Page 83 of King’s Knight

“Your daughter, Bea,” Merewyn said to Lady Emma, “has already offered to help me with the babe.”

“Aye, she would. Bea loves children.”

Lora, who had just dipped her candles in the hot mixture, laughed. “She will have a time of it fending off Cecily. I expect the imp will take charge and command her two swains and everyone else concerning the babe. My brother, Ancel, will not question her dictates.”

Merewyn laughed with the women. Surrounded by so many she loved made her feel like she really had come home. Maugris had been right. Her future was at Talisand.

Maggie issued instructions to the servant women, then walked to where Merewyn stood with Serena and Emma. “I’d best see how Cassie is coming with the feast preparations. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”

“Maggie reminds me that time is short,” said Lady Serena to Merewyn. “I would show you the gown I have for you to wear tomorrow. Would you like to come?” she asked Lady Emma and Lora.

The faces of the two women lit with interest. “Oh, yes!” said Lora.

Wiping off her hands, Lady Emma said, “Indeed, I want to see it.”

The four women walked to the chamber in the manor Merewyn now shared with Alex, the one that had once been her own. Lying across the large bed was a shimmering blue silk gown, the neck and sleeves embroidered with golden thread.

“Oh…” Lady Emma and Lora exclaimed together.

“It is the most beautiful gown I have ever seen!” said Merewyn.

Lady Serena smiled. “I do not wonder but that I was thinking of this day when I purchased the silk and thread in London. I could not be more pleased with Alex’s choice for a bride.”

As Emma and Lora stood admiring the gown, Lady Serena reached for a circlet of silver intertwined with intricate gold leaves. Presenting it to Merewyn, she said, “This was a gift from my father. I wore it on the day I wed the Red Wolf many years ago. And I would have you wear it tomorrow.”

“I have never seen that circlet,” said Lady Emma. “ ’Tis beautiful.”

Lora just stared at the beautiful circlet.

Merewyn took the delicate piece in her hands, tears filling her eyes. “You have been so good to me, my lady. To let me wear your own circlet is a gift I would never have expected.”

“ ’Tis yours, Merewyn. You are the only daughter I will ever have. And now you are my daughter-in-law as well. Mayhap one day, it will grace the head of your own daughter.”

“Do not forget, I count Merewyn as my own, too,” said Lady Emma. “You will be lovely in the gown and circlet, Merewyn. I hope you will wear the gold necklace I gave you.”

“I will,” Merewyn said, kissing Lady Emma’s cheek. “I treasure it.”

“Alex will be all agog when he sees you,” offered Lora with a grin.

Merewyn set the circlet down and hugged the women. She had been blessed with two mothers and a wonderful friend. “I love you all.”

“And we love you,” said Lady Serena.

* * *

Alex entered the hall the next day to the enticing smells of roasting goose wafting through the air. His leg still bothered him but he needed no crutch to walk. His father had teased him that they were now a matched pair of limping wolves, but Alex hoped in time he would have no limp.

He had left his bride tousled in bed where he had made love to her for most of the morning. It was the first time he had told her that he loved her. Mayhap his love began to grow from the first moment he looked at her in her archer’s clothing.

Father Bernard’s blessing was to be given just before the feast so he had time to share a goblet of wine with his father and his closest friends while Merewyn prepared. When he had left their chamber, his mother, Lady Emma and Lora and had just arrived to assist her.

“Hail the bridegroom!” shouted Guy from where he sat with the others. “You look fit for William’s court.”

Alex bowed. “I am honored you should wait for me to begin.” Around the table gathered with his father were Sir Geoffroi, Maugris, Jamie, Rory and Guy, all attired in their best tunics for the day. Sir Alain and Alex’s brothers, save for little Tibby, would miss the Martinmas blessing and the feast that followed, but the babe coming could not wait the months that might pass before they were home.

“Well, ’tis only now that Maggie has come to tend our thirst and since this is for you, we thought to wait,” said his father who looked every bit the Lord of Talisand this day with his chestnut hair combed back from his face and a tunic of dark green wool stretched over his broad shoulders. He was not a man given to jewels but he needed none with his noble bearing.

Maggie was directing the many servants bustling about the hall as they prepared for the feast, but she managed to see the men supplied with wine.