already said it a hundred times, but thank you for the gown. I’ve never worn anything like it.”

He smiled down at me. “You deserve something special to celebrate this occasion.”

“Thank you, your Grace.” I stood on tip-toes and kissed his cheek as I would have my father. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Then you’ve forgiven me for throwing your future plans into disarray?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I’ve realized I can’t shy away from this challenge out of fear.” I’d opened my heart to the knights, I’d made myself vulnerable to love. I didn’t want to think about what would happen at the end of the month if I wasn’t in love with one of them. Even worse, what if one of them didn’t fall in love with me?

“Shall we proceed?” the duke asked.

I nodded, swallowing my nervousness once again.

As the duke signaled the guards standing at attention to open the doors, I resisted the urge to let my fingers flutter to the diamonds and pearls that circled my neck or to the veil of roses gracing my head. Instead, I once again felt the sting of Sir Derrick’s slight. I lifted my chin, though, and hoped he would see the gifts the other two had given me and realize his mistake. At the very least, I’d determined to thank Sir Collin and Sir Bennet generously by paying them all my attention. If Sir Derrick was making it clear that he didn’t want to court me, then why should I spend my remaining time considering him? Especially when I only had two weeks left.

The doors swung wide and a sudden hush fell over the guests. The duke squeezed my hand and together we started into the large room with its high vaulted ceilings, arched stained glass windows, lush tapestries, and a long strip of gold carpet that had been rolled down the center of the room for my entrance. I could feel all eyes on me, curious yet admiring. I kept a smile on my lips and glided forward through the room, grateful for the strong, steady presence of the duke at my side.