rejected him and se nt him to the church or cast him into the street. But they had not. Instead they opened their home and hearts. Roger had risen above his fate, proving to all his affliction could be conquered.
Garin’s fingers reached out and touched the chalice, feeli ng the intricate work. In his mind’s eye, he clearly saw the craftsmanship which had amazed him that first night.
“ Lady Alyna,” Thomas said. “What if God wishes Garin to devote himself to the church?”
“ What if God’s desire is for Garin prove himself capab le despite blindness?” she asked evenly.
“ What if indeed?” Garin whispered.
“ All I ask,” Alyna said. “Is that we give Garin a chance. Don’t take his future just because you think he cannot govern. My uncle has proven blindness can be conquered.”
Father Thomas was silent for a long time. “Lady Eleanor, I have not heard from you on this matter.”
His mother fidgeted, her chair creaking. “Lord knows I never wanted to choose between my own children. But I must agree with Alyna. Garin deserves a chance.”
“ Mother,” Juliana whined.
“ Silence. That is my decision. Let them marry and let Garin inherit.”
“ Lord Garin?” the priest asked softly.
Garin scrambled after his thoughts. His sister, although he didn’t trust her, did have a good point. What if Alyna was only after his inheritance? Many would kill to be baroness. If the priest allowed the marriage Alyna could rule in any manner she chose and Garin would be none the wiser. Still, Alyna had spoken forcefully, as if she truly believed he could overcome hi s blindness.
Perhaps, Alyna was right, or perhaps she was motivated solely by greed. Garin had to admit his prospects were limited. Considering the alternative , Garin had little choice .
“ I agree with Lady Alyna,” he said softly. “The betrothal shall not be broken.”
“ Garin!” Juliana shouted. “Don’t you see what she wants to do to you?”
“ Sister, it is no worse than what you have planned for me.”
She strangled a cry and a moment later the door slammed closed. Garin w inced as fiery pain shot through his head with the loud noise. He rubbed his temples.
“ Oh dear,” Alyna said softly, her hand touching his shoulder. “I think we should bring this to a close.”
She was kind now but what would happen after they were married? Damnation, his head hurt. It made it impossible to think.
“ Alyna, Garin,” the priest said. “Despite what I’ve seen with Master Salkeld I must admit my doubts as to Garin’s ability to govern. I do not know what God’s plans are for this young man yet yo u make a convincing argument. Therefore, I will allow the marriage with the understanding that I will make a final judgment in six months. If Garin has proven himself and both of you are happy, the marriage will be allowed to continue and Garin can rule as baron. If I see this barony mismanaged in any way or Garin cannot defeat his blindness as your uncle has done, the marriage will be annulled immediately. Do you understand?”
“ I do,” Alyna said.
“ Aye,” Garin replied although his pounding head made it d ifficult to comprehend anything.
“ Very well,” Thomas said. “In three days we shall have a wedding. I shall post the banns.”
Alyna breathed a sigh of relief. “Father, Simon, please help Garin.”
Garin discovered that right now he did not care if he marrie d the devil’s sister as long as he could get his infernal head to stop hurting.
****
After settling Garin, Simon watched Juliana wander the great hall in agitation for a few minutes before she stormed off to her room. He sighed, raking a hand through hi s hair. What had happened to that girl? Simon remembered the days when Juliana would have supported her brother wholeheartedly in any gambit.
Simon had grown up with Garin and Juliana, and even then, he knew his duty was to
Garin’s fingers reached out and touched the chalice, feeli ng the intricate work. In his mind’s eye, he clearly saw the craftsmanship which had amazed him that first night.
“ Lady Alyna,” Thomas said. “What if God wishes Garin to devote himself to the church?”
“ What if God’s desire is for Garin prove himself capab le despite blindness?” she asked evenly.
“ What if indeed?” Garin whispered.
“ All I ask,” Alyna said. “Is that we give Garin a chance. Don’t take his future just because you think he cannot govern. My uncle has proven blindness can be conquered.”
Father Thomas was silent for a long time. “Lady Eleanor, I have not heard from you on this matter.”
His mother fidgeted, her chair creaking. “Lord knows I never wanted to choose between my own children. But I must agree with Alyna. Garin deserves a chance.”
“ Mother,” Juliana whined.
“ Silence. That is my decision. Let them marry and let Garin inherit.”
“ Lord Garin?” the priest asked softly.
Garin scrambled after his thoughts. His sister, although he didn’t trust her, did have a good point. What if Alyna was only after his inheritance? Many would kill to be baroness. If the priest allowed the marriage Alyna could rule in any manner she chose and Garin would be none the wiser. Still, Alyna had spoken forcefully, as if she truly believed he could overcome hi s blindness.
Perhaps, Alyna was right, or perhaps she was motivated solely by greed. Garin had to admit his prospects were limited. Considering the alternative , Garin had little choice .
“ I agree with Lady Alyna,” he said softly. “The betrothal shall not be broken.”
“ Garin!” Juliana shouted. “Don’t you see what she wants to do to you?”
“ Sister, it is no worse than what you have planned for me.”
She strangled a cry and a moment later the door slammed closed. Garin w inced as fiery pain shot through his head with the loud noise. He rubbed his temples.
“ Oh dear,” Alyna said softly, her hand touching his shoulder. “I think we should bring this to a close.”
She was kind now but what would happen after they were married? Damnation, his head hurt. It made it impossible to think.
“ Alyna, Garin,” the priest said. “Despite what I’ve seen with Master Salkeld I must admit my doubts as to Garin’s ability to govern. I do not know what God’s plans are for this young man yet yo u make a convincing argument. Therefore, I will allow the marriage with the understanding that I will make a final judgment in six months. If Garin has proven himself and both of you are happy, the marriage will be allowed to continue and Garin can rule as baron. If I see this barony mismanaged in any way or Garin cannot defeat his blindness as your uncle has done, the marriage will be annulled immediately. Do you understand?”
“ I do,” Alyna said.
“ Aye,” Garin replied although his pounding head made it d ifficult to comprehend anything.
“ Very well,” Thomas said. “In three days we shall have a wedding. I shall post the banns.”
Alyna breathed a sigh of relief. “Father, Simon, please help Garin.”
Garin discovered that right now he did not care if he marrie d the devil’s sister as long as he could get his infernal head to stop hurting.
****
After settling Garin, Simon watched Juliana wander the great hall in agitation for a few minutes before she stormed off to her room. He sighed, raking a hand through hi s hair. What had happened to that girl? Simon remembered the days when Juliana would have supported her brother wholeheartedly in any gambit.
Simon had grown up with Garin and Juliana, and even then, he knew his duty was to
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