Chapter 91

Adrian was still thinking about what Lord Jayson said. He felt there was something ominous there, but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

Surely after he returned to his territory, there was almost no chance he would meet any of the royal family again unless there were special events.

And the princess hadn’t called for him after their meeting at the top of the wall. She likely would not anymore, considering they were leaving soon.

Adrian moved his body, dodging Lord Leland’s strike, and then launched several quick stabs that forced Lord Leland back.

He really should focus on the spar. Even with one hand, Adrian still dominated against Lord Leland, though that wasn’t saying much as Lord Leland was clearly a novice in combat.

To the side, Lord Tuckstone was watching his son, giving out advice from time to time.

Lord Leland then decided to take advantage of Adrian’s injured shield arm, circling around him while letting out feint attacks.

Adrian grinned before stepping forward, feinting, and pulling back before lunging toward him.

“!!”

Adrian rammed into the young lord, sending him falling onto his back with a groan.

“You were attacking, but obviously there was no real force behind it, allowing Lord Harrow to easily capitalize on it.” Lord Tuckstone said to his son, shaking his head.

“My son is barely two years younger than you, Lord Harrow, yet the gulf between your skills is as wide as a large river.” Lord Tuckstone said to Adrian.

“A real fight would immediately improve his skills… other than that, just more training.” Adrian offered Lord Leland a hand, pulling him up while grinning at the boy.

“I’ll improve, and by the time I’m 16, I’ll make sure I achieve great results in a tourney,” Lord Leland declared to himself.

Adrian laughed while Lord Tuckstone simply smiled. “It’s good to have aspirations, Lord Leland.”

“Now, go and train over there with Sir Jone,” Lord Tuckstone said to his son, who nodded reluctantly. He clearly wanted to spar more with Adrian, but he followed his father’s order anyway.

“I would like to spar with you, Lord Harrow, but it would seem like I’m taking advantage of your condition.” Lord Tuckstone smiled at him.

“I wouldn’t win anyway, even with both hands.” Adrian chuckled, though he did want to spar again with Lord Tuckstone, the man who had bested him in the melee.

“Perhaps you’ve grown better. Geniuses in combat learn quickly.” Lord Tuckstone said. “But enough talk about that for now. I know you are busy, but I had to satisfy my son’s desire to spar with you at least once.”

“It’s no problem.”

“Come, follow me to my quarters, Lord Harrow. There’s someone I’d like you to meet, it’s the real reason I called on you.” Lord Tuckstone gestured for Adrian to follow as Adrian handed his weapon to a servant.

Adrian, with Dexton behind him, followed after the Baron of Cameron.

“I understand you have received a lot of attention from the ladies…”

Adrian smiled wryly at that. The spar had made him momentarily forget about the matter and feel free. “I did gain some reputation from the tourney.”

“I heard rumors that you aren't actually looking for a wife yet?” Lord Tuckstone turned slightly toward him.

“Like everybody else, I take marriage very seriously. Besides, I’m still young.”

“That you are…” Lord Tuckstone chuckled, but his smile soon disappeared as they reached their destination and stopped in front of a door.

“I apologize in advance, Lord Harrow.” Lord Tuckstone bowed to him in apology.

“For what?”

“For my intentions.” Lord Tuckstone said, then knocked on the door.

They heard the sound of footsteps inside, followed by a woman’s voice.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, my dear sister.”

“Brother?”

The door opened, and a face appeared before the woman's smile froze upon noticing that Lord Tuckstone had company.

“Oh…” The sister exchanged looks with Lord Tuckstone before opening the door wide. “Welcome.”

“Lord Harrow, Sir Dexton, this is my sister, Catrina Tuckstone, from my late father’s second wife, so our age gap is quite large, but I treat her as a brother would.” Lord Tuckstone introduced as they settled themselves inside.

Adrian noticed a board on the table with pieces he recognized as mimicking those of chess. The thing he inadvertently noticed, however, was the crutches Catrina was using.

And it didn’t look like she had a recent injury, either. Catrina sat across from them, looking a little fidgety. She had blonde hair braided at the ends, fair, almost pale skin, grayish eyes, and appeared to be in her twenties.

“My sister has been wanting to play with the person who made such an extraordinary game. I play with her, but I am not as good as she is, unfortunately, and my son prefers the sword to such games. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, of course not.” Adrian smiled at Lord Tuckstone before turning to Lady Catrina. “Lady Catrina, it’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Lord Harrow.” Lady Catrina bowed. She seemed shy… another look, and Adrian realized by the way she tucked her crutches behind her that she was embarrassed about her condition.

