The Duke of Garwood and His Bride

CHAPTER 3 THE KING' S PLAN

Hemsworth and his wife and daughter Alexandra, watched Adrienne and the king headed for the stairs. There was a trace of melancholia in Lord Hemsworth’s eyes as he watched the two disappear up the grand staircase. Those two would have been good together but destiny must have been against them. The King had first broken his revelation to him when he admitted falling helplessly in love with Adrienne. He was so torn between his love for Adrienne and his responsibility as the next king.

He had been betrothed prior to his ascension as king. His father and mother had already promised him to marry the daughter of a French monarch. His fate in marriage had been sealed. But a sudden twist of events brought him and Adrienne to fall for each other. When Adrienne desolate and distraught for some undisclosed reason, the king was there for her. The king grew fond and fell madly in love with Adrienne and perhaps Adrienne must have felt the same way somehow. She had always looked at him tenderly when he was not watching her. Charles was ready to give up being king just to be with Adrienne. He was willing to break his betrothal and disobey his family. But Adrienne, with her own resolve, showed him that she would never feel the same way for him. She rejected his feelings for her and his proposal to leave the country with him, despite feeling otherwise deep inside. But perhaps it was for the best. The bethrothal meant for the two royal familes and it would be disastrous to break it.So it was with great sacrifice that Adrienne rejected the king and loved him only from afar. Even if Adrienne remained unmarried, she seemed content and happy with her life, though.

Durham Castle, being his second home, Charles was able to find his way to the dining hall despite some few changes in the castle. He entered the dining room when the two guards opened the doors for him. He saw the large dining table overflowing with all sorts of feast from meat to pastries and fruits.The aroma assailed his senses and he suddenly felt his mouth watering. Lord Hemsworth led him to his usual seat at the far end of the table opposite to him. Adrienne was sitting from his majesty’s right.

“Thank you, Richard for the feast, despite coming here unannounced.” Charles said grateful for all the preparations. Servants started sailing about the room, filling their plate with each course and filling their glasses with the finest wine.

“You must have a good reason coming all the way here with such determination.” Lord Hemsworth noted.

“I have two reasons actually.” Charles pointed out after taking a bite of his mutton. A worried look descended upon his face. “The imminent war weighs heavily on me, Richard.”

Richard looked upon his friend with deep concern. “War was and will never be anything but light. For the future of the kingdom, there’s just too much at stake.”

“I’m scared, Richard. But if I must fight, you know we never back down.” Charles said with conviction. " But I am still hoping to end this dispute with diplomacy. Nobody wins a war. Everybody ends up losing. I wanted to save lives, not waste them in battles."

“I know full well, Charles. And despite my old age, you can always count on me.”Richard promised. “I am always at your disposal, Your Majesty.

“That is exactly why I am here, Richard. I need your help. I can’t do this alone. You and your family have always had my back all these years. If I couldn't avoid this war, I would want you and your family to aid me."

“I have already sent words to my sons. They will be home by dawn at the most.” Richard informed. His boys had taken over his duties of guarding the king during his battles. While he, due to his old age, still remained with the king, only to aid him in his strategies against their foes.

“Thank you for your foresight, Richard.” the king thanked the baron genuinely.”Your boys are as valuable to the kingdom just as you are.”

“But I am too old to stand in the battlefield with you, my king.”

“Old, yes. But valuable none-the-less.”

he said matter-of-factly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Lord Hemsworth said gratefully. “You have always regarded me and my family so highly.”

************

Spiced up with laughter and amazing tales from the past made the dinner go by smoothly. A somber interlude ensued at the tea room where they all shared more of their funny adventures and the rich anecdotes of their voyages. The king could only crack such hearty laughter whenever he was in Durham Castle. This place offered him so much tranquility and homeliness. The baron and his family were so much more of his own family. It was true that they were not related by blood, but beyond such concern, they were practically his family. How he wished to make them legally a part of his family. He had never had such loyal subjects as the Langleys. They were, without question, his true people.

While he was in power, he wanted to reward the Langleys for their unending support and loyalty. He wanted to protect them even in the simplest way he could. That even if he should fall in battle, his best ally would remain protected under his name.

Dinner went by smoothly. The laughter and tales over the sumptuous feast came to temporary closure as the weary monarch pleaded for an early respite. The journey had rendered him a weary body and befuddled mind. He needed to take an early leave to rest. The hospitable host accompanied his good friend to his room and stationed his best soldiers to guard His Majesty.

Sleep eluded His Majesty even in the tranquility of his warm bed. His thoughts were filled with turmoil. The brewing conflict against his nemesis country and the conflicts escalating in his brother’s territory. All these were raging inside his head. He must deal with all these. Before he could put his mind into this war, he had to settle his brother’s problem first.He tossed the covers aside and stood by the window. He stared in the distance and wondered if his brother was on his way to Durham. How far could he be from Durham now. He should have left Bowham the moment he received his letter. He felt excited to see Rayne after a long time despite that they will be seeing each other out of some desperate need.

