“Ren?” she whispered, her hands sweeping hair from his cheek.
He pressed another quick kiss to her mouth and eased away. He looked once more at the carved horse. Then he held it out to her. “This belongs to you.”
“’Tis an exquisite carving. Surely, since you made it, you should have it?”
He shrugged.
“I also gave you an eating dagger,” she said, gesturing to the bag. “I wrapped it in cloth.”
“Thank you. I can always use a new eating knife.” Then a lazy smile spread across his mouth. “How about if we share the horse?”
“Share it?” She looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
His smile broadened. “For that, Liliana, you will have to wait until later today.”
***
Liliana woke with a smile. Christmas Day! She hurried across her chamber’s cold floorboards and threw open the shutters to let in the dawn light. A feathery dusting of snow had settled overnight, but the sky was cloudless and blue overhead, and a swell of voices and laughter rose up to her from the bailey.
Smiling, she hugged herself, her heart brimming with joy. She couldn’t quite say why, but she sensed this was going to be happiest Christmas ever.
She washed then dressed in her finest blue silk gown and best shoes embroidered with blue thread. Then, after downing a few bites of bread and cheese left out for her by a maidservant, she went to the Shepherd’s Mass and sat with her father, Averil, Rosy, and Ren through the service. Bowing her head in prayer, she gave thanks for the return of her brother.
After the mass finished, she made her way to the great hall. The massive Yule log, lit with a charred piece of wood saved from last year’s log, burned in the hearth. Arrangements of fir, holly, and candles decorated each trestle table and she couldn’t help but marvel at how beautiful the hall looked. Her mother would have been proud.
Burton, looking much recovered, was securing pieces of holly that had fallen out of the centerpiece on the lord’s table. “How are you feeling today?” Liliana asked him.
“Much better, thank you, milady. Should be a grand celebration today. I am told that folk from the village and surrounding farms are starting to arrive in the bailey.”
“The kitchens will be busy,” she murmured.
Burton grimaced. “’Tis best to stay out of the cook’s way. He bellowed like an ox when I spoke to him earlier. He obviously did not like being interrupted during the final egg wash to gild the boar’s head.”
Leaving Burton to the final arrangements, Liliana returned to her chamber to collect her gifts. She was to meet her sire, Ren, and Averil in Haddon’s room. Her brother was too weak to take part in most of the day’s celebrations, including the grand feast, and had been advised by the healer to stay abed and rest. So, the celebrations—the gift exchange, at least—would take place at his bedside.
Liliana knocked and stepped inside. To her surprise, Averil was already there, with Rosy sitting on her lap. No wonder Liliana hadn’t been able to find her friend moments ago. A pretty flush swept Averil’s face as she met Liliana’s gaze and then smoothed a hand over Rosy’s mussed hair.
“Good Christmas Day to you,” Liliana said.
“And to you,” Haddon answered with a lop-sided grin.
Liliana crossed to his bedside. “You look a bit better today.”
“I am certain my lovely visitors have helped with that,” Haddon said, his gaze on Averil.
Averil’s flush deepened.
Liliana busied herself with arranging the gifts on Haddon’s bed. She’d never seen Averil blush like that. Haddon must have been charming her.
Moments later, more knocks sounded on the door. Her father and Ren strode in, carrying presents.
“Look at the gifts!” Rosy cried, bouncing up and down with excitement.
Ren’s gaze touched Liliana’s, and she smiled. He winked back, and a shiver of delight trailed through her.
As they all gathered around the bed, Rosy pointed to Haddon’s face. A pang of unease tore through Liliana, but before she could distract the child, Rosy said, “Scratch.”
“Oh.” Averil looked mortified. “When we visited the stable the other day, the stable hand told Rosy not to try and pet the cat. Otherwise, she might get scratched. The man showed us the mark on his arm caused by the animal’s claws.”
“Scratch.” Haddon chortled and shook his head.
Liliana’s chest tightened. Oh, mercy. All had been going so well. She couldn’t bear it if her brother took offense and retreated into his emotional torment.
“I am sorry, Haddon,” Averil said softly.
Shame shadowed Rosy’s eyes, and she buried her face against her mother’s neck.
Haddon looked away, at the nearest stone wall. His jaw ticked, as though he struggled with an inner dilemma. Then he faced Averil again, a wry smile touching his mouth. “I cannot avoid the comments about my scar. I will have it for the rest of my life.”
