An Offer of Marriage

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 26th August 2006

Characters: Penryn, Ryalane
Description: Penryn has a proposal for Ryalane, and she has a secret to tell...
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 3 of Turn 3

Penryn paced in his office nervously. He knew he was doing the right thing. Ryalane needed a father for her child, he needed a family. And no matter what Thalia had said, their meeting the night before had only drilled home the fact that it was nearly impossible that he could marry for love.

Ryalane's arrival was heralded by a brief knock before the door swung open. "Did you want to see me, Penryn?" Her voice came out somewhat curter than she'd meant it to, but she was not looking forward to finding out what man Penryn had found for her.

"Ah, yes, Ryalane, good morning," he said with a weak smile as he pulled out a chair for her. "Please, have a seat."

His expression just made her feel more weary. Not that she should be surprised... Ryalane had no illusions about the impression she'd made on people over the turns. Finding a man willing to marry her and raise another man's child... well, she hadn't expected much. Taking the seat, she tried to calm her expression. "I assume you've found someone?"

"Yes. Well, no..." He sat down across from her almost tentatively.
Penryn had been so sure this was the right thing to do. Seeing Thalia the night before had only confirmed that it was indeed what was best, for everyone. At yet, even as he looked up at Ryalane now, he couldn't help but remember the feeling of Thalia's lips brushing against his.
"Ryalane, if you would have me, _I_ would marry you and raise your child."

Ryalane froze, too surprised to hide the shock on her face. "Penryn--"
Her voice caught, and she cleared her throat and tried again. "Penryn, no--you deserve so much more than this."

"No," he said, shaking his head in emphasis. "No, I don't. You are a fine woman. And we have both lost someone we loved. We're both lonely.
Every man needs family to come home to, Ryalane, and you and your child could be mine."

"I'm not a fine woman," she replied, and her voice held the slightest edge of pain. "I could do what I needed to in order to keep a stranger happy, but it would be harder if it was you, Penryn. I don't know if I can make you happy."

**I'm not sure any woman really could...** "I wouldn't ask for much, Ryalane. Just a warm meal and someone to talk to." Someone living who could making him forget his loneliness. Someone that could give him a family. Someone _available_...

"You don't want to find someone who would give you more?" Ryalane asked quietly. "Are you sure, Penryn?"

Penryn was beginning to understand that he did. But he wanted it from a woman he could not even hope to have. And Ryalane was willing to settle for anyone who would give her a comfortable home. What choice did he have but to do the same? "I am."

Ryalane nodded slowly, then folded her hands in her lap. "Then there is something you need to know, Penryn. Something that might change your mind."

"All right," he said with a nod for her to continue.

She braced herself for a moment against his reaction, not sure what she wanted more. It would be hard to spend the rest of her life lying to Penryn, but this truth might be more than he was ready to deal with. She almost hoped it was. "This child is not Briton's."

Penryn blinked a few times, not quite sure what to say. "Whose is it?"

Ryalane's eyes grew chilly at the question. "I was never unfaithful to my husband. I should think you can draw the appropriate conclusions."

"Oh, well, I wasn't suggesting..." Shards. Realization dawned on him.
**Meijah...** "I'm so sorry, Ryalane."

"We're not discussing it," she said firmly. "We're not speaking of it again. You are not telling _anyone_ else."

"I have told no one what I know and I have no intention to," Penryn said firmly. "But are you sure the child is Meijah's? It was only that once..."

Ryalane's face was cold as she stared at Penryn. "Briton did not share my bed for six months before his death. The math is not difficult."

**Six months?!** He wasn't sure he should even ask, but... "May I ask if there was a reason behind the... absence?"

Her sudden quiet laugh was harsh. "Because I am _not_ a good woman, Penryn. I was not a good wife, because I was bitter. I thought I was barren. I hated the reminder."

"Well, it appears you had nothing to fear," the Steward replied thoughtfully. How ironic that it now seemed she was quite fertile.
Perhaps she had been all long. It was not unheard of that a man was not able to father any children. Penryn had hoped to father at least one of his own, but, if ever Ryalane had cause to be bitter... Perhaps that was something they would have to wait and see. His sense of honor forbade him to take it all back now. "Well, now I know. I have made you an offer of marriage, and it still stands."

For a few moments Ryalane studied Penryn, trying to decide what _she_
wanted. In a way it would be harder to marry Penryn, because she did respect him. She could have spent her life lying to a stranger, but she wouldn't be able to do the same with Penryn.

But there was something comforting in knowing she wouldn't have to keep the secret herself. And that was what decided her. She nodded her head once, her hands still folded in her lap. "Then I accept, Penryn. Thank you."

Last updated on the August 27th 2006

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An Offer of Marriage