Wed To The Knight

By Eloise Snow

When Emma finds out she's to be married to a man she doesn't like, she's devastated. Young, beautiful, and a virgin, she's wanted by every man who lays eyes on her, and her parents are willing to marry her to whoever has the largest dowry. However, there's a surprise on the horizon for her - a knight who's willing to do anything, anything, to claim her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Salacious Stories
• Release date: Mar 27, 2023

Book preview

Wed To The Knight

Eloise Snow

Prologue

Welcome to the Late Medieval Age, where finding love was very rare. You may ask why, if you are not familiar with Medieval history, and here is one of the reasons. Parents, especially of High-Born or Noble origin, used the alliances created by the marriages of their children as a means to gain standing in society, larger quotas of land, and wealth.

Title was everything, and a Noble girl had to marry an equal suitor, or a man above her own standing, and ‘falling in love’ was of little consequence. The daughters and sons were betrothed, often at a very young age, arranged by their parents and family, and had little or no say in their own marriage.

You could well imagine the uproar in society then, when a headstrong girl rages against this fate, disobeys her father, and causes scandal amongst her peers… This is the story of Lady Emma of York, Sir Thomas of Kent, and the love no one saw coming, and no one could stop.

Chapter 1

Pauline gazed across the small table at her husband, the Duke of York, her Daniel, and smiled quietly to herself. He was deep in thought about their Emma, and frown lines creased his forehead deeply; she knew him well and knew what sat most prominently on his mind at present. Darling husband, what do you think on so deeply? She said, reaching for his hand, which lay atop a thick white envelope bearing a familiar wax seal.

He shook his head and turned it toward her, his pale blue eyes holding a far-away expression until he blinked and focused on her. Sorry my love, I am just thinking about Emma, she turns eighteen in four months and she is not yet married, she’ll be an old maid. He sighed and with his free hand rubbed at a jumping nerve under his left eye, She is such a wild child, so unlike her sisters. Why could she not be like Susanna and Jane? They were compliant about their marriages, and they were good, well behaved girls all along.

With a soft laugh Pauline squeezed his hand, soft under hers, and said, Heavens Daniel, we can’t have an easy time of it with all three of our girls surely? Every parent has at least one cross to bear. We have not had any offers for her hand as yet, have we? She looked suspiciously at the envelope.

At her very specific comment, Daniel raised an eyebrow at her, Did you know about this letter Pauline? He said slyly. She shook her head and said sweetly, No, what is it about?

He took a deep breath, It is from our neighbour, David, the Duke of Lancashire. It’s a marriage proposal. When Pauline frowned but didn’t comment he continued, As you know, his wife died three months ago after taking a terrible fever, and he is still, well, quite young. He has need of an heir, so he has been searching for a suitable young wife to replace her, and to bear him a child. It has come to his attention that Emma is as yet unattached, and he made an offer for her hand. He looked down at the envelope, and to avoid the awkward silence from his wife, he fidgeted with it.

She opened her mouth to speak, considered her words and closed it again, taking a deep, steadying breath instead. She took several minutes to think before finally saying anything, Darling, do you think it fair to marry her to a man who is seeking merely to replace a dead wife for an heir? She watched him frown, and then sigh, I see what you mean, but he offers a great deal of land, and a very good price. She will also gain for herself the title of Duchess. I think she could do worse. Pauline did agree with her husband, it was a good match as far as land, wealth and title went.

And I suppose he isn’t a bad looking chap, a bit on the round side, but she could sort his cook out and fix that. He has a mean temperament though, I’ve heard talk… You don’t think he would mistreat her? She asked. Daniel flared up at this, Do you really think I’d tolerate my little girl being mistreated by any man? I’d sooner die! He exclaimed.

Pauline again squeezed his hand, I know darling, I know, so, do we accept his offer then? Daniel nodded at her in answer, and stood. He was on his way to his office to write the Duke of Lancashire. The sooner they notified him of their acceptance, the less chance he’d search any further for another candidate.

When he returned twenty minutes later, he carried an envelope of his own stationary, bearing his personal seal, to be sent with their messenger. He stood behind her and placed the envelope on the table, and then placed his hands on her shoulders, I’d forgotten, but next week we have to put up with the horror of the Jousting Tournaments. The flowery poofs, I can’t stand the Knights, strutting around as though they own every town they set foot in. He blew out a breath. When Pauline’s shoulders shook with soft laughter, he asked, What is so funny young Lady? Do you enjoy the spectacle then? She shook her head, No, but I have a feeling your youngest might. This will be the first she sees of Knights, Jousts, and all the other madness and tomfoolery that goes along with the Tournament atmosphere.

Daniel clapped a hand to his forehead, My worries, they never cease, I can’t protect nor discipline my women! He cried in mock horror, and left the room, off to who knew where, leaving Pauline alone with her thoughts in the morning sun.

****

That evening Pauline sat down in the Parlour to pass the hour before dinner, and picked up her embroidery hoop, working on the edging to a tablecloth to add to Emma’s Trousseau’, a collection of fine linens and family heirloom porcelain’s she would take with her when she got married one day, hopefully one day soon now that the offer from the Duke of Lancashire had been accepted. The candlelight in the room flickered softly against the walls, and bathed the entire space in a warm yellow glow.

As she sat daydreaming about the wedding that she was to plan soon, she heard light, bouncy footsteps enter, and her youngest daughter joyfully greeted her, Mam-ma! Running to kiss her on both cheeks and give her a half-hug where she was comfortably sunken into her chair. Good evening my love, where have you been all day? Pauline took in her beauty, the dark hair, currently falling wild and tangled down to the middle of her back, which burnt like fire in the sun, and the blush on her cheeks, her bright eyes.

Pauline saw so much of Daniel in this child, she couldn’t help but smile, even the stubborn, difficult nature was all him. Emma sat down in the chair next to her mother’s and picked up her own sewing, a cloak of deep red