Theobald glanced over his shoulder at the sound of someone coming into the hall. It was not, as he had feared, Eadwyn come back to add another argument; nor was it, as he had dreaded, Ana come to sob and plead with him. It was only his father-in-law.
“Osfrey.”
“Evening, Theobald. Was my son just in here with you?”
“Which? Eadwyn?”
“That one.”
“Yes, he was.”
Osfrey snorted. “I thought so when I saw his face.”
“Hmmm.”
“He had a little something to ask you, did he?”
Theobald turned away from the fire and stood to his full height. “If you want to call it that. Did you know about this?”
“I told him not to do it! I came down here to apologize to you, Theobald. For him, I mean.”
“No apology is necessary. He was an honest young man making an honest offer for the hand of an honest young woman.”
“I know, but—” Osfrey sighed. “Theobald! If only for the presumption!”
Theobald tilted back his head, which made him seem even taller. “I don’t find it terribly presumptuous, either, Osfrey.”
“But he knew the girl is already betrothed!”
“She isn’t yet. And to a man who is arguably Eadwyn’s equal. And even if she were betrothed to the Prince, what does it matter? He is fond of her, and as he said, he owed it to himself to try. I do not find it at all objectionable. On the contrary.”
“But the alliance…”
“I know! I did refuse him, didn’t I? And he tried, though he knew I would. I admit, I’m sorry to do it.”
Osfrey shook his head. “I don’t agree with you at all. What if an ‘honest groom’ asked you? Would you find that unobjectionable? What about an ‘honest farmer’?”
“We’re not talking about farmers here! Your own son!”
“Yes, but Eadwyn…”
“Yes, Eadwyn! Why not? Was it presumptuous of his sister to marry me? Was it presumptuous of you to wave your son Ethelmer at me for so long?”
Osfrey drew back. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It should be obvious that I’m not blind, since I don’t go bumping into the furniture, so I must assume you think I’m an idiot! You gave up after a while, but you were persistent while it lasted!”
“Theobald!”
“If you think Ethelmer is good enough for Ana, than you must admit Eadwyn is, too.”
“I never presumed…”
“The only difference is that Ethelmer never asked.”
“That is what I mean,” Osfrey bowed. “We never presumed.”
“And I have told you I do not find it a presumption. Not at all! Not on Eadwyn’s part, anyway. I wouldn’t be ashamed to have him as a son-in-law—or even a son! Though there are times when I think you are!”
“Now, Theobald, you have to admit—”
“I admit nothing! I admit only that he is a decent, honest, respectable young man. And brave! Damn! If it didn’t take courage to come in here and face me like that!”
“Especially for him,” Osfrey nodded. “Ah… Did he stutter?”
“Did he—no! He did not stutter. He spoke very well. Very well. I tell you, it makes me sorry to have to refuse him.”
“You certainly must,” Osfrey snapped, “if you did not consider Ethelmer for her and took some distant lord’s son rather than your own close cousin!”
“You know perfectly well it’s the alliance I want.”
Osfrey lifted his eyes to the ceiling and sighed. “It was my own idea, Theobald.”
“I have not forgotten it.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I am certain I have thanked you for it already! Or shall thank you for it later. But right at this moment I simply… want to go to bed. May I?”
“You are lord here, Theobald,” Osfrey bowed. “I certainly do not presume to tell you what to do.”
Theobald turned away and muttered, “Certainly not.”
Chapters
Ouch... Is he reconcidering the cards he's been played??
I hope Ana will turn out to be happy, no matter where she ends up.