Page 74 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“I don’t want to change. I like the way I am now.”

“Does Jonathon like the way you are, too? And what about the man you will marry? What will he think about it?”

“It doesn’t matter, because I am not marrying a noble, I tell you.”

“So, you plan on marrying Jonathon then? Does he want to marry you, Raven?”

“I-I think so. But he doesn’t think he can.”

“He can’t,” said her mother, placing her hand on Raven’s arm. “As long as he comes from below the salt, he will never be allowed to marry you, and nothing can change that. Mayhap you should have thought long and hard about this before you made love to the man.”

Her head snapped upward. “You don’t know that I did that. Not really.”

“I do know. I’m your mother, and I can see it in your eyes, not to remind you that I found your night rail in his bed. Thank God it was I and not your father who found it.” She stood up, looking down at the needlework on her lap. “Raven, if you are going to pretend to be doing needlework, then at least have the proper needle and thread in your hand.” Devon headed for the door.

“Mother, wait!” Raven shot to her feet. “What am I going to do? How can I make this end the way I want it to?”

“Mayhap you can start by not thinking so much about yourself. Instead, think of how your decisions are going to affect others.” She stopped in the doorway, turning around. “I have faith in you, Raven. I always have. You are a defiant young lady, just as I once was, but I know you will do the right thing in the end.”

“The right thing? What do you mean? Is the right thing doing what is expected of a noblewoman? And isn’t it too late for that?”

“I can’t answer those questions, Daughter. You need to look into your heart and you will know just what to do.”

She left the solar, closing the door behind her.

Tears streamed down Raven’s cheeks. Her anger got the best of her as usual. She picked up the pair of shears and flung them at the closed door. Just when she did, someone opened it from the other side.

The tips of the shears stuck into the wood of the door as Jonathon poked his head inside the room, only making her want to cry even more.

Jonathon jerked backward, not able to believe that Raven just flung a pair of shears at him!

“I guess I should have knocked first, but your mother just told me you were the only one in here and that it would be all right to enter. I’m sorry.” He started to close the door.

“Nay, wait, Jonathon,” she called out, and he slowly opened the door again.

“My lady?”

“I’m sorry about the shears. I wasn’t aiming for you.”

He scanned the room, seeing that Raven was indeed there alone. “Then who?” he asked.

“Come in.” She ran over and yanked the shears from the wood.

“I’m not sure I should. I don’t believe it’s proper for me to be in here when you’re unchaperoned, my lady.” He was hesitant to step inside.

“Don’t be silly. I’m the only one here.”

“My point, exactly.”

“My mother gave you permission.” She reached out and pulled him into the room, closing the door behind him. “Jonathon, I need to talk to you.”

“About what?” His eyes went to her hand holding the shears. “Can you put those down first?”

“I’m sorry.” She pulled him farther into the room and placed the shears on the table. “I don’t want to marry any of the noblemen competing in the tournament,” she told him.

“I know that. You’ve only mentioned it now like a hundred times,” he said, feeling choked by the notion that it was exactly what she had to do. “However, my lady, I don’t see as if you have a choice.”

“Stop calling me my lady. I told you, call me Raven in private.”