The Countess Bride

“Your lands are just as rich, my lord.”

Geoffrey turned to face the man who was his own steward, and noticed his self-assured expression. Was Albert now reading his thoughts, as well as managing his properties?

“Oui, Albert, they are that. Or shall we say they will be when they are mine?”

Albert nodded and waited on him. ’Twould be unseemly to appear grasping when his brother’s generosity was without limit or question. And once the business here was finished, Geoffrey would hold the title and many properties of the Dumont family. He shook his head, still fearing to believe that a younger son could attain so much. But then, nothing in the last four years had gone according to the way things should go.

“One more task, my lord. And this one is not so onerous?”

Geoffrey smiled, torn by the one thing that stood between him and all he stood to gain. Marriage. Marriage with his brother’s consent. And then all would be his.

“Not so onerous, Albert. A necessary one at that.”

“I am certain that your brother will help you to choose wisely.”

The subtle leering in Albert’s glance belied the man’s calming words. Geoffrey’s somewhat colorful past with women both here and at home was well known. His brother would try to find a bride to match him in spirit, as well as titles and lands. Wouldn’t he?

“Come, then. Let me meet my fate while I still have the courage to do so.”

Joining him in mirth, the men spurred their mounts and followed him through the gates and up to the steps to the keep. Word of his arrival had spread, for his brother stood at the top of the stairway, waiting.

“My lord earl!” Geoff called out, as he dismounted and climbed the steps.

“Brother!” Christian answered, opening his arms to greet him.

They met in their usual bone-crushing manner, and Geoff once more knew that the affection between him and his half brother was strong as ever. They separated only when the soft but insistent voice of the countess interrupted their greetings.

“Geoff! ’Tis good to have you with us once more,” she said. His sister-by-marriage was becoming even shorter, but she could not be ignored. “And you have grown taller by many inches since I saw you last.” She wrapped her arms around him, giving no importance to titles and protocol, and his heart warmed at her enthusiasm.

“Countess. You look well.” He returned her hug and then stood back. He knew of her pregnancy, but did not know if the news was openly shared with their people yet. He would wait for a private moment to congratulate them both on their good tidings.

“I thought that when your arrival was delayed, mayhap you’d lost the courage to face the task before you,” Christian declared. Geoff laughed, although his brother probably did not realize how close to the truth his words were.

“And miss out on your merriment at my expense? I would not disappoint you both after your efforts on my behalf.”

“Come, then. Refresh yourself and join us for the meal. Your task can be put off that long,” Emalie said, as she pulled him into the doorway of the keep.

Geoff took a moment to look around, wondering if the one person whose presence would be a joy to him, other than his family, was there. He glanced about the bailey and into the keep, but did not see her. Not wanting to appear inattentive, he turned and walked with Emalie and Christian into the castle.

He looked at the hall with new eyes for he had grown quite a bit since his last visit here. Geoffrey could see surprise in the expressions of many of the servants as they noticed him for the first time. Looks of approval and some of open appraisal met him as he strode toward the dais at the front of the room. He smiled with true fondness at a few people, for they had been part of his growing up here these last few years. And he was met with inviting glances from several of the women who had marked his development from boy to man. No matter how inviting those looks were, this was not a visit to indulge his passions. Not with six prospective brides within the keep…and their mothers.

Even if a wife were supposed to accommodate her husband’s needs in the marriage bed and ignore his needs outside of it, he did not plan to flaunt any of his past liaisons before a bevy of possible brides. Discretion was the most important part of valor, his brother had always said.

But with every glance around the great hall, Geoffrey was disappointed. Although her letters had promised her presence here, he did not see Catherine. And nothing would give him more pleasure, especially during this time of decision making, than to talk with her. He needed Catherine’s quiet wisdom and soft sense of humor to help guide him. He wondered how she had reacted to the news of his impending nuptials. Catherine was pragmatic enough to realize that their futures would take them in different directions, or at least to different places. Christian had told him of a dowry set aside for her, so he knew that she would marry. Knowing her approach to life, he did not doubt that her choice of spouse would be done efficiently and with little of the spectacle that his would involve.

He reached his seat without seeing any sign of her among the crowd. Taking in a breath and letting it out, Geoffrey readied himself for the evening ahead. And if Emalie’s uncontrolled laughter in the solar a short while ago was any indication, it would take all of his efforts to survive it.

“Are you sufficiently recovered from your journey for us to begin?” his brother asked, motioning to the servants to begin serving the food.

