Free The Falls of Erith by Kathryn Le Veque

we would appreciate
any fabric or clothing he could see fit to gift us the next time he came.”
    Constance
kissed her granddaughter on the forehead. “That is my good girl,” she murmured.
“He must know that we are very interested in his continued presence here at
Erith and if we plan correctly, we should have an offer for your hand very
soon.”  She suddenly paused, looking seriously at Brooke. “You made it clear
that you were the object of interest, didn’t you?”
    Brooke
nodded. “I did.”
    Constance’s
features took on a shrewd cast. “The knight seems to be very interested in your
mother, so we must be clear that you are the one we intend for him.”
    A
shadow of a doubt crossed Brooke’s fine features. “But…but if he is fond of
mother, perhaps she should marry him.”
    “Rubbish,”
Constance snapped softly. “Your mother is not en eligible young maiden.”
    “But
if he likes her…”
    “I
will hear no more of that. ‘Tis you we will match with him.”
    Though
Brooke tried to understand her grandmother, truth was, the woman could be very
overbearing at times.  Rebelling against her mother was one thing; rebelling
against her grandmother was another. Brooke believed her grandmother had her
best interests at heart. She believed that Constance wanted her to be rich and
happy and well taken care of.   It would have never crossed her young mind that
it was anything other than pure devotional family love, not some sick, twisted
vision of reclaiming something for herself.
    “But
he does not have a House, grandmother,” Brooke said after a moment. “And he is
not from a fine family. Did you not say that I must marry someone from a fine
family?”
    “He
is a de Nerra of Anjou, child.  Their family is older than the crown of
England.  And when he marries you, he can make Erith his house and repair the
fortress so that there is no finer castle in all of England.”
    “But
he is an old man.”
    Constance
laughed softly. “He is not terribly old.  But young or old, he is very wealthy.
Just look at all he has done for Erith in the short time he was here.  You want
a wealthy husband, do you not?”
    Brooke
agreed, simply because her grandmother had drilled that objective into her head
for the past two years.
    “But…
grandmother,” Brooke said as she sauntered into the room, picking at the only
chair. She seemed distracted. “What… what do you think mother would say to all
of this? I know you said it was a secret, but she will know some time. She will
find out. And then what?”
    Constance’s
smile faded. “She must accept it. Your duty is to marry well, Brooke. Your
mother knows that. You are of marriageable age and the time to find a husband
for you is now.”
    Brooke
faced her grandmother. “Do you think I shall have any more suitors other than
Sir Braxton?”
    Constance
shrugged. “It is possible. I have sent word to a few.  But if you do not, we
must take advantage of our opportunities.”
    “You
mean the arrival of Sir Braxton?”
    “Precisely.”
    Brooke
continued to stare out of the lancet window. She was able to observe the newly
hung portcullis on the inner wall. Constance watched her granddaughter’s
profile, a thousand calculating thoughts running through her mind.  She was
positive that she knew what was best for the girl, fighting off the knowledge
that Gray would undoubtedly become irate when she found out what her mother was
doing. It was a miracle she’d not found out yet, considering the planning that
Constance had been doing. But no matter. Gray obviously did not have her
daughter’s best interests at heart.
    “Do
not worry, darling,” she went to her granddaughter, stroking the silky blond
hair. “You shall have a wealthy husband, I promise. But the next time Sir
Braxton comes to Erith, we must ensure our position with him. We must make sure
that he does the honorable thing.”
    Brooke
looked at her. “What do you mean?”
    Constance
played with the