Brianna couldn’t remember exactly what happened over the next several hours. It seems that Matilda had wandered rather far from the castle, Beowulf happily keeping her company. Then they had gotten too close to the river, and the bank, having been softened by the recent rains, gave way, sending both Matilda and the pup into the freezing water.
Somehow, Beowulf had managed to help keep the child afloat until she could grab a branch from a tree that was drifting in the water. When the branch finally lodged against a jutting log, Matilda clung to both it and the pup until Marie eventually found them. In trying to rescue them, Marie’s gunna became tangled in the branches and the rescuer became a prisoner as well.
Now Brianna hustled around trying to get everyone dry and warm, but a castle was not very conducive to this. No matter how hot the fire, the hall never seemed to be warm.
It was some time later, as Brianna handed them each a mug of hot milk, that it occurred to her that the time set for the wedding ceremony had passed. By common consent, it would seem, the wedding was postponed.
Garek found Brianna helping a shivering Marie and Matilda into bed. His look passed over each before returning to Brianna.
“The king wishes to speak with you, Brianna.” As she straightened, he glanced at Marie. “And you also, Marie.”
“Now?” Brianna asked. “Could it not wait?”
“King William waits for no one,” he informed her. “In the great hall.”
They watched him walk away, and Marie quickly arose, pulling her soft kirtle over her head. Brianna helped her into her gunna, and after seeing that Matilda was asleep, they quickly made their way to where the king awaited them.
When they entered the room, they found it empty save for the king, Garek, Etienne, and Sir Hormis.
“Come forward,” the king commanded, and both women hastened to obey. Dropping into a deep curtsy before him, they awaited his word before rising to their feet.
Sighing, the king leaned back in the chair ordinarily reserved for Garek at mealtimes. “It would seem there are things that need to be attended to,” he told them. He looked at Etienne. “Sir Bolson, you have asked for the hand of the maid, Brianna. Is this not so?”
Brianna’s eyes flew to Garek. His face was pale, the tick that told of feelings held in check apparent in his cheek. Her look then passed to Etienne, who stood silently watching her.
“Yea, Sire.”
The king’s gaze fastened on Brianna. “And what have you to say to this?”
“Sire,” Brianna began, hating the hurt she knew she would cause the young knight. “I do not love Sir Bolson as he deserves to be loved. I do not believe it is God’s will for my life that I do this.”
“I have already agreed to this marriage,” William told her implacably, but he glanced again at Sir Bolson. “What is your will on this matter?”
Etienne’s intense look settled once again on Brianna. “I wish only to make Brianna happy. If she cannot be so with me, then I release her.”
Nodding, the king then turned to Garek. “And Sir Garek, the time for your wedding is past. Shall we try again for the morrow?”
Garek swallowed hard. “I will keep my oath.”
“And you, Marie?”
Marie dropped her eyes to the floor. “It was the wish of my father that I marry whomever you chose for me, Sire.”
William rose and went to her side. He touched her gently on the cheek with the backs of his fingers, cupped her chin, and raised her eyes to his.
“And if I gave you the choice?”
Marie’s look flickered briefly to Sir Hormis before her lashes swept down over pale cheeks. “I made a promise to my father.”
“Ah. You promised him to marry a landed gentleman with fiefs on both sides of the channel?”
She nodded. “Yea, Sire.”
William released her and went to Sir Hormis. “Sir Hormis, I told you that I would reward you for valor in trying to save the life of my dear friend, Earl Waverly. For such a daring act of bravery I feel you should be allowed your own fief in this fair land to add to the one you already own in Normandy. Is this acceptable to you?”
There was a strange glitter in the knight’s eyes as they rested on Marie. “Yea, Sire.”
Rocking back on his heels, William then crossed his hands over his chest, pursing his lips. “Then Marie Waverly, I am allowing you your choice of husband. Is it Garek du Mor you would have?”
Marie’s look flashed to Garek, who stood open-mouthed before his king. “Nay, Sire. If it would so please him, I would choose Sir Hormis.”
“And Sir Hormis,” the king inquired of his knight. “Would this please you?”
Eyes glinting, Sir Hormis grinned at William. “Aye, Sire. It would please me well.”
Brianna’s heart gave a leap and her joyous eyes found Garek’s. His puzzled look wandered the group around him before the king’s and Marie’s words finally sank in. Gray eyes came alive with jubilation.
King William was shaking his head sadly, though his brown eyes sparkled. “It would seem, Sir Garek, that you have been rejected. Would you care for me to arrange another match for you?”
Garek’s eyes never left Brianna’s. “If it would not seem forward, Sire, I would like to arrange my own.”
William laughed. “So be it.” Suddenly he sobered, turning to Sir Bolson. “And you, Etienne? What of you?”
“If I have your permission, Sire, I should like to return to Normandy.”
“We shall miss you in England, but I think I understand. Go with my blessings.”
“If it is all the same to you, Sire, I should like to leave at first light.”
William nodded, and Etienne turned to leave the room. Brianna quickly followed him to the door. She smiled softly into his sad eyes. “Godspeed,” she told him.
He touched her cheek a moment, returning her smile halfway. “Be happy. I will always remember you.”