“With all due respect for the countess’s efforts, I fear I will never be recovered enough for what is to come.” Geoff smiled at Christian, but he knew from the look in his brother’s eyes that Christian had read the message in his words. And he knew that underlying every action Christian took was a genuine concern for his well-being. After partaking of the food offered, Geoff wiped his fingers on the napkin next to his plate. The satisfying meal he’d just eaten began to feel unsettled in his stomach now, as he thought of what was to come.

Becoming the consummate courtier and greeting a future bride and her parents. The cream of England and France and the Plantagenet provinces sat before him, all wearing looks of great anticipation. Some simply looked hungry, and not for food….

“Emalie has some plan on how this should work, since to insult anyone’s dignity and standing would be a pitiful start for your search.” Christian smiled, but his eyes were full of disturbing glee.

“Most assuredly, my lord,” Geoffrey answered, his voice oozing with sarcasm. “Who has the most precedence among your guests?”

Christian surveyed those in his hall and nodded. “The duke there.”

“Are they enough for this evening’s work, my lady?” Geoffrey looked to Emalie, whose expression was of the most serious concentration.

“Aye. We have a sennight of their attendance. One should not rush these important matters.” Her frown became more evident. “Besides, I have several entertainments arranged on the morrow to demonstrate your talents and skills, brother.”

Geoffrey choked on the sip of wine he had just taken, and even Christian’s solid thumping on his back did not help. Surely, he and his sister-by-marriage had different skills and talents in mind?

“Dancing, my lord.” Emalie looked sharply at both of them. Christian looked even guiltier than he himself. “And a hunt. Both manly activities.”

“Of course, my lady. I but thought…” He began to tease her.

“I know what you thought, Geoffrey. Those other manly pursuits are of no interest to me.”

“Emalie,” Christian whispered, so that none but they heard his familiar use of her name. “I think those pursuits are very much of interest to you.”

Geoff watched as a blush moved up her cheeks and more than words were shared between the earl and countess. She began to fan herself as though the room had become hotter, then sat back and drank from her cup. Soon she gave a subtle nod, and several musicians gathered near the dais. Ah, the demonstration would now begin.

Geoffrey stood when his brother did, and the earl offered the countess his hand. Side by side, they strode down the steps and, with Geoff following, stopped at a nearby table. An older couple rose and met them. A lovely young woman remained seated. A trembling young woman, from what he could see of her face and shoulders. Surely she did not fear him?

“My lord. My lady,” Christian began. “May I make known to you my brother, Geoffrey?”

Knowing his part, Geoff bowed to both the duke and duchess and then smiled at their daughter, whose pale face turned a pasty white. Not an auspicious beginning. He held out his hand and she placed her shaking fingers in his. Lifting them to his lips, he barely touched her knuckles, as was required.

“Would you honor me by joining me in dance?” He had the distinct feeling that she was about to refuse when her father intervened.

“Melissande. Accept his invitation now.”

She rose from the bench, the picture of womanly beauty. Geoffrey noticed the graceful way she stepped into the line forming for the dance, her hair flowing down her back with each movement she made. And with his blue and cream tunic and hose and her cream and blue gown, their similar hair and eye color, even their appearance seemed made to be a good match. The lovely Melissande would be a fair enough choice.

Geoffrey tried to meet Melissande’s gaze through the steps of the dance, but she never raised hers from the floor. When he spoke to her to try to involve her in polite conversation, she simply looked away as though he had never said a word. Finally, he blamed her unease on this rather public first meeting and, since he knew his own level of expectation, figured the poor lass was most certainly overwhelmed.

They finished the dance and he led her back to where her parents and his brother still waited. Mayhap the rest of the introductions would go easier now that the first was done. And mayhap the other prospective brides would be more at ease, now that this first one had gone so smoothly.

He decided to be especially gracious as he ended the interval with Melissande. Geoff lifted her hand to his lips, touched it briefly and then, gaining her gaze, smiled with all the warmth and appeal that he could offer. Lady Melissande’s face flushed a bright red, her eyes rolled up into her head and she fell with a thump at his feet. This was not the normal reaction of young women when faced with his masculine charms.

In the confusion that followed, with both the duke and the earl calling out commands to the servants, and with the many other maidens chattering nervously, Geoffrey wanted nothing so much as to leave; and leave quickly. As he surveyed the great hall for a way to escape, he finally saw her.

As always, Catherine made herself blend into the background. Her dress was plain and serviceable, barely a cut above those worn by his brother’s servants. She stood against a wall just outside one of the doors leading to the stairs. Their eyes met for a brief moment and then she stepped back out of his view. She would not intrude on his time with his family. Geoff knew from past experience that Catherine would withdraw any time his brother required his presence. She always put his needs above her wishes.

And that was one more thing he loved about her.