“No, but even more than that, she has something of great value. Something I imagine would be more suitable for a king.”
“I have to agree, she’s… beautiful enough to make any king a happy man. Unfortunately, if you’re meaning that she marry one of my brothers, it’s not possible. They can only wed another noble, mainly for alliances. Lord knows we need all the help we can get these days,” he said with a sigh.
“As king, you could over-rule that, if there was a plausible enough reason, I’m sure.”
Griffin thought about it and nodded. “Yes, I suppose that I could.”
Marcus grinned. “Then, that will be part of the offer.”
“I don’t understand where this is going. What offer?”
“To father the child of a king, she must be made queen. I won’t stand for anything less for my daughter.”
Griffin stared at the sheriff, wondering if he’d lost his mind.
The older man laughed. “Sorry. Let me get down to the point – I believe that Mariselle can produce an heir to the throne. She’s… menstruating.”
24
MARISELLE WATCHED THEM from the bench and knew exactly when her father dropped the bomb. The shock on the king’s face was almost comical.
And what a fascinating face it was.
Sighing, she stared dreamily at Griffin, remembering all of the times she’d secretly fantasized that one day he would come for her on a big, white steed, sweep her off of her feet, and carry her off into the sunset. Instead, he married someone else who looked more like his mother than a wife. Marcus had explained that their union had been forced upon Griffin by King Edward, to secure an alliance between their kingdoms. Even so, it seemed so unfair to have to spend the rest of one’s life with someone they didn’t personally choose.
Mariselle thought of the other brothers, whom she hadn’t seen in years. She imagined that they’d also grown up to be very handsome, and wondered what they looked like now. She knew that the other three were living in different sides of the country, ruling their own part of the territory. Unlike Griffin, she’d heard that neither of the others were married, but imagined it wouldn’t last long.
“Mariselle,” called out her father, motioning to her.
She stood up, smoothed down her tunic, and walked back over.
“Good news, my dear. You’re going to be traveling with King Griffin to North Haven,” he said, looking excited.
Her eyebrows shot up. This was totally unexpected. “I am, why?”
King Griffin cleared his throat. “Your father has informed me… it appears that you…”
She waited as he fumbled for words and still couldn’t believe that Marcus had spoken to the king about her menses, of all things. Part of her understood why, but it didn’t make it any less uncomfortable for either of them. As far as she was concerned, talking about sex itself was less humiliating.
He turned toward her father. “Marcus, maybe you should explain?”
“We believe that you might be the only fertile woman in all of Syracuse. King Griffin wants to consult with his brother Aiden, about it,” he replied.
“Why discuss it with him? To see if he’ll make me his queen so that I can bear him a child?” she asked dryly.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” King Griffin replied, still looking uncomfortable. “First, we’ll need proof. If it’s true, then we’ll go from there, I imagine.”
“Wait a second, proof of what?” Mariselle asked, her eyes wide. “That I’m bleeding like a stuck pig?”
The king grimaced. “You never were one to mince words.”
“I find that being direct saves everyone a lot of time,” Mariselle replied. “And, considering the history we’ve had together, Your Majesty, if I were you, I’d take my word that I have it. Of course, if you really want to see the blood-”
“Enough, Mariselle,” her father cut in, looking embarrassed. He turned to the king and smiled grimly. “Well? If you want proof, you heard her. She’ll give it to you.”
“That’s okay,” Griffin replied, his eyes holding Mariselle’s. “If she says that she’s a woman now, I believe her.”
“I was a woman long before I bled, Your Highness,” Mariselle replied, holding his gaze.
Marcus put a palm to his face and muttered something under his breath.
25
GRIFFIN’S MOUTH WENT dry. She was still a tease, only now instead of a child, she was definitely a woman. A very beautiful one with a wisdom in her eyes that made him wonder if she were still a virgin.
Marcus had mentioned her having suitors, and of course there were the offers of marriage. One night with such a beauty would probably make any man bend a knee. His eyes lowered to the curve of her breasts for a split second and what might be hidden under her tunic.
This time it was Marcus who cleared his throat. “Perhaps I should accompany Mariselle on this trip? She should have an escort.”
Griffin tore his gaze away from Mariselle. “She’ll be more than safe in my care. We’ll be traveling with my best knights and soldiers. No harm will come to her. You have my word.”
“And you’ll notify me of your decision before… it’s acted upon?” Marcus said.
Griffin smiled. “Yes. Of course.”
“Okay. We should probably go home and pack some of her belongings then, for the trip. How long will you be gone?”
“Originally, I was thinking a couple of weeks. But, considering the change of events, it might be longer. Don’t worry, Marcus, I’ll make sure to send you word as soon as I know for sure.”
Marcus frowned. “Your Majesty, no offense but I don’t know if I feel comfortable sending my daughter away for so long, without a guardian.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I’ll have two personal attendants accompany us. They’ll treat her like a queen, I promise you,” Griffin said.
“Very well,” he replied with a sigh. “I can’t abandon the farm anyway. I guess it will have to be.”
Griffin relaxed. He knew it was wrong of him, but the thought of having Mariselle away from her father’s watchful eyes was making his cock swell. He was thankful that his surcoat covered the evidence of his wicked thoughts. “As far as gathering her belongings, there isn’t time for that. I’m already behind schedule. Allow me treat her to a new wardrobe in North Haven,” Griffin said, wanting to get away from the castle as soon as possible. He knew that if Georgina caught wind of what was going on, she’d throw a fit and that wasn’t anything he felt like dealing with.
Mariselle’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Griffin smiled. If there was one thing most women had in common, it was the love of new clothing. Seeing the excitement on her face, he promised himself to lavish her with whatever she desired. She would appreciate it, unlike the queen who expected it. “Yes. Anything you need.”
“Father, is it okay?” she asked, looking at him.
“I suppose,” he replied, still looking troubled.
Mariselle’s touched his arm. “Are you okay?”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “Everything is happening so quickly. I just wasn’t prepared for it is all. I’m fine.”
She threw her arms around Marcus and hugged him. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“A father always worries about his daughter,” he said, looking directly at Griffin as he said it. “Especially when she’s all he has.”
Griffin assured him again that she would be safe in his care. “And, if she needs anything from home, we can send for it,” Griffin added.
Marcus nodded. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
26
AN HOUR LATER, after a tearful goodbye with her father, Mariselle found herself seated in a box carriage with King Griffin. A small army accompanied them, along with the two attendants the king had promised. They were in a separate carriage and from what she could see, the women seemed excited about the trip.
“Where’s Queen Georgina? Isn’t she going to wish you farewell?” Mariselle asked, noticing that the woman had yet to make an appearance.
Griffin smiled wanly. “We already said our ‘goodbyes’.”
“She’s very pretty,” she said as their caravan began to move.