The king sighed heavily. If only Rayne had not refused the titles and inheritance their father had given him. He probably would not be up in that tumultuous land. Those titles and inheritance were rightfully Rayne’s but he was just so afraid to prove his step-mother’s accusations that he was nothing but a leech mooching off their family. Being his older brother, his heart bled for the enormity of the burden his younger brother had to bear. That poor boy had always been a lonely child. He grew up not knowing who and where to belong to.

As sleep continually eluded him, the King decided to venture outside the comforts of his bedchamber. Perhaps a fresh night breeze would do him good. He then started walking the dimly lit hallways and headed to the winding stairs that led to the high towers of Durham. The flight was steep and dismal but he had been around Durham many times, he could walk around it even in the dark. He grabbed the latch of the heavy doors and pushed it open. A cool breeze greeted his face and he breathed its essence. He closed his eyes and breathed some more.

“My King!” a voice called gently from behind. The voice was so familiar it did not startle him.

“Richard.” he murmured, his eyes still closed, his chest heaving as he lavished the crisp night air.

Reaching out to him, Baron Hemsworth placed a hand on His Majesty’s shoulder, “Everything will be alright, Charles.” he comforted.

“Yes, yes, I hope so.” he concurred , opening his eyes to meet his friend’s compassionate gaze. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Hemsworth smiled and guided the King to move ahead toward one of the parapets. The King obliged. Sentinels on post stood in full attention upon recognizing the king.

“Richard, yours are the best soldiers in the land. They have been well recognized and it’s all because of how you trained and treated them. They have been vital in keeping this country free and keeping their king alive and safe.”

“You know my allegiance to you is as formidable as Durham. We are always at your command.”

“It’s a relief that all these years your faith in me never faltered.” the king uttered somberly. His gaze stared far out into the pitch black horizon. He had that faraway look in his eyes, a mixture of tenderness and concern.

“What else is bothering you, Charles?” the baron asked out of the blue. He had sensed that it was not only the war that was bothering the king. The way he sighed and spaced out only proved another issue.

Charles let out a low chuckle, “You read me like a book, Richard.”

“We have been friends for decades. How can I not know you?”

“You have been the only person who has willingly risked his own life for me. But right now, the person I fear the most is you.” the king disclosed and turned to watch the confusion unfurled upon the baron’s face.

"Whatever do you mean, Charles?" Hemsworth asked, confused at the king's utterance.

"It was no secret to you and your family how much I cherish your daughter Adrienne. You know how much of my heart belongs to her. I have loved her selfishly. All these years, Richard, I still love her. But I know I had been too selfish for trying to love her when I couldn't even give her what she deserved. When I couldn't even be the man who could stay by her side and be with her to watch her smile or cry." The king confessed,unfazed. "I am sorry, Richard, for all the years she had suffered because of me."

"I...I know, Charles." The baron muttered, his voice filled with empathy. He had always known the king's affection for Adrienne, but it had been so long when they had come to reconcile with the fact that they can never be together. "It was Adrienne's choice too. She loved you so much, her eyes would not dare look at any man."

"I know, Richard. I was responsible for all her loneliness. I know she would never try to give her heart to someone else. That is why, I will be asking...for her hand in marriage." The king declared, gently. His gaze met the confused baron. He smiled and patted the shoulder of his speechless friend. "I am asking for her hand in marriage, but not for myself. I wish for Adrienne and my brother Rayne, the Duke of Garwood to be wed."

"Your brother!" The baron cried, almost vehemently. "Your brother is cad!" He hissed in disbelief. "I would rather have her your mistress than to give her away to your brother!"

The king smiled wider at the obvious dislike of the baron. They both know he was only stating a fact. His brother, Rayne, was no stranger to the baron nor to his family. Moreso, his brother's reputation precedes him. His name had been hunted by many gentlemen, be they unsuspecting husbands of amorous women or irate fathers of comely debutantes. His brother's escapades had been the toll of the ton and the profit of the daily. Rayne was an unbridled colt roaming and wrecking havoc amongst the femme populace.

Charles had never attempted to thwart his brother's wayward ways. He knew from the heart where his carefree spirit was coming from. Seeing him enjoy and have fun made him happy in many ways. And when times demanded he provide him a narrow escape, that was when he stepped in. He felt like he wanted to give him what their father failed to provide him. He made up for the times when he was still too young and powerless to protect him. Now that he had every ounce of authority, he made sure that Rayne was never again lacking nor was he ever again vulnerable. Not until recently when he became the Duke of Garwood.