“I’m glad you like… my game.” Adrian said, gesturing to the board.

“It’s fun and, well, certainly better than stitching.” Lady Catrina said, still looking down a bit.

Meanwhile, Lord Tuckstone had a servant bring them tea and some food.

“Shall we play a game, then?” Adrian asked, to which Lady Catrina immediately agreed.

They played a single game, which took half an hour, and to no surprise, except perhaps to Catrina, Adrian won. Lady Catrina then examined the game with more focus than before, wondering why she had lost.

While she was doing this, Lord Tuckstone gestured for Lord Harrow to follow him out the door.

“My sister, as you’ve seen, was forced to use crutches for the… foreseeable future because of a horse-riding incident. It is why, despite my insistence, she didn’t want to appear at the feasts.” Lord Tuckstone said in a low voice to Adrian, and Adrian finally realized what Lord Tuckstone’s intention was.

“I hope Lord Harrow can take her as a wife. Even a second or third wife is enough. She admires you, your tenacity, your mind to create such a game, and naturally, as I told her, your character. Aside from having… difficulties moving, she will serve you well.” Lord Tuckstone said, speaking at greater length than Adrian had ever heard him.

Adrian tried to say something, but Lord Tuckstone continued. “Not being your first wife, you don’t have to marry her officially right away, but you can take her back to your territory. You have my permission.”

Adrian’s mouth gaped slightly, not knowing what to say.

Lord Tuckstone smiled. “I received rewards from Lord Winthrope for the hunt, in addition to my own earnings in betting. I am willing to give you a dowry of 600 pounds once you take her, and of course, you will have my gratitude.”

Even now, it still baffled Adrian how ladies were practically throwing themselves at him, with their fathers, mothers, or brothers eagerly helping them.

He admired Lord Tuckstone a bit, his skill and character, but could he really take Lady Catrina as a wife?

Seemingly reading his thoughts, Lord Tuckstone spoke again. “I know you’ve said you’d like to get to know a lady first, so perhaps you can take her back with you to your territory. After that, it’s your choice whether you take her as a second or third wife.”

Adrian only blinked and let out an inwardly weary sigh. “And what of her opinion?”

Lord Tuckstone’s face brightened. “She, of course, wants this too, and it would actually be better…” His expression turned regretful. “Her condition… isn’t viewed well here. It might be better in the south, where there are fewer lords.”

Then, as if remembering something, he spoke deliberately. “And do not worry… her ability in that aspect… she can still give you children without any problems.”

With a faint smile, Adrian massaged his temples, took a deep breath, and answered the lord, “I’ll think about it and decide before I leave.”

--

“Milord is famous, I can’t help but be proud. Perhaps we’ll be leaving with a Lady of Harrowfield soon?”

“Shut it.” Adrian said to Dexton as he hurriedly walked back toward his quarters, afraid another lord or lady might corner him and press him about taking a wife.

He could only sigh deeply about the matter, already thinking of leaving tomorrow. What was stopping him, really, aside from the fact that it wouldn’t look good socially? Even then though, a proper farewell would take a day to manage, so he would still have to leave the day after.

By the time he reached his quarters, his mood had lightened. Why shouldn’t he leave the day after? It should be around the same time the royal family was leaving, so there would be no hurdle in departing.

He just had to say his goodbyes tomorrow.

“Forgive me, Lord, for being blunt, and I hope I’m not overstepping, but…” Dexton said hesitantly, only continuing after Adrian settled into a chair and looked up at him. “Lady Ela advised me before coming here that she encourages you to take back a wife.”

Adrian’s lips pursed. “Lords and ladies, and the need to secure an heir…” He sighed. He knew Ela’s primary concern was him having an heir, rather than any other considerations.

He was young and with a gift, he wasn’t going to die anytime soon, so what was the hurry?

This entire affair was really wearing him down. He couldn’t wait to return to the comfort of his castle and his people. Things were simpler there.

Adrian grumbled for a moment before sighing. “Perhaps… taking a wife from nearby lords is much better than taking one so distant from our territory.”

Dexton raised a brow. “Then are you going to accept Lord Bronson’s offer? And I believe Lord Sean will offer you something as well…” It was then that he remembered something else, looking at his lord with a knowing smile. “Lady Willa Hayes still needs a husband too. Lady Ela has been encouraging you to consider her, hasn't she?”

Adrian groaned loudly, but as he slowly relaxed in his seat, he reached a decision.