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“I have been informed by your lady-in-waiting, Marie, that we are to
have our riding lessons earlier than usual today,” Master Wenner said.
“Yes. I hope that there is not anything that troubles you with this
schedule,” Rotrind said.
“No, not at all,” Master Wenner said, “I was merely curious, merely
curious about this change.”
“I wish to ride a horse again,” Rotrind said, sipping the last of her tea,
“so let us proceed to the field.”
“Yes, m’lady,” Master Wenner said. Leading the way out to the field,
which was not far from the courtyard. At the gate to the field, a graceful
dappled mare stood tossing her head and whinnying.
“This mare is not the kind of horse I was hoping for,” Master Wenner
said, “but it will do.”
“I could ask the hostler to make ready another horse,” Rotrind said.
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12
“Oh, no, this will do,” Master Wenner said, “I do not want to trouble
you.”
“Alright then,” Rotrind said, and easily swung herself onto the saddle.
“Sit up straight. Good! Now hold the reins tight!”
Rotrind jabbed the horse’s side with her silver spurs, and galloped off.
“Ride the horse at a gallop two times around the field,” Master
Wenner commanded. Rotrind obeyed and was soon back to where Master
Wenner was standing.
“Now ride three times around the field at a trot,” Master Wenner
instructed. When Rotrind had finished that, Master Wenner taught her
about the different kinds of saddles, and after that the lesson was over
and Rotrind was free to do whatever she wanted to until luncheon, which
was still an hour away. She went to her room and sat down on her bed.
She was about to take a book from the shelf when a knock came at the
door. She opened it to see her father’s messenger, Fortindo.
“Your father wishes to see you, m’lady,” Fortindo said, bowing.
“As you wish,” Rotrind said, and allowed Fortindo to lead her to her
father’s room. After Rotrind was inside, he left.
“Hello, Father. What do you wish me for?” Rotrind asked.
“I have decided who you are to marry,” Sir Richard said.
“Who?” Rotrind asked, suddenly alarmed.
“The nobleman Ferdinand Castello. You have seen him before. I
decided a few days ago, and I forgot to tell you of my decision.” Sir
Richard felt guilty about lying to his daughter, but he knew that he could
not explain his real reasoning to Rotrind.
“Not Castello!” Rotrind cried. Ferdinand was a short, overly plump
man who had hair growing out of his nose, hairy skin, and little piggy
eyes. His beard stuck out in places and his breath smelled of ale and
moldy blue cheese. Plus he was twenty years older than Rotrind. Nobody
wanted to sit next to him at a royal banquet or any other fine occasion
because he had terrible table manners and farted at every grand speech.
But he was rich and a favorite of the king.
“Yes, Castello,” Sir Richard said sternly, astonished that he could
sound so unkind to his only daughter.
“But he has the worst table manners and the worst appearance and he
has the worst—”
Rotrind was cut off by Sir Richard, who said, “Sometimes you must
think of what is best for your family. I couldn’t just give you away to some
poor serf, could I? Castello is wealthy and a favorite of the king. It may
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13
be that you dislike him, but marrying is not meant for love. Soon he will
be promoted to the position of Grand Court Lord!” Sir Richard again
surprised himself by sounding cold and harsh. Rotrind fought back tears
and quivered, “But Father, is there not another man of noble birth that
you could choose…just not Castello?”
“Not any who have asked. And you can’t just remain unmarried. Not
one person in my family will be unmarried if I can help it. You need to
make your future. You’re a duchess, Rotrind. There’s an entire duchy
counting on you to do what’s best for them. And there’s your family
counting on you to do what’s best. You may not agree, but this is what is
best for you. I have already arranged with the king’s own seamstresses to
make your wedding dress and the best chefs in the court to make your
wedding cake. And you will not have to see Castello much. He will mostly
be away at court conferences.” Seeing the horrified look in Rotrind’s eyes,
he mentally congratulated himself for avoiding telling her until the
wedding preparations were already underway.
“But still, Father, it seems as bad as a punishment!” Rotrind said, her
eyes growing watery and her voice quivering.
“And perhaps it is. I have heard that you are not doing well in your
studies,” Sir Richard said coldly. Rotrind, struggling to keep her voice
from quaking, implored,
“But how could you say that, Father? You have never been like this to
me before.”
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