“I can never thank you enough for what you have done,” she looked at Geist also. “For what both of you have done. You have saved my life and Rhys’ life and I shall ever be in your debt.”
David could hear shouts coming from the castle, knowing that the king’s men had regrouped and were coming for them again. Now that the arrows had stopped flying and they realized an entire army hadn’t set upon them, they had their wits returned and were ready to do battle.
“We expect great things from you, my lady,” David said. “You may thank us with your fair and just rule.”
She nodded her head, sighing sadly. Rhys squeezed her gently and turned the charger in the direction of freedom, but Geist stopped him.
He had been watching the exchange between Rhys and the lady, the sorrow bleeding out from their actions and expressions. He had seen a good deal of the emotion between them earlier when he had been in the vault; Rhys was so very gentle and caring of her, and she gazed at him with such adoration that it made Geist feel like an intruder just to be witness to it. He’d seen such emotion in Wales when Conrad had first met Carys; the more time the two of them spent together, the more obvious it was how alike they were. Conrad was a spoiled boy that tried hard to do good. Carys seemed to bring out a maturity in him that was promising. He also knew of the prince’s proposal to Rhys and de Lohr; he had been there to witness it. To know that these four people would soon be miserable did not seem fair in the least no matter what royal blood or thrones were involved. Unless….
“Wait,” Geist said, struggling through his broken English to find the correct words. “Prince Conrad… I was there when he told you of Carys. I know what he asked of you.”
Rhys stopped short of spurring the horse on, surprised at the sharp change in subject. In fact, it stumped him to the point where all he could think to say was, “What?”
Geist spoke urgently. “I know that Conrad loves your sister. He wishes to marry her. He made an offer to you once; I heard him. Have you considered it?”
Rhys realized what he was speaking of; he remembered that the man had accompanied Conrad into that warm, stale stable on that wintery night. But bringing up that particular conversation, at this moment, had Rhys more on edge than he already was.
“Why do you ask such things?”
Geist smiled weakly. “Because now is the time to ask; would you consider Conrad’s proposal?”
Rhys appeared at a loss for words, eyeing David for a moment and not sure if the man had any knowledge of the prince’s proposition. He wasn’t sure if Christopher told him and it would take too long to explain. His answer was delayed as more shouts could be heard in the castle and Geist suddenly spoke swiftly.
“We all know that you love Lady Elizabeau,” he said. “We have seen this from you for three months. Everyone knows. We also know that Conrad loves your sister and wishes to marry her. He does not want to marry your lady. He asked if you would switch brides; your sister for the lady. Will you do it?”
Rhys’ gaze grew intense as the voices from the castle drew nearer. “It is not my decision to make. Even if I could, how would…?”
Geist interrupted him. “David and I can tell Conrad and Lord de Lohr that you and the lady perished. If you take her now, no one will ever know. And Conrad can be free to marry Carys.”
Rhys cast a glance at David, who looked back at him with astonishment. Elizabeau, all of this being new information to her, gasped with surprise.
“Conrad is in love with Carys?” she turned to Rhys. “Does she love him in return?”
Rhys was still staring at David, ignoring Elizabeau’s question completely. Even as shouts abounded as the king’s soldiers drew closer, he couldn’t help the sense of elation and hope he felt. It was soaring to the sky, growing brighter with each passing second. As the day dawned bright and clear, Rhys’ anticipation of the possibility surmounted his devotion to his country, his ruler, and even God. He wanted it so badly that he ached.
“David,” he whispered. “It would not be treason. No one would ever know.”
“Are you mad?” David hissed. “I cannot give permission for such a thing and you know it.”
“But it makes all the sense in the world,” Rhys persisted. “Elizabeau and I will flee to France or Saxony and assume an entirely new life while the prince can marry my sister and give her such status and wealth as she has never dreamed. David, it is a chance for all of us to be happy. Please don’t deny us.”
“But you are gaining happiness at England’s cost,” David pointed out, though not too strongly. “Elizabeau is our hope for a new monarch and a new life for England. What happens if she does not assume the throne with the prince?”