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He wanted to swell his chest in pride—and tremble in panic at what the king would decide.
King Henry turned his formidable frown on his cousin. “You told me that Russell had not been found, that he was most likely dead.”
“We all did assume that, Your Majesty,” Bannaster quickly said. “He is an untrustworthy man, who even now has deserted Lady Elizabeth.”
That was all John needed to hear. He threw off his cloak and strode forward, then knelt at Elizabeth’s side. She looked up at him in shock and then wonder and then love, and he recognized the emotions on her face because they matched his own.
“King Henry,” he said, “I am John Russell, ninth Baron Russell. I come to you to claim my bride.”
He slipped his hand into Elizabeth’s and squeezed. Her skin felt cold and moist, but the smile she gave him warmed him.
Before the king could speak, the great hall erupted in cheers that took several minutes to quiet. Bannaster had gone pale and angry, and the looks he cast at Elizabeth did not bode well for her happiness should John lose her hand.
King Henry lifted one hand, and the last excited voices faded away. He frowned at John. “Lord Russell, have you proof of your identity? You have been gone many a year, and although you resemble some of the Russell men I’ve known, I cannot accept merely that.”
John held up his hand where the ancient ring now rested in its rightful place on his finger. He saw Bannaster’s shoulders wilt, and then straighten. The fight was not over.
“And I vouch for him, Your Majesty,” Elizabeth said. “I remember him well from my year fostering at Rame Castle. In our discussions, he has proven to me without a doubt that he remember events that only a Russell would know.”
The king frowned, and John felt despair begin to well within him. It wasn’t enough proof.
Then one of the king’s councilors stepped forward. He was a short man, with an oiled beard, but he looked on John with approval.
“Your Majesty, I was in Paris at this time last year, and I saw Lord Russell win a tournament with an impressive performance. This is the same man.”
John bowed his head in acknowledgement.
“You have my gratitude, Lord Fogge.” The king’s brow cleared a bit, although he still spoke sternly. “Lord Russell, I have discovered that the prosperity of Rame Castle has faded in the last few years.”
“Aye, it has, Your Majesty,” John said. “I am dedicating my life to reestablishing the bond my family has always enjoyed with the land and its people.”
“He only wants the heiress for her money,” Bannaster said angrily.
The king arched a blond brow at him. “And money does not concern you, cousin?”
Bannaster flushed. “I am not desperate for it. This man has neglected his estate, siphoning off the profits to support his life in Europe.”
“That is a lie, Your Majesty,” John said firmly. “As the third son, I lived by what my sword arm could earn me. I only just discovered that, due to tragedy, I became the baron and inherited a bride.”
“I have heard much of this sword arm of yours,” King Henry said, glancing at Lord Fogge.
Even Bannaster could not have missed the interest in the king’s voice.
John bowed his head. “You know it is in your service, Your Majesty. I will do as you wish.” He met the king’s stare once again. “But grant me my request; honor our parents’ wishes. In the time I have been at Castle Alderley, I have grown to love Lady Elizabeth Hutton with a depth of feeling I would never have felt possible.”
“He lied his way in here—” Bannaster began.
John interrupted. “Because I heard that my betrothed had been imprisoned, I felt the need for stealth, Your Majesty. I place myself on your mercy. I have learned much from my regrets of the past, my mistrust in my family, who only had the best motives for encouraging my stay in Europe. I have grown to understand the need for a father to teach his child to become a man. I never thought I would amount to much, but my father did. It is why he wrote that contract so that the Russell heir would marry the Lady Elizabeth, and not a son by name. I never understood what that meant.”
“Cousin—” Bannaster began, with the first hint of desperation in his voice.
The king silenced him with a look. “Continue, Lord Russell.”
“I am a changed man, Your Majesty,” John said. He turned to gaze upon Elizabeth and took strength from the love shining in her eyes. “And it is because of this woman. Her courage humbles me. She risked her life for her people, where in the past I only risked my life for money. I thought adventure and travel could replace my family, could be my future, but she showed me how wrong I was. I have learned from my mistakes, and I need nothing more than her. She ran this entire castle and all of its many manors after her parents died, as she awaited me. It is my greatest regret that I could not arrive here in time to spare her the worry of imprisonment, her fear of the future. To earn her love is my goal in life. To stand at her side, her equal, is all I could ask for.”
Elizabeth took his other hand, and kneeling, faced him. “Lord Russell, my betrothed, you have earned my love, and I regret I was too frightened of the future to offer it sooner.”
He closed his eyes in gratitude. How had he deserved her—deserved her great love? He raised both her hands to his lips and kissed them with reverence. He had never hoped to touch her again, had never imagined she would offer herself to him so freely.