“True,” Averil said gently, “but—”
Haddon held up a hand. “Nay. I must accept ’twill be difficult for others to look upon. If ’tis easier for Rosy to think of it as a scratch, then so be it.”
“’Tis a very brave answer, Son,” Liliana’s sire said, pride in his voice.
“A wise answer,” Ren agreed.
“To be honest, Haddon, when I look at you,” Averil said, “I do not see the scar. I see the handsome, brilliant young lord I knew years ago.”
“The man you…wanted to kiss?” Haddon murmured.
“The very same,” Averil agreed with a shy smile.
Haddon grinned, his joy so profound, Liliana couldn’t hold back a chuckle. With a jolt of surprise, Liliana realized Averil must have meant Haddon when, in the sewing room, she’d spoken of a young man she’d admired years ago.
One by one, they opened their gifts. Haddon stilled when he saw the box Liliana had bought him, and when he opened the lid, tears glistened in his eyes. “Thank you, Lil.”
“My pleasure,” she murmured.
Averil delighted in her hair comb, and her father was pleased with the knife. Rosy loved the cloth kittens and cooed in delight when Ren handed her a carved wooden dog. She now sat on the floor, playing with her cats and dog, while the rest of them finished opening gifts.
At last, there was only one present left: Ren’s second gift for Liliana. He’d already given her a delicate silver bracelet, but had promised another gift was forthcoming.
“You deliberately saved that one until last,” she said with a mock scowl. He walked around the bed, and she rose to meet him as he handed her the tiny, wrapped parcel.
“I did save it till last.” A mysterious light touched his eyes. “When you open it, you will see why.”
She pressed her fingers around the tiny parcel, trying to guess what was inside. The object was round, hard, and—
“Lil! Open it.”
Why did Averil sound so excited? What did her dearest friend know that she didn’t?
Liliana’s pulse sped up as she pulled apart the twine and then the edges of the cloth wrapping. Inside was a ring carved from wood. What looked like stars had been etched onto the band.
Tears filled her eyes. “Oh—”
“As I told your father, I tried to buy you a gold ring,” Ren said, sounding sheepish. “I could not find one I thought you would like. I made you this wooden one for now, until we find one you like better.”
“I can’t imagine finding one I will like more,” she whispered.
Ren’s leather boots creaked, and then he was down on one knee before her, taking her right hand in his. He slid the wooden ring onto her finger. “Will you do me the greatest honor of my life and marry me?”
The joy she’d felt that morning soared inside her. She smiled, happy tears welling and sliding down her cheeks.
“Well, Liliana?” Ren asked. He looked uneasy, as if he worried that she would say no.
“By now,” she said gently, “I think you can cal
l me Lil.”
He grinned. “Lil, will you—”
“I will.”
Averil squealed. Her father roared and clapped.
“You—?” Ren said. Then, with a triumphant shout, he was on his feet, and she was in his arms, his lips on hers, proving to her just how much he loved her.
“Oy, Lil,” Haddon called from the bed. “Come and give your brother a hug.”
She did, being careful not to touch his bandaged shoulder. As her arms wrapped around him, and he embraced her back, she sighed with contentment. Days ago, she’d never have believed she’d fall in love with Ren, or that her brother, believed dead, would return home.
Miracles really did come true at Christmas.
Epilogue
The Village Near Maddlestow Keep
April, 1195
Liliana reined in her mare in the village square, near the church. The cheering crowd of men, women, and children who had followed the wedding procession surrounded her, their jubilant cries almost drowning out the merry song played by the musicians who’d led the way through the village.
Beside her, Averil also drew her horse to a halt. More joyful folk lined the stone path leading to the church portico.
In the portico’s shade, Haddon and Ren stood waiting with the village priest. Sunlight gleamed on the gold and silver embroidery on their garments. Both lords were dressed in their finest clothes, right down to their polished boots. Liliana felt Ren’s gaze settle upon her and fought a hot-cold shiver of excitement. Still, after all the months they’d been betrothed, just one smoldering look from him could make her pulse race.
Was Ren nervous too? Truly, none of them should be anxious. She, Ren, Averil, and Haddon had agreed on the double wedding months ago. When discussing where they would get married, they’d noted that Ren’s lands were some distance away. The rich holdings that Liliana’s father had given to Haddon were closer. So was the estate Averil had managed since her husband’s death, but she and Haddon had decided to live part of the year in each of their holdings. On one thing both couples had unanimously agreed: their days at Maddlestow had brought them together, and so they should be married at the village church.
