An Uncertain Choice(71)

It was over. The nightmare was finally over. Even so, my body trembled uncontrollably.

“Rosemarie,” Derrick called, running toward me. Within seconds, he was at my side and reaching for me. I found myself being pulled against him, his arms surrounding me, his hands pressing my head against his chest.

“You were brave, my lady,” he whispered against my ear. “I don’t know that I would have had the daring to throw the dagger with you standing so closely to him.”

I had no doubt he would have thrown it regardless and would have made his mark. Nevertheless, I’d done something courageous. Perhaps it was an omen that I would be able to face my future the same way.

Derrick pulled me away from his chest, and his fingers found the cut on my neck.

I winced at the gentle contact. His eyes darkened into storm clouds.

I lifted my bound hands then and bravely touched the scar that ran below his eye and then his cheek. At my contact, he grasped me and swept me tight into his arms again, burying his face in my hair, which had come loose and now fell in tangled waves. He sucked in a deep breath and whispered near my ear. “I thought I’d lose you before I had the chance to tell you that I love you.”

A shimmer of wonder raced through me. “Derrick,” I whispered back in a thick voice.

Before I could tell him I loved him too, he burrowed his face deeper in my hair so that his lips grazed my ear. “I love you, Rosemarie. I’m just sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

I melted against him, relishing the heavy rise and fall of his chest. How was it possible to be dying inside one moment and wrapped in the arms of the man I loved the next? “Derrick,” I started again, but then stopped as I realized I was using his Christian name although he’d not given me leave to do so.

He pulled back and watched me expectantly, his brow quirking with the confidence that told me he knew exactly what I was trying to tell him.

I inwardly flushed, especially when I realized the other three knights had seen our display of affection and were near enough now to hear our conversation.

“My lady?” he said, tilting his head and waiting.

I had to speak the words burning in my chest, filling me. Although I’d faced an uncertain choice these past weeks, I now knew without a doubt the course of my life. “I don’t wish to be anywhere else on this earth except with you.”


A slow smile spread across his lips. “Does this mean I won the competition?”

“Of course you’re the winner, you foul piece of dungeon scum,” Sir Collin called from where he was rounding up the wounded guards. “We never stood a chance once you actually started to make an effort.”

“I think we need to get you married to Lady Rosemarie as soon as possible,” Sir Bennet said from his spot next to the abbot as he pulled the dagger from the man’s chest. “Since you obviously can’t keep your hands off her.”

I tugged away from Derrick, heat stealing into my cheeks. But before I could move too far, he grabbed the rope still binding my hands, preventing my escape. With a quick flick of his dagger, he cut the bonds loose. He pulled me back to him and cupped my cheek with a gentleness that seemed contradictory to a man of his strength and valor. His thumb swirled soft caresses against my skin while his gaze dropped to my lips as if he had every intention of kissing me.

My stomach heated in anticipation.

“Soon,” he whispered, tearing his attention from my lips, his eyes alight with promise.

“The day is getting late,” the duke said. “I’ll find a priest and tell him to make his way to the church right away.” He’d scooped Trudy up into his arms and was already striding through the church, likely taking her to the infirmary.

Derrick’s brows furrowed into a scowl. “No.” He stood and assisted me back to my feet.

The three knights halted their work and stared at him.

“If I’m going to do this, I’ll do it properly.” His voice rang with defiance, and he glared at his friends, daring them to challenge him. “We have until midnight on Rosemarie’s birthday, don’t we?”

“Yes,” the duke said, cradling Trudy carefully. “But I think the sooner the better.”

“I agree,” Derrick said, turning back to me with a tender smile that made my insides flop. “But first I need to do this.”

He dropped to a knee before me, took one of my hands in his, and brought it to his lips for a tender kiss that made me suddenly long for so much more.

When his eyes met mine, I could see the swirling of that same desire within his. “My lady,” he said in a low voice that was raw with emotion. “I love you with all the life blood beating in my body. And I shall love you all the days of my life unto eternity.”

His declaration radiated through me and chased away all the agony of the past days.

“In front of these men, the best friends a man could ever have, and in front of God as my witness, I pledge you my devotion, my heart, and my life. I only ask for yours in return.” He peered up at me, his clear honest eyes beseeching me to return what I could not help but give him.

“It’s already yours.”

His smile broke free once again with a happiness that was uncontainable. “Then you’ll marry me?”

“Without hesitation.”

Sir Collin gave a whoop that echoed in the empty church, and Sir Bennet bowed his congratulations.