Page 7 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Really.” If he wasn’t so shocked to hear this, he might have chuckled aloud. There had to be a reason why the wench was twenty-two years old and still not married. He figured every nobleman in England must have heard of her bad reputation.

“The winner of the tournament gets her hand in marriage,” said Corbett.

“I see,” answered Jonathon, wondering if this was really a prize or just an answer to a problem. After all, no man wanted a woman who could outfight him.

Jonathon would never understand the way nobles did things. To him, marriage was sacred and entered into when two people fell in love. It was a lifetime commitment. Falling in love was something that had never happened to him personally, but he hoped it would someday. He’d been too hard at work to even court a woman properly. Nobles, on the other hand, often married for alliances. Or in this case, Lady Raven was to be naught but a prize. The idea disgusted him but he stayed silent since he had no right to question anything a noble decided. “I still don’t understand how any of this involves me, or why Lady Raven requires a personal guard.”

“We need you to watch over her. We’re worried she might try something stupid,” said Rook bluntly.

“Rook, please,” growled Corbett. “What my son means is that we’d like someone to keep a close eye on her and report back to us if she is up to anything.”

“Up to anything?” asked Jonathon. “Like what?”

“Anything not suited for a lady, and should I say, out of the ordinary,” added Corbett. He exchanged worried glances with Rook.

Jonathon had heard of Lady Raven’s escapades. She often used her sword to fight, and liked to challenge any man to spar with her. She rode astride, sometimes wearing trews instead of a gown, and acted more like a man than a lady. He pitied the poor man who got her as his bride. She’d probably wrestle him to the ground and sit on him every time he tried to speak. Or mayhap she’d slug him in the jaw or hold a blade to his throat if he criticized her hair or clothing. Jonathon felt anxiety course through him. He didn’t fancy this job in the least.

What attracted Jonathon to a wench was femininity. He wanted a woman to look to him to support her and for her protection. Lady Raven, he was sure, would never want any man trying to protect her when she would rather do it herself. How could he ever be her personal guard? She wouldn’t want him doing it, and she certainly didn’t need it. It was already evident they wouldn’t get along.

Nay, he really didn’t want this job but couldn’t risk anything happening that would turn Lord Corbett against him. The Blake family was Jonathon’s biggest and best customer. He needed that to continue, especially now that his family was struggling. The last thing he wanted to do was to lose Lord Corbett’s support.

“I must say, I am more than honored, and I respect you choosing me, my lords, even if I don’t understand why you’d want me.”

“We feel you are the perfect man for the job,” said Rook.

“Actually, I am sure that I’m not the right man for the job at all. I am only a commoner. Shouldn’t someone more respected, or possibly one of the castle soldiers have the job of guarding a noblewoman?” Jonathon tried to get out of this suicidal mission gracefully, but it wasn’t working to sway them at all.

“No, no, we’ve already decided on you,” insisted Corbett. “I’ve known you and your father for a long time, Jonathon. I trust you with this job more than even my own soldiers.”

“Plus, we know you will tell us if my sister is doing something she shouldn’t—which she always is,” added Rook.

“But I–”

“The job pays well, and I’ll even fund you to pay for another man at your shop here in town, should you need one in your absence.”

“Thank you, my lord,” said Jonathon with a slight bow. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to bring my brother along with me to the castle while I serve as your temporary blacksmith. He is a journeyman here, but will be a valuable asset.” His younger brother, Avery, always wanted to work at a castle. Plus, Jonathon wanted someone with him whom he could talk to freely about this troubling task. “His skills are amazing and he will be beneficial when the tournament starts.”

“Fine, then. Bring him along. I’ll pay to add another man to replace him in his absence as well,” said Corbett.

“Thank you,” said Jonathon, meaning for allowing his brother to join him, and for the temporary job as castle blacksmith. However, Lord Corbett seemed to think that meant that Jonathon had agreed to the other job involving Lady Raven as well.

“Good. It’s settled then,” said Corbett. “I’ll expect you to move into the smithy in the next day or two. Finalize plans here, and report to my son as soon as you arrive. He’ll instruct you as to what’s required of you, pertaining to guarding my daughter each day, all day long.”

“Your daughter,” repeated Jonathon, wanting to hit himself in the head for being so careless. Now that Lord Corbett had been so generous with him, how could he disappoint him by telling him he wanted nothing to do with the castle shrew?

“After the tournament, you’ll be free to go,” said Rook. “After all, Raven will then be her new husband’s problem, not yours anymore.” Once more he received a nasty glance from Corbett.

Jonathon was in a bind. The last thing he wanted was to be reporting Lady Raven’s doings to anyone. If she got word of it, she’d probably physically hurt him. On the other hand, she was a beautiful woman and it would be exciting to be with her all day long. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as bad as he thought. He also no longer had a choice… he had to accept the job.

“Will I be able to work in the forge at night?” he asked. “I have a very important project to plan and will need time to do it.”

“Yes,” said Corbett. “That’s fine. Lady Raven isn’t allowed outside the castle walls at night, and I’ll be seeing to her then. You will only need to keep watch over her during the daytime hours. The night is yours to work in the forge.”

“I see.” Jonathon was at a loss for words, thinking this was all a little odd.

“While you’re at the castle, you are welcome to eat and drink all you want,” said Rook.

“That’s right,” agreed Corbett. “You are also allowed to use your weapons in the practice yard, and spar with the knights or other soldiers, including myself and my son. Your brother is invited to join in these opportunities, too.”