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“Where was it?” asked Toby, stretching his neck to see over the crowd.
Bedivere exchanged glances with Willow and looked to the floor as he answered. “I was careless. It seems to have slipped behind my trunk. I found it when I was packing. I’d also like to apologize for my remark about a possible thief,” he told Lord Beaufort. “I didn’t mean for my comment to start such a ruckus. It seems after all that it was just a coincidence and none of the items were ever stolen.”
“There is no harm done,” said Lord Beaufort with a nod. “And since everything ended well, there is no need to discuss it any longer.”
“There is one thing I need to discuss,” said Conrad, making Willow’s stomach clench because she was certain Conrad wasn’t going to let the subject go that he’d seen Bedivere kissing her.
“What would that be?” asked Lord Beaufort.
Conrad releaseda deep breath and relayed the words he should have said long ago. “I want to reverse my decision.”
“What decision?” asked Earl Alnwick.
“My decision of not wanting to marry Lady Willow.”
“I don’t know, Lochwood,” said Lord Beaufort. “Now that Lady Anabel is no longer in the running, I feel it is only fair to ask Sir Bedivere once again if he’d like to marry Lady Willow. He was the first to win a competition, so the choice is his.”
“But Lady Willow already refused him,” Conrad pointed out, hoping to hell Willow wouldn’t change her mind and want to marry the man after all. Hadn’t he just seen them kissing? What if she had feelings for Bedivere and not him? He cursed himself inwardly for refusing to marry her in the first place. Because of his mistake, he might lose her forever to a man he despised.
“Excuse me for saying so, Lord Beaufort.” Bedivere sheathed his blade. “But I think Lady Willow would be better suited for someone like Lochwood.”
“Marry me, Willow,” said Conrad, not wanting the opportunity to pass him by again.
“Conrad? What are you saying?” asked Willow.
“I’m saying I . . . love you. I want you to be my wife.”
“He wants to marry the strumpet?” asked someone from the crowd.
“Stop calling her that!” he shouted. “Lady Willow is friendly and beautiful, and because of it, people have gotten the wrong impression. She isn’t a strumpet and has never been. She is a smart, witty girl with a big heart who is just as much of a virgin as that nun.” He pointed to Sister Adeline who stood at the door now with Hazel.
“Well, Lady Willow, what do you have to say about marrying him?” asked Lord Beaufort.
“I love Conrad as well. Yes, I want to marry him,” she answered, making Conrad very happy.
“Willow.” Conrad took her hands in his. “I said I couldn’t marry you before I had your father’s permission, and I still won’t go over his head. As soon as he returns from Scotland I will ask him for your hand in marriage. And if he agrees, I will not waste another moment. I will marry you immediately and make you my wife.”
He bent over and kissed Willow in front of everyone. Someone in the crowd started clapping. Everyone joined in.
Lord Beaufort raised his hand in the air to silence the crowd. “I say we all celebrate not only the discovery of our lost items but also the betrothal of Sir Conrad Lochwood and Lady Willow. Everyone to the great hall for a celebration drink.”
The crowd dispersed, leaving Conrad, Willow, and Bedivere alone in the room.
“Bedivere, you are lucky I didn’t take off your head for what I saw you doing. Don’t ever think of touching my betrothed again,” warned Conrad.
“Don’t worry, I know better than that,” answered the man. “And if you’ll pardon me for saying I won’t be joining in the celebration toast. I’ll be leaving Rothbury immediately.”
“Conrad,”said Willow. “I’d like to talk to Sir Bedivere alone for a moment before he leaves.”
Conrad hesitated. “It’s all right,” she told him. “You can leave the door open if you’d like. I’ll only be a moment.”
“There’s no need to leave the door open,” Conrad told her. “I trust you, Willow. And I will never doubt you again.” He left and closed the door behind him.
“Sir Bedivere, I am sorry that you will no longer be getting married to Lady Anabel. I feel it is all my fault.”
“It’s all right,” he said, walking over and opening his trunk, loading his things inside. “I don’t think she would have made a good wife for me after all. She isn’t what I was looking for.”
“What kind of woman were you looking for?” asked Willow curiously.
