Maximus, however, also harbored those secret fears in spite of his outward appearance. The lady had fairly convinced him that his pursuit of her hand would not be an easy task and, as much as he had told her he would not send his brother in his stead, now he was starting to reconsider. If Gallus could get him what he wanted, then he was willing to consider it, but on the other hand, he was a very prideful man. He wasn’t accustomed to sending others to do his tasks. As Stefan returned with the livery owner leading a small, gray palfrey, Maximus hoped that Gallus was returned to the inn by the time he got there.
He needed the man’s counsel on a most serious matter.
*
“Max, I amglad you are here. Plans have changed and we must discuss them.”
Maximus had entered the smelly, stale inn only to run straight into his brothers, both of them. The words had come from Gallus, who had been standing next to Tiberius in quiet discussion over by one of the leaning, abused, tavern tables. But the appearance of Maximus had Gallus and Tiberius moving towards him, only to realize that on Maximus’ arm was a petite, rather beautiful woman. Both brothers came to a halt, focused on the lady.
“My lady,” Gallus greeted. “Please excuse me. I did not see you when my brother entered the room.”
Courtly smiled at the very handsome man with black hair who slightly resembled Maximus. “That would not be difficult, my lord, considering that Sir Maximus fills up the entire doorway when he enters a room,” she said, watching the brothers snort in agreement. “There is nothing to excuse, in any case.”
Gallus was smiling openly at the woman. “You must be Lady Courtly,” he said. “My wife has told me about you and has spoken quite highly of you. I am Gallus de Shera and I believe you already know my brother, Tiberius.”
Courtly dipped into a practiced curtsy. “My lords,” she greeted, noticing that the youngest de Shera brother was smiling at her quite broadly. It was almost comical. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Sir Tiberius.”
Tiberius moved to take her hand but Maximus threw out a big arm, blocking his brother. “I would not if I were you,” he threatened, eyeing Tiberius. As Tiberius shrugged, good-naturedly, Maximus returned his focus to Gallus. “What plans have changed, Gal? Can the discussion not wait? I must speak to you most urgently.”
Gallus was having a hard time keeping his attention strictly on his brother. He was mostly focusing on how tightly Maximus was holding on to the lady, which wasn’t like him at all. Gallus’ wife’s words were coming back to him now, words she had spoken that morning when Maximus had stormed off after his confrontation with Tiberius.If he truly feels something for the lady.Already, Gallus could see that it was true, astonishingly so. He’d never even considered that Maximus was capable of such a thing, although there had been a young woman in his youth that he had believed himself in love with. Still, Maximus was the last man he would ever have thought to have fallen for a woman.
“I am afraid it cannot wait,” Gallus finally said. “Jeniver is prepared to escort the lady back to her father. I will send my wifewith a full escort to Kennington and you will remain here with me. We have much to discuss.”
That was not what Maximus wanted to hear. “Gal, whatever you wish to discuss is not more important than my news,” he said. “I have asked the lady to be my wife and she has agreed. But her father may prove to be a very large obstacle and I require your counsel on the matter.”
On the balcony above, where the sleeping rooms were, they heard a familiar cry. “Oh!” Jeniver was overhead, looking down at them. “Max, I heard you! What thrilling news!”
They could then hear rapid footfalls as Jeniver ran across the catwalk and took the stairs at the far end very quickly. Gallus was already moving in her direction.
“Slow yourself,” he admonished. “You will fall and break your neck.”
Jeniver, moving swiftly, waved him off. She rushed right past him and straight at Maximus, throwing her arms happily around his neck. Maximus, grinning, accepted his sister-in-law’s congratulatory hug, but Gallus was not so happy. He held out his hands as if to ease the force by which his wife was hugging.
“Easy, sweetheart,” he begged. “Max, if you squeeze her, you will have to answer to me. Do nothing!”
Maximus started to laugh, holding his arms out as if to show he wasn’t squeezing his brother’s pregnant wife. “I am not touching her, I swear it.”
By this time, Jeniver had released him and was moving to Courtly. Forgetting protocol, she hugged the woman happily.
“My heartiest congratulations,” she said, squeezing Courtly before releasing her. “This is the best possible news, my lady. Welcome to our family.”
Courtly was touched and pleased by Jeniver’s enthusiasm. “Thank you, Lady de Shera,” she said sincerely. “In truth, it hashappened rather swiftly since Maximus and I have only just met, but… well, I am most pleased with his proposal of marriage.”
Jeniver was ecstatic. “Of course you are,” she said. Then, she looked between Maximus and Gallus. “I heard what you said about the lady’s father. Do you plan to approach him tonight when we return her to Kennington?”
Maximus nodded. “That is my intention,” he said. “I do not wish to wait.”
Jeniver was in full agreement as she looked at Gallus. “Absolutely not,” she said. “Gal, you will ride with us to Kennington and ask Lord de Lara on Maximus’ behalf. He cannot refuse an offer of marriage if it comes from you.”
Gallus threw up his hands. “Wait,” he commanded softly. “I cannot go to Kennington tonight. We agreed that you would return Lady Courtly. I have serious matters to discuss with my brothers and I need them both with me.”
Jeniver frowned. “Nothing is more important than a marriage, Gallus,” she said. “Your business can wait. Go with us now to Kennington and then you may discuss your business later tonight after we have settled with Lord de Lara.”
Gallus eyed his wife, displeased. He could see that she was being quite stubborn and he didn’t want to upset her, but his matters had priority over Maximus’ betrothal at the moment. Still, he could see by the expression on her face that it would be very difficult to convince her otherwise, especially in her emotional state. The pregnancy had wreaked havoc on his normally calm and sweet wife. It had made her a crazy woman at times. With this in mind, he drew in a calming breath and crooked a finger at both his wife and Maximus.
“A moment with you both, please,” he said. “Ty, please take Lady Courtly in hand. I must speak with Max and my wife, alone.”
Tiberius was more than happy to escort Courtly even though Maximus was literally growling at him. He ignored his brother and took the lady over to a table where they had wine and fruit and cheese. Meanwhile, Maximus and Jeniver went to Gallus, who pulled them to the edge of the room so they could have a bit of privacy.
