The Intended

Chapter 2-3

The dinner, sumptuous as it was, held little joy for her. Seated quietly beside the guest of honor, Jaime listened to the conversations going on around her, partaking only when necessary.

Few were interested in the progress of her music students. The family and the retainers of the duke of Norfolk had considered her thinking far too radical at first, and Jaime was certain that more than a few still thought her that way. Being well-trained in music herself, she had taken great pleasure in setting up music classes for the children when, upon arriving, she’d found the music master had recently and—for mysterious reasons—abruptly departed.

Jaime's problem from the start had been that she had chosen to accept her pupils not on the merit of their lineage but their desire to learn music. So when it was discovered that she’d had a washerwoman’s son sitting beside a nobleman’s daughter, a small furor had erupted—only to subside when the duke himself surprisingly declared that he could see no harm in the innocent mingling of voices in song.

Now nearly a year had passed, and Jaime felt that she was at least winning the battle. While it was true that not everyone was attending the lessons that could have, it was also true that many were. The dishonor of sitting beside someone the world esteemed as less worthy for an hour a day was a concept totally lost on a young child, but unfortunately many parents continued to be horrified at the prospect. Nonetheless, the lessons had survived, and the young musicians were improving.

Later on, as trays of cakes and other sweets were being cleared, Jaime found herself at the center of the discussion between Edward and the duke. She had tried to ignore the young knight’s flirtatious behavior during most of the meal, but now the conversation seemed to have taken on a more serious note.

“Aye, Your Grace,” the young warrior was saying. “Tomorrow I’ll steal this maiden away to the castle in Norwich.”

“Not an altogether pleasant place for a young woman, Edward.”

Jaime’s eyes looked questioningly into Edward's face. She had heard grim tales of the Norwich Castle. Less than half a day’s ride from the palace, it was—by all accounts—a place of death and horrors too terrible to behold. And it was the place where Edward kept all of his captives taken in battle.

“Will you go there with me, Mistress Jaime?” he asked casually.

She didn’t know how to refuse his request. But after what had occurred earlier—with so many present in the hall—she could hardly feel safe alone with him. Nay, not even for the briefest of moments. “The lessons...I have the children’s lessons...”

“The devil take me,” Edward interjected, “but I’m quite certain those brats can survive a day without you.”

“Edward, this is certainly no way to impress a young and gentle woman.” The duke could easily see Jaime’s hesitation. “There is nothing about a handful of prisoners you’ve captured at sea that would be in the least bit pleasing. On the other hand, the size of some of the gems you captured might interest her a bit more...”

“Father.” Edward's determined voice quieted the older man’s speech. “Mistress Jaime has never had the opportunity to see the Norwich, the center of our family’s power and wealth, and I believe it is important to see if the English half of the blood that flows in my lovely cousin’s veins warms to the sight of one of England’s greatest cities. As indeed it should.”

The two men just stared at each other, a silent message passing between them. Then, as if understanding his son’s meaning, Norfolk nodded in agreement.

“As indeed it should, my boy.”

“Well, m’lady?” Edward asked again, directing his attention back to her. His gray eyes flashed his challenge. “Will you accompany me and my officers to Norwich on the morrow? We can leave at daybreak and shall return no later than sunset.”

Every eye at the head table was upon her. She understood the test she was to go through. The ship he’d just captured was French and there were, from what the duke said, prisoners that had been taken to Norwich Castle. And now Edward wanted to sound the depths of her loyalty. Mary had told her that it was treason to think of the French as friend rather than a foe, and now Jaime was about to be tested. But what option did she have? She had, long ago, set her mind that she would live in England, and now she had to prove her intentions. She must make her break with the past. Make her future with Edward a reality. Edward's methods were rough, but he left her little choice. He wants to be sure of me, she thought, and that is his right.

“I’ll go,” she answered Edward at last. “I’ll go to Norwich with you.”