Beloved Pilgrim Read Online Free PDF Page A

greater concern for them all. Her
mother did not improve with the passing of the winter, but grew
weaker. She seemed to lose her balance. She dropped things. She
took to her bed with frequent headaches.
    Elisabeth overheard a conversation between
her parents where her father earnestly averred to delay his
departure or even cancel his plans. Her mother protested
vehemently.
    "My lord, please do not. 'Tis but a temporary
thing. I shall be well again shortly."
    "Nay, my love. I cannot leave you in this
state. And what's more I cannot leave our children to bear you up
alone. Do not argue with me, dearest."
    Her mother hesitated, and then Elisabeth
heard her concession. "A delay, yes, that is all. You will see that
I am right in no time. Then you will be able to catch up with your
friends on their way to the Holy Land."
    Elisabeth sighed with relief and went to tell
Elias what she had heard.
    She was not surprised to see the conflict in
his face at the tidings. He chewed his lower lip. "Yes, it is best
we delay," he replied with undisguised regret. His glance around
she interpreted immediately. "I had better tell Albrecht as
well."
    Their household activity multiplied with an
unwonted if expected distraction, as if the Lady Adalberta could
manage all she had. The sound of horns announced the impending
arrival of Reinhardt, Baron von Linkshändig, and his large party of
knights and soldiers. As she stood in the courtyard with her
parents and brother, Elisabeth, dressed in her best gown, realized
how predisposed to resenting her intended she was. That she was
about to become the man's wife was almost out of the range of
credibility.
    She heard her mother's groan when, following
Reinhardt and his household knights, the horses and foot soldiers
continued to stream through the manor gate for what felt like a
half hour. She heard her mother call to Albrecht to run inside and
warn that the household would have to feed and accommodate.
    Reinhardt reined in his destrier before the
noble family welcoming him. He saluted Sigismund, and then looked
over at the twins. Elisabeth saw him frown as his eyes lit on her.
She colored sharply and looked down, avoiding his gaze. Then hope
leaped in her heart. "Maybe he will decide he doesn't want me!" she
rejoiced silently. She felt Elias's supporting arm around her
waist, and cast him a grateful look.
    Reinhardt did not wait for the groom who
pushed forward the mounting block but threw his leg over the
destrier's armored head and slid to the ground deftly. He was older
than Elisabeth remembered, and more comely. He stood by his mount
for a moment, pushing his mail hood back and off his black hair.
Gray eyes did not reflect his courteous smile. He went to Adalberta
and took her hand in his to kiss it. He struck his booted heels
together and said, "My lady, my thanks for your hospitality."
    "You are most welcome, good sir, at any time.
But on this joyous occasion of your wedding to my daughter
Elisabeth, it is indeed a pleasure and an honor." She glanced over
and beckoned to Elisabeth. "My dear, come greet your husband to
be."
    Elisabeth felt the squeeze Elias gave to her
elbow as she stepped away from him to join her parents and the
baron. She kept her eyes down fearing she would be unable to stop
herself from bursting into tense laughter. It was all so
unreal.
    "My lady," came the rich baritone of the man
she was to marry. "It is with humble gratitude that I hear you have
accepted my offer of matrimony."
    As he lifted her hand to his lips, she looked
up surprised. Accepted his offer? As if she had any real choice. He
looked up through dark thin lashes straight into her face. She saw
his gaze jump from her own to her mouth, her braids, her throat,
her flat bosom. He sighed so quietly only she heard it. It was not
a sigh of pleasure.
    "My lord, I welcome you to our home."
Elisabeth found herself thinking, "And may you decide to stay in
the Holy Land rather than return."
    She stole glances at Reinhardt