Brianna watched him leave, feeling curiously bereft. She felt Garek’s presence behind her.
“Will you come to the chapel with me?”
Nodding, Brianna received permission from the king to leave. She allowed Garek to place her fur mantle around her shoulders and together they descended the stairs to the forecourt. As they circled the manor house, Garek took Brianna’s hand firmly into his own.
Opening the door for her, Garek followed Brianna inside. He took her hand again and led her to the front bench, where they had talked only the night before. Had it been only one night? To Garek it seemed an eon had passed since then.
He seated Brianna on the bench and knelt before her. He lifted serious eyes to hers.
“Last night I asked for God’s forgiveness. Last night I promised to obey Him all the rest of my days upon this earth. Last night, I finally found freedom.”
Tears came to Brianna’s eyes and she brushed at them with one hand as they slid warmly down her cheek.
“Today,” Garek continued, “I want to give up my freedom. I want to give my oath to you, and I vow it will be the last oath I make. Will you give your oath to me, Brianna? Will you belong to me for all time?”
Leaning forward, Brianna took his face between her palms. She smiled brightly into his eyes before covering his lips with hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck, with her kiss she gave him her answer.
epilogue
Lady Marie Waverly was wed to Lord Antoine Hormis in Westminster Abbey by King William’s good friend, the Bishop Lanfranc.
The magnificent cathedral was a testimony to the love King Edward the Confessor had for the Lord God Almighty.
Although Brianna had been awed by the famous structure, her thoughts were not on the building now. As Marie and Sir Hormis exchanged vows, Brianna’s eyes went to the man standing by her side.
Garek took Brianna’s hand into his own larger one, and with his eyes, repeated the vows that he and Brianna had exchanged themselves only three months before. Brianna’s eyes darkened to sapphire as she in return repeated her vow
s in her mind. Her heart swelled with love and gratitude that God had allowed her such happiness.
Everything had worked out as God had intended. It had taught Brianna a valuable lesson: Have patience and wait on God’s pleasing and perfect will.
Garek lifted her hand to his lips, and regardless of any watchers, slowly kissed each of her fingers. His eyes promised her much more, and Brianna could feel her breathing become uneven as she thought of the days, and nights, to come.
Color bloomed becomingly in her cheeks, and Garek thought her more lovely than the bride standing before the bishop in all her wedding finery.
When the ceremony was over, everyone returned to the king’s residence to celebrate. Brianna watched little Matilda beside the king’s wife of the same name. Queen Matilda was barely taller than the child beside her.
The woman laughed with the child and when Marie joined the group it became a merry party. Sir Hormis also joined the group, placing a hand possessively on his wife’s waist.
Marie smiled up at him, love glowing in her eyes. Little Matilda wedged her way between them, and Brianna was relived to see the smile of welcome the knight bestowed upon her. They would make a fine family.
Garek found his wife watching the small tableau and his eyebrows raised in question.
“I was not sure Sir Hormis would welcome a child when he was so newly married. I am pleased to see that he loves Matilda,” Brianna told him.
“He would love her if for no other reason than the fact that he loves Marie.”
Brianna nodded. “True, but the child should be loved for herself.”
Placing his arm around her waist, Garek gave her a slight hug. “Someday it will be our turn.”
Brianna smiled absently. “Would you welcome a son, Garek? Or perhaps a daughter?”
“In time, ma cherie. But for now, let us enjoy our time alone.”
Frowning slightly, Brianna told him, “I am afraid our time alone may be limited.”
It took a moment for her words to sink in. Surprised, he stared at her. “When?”
“At Christmas time, I think.”
A smile spread slowly across his face and his eyes began to glow. “A Christmas child. It is good.”
Relieved, Brianna turned to him. “Truly you do not mind?”
“Bien-aimeé, I could not be happier. Je t’aime.”
Brianna smiled widely. “I love you, too. When may we go home?”
“I have already told William that we shall be leaving on the morrow. I have a need to feel my own dirt beneath my feet.”
Taking her by the hand, Garek made his excuses to the king and his wife and together he and Brianna retired to their own bed chamber.
Later that night, Garek held his wife close and listened to her even breathing. His heart swelled with love and a fierce desire to protect her.
God had truly blessed him with this woman. It amazed him still how the Lord had worked everything out to His own purpose. He was still unsure why God would choose someone so unworthy to be husband to the loving maid he held so close, but he was thankful nonetheless.
In time, harsh memories would be forgotten, and hopefully the land would be united under one leadership with no more need of bloodshed. Garek had no desire to leave his wife for even a short period of time.
Smiling to himself in the darkness, Garek snuggled his wife closer. Let those who had the desire range across the lands and the seas in search of conquest and adventure. As for himself, his wandering days had ended.
About the Author
Darlene Mindrup is a full-time homemaker and homeschool teacher. A “radical feminist” turned “radical Christian,” Darlene lives in Arizona with her husband and two children. She believes “romance is for everyone, not just the young and beautiful.”
Dedication
I would like to thank Rosie and LeRoy Mindrup for sharing their son with me. I know he’s the man he is because of the parents you were.
And I wish to thank Rebecca Germany for having the patience to put up with a fledgling author. Every author should have an editor like Rebecca!
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