Now that the day was upon them…
“Are you ready?” Averil called. She looked lovely in her silvery gown embroidered with dark gray flowers, her hair coiled up atop her head and dotted with apple blossoms.
“I am.” Liliana smiled. Her father, patiently waiting, stretched up his hand to help her down from her mare, its mane braided with ribbons and early spring blooms. Her feet touched the ground, and she instinctively smoothed her hands over her flowing, pale gold silk gown. The bodice and hem gleamed with an intricate floral pattern wrought with gold thread. Her braided hair was coiled around her head like Averil’s, but she also wore a circlet set with pearls and gems and a long veil.
Her father linked his arm through hers. “You look beautiful, Liliana.”
“Thank you.” She kissed him on the cheek. “And you look most handsome.”
Her father chuckled and patted her hand, then held out his other elbow for Averil to slide her arm through.
Rosy, dressed in a light yellow silk gown, stood at the start of the path, holding a basket of apple blossoms. The heads of the three toy kittens poked up out of the basket. With a nod from Averil, the little girl started up the path, scattering blooms and petals.
Together, arm in arm, Liliana, her sire, and Averil started up the path.
The noise from the crowd soared.
Among the well-wishers, Liliana recognized the healer who’d worked tirelessly to treat Haddon’s injury; Burton and his wife, smiling and waving; and Myles, his sun-weathered face set with a proud grin.
They neared the portico. Ren exchanged words with Haddon, and both men grinned. She could imagine what they were talking about. Ren had jested just the other night that once they were married, he’d have the right to steal her clothes whenever he liked: morning, evening, or any moment in between. His voice had dipped to a sensual rumble that had made her hot all over and restless, and then he’d kissed her, so thoroughly that—
“Lil.” Ren’s voice.
She blinked. They’d reached the portico. The priest stood before her, holding an open Bible, the wedding rings resting near the center binding.
Ren’s dark eyebrows rose. “Lost in thought, Lil?”
She smiled sweetly. “Never you mind.”
A lazy grin ticked up Ren’s lips. “Later, then, I will ask you what you were thinking.”
Haddon chuckled, his loving gaze focused on Averil. He was looking forward to becoming a husband and a father. Liliana knew he would excel at both.
As the crowd quieted and the priest began the ceremony, Liliana said a silent prayer of thanks that she and Ren had found each other. They would be happy in their married life.
Ren’s hand slipped into hers, and Liliana savored the wonderful feeling of being his. Their falling in love might have taken a miracle or two, but now, together, they had forever.
About Catherine Kean
Catherine Kean is an award-winning, Kindle Unlimited All-Star author of medieval romances. Her love of history began with visits to England during summer vacations, when her British father took her to crumbling medieval castles, dusty museums filled with fascinating artifacts, and historic churches. Her love of the awe-inspiring past stuck with her as she completed a B.A. (Double Major, First Class) in English and History. She completed a year-long Post Graduate course with Sotheby’s auctioneers in London, England, and worked for several years in Canada as an antiques and fine art appraiser.
After she moved to Florida, she started writing novels, her lifelong dream. She wrote her first medieval romance, A Knight’s Vengeance, while her baby daughter was napping. Catherine’s books were originally published in paperback and several were released in Czech, German, and Thai foreign editions. She has won numerous awards for her stories, including the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Her novels also finaled in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the National Readers’ Choice Awards, and the International Digital Awards.
When not working on her next book, Catherine enjoys cooking, baking, browsing antique shops, shopping with her daughter, and gardening. She lives in Central Florida with two spoiled rescue cats.
Connect with Catherine
Amazon Author Page
Website
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Books by Catherine Kean
A Knight and His Rose (Novella)
A Knight to Remember (Novella)
A Knight’s Desire
A Legendary Love (Novella)
A Witch in Time (Novella)
Bound by His Kiss (Novella)
Dance of Desire
Her Gallant Knight (Novella)
My Lady’s Treasure
One Knight in the Forest (Novella)
One Knight Under the Mistletoe (Novella)
One Knight’s Kiss (Novella)
That Knight by the Sea (Novella)
Knight’s Series Novels
A Knight’s Vengeance (Knight’s Series Book 1)
A Knight’s Reward (Knight’s Series Book 2)
A Knight’s Temptation (Knight’s Series Book 3)
A Knight’s Persuasion (Knight’s Series Book 4)
A Knight’s Seduction (Knight’s Series Book 5)
A Knight’s Redemption (Knight’s Series Book 6)
Boxed Sets
The Knight’s Series: Books 1-5
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