Honoring his Lady: A Medieval Romance (Norfolk Knights Book 5)
Page 19
Epilogue
Richard William de Vere, first natural-born son of Sir William and Lady Alice of Wanham, was born when the leaves had turned yellow and had fallen to the earth, which his father so loved. The castle storerooms were full to the brim with sweet apples, and pears plucked from Wanham trees, grain from the fields, and salted fish and meat, ready for the winter ahead.
William looked down at his bonny boy, and vowed, not for the first time, to make sure he lived a full, happy, and honorable life. Tears pricked his eyes.
“William!” exclaimed Alice, sweeping into the room with Charles on her hip. “I do believe your children are the only people who can bring you to tears!”
William cleared his throat. “Nonsense. I was only ensuring he was well. He lies there without sound. I thought he might be sickening for something.”
“As you see,” replied Alice. “He is hale and happy.”
“And also very quiet.”
“Like his father. And like you, he’ll follow you onto the land and care for it and his people.” She kissed Charles and put him on the rug. He promptly crawled off with a loping movement, which made them both laugh.
“And what will young Charles do with his life, I wonder?” said William. “He’s certainly not as quiet as Richard.”
“Charles will have the de Courcy castle, as we’ve arranged.”
They both fell silent. Neither spoke of the past if they could help it, only the future.
“Aye, he’ll have that, if he wishes it. But there’s something about him which makes me think he might not stay. He has the spirit of an adventurer. Like Rufus.”
“It is because of Rufus I came looking for you and Katherine,” said Alice. William knew she was changing the subject. She did not like to think of a time when her boys would leave her. He took her hand and pulled her onto his lap and kissed her. He reasoned it would help push the unpleasant thought of her boys leaving her, further from her mind.
Eventually, with a frustrated sigh that he could not ravish her there and then, he pulled away. “So, what is it about Rufus.”
It took Alice a few moments to re-focus, which she did with a deeply inhaled breath. She nodded as her mind retraced her thoughts.
“Ah, we’ve received a letter, and he has a question of trade for you and Katherine. I thought she might be here.”
“I haven’t seen her since yesterday. She left for Yarmouth early. It seems business is taking her more frequently to Yarmouth these days.”
Alice frowned. “Come to think of it, I didn’t see her when I returned late from Norwich last night. I took the boys straight to bed.” Her frown deepened. “You do not think she didn’t return home?”
“She must have done. If not, she’ll return by day’s end. She never stays away for more than one night.”
Alice grunted, and William could tell she was worried. She rose and went to the unshuttered window which gave a view across the flat lands to the city of Yarmouth. He joined her and put a comforting arm around her.
“All will be well, you’ll see. No doubt more issues with this sea Captain who’s been causing her trouble.”
“No doubt,” she repeated, but from the tone of her voice, he knew she wasn’t convinced.
Both their gazes turned in the direction of Yarmouth, which was becoming hazy as a sea fret rolled in.
“I hope she makes it back before the fret turns thicker, and the road becomes more treacherous,” said Alice.
“So do I,” replied William, closing the shutters upon the increasingly chill air. “So do I,” he repeated, not wanting to assign meaning to the flicker of fear in his belly.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed William and Alice’s story. Katherine and her mysterious captain’s story is next. You can sign up to my newsletter to receive news of its publication.
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Happy reading!
Saskia
Also by Saskia Knight
—Norfolk Knights—
Novellas
Claiming his Lady (Book 1)
Seducing his Lady (Book 2)
Awakening his Lady (Book 3)
Full-Length Books
Defending his Lady (Book 4)
Honoring his Lady (Book 5)