Chapter 7
Lady Norland seized upon the accusation like a drowning woman clutching at straws. “Eleanor, my dear,” she said with feigned concern, “if you’ve done nothing improper, why would Edmund make such claims?”
Tears streamed down my face as I choked out, “Lord Edmund is the one who secretly meets with others and engages in such disgraceful affairs. Yet now, he’s trying to blame me for it?”
“If Lord Edmund and Lady Margaret cannot provide evidence, I’ll take this matter to the palace and seek justice.” My mother came over and embraced me, her face flushed with anger. “Lady Norland, if you don’t give us a proper explanation today, I’ll petition the queen for justice!”
At that moment, a figure stepped forward from the crowd. “Lord Edmund claims Lady Eleanor called for ‘Lord Stafford.‘ As the only Lord Stafford of that name present today, I presume he refers to me?”
Lynx stepped forward, his gaze calm and his demeanor firm. His gaze steady and unflinching–more composed than even myself. The assembled nobles stiffened at his appearance. As the King’s current favorite and rising star at court, none dared offend him.
A grizzled knight spoke up in his defense. “Lord Stafford has been drinking in the front hall all evening. How could he have been skulking about the gardens?”
“If Lord Stafford wished to strike someone,” another added with a derisive snort, “Lord Edmund would be dead, not merely unconscious. Our commander is not known for half–measures.”
“To falsely accuse Lord Stafford takes remarkable audacity,” a third noble muttered.
Edmund, scrambling to his feet, sneered. “Of course the Royal Defender’s cavalry commander defends Lady Eleanor! What better proof of their collusion?”
Lynx drew his blade, resting the edge against Edmund’s throat. “If I coveted Lady Eleanor,” he said, each word a dagger, “your slanders would already have cost your life.”
“Thank whatever gods that I’ve not yet obtained the royal marriage decree. Once our betrothal is official, if you so much as glance at my future wife, I’ll pluck your eyes from their sockets.”
“If I want, it will be like this.” With that, he kicked Edmund hard in the stomach, sending him flying into the lake.
“Help! Help! Lord Edmund is in the lake!” Lady Norland screamed.
“My love!” Margaret wailed from the bank. “What will become of me and your child?”
“Save him, but don’t damage my flowers! These were a royal gift!” the Princess shouted angrily from the shore.
The Norland family left in disgrace, their scandal now public knowledge. Edmund’s affair with his concubine, Margaret, spread like wildfire across the capital.
When Lady Norland sought out the noble ladies of the capital to propose marriage again, she found that no one was willing to engage with them, unwilling to marry into such a dishonorable family.
After much effort, a newly appointed official from the capital, unfamiliar with the political undercurrents, agreed to the proposal out of excitement. However, when the engagement ceremony was to take place, Lady Joan, rushed into the Norland estate, crying, “Lord Edmund, my daughter is carrying your child, and now she’s about to give birth! She’s the mother of your firstborn, but she has no official title!”
The family was shocked and quickly learned the truth, prompting them to cancel the marriage. Lady Norland, ever persuasive, offered jewels and gifts to calm the situation. The match was put on hold again.
I witnessed the bride at a jeweler’s shop, her maid sneering, “Make way! Our lady will wed into Norland Keep!”
“What fortune,” I murmured just loud enough to hear. “Though I hear Lord Edmund’s favorite concubine carries his child. A bastard heir often diminishes a wife’s standing…”
The official’s fiancée, a headstrong woman, got wind of the rumors and demanded that she wouldn’t marry unless the concubine’s child was removed from the picture. Margaret was seven months pregnant, and the situation grew dire–losing the baby would likely cost her life.
Lady Norland, with her cold heart, ordered a potion to be prepared and sent to Margaret’s room that very night. Margaret was strapped to a chair, her face filled with fear, as Edmund softly coaxed her, “Margaret, I know you’re a good girl. Just drink the medicine and we’ll have another child when Lady Blackwood is officially married.”