"I will vow for my brother's my change. He's very much reformed and refined." the king uttered in his brother's defense, earning the Baron's scrutiny. "I have always wanted us to be family, Richard. I hope Rayne and Adrienne will grow to love each other. I love my brother and I love Adrienne. I wanted Rayne to have a clear direction in life and I wanted Adrienne to have a family to call her own."

The baron ran his palms over his face. Confused and almost frustrated. "Those two are like north and south. Even when they were young they had nothing in common. They bicker and insult each other without mercy! My god! They even wrestle each other!"

"They were young back then." Charles said with utmost calm. "Rayne has grown and became more sensible. Adrienne too, had grown wise and steadfast. I am sure they will get along."

"Your brother may have grown more sensible but I bet he has not outgrown his rakish alter ego." The baron countered.

"Ah, perhaps. But that is nothing that our Adrienne could not handle. We both know how stubbornly domineering that little lass is!" The king said and started laughing at the funny scene his playful mind was creating. "And remember," he trailed off, "Rayne's weakness is one comely lass." he grinned mischievously. "I bet he wouldn't be able to resist our Adrienne. He would be like a moth drawn to a fire!" he cackled out in laughter just imagining his brother.

The baron threw his friend a sidelong glance and watched his giggles bubbling. "While you're on that thought, how are you going to convince them to marry each other?"

"Rayne is on his way to Durham. Any day he would turn up right at your doorstep."

"He is?" The baron was even more appalled from the revelation.

"Rayne had written to me several days ago. He was asking me for help. His recently inherited estate came with a heavy burden. Garwood estate had been under constant attacks from the moment its lord had fallen. Now that Rayne had inherited Garwood, he now faced the burden of keeping its usurpers at bay. There was tension up to his northern borders. There were bandits and marauders that had infiltrated the lands and were wrecking the villages. And there was one ambitious lord laying claims on the land. Rayne had lost some of his men and villagers. He was devastated with every attack. He had swallowed his pride and asked me for help. I wonder what's taking him so long. I told him clearly to wait for me here but something must have gone awry that has had him delayed."

The baron leaned on the wall and studied his friend closely. "So, they'll be getting married for an alliance?" He surmised, a brow arching questioningly.

"It is an alliance to start with. But I would hope they'll make this marriage work. Adrienne is so beautiful I doubt Rayne would be able to resist falling for her."

"Adrienne may not eventually return the affection. I believe Adrienne has you irreplaceably inside her heart." The baron pointed out. "She is my daughter and I have seen how fondly she looked at you. Both of you gave up the chance to be together. But giving up does not actually mean you have stopped loving each other."

The king fell silent and his eyes grew misty. He chose this country over his love. And Adrienne too chose to let him go. "That was the high price I paid for being king, Richard. But I cannot let Adrienne grow old alone. I cannot have her shackled to the past. It's only fair that she should also experience how it is to get married, have kids and hopefully fall in love once again." The king said, almost painfully. "And Richard," he muttered softly. "I probably wasn't her first love. She was just heartbroken when I happened to be there for her and gave her the comfort she so needed back then ." he added with bland smile.

Hemsworth could only try recalling what His Majesty said. He had once seen her daughter had that faraway lonely look. She had been quite distant and depressed. Surely, he could only recall one person who had been gone from her sight. Suspecting his deduction was correct, then the King was probably doing this to reconnect Adrienne to that one man.

"Let's hope that these two will go beyond just alliances." The baron moved closer to the king and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Do you want me to break the news to Adrienne?"

"No. I should be the one to tell her." The king shook his head. This might be the hardest feat he would have to go through. "It's my scheme, I know how she would react so I must face just how she would rant at me."

Hemsworth smiled acridly at the king. He knew his daughter and he pitied the king for what he was about to put himself into. "I will make all necessary preparations. I will get the chapel ready and the chaplain. The feast and my daughter would need gowns and…"

"Just get the chapel and chaplain ready, Richard. " the king said. "I have everything taken cared of."

"You came prepared, Your Majesty." The baron noted with a chuckle.

"This will be the wedding I will never have. Consider this a gift for my brother and my Adrienne."

The baron just gave his friend a bemused smile. The king's proposition was quite irresistible. His words vouching for his brother's character eased his worries. He had been dreaming to wed his daughter off and to see her start a new life with a new love. He did not want her to wallow and wither away while holding on to someone who can never be hers. He would gladly take this chance to let his daughter experience marriage and family and hopefully...love.

Charles had always been too protective of Adrienne. He had always stood between her and those gentlemen making advances toward her. He made sure Adrienne was never approached or called upon by any man who intended to claim her hand. He looked upon each man with vengeful jealousy. He secretly used his power to assure himself that no other man would ever be able to claim the woman he loved. But tonight, his declaration surprised him. His plan was bound to change Adrienne's life.