The Duke's Bride

[Lance Roidmet]

For a brief instant, Lance's nails seem twisted and black -- but when he slaps her, it's an ordinary human hand that lashes out. 

"Get this woman out of my home," he snarls. "You and your false betrothal!"

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

My face stings nearly as much as his words. Tears spring to my eyes but I will not let him see me cry. I hand him the ledger I was carrying when I came running "read your fathers words Lance. " I say my voice wavering. "Our engagement was arranged six months before his passing. We were to have a party a few weeks after the accident. We are legally required to wed." I say pulling myself together as I speak

[Lance Roidmet]

Lance only manages to tear the page a third of the way down before Siegfried, finally on his feet, snatches it from him. "Get out!" Lance snarls. "I don't care what he wanted, he didn't live to announce it!"

Tears shining in his eyes, Lance turns back, slamming the door behind him. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I sigh shaking my head. "Is every one alright?"  I say shaking slightly

[Siegfried]

"My lady, I am so sorry for his behevior," Siegfried says quietly, glancing at the door. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"I'm fine. The only one responsible for his actions is Lance. We will continue as planned. I'll be famed if I leave you all to ruin." I say stead fast as ever picking up the broom "let's work together to finish here the main hall is done." Tova smiles

[Tova koshack]

I shake my head at the shut door be fore returning to work. " ludvic the carpenter warning we bring you children of cheb come to claim stolen song!l I sing and Elania joins in "close both your ears while our marry songs sing you marching together well drive you along out of our village ell run you and we'll rout you freeing our bird from your cages and bars. Children together we don't fear to flout you standing to get her the victory is ours!"

[Siegfried]

Siegfried winces, starting to hobble down the hallway away from them to preserve the contract somewhere else. "Please remember that our Lord is in mourning," he sighs. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

The sunrises early in the mountains and it is six am when our first night arrives. Sara shows him into the drawing room where Siegfried and I are waiting, Tova having chosen to clean again today.
"Sir Galahad," I say curtly gesturing for him to sit. "You are called here today because you have been drawing a salary from my husbands estate for six years and yet have forgon your duty to work in someone else's employ. Your contract has been terminated and a collector has been sent to reclaim all six years worth of pay. Thank you for your time this was simply a formality. You may go." I say in my best cold hearted bitch if a lady voice. I nod and Sara escorts him out

[Wylde]

The next to enter is a young woman, surprisingly, one who muscles her way past Elaina's next guest. The blonde woman looks around, scowling, her hair cropped scandalously short. "Where is he? Where is the Duke? I demand an audience!" 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

I gesture to Sara to leave and smile. "He's unwell today. I am countess Elaina his wife may I assist you mis...."

[Wylde]

The woman sizes the Countess up, her blue eyes serious and intent. "No, my lady, it must be the Duke. I won't be turned down by any but the Duke or Duchess, an' there ain't been a wedding. I demand a fair hearing, in the name of a rightful representative of the monarch, and I don't care if he's on his deathbed, he will hear me. I've been to every other Duke in Scotland and none would hear my case!"

[GamesMaster]

"That's because your case is ridiculous," calls Galahad from the doorway before Sera shoos him out. 

[Countess Elaina Moorwood]

"I represent the house of Moorwood. I am a member of the royal family. I have standing to hear your case if you will let me." I say calmly "please won't you sit?"

[Wylde]

Wylde blinks, then shrugs. "Begging your pardon, my lady, but I am twenty-and-five. I have been a squire from the ages of fifteen until I was twenty-and-one, as is the custom, only none will swear me into their service as a full knight. I can beat any of those excuses you have lined up out there in single combat, no muss no fuss, but every Duke and Count has laughed me out of their court thus far."