– It is time for you to marry a worthy man, my daughter, and Sir Norton is such a man. He will make you happy and give you many healthy and beautiful children. – Sir Guise touched his daughter's shoulder again, as if to encourage her, but she knew that her father was telling her to shut up and silently accept his will.

And the girl was so used to obeying that she smiled falsely, nodded her head in agreement, and, as a woman should, lowered her gaze to the floor.

– Are you not pleased, my lady? – Philip frowned slightly. He had expected a completely different reaction: he had always thought that this beautiful woman had tender feelings for him and only waited for his return. The fright and rejection that involuntarily appeared on Miss Guise's face saddened him.

Hearing Philip's voice, Brigid blushed, not knowing what to reply so as not to offend or demean his dignity.

"No, sir, I am not glad! My heart is weeping, and if you have any pity and sympathy for me, you will tell my father that you do not wish to marry me after all! Please give me freedom and time! What if William changes his mind and wants to make me his wife?" – The girl thought in despair, but said otherwise aloud:

– I am flattered, sir… I did not expect… You have come… We are all very glad…" Her voice sounded softly, with a gasp, for she was struggling with her excitement, but the manner in which these meaningless words were spoken assured Philip that Miss Guise was so glad of her engagement to him that she could not find words.

For it is so easy for a man to see the right signs when he wishes to possess the heart, soul, and body of the woman he loves!

– Let me speak to my father. But first, please, let me feel the tenderness of your palm, my dear bride," Philip asked quietly, and held out to the girl his large palm, which was hardened from many battles and exercises with a sword.

How the girl wanted to strike that palm, to throw it away from her! Alas, she had no choice: in the world of men the consent of women is not required. Only Alienor was so fortunate as to have a father who supported her every decision.

– I am honoured, sir," Brigid said, and timidly placed her small white palm in the palm of her fiance's hand.

– You have such delicate hands, miss," Philip smiled, squeezing the girl's hand a little more firmly than the rules of propriety allowed. But she was his betrothed, and he thought he was allowed small liberties, and if not, Brigid's father would let him know that he had crossed the line.

But Sir Guise only smiled silently and watched the dialogue of the young people: it was not worth scaring away such a groom. Even if Philip Norton were to kiss Brigid's hand… Well, he could turn away or pretend that this liberty had not occurred to him.

– But, dear Philip, find your father as soon as possible," Sir Guise interrupted the awkward scene in a soft tone, wishing to formalise the engagement of his daughter and Philip Norton with the blessing of the latter's father. – 'Your father and I have much to discuss, but, as I said, Brigid's dowry…'

– I expect no dowry, sir. By letting me walk your daughter down the aisle, you have already given me a treasure," Philip interrupted his future father-in-law.

– Love is the greatest jewel God gives us," smiled Sir Guise, who did not love his wife in the slightest, but had married her out of convenience. – But I think your father should give you his permission to have one of his castles and quite a large piece of fertile land given to you.

– These properties will be given to me without hesitation, sir. When I went to war, my good father promised me that if I returned alive, I could marry any girl dear to my heart, and I would have the use of Shadow Castle and its surroundings.

– Then I am at peace. Knowing your father, my best friend, I'm sure he's a nobler and more generous man," Sir Guise said flatteringly. – But you must speak to him, and I will speak to my daughter. – He had to send his daughter's betrothed out of the room to have a serious talk with Brigid about her marriage and to assure her that it would benefit all the Guises and perhaps help them out of debt and poverty.

The poverty of the Guises was so flagrant that if it had not been for Sir Norton, who loved his old friend Richard Guise in a brotherly way, lending him money again and again and knowing that he might never get it back, the little noble family of the Guises would have died of cold and hunger. For even the dress which Brigid wore that day had been bought with the money of the generous Sir Norton. But Sir Guise had difficulty accepting his position, and considered it an offence to borrow money… And here is such a generous offer! Philip Norton wishes to marry Brigid! Even though he knows she's not to be given a dowry! Who would have thought the Guises would be so fortunate?

Philip realised the justice of his bride's father's words and, in order to bring the happy hour of the first wedding night with this modest copper-haired beauty as soon as possible, made a silent bow to Guise and left the room.

"No… No! I do not wish to become his wife!" – cried Brigid to herself in horror, not daring to raise her eyes to her father. Her violet eyes filled with tears again, for she realised that she could not refuse Philip… And dare she? Her parents had told her many times that she should be quicker and smile more often, because her rich husband could help them to regain their former glory. And it would be good if this husband was a close king and could put in a good word for his wife's family… And Philip Norton was just such a man: the son of a royal councillor, a loyal servant of the king, a brave warrior and as handsome as his sister. What groom could be better than Philip?