Page 71 of Haunted Hearts

“Wait, just a minute.” The earl rubbed his chin in thought. “Has anyone else seen or heard anything that would make them think this family were witches?”

Blaze’s eyes shot over to Milo. The pageboy’s eyes interlocked with his. If Blaze could probe minds, he’d put the curse idea back into the boy’s mind again, just to scare him and keep him from running at the mouth.

“No one?” the earl asked again. Blaze looked over to the handmaid Posy now. She was staring at the ground. “Well, then, it’s settled. Lord Blaze, please step forward.” The earl drew his blade.

“Of course, my lord.” Blaze walked over to the earl.

“Down on one knee, Payne,” commanded the earl. Blaze did as told. The earl said a few words and then tapped each of Blaze’s shoulders with his sword. “I dub you, Sir Blaze Payne. Now get up, and go marry your bride, Sir Blaze. We are all waiting.”

“Thank you,” said Blaze, feeling so happy to finally be a knight. It was what he’d always wanted. He turned with a smile on his face, but stopped when he saw Lillith, looking as if she were about to cry. He couldn’t go through with this after all. He wouldn’t do this to Lillith. He had no choice but to contest the betrothal and refuse to marry Serena.

He was about to speak up, when two men entered the great hall accompanied by his mother.

Lillith turned and ran, not wanting to have to watch Blaze marry her sister. But through her tears, she couldn’t see where she was going, and knocked into someone entering the great hall.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she apologized to the man. “I should have watched where I was going.”

“Lillith?” asked the man. She looked up to see her betrothed, the baron. “I didn’t have to go to France after all, so we can get married earlier than expected.”

“Edward!” she exclaimed, her eyes darting back to Blaze. Then the second man stepped forward and her mouth dropped open when she realized it was her brother, Robert.

“Hello, Lillith,” said Robert, smiling and holding out his arms.

“Robert!” Lillith dove into his arms for a hug, burying her face against his chest, crying. She was not able to believe it was really him.

“Robert? My son?” Beatrice put a hand to her mouth.

“Brother? You’re alive?” squealed Serena. She grabbed her mother’s hand and they ran to greet him.

“What is this?” spat Arthur.

“It seems Robert Bonnel wasn’t cursed and killed by witches after all,” said Blaze.

“Of course not,” said Robert with a chuckle. “Why would anyone think that? I’ve been traveling to the holy lands, doing work for the king for the past five years in secret. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell anyone, but now I’m finished.”

“Oh, Robert, I am so glad you are alive,” said Lillith as her brother laughed and hugged all three women.

“I don’t understand,” said Beatrice. “Your father and I heard from eye witnesses that you were atop a cliff mumbling nonsense and then you jumped to your death into the sea.”

“What?” Robert chuckled. “I often went up to the cliffs and talked to myself, since I couldn’t tell anyone the king’s secret business – which I still can’t say a word about by the way. But why would someone think I jumped to my death?”

“Your hat was found floating in the sea,” said Serena.

“Ah, yes. The wind blew it off and I must admit I cursed a little and climbed down the cliff to look for it but never found it. I’m sorry to have worried you all. I wish I could have told you, but the king swore me to secrecy.”

“He never should have worried your family this way,” agreed Blaze.

“King Edward is odd at times, but you didn’t hear that from me,” said the earl.

“Where’s Father?” Robert smiled, looking around the room. “I want to tell him about all the lands I saw.”

“Oh, Robert,” said his mother, taking his hands and crying.

“Father died a week ago,” said Lillith. “He went out riding, drunk, and fell on his own blade.”

“Nay,” said Robert, his smile disappearing. “That’s horrible. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here.”

“You’re here now, and that is all that matters,” said Lillith.