Page 102 of The Beautiful Pretender

“Would you say you found her to be the most noble of all the ladies who were here for your bride selection?”

“I would.”

“She is obviously very clever. She is the one you chose, and therefore I give you my blessing to marry her. And after all the clever, courageous things she has done, I shall commission my troubadours to write a song lauding the deeds of Avelina of Plimmwald, the wife of the Margrave of Thornbeck. She is a jewel among the women of the empire, and you could not do better, Thornbeck.”

Had he truly said what she thought he had said? She turned to look at Lord Thornbeck. His eyes gleamed and he smiled.

“Thornbeck, I require a bath and a feast. Traveling makes me dirty and famished.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Lord Thornbeck escorted the king from the Great Hall to show him to his room and, no doubt, to order a bath brought to his bedchamber.

Avelina stared after them. The king had blessed her marriage—marriage—to Lord Thornbeck. The king had called her, Avelina, clever and courageous. Could it be true? Was she only dreaming?

“Are you well, my lady?” Sir Klas stood at her side. “Shall I take you back to your chamber?”

“That will not be necessary. I am well, and I know the way.” She smiled and nearly laughed. Perhaps the numbness and disbelief were wearing off a bit.

She climbed the stairs, wishing with all her heart that Lady Magdalen were here so she could thank her. Lady Magdalen had “spoken highly” of her and had told the king how Avelina had saved Lord Thornbeck. Lady Magdalen must be the reason he spoke so favorably to her—spoke to her at all—and sanctioned her marriage to Lord Thornbeck.

“May God bless you, Lady Magdalen,” she whispered when she was safely in her bedchamber again. She lay across her bed, hugging her pillow. “May He bless you a thousand . . . thousand times over.”

30

FEELING DIRTY AFTERa whole day in the dungeon, Reinhart bathed himself quickly, dunking his head in the washbasin and washing the blood from his hair. He was dressed and ready when he realized he hadn’t shaved. Ah well. The king wore a beard, so he could hardly be offended.

He glanced out the window as he rushed out. The sun was already nearly hidden behind the trees, indicating it was later than he might have hoped. He did not have much time before he would need to be in the Great Hall for the evening feast his cooks were preparing for the king and his men.

He hurried down the stairs and through the corridor and knocked on Avelina’s door. Every muscle in his body seemed to strain in anticipation of her opening it.

Finally, Avelina stood there, her face brightening when she saw him.

His heart pounded and he took her hands in his. “Avelina of Plimmwald, will you marry me?”

She gasped.

As a knight before his liege lord, he knelt before her, still holding her hands.

“As I have chosen you, will you now choose me? And will you forgive me for ever doubting that we should marry, for treating you unkindly when I learned of your deception?”

She was smiling. “Yes.”

He stood and put his arms around her. “If the king had not blessed our marriage, I would have married you anyway.”

Avelina shook her head. “No, you cannot say that. It is too easy to say that now that everything has changed.”

“It matters not if you believe me. You have agreed to marry me, and I shall not let you out of the agreement.”

She was still smiling, but she was staring at his lips. “I have little choice since the king thinks I’m clever and wishes me to marry you, to strengthen the margravate of Thornbeck.”

“You are jesting, but I don’t care, because now . . . I get what I want.” Reinhart bent his head nearer, his mouth hovering over hers, so close their lips were almost touching. Her hands slipped up his chest to his shoulders.

“And what is it you want?” Her breath caressed his lips. Her eyes were nearly closed, and she leaned her body closer to his.

“I want to see you laugh and smile every day. I want to hear you tell me you love me. I want to kiss you . . . every day.” He pulled her body against his. “Now tell me you love me.”

“You are very impertinent,” she said, her voice breathless and her cheeks turning pink, “when the king has given you permission to marry me.”

He pulled her even closer, looking deep into her eyes.