Chapter Thirty-Five

Meregate

One Fortnight Later

R ichard observed the festivities of his wedding celebration from his place at the raised dais in Meregate’s great hall. His wife was dancing to a lively tune with her captain of her guard. Merek and the other knights who had been held captive had all been restored to their rightful places as part of the garrison to guard these very walls. Luckily, none had been too severely injured during their unfortunate stay in the depths of Meregate’s underbelly.

The missive sent by the Earl of Gloucester had at last reached King Stephen regarding his men who had been captured at Wilton. The King had been forced to spend a small fortune to ensure those who had shielded his retreat regained their freedom. But that was not the only loss the King had been required to agree to. Any further claim to Meregate Caste was relinquished but Annora’s home was not the only place that Stephen was required to forfeit. Sherborne Castle was also surrendered as payment. Such a loss stripped two more pieces of land that reinforced his control over England. The cost for having his lieutenants and men returned to him had been high.

Earl Robert had released Richard from his service but reserved the right to call upon him if the Empress found herself in need of his aid in the future. With the earl’s leaving, the Norwood brothers also departed to make their journey back to their homes and the wives who awaited their return. Richard would miss their company but had promised that he and Annora would visit as soon as they could possibly travel. He still had the need to introduce his wife to his parents at Lyndhurst.

During the past fortnight, the people of Meregate regained their strength as supplies once more flowed into the castle. Annora took charge of seeing her home restored to its former glory and day by day, Meregate was slowly becoming the place his wife remembered. Her son was never far from her side and she welcomed Leif’s presence. Richard could hardly blame her for wishing her child to be close. She had been parted from his company for longer than she had thought would be possible.

There had only been one moment nigh unto two se’nnight ago that had caused Richard’s entire world to shift unexpectedly. He had returned to their bedchamber early one morn to find Annora still abed. Concerned for her health, he rushed to her side only for her to hold out her hand to halt his progress whilst she leaned over the bedside and lost the contents of her stomach. Bringing her something to drink, he swore she appeared positively green. When he had asked her what ailed her, her response had almost caused him to pass out cold.

“My darling Richard… There is no easy way to tell you this, but unless you want your child to be born without your name, you best call the priest soon so he might bless your union.”

A child… Aye. He may have been momentarily shocked and unable to respond to her words but he had quickly recovered and from that point, he could barely contain his joy that she carried their babe within her. Richard had wasted little time in making all the arrangements and had been more than elated when he at last was able to call Annora his wife.

A gentle caress ran across his shoulders and he tilted his head back to stare into the mesmerizing green eyes of his lady.

“You were lost in thought, my love,” she purred sweetly. “Good thoughts, I hope.”

“Of course. They were of you,” he replied pulling her down into his lap and nuzzling her neck.

“Richard, our guests! What will they think?” she laughed leaning over to kiss his cheek.

“They will think I must surely be out of my head to still be sitting here in the great hall making merry instead of taking my wife up to our chamber to have my wicked way with her,” he teased in a tone that should have warned her he was about done with delaying their official union as man and wife.

Her laughter was infectious and Richard smiled with satisfaction, knowing he was the cause of her happiness.

She stole a glance around her hall before a blush rushed becomingly across her face. “You do not think they will miss us?” she inquired softly running her fingers up the front of his tunic.

“Nay, and I cannot think of a better time than now for us to head to our bedchamber,” Richard said sliding his hand up her leg under the table.

She playfully swatted his hands away. “Not here, Richard. Leif is watching,” she scolded with a smile that told him she was not all that put out that he wanted her.

He pulled her forward so he could whisper in her ear. “Then let us take this to our room where I can make you cry out in pleasure,” he said huskily. He held out his hand for her to take and when she rose to her feet he also stood. He called for another barrel of wine to be brought up from the cellars. Meregate’s people could continue on with their celebration without their lord and mistress.

Annora gave her son a hug goodnight as they made their way toward the turret and when they arrived at their room, Richard put the bolt into place to ensure their privacy for the eve. Annora went to a table by the window and poured a chalice of wine. A small repast was laid out for them to enjoy, not that Richard was hungry for any more food.

His eyes all but devoured his wife as she sipped from the cup. She held it out and he came to her. He deliberately placed his lips where hers just touched in a lover’s gesture, and she beamed her approval before she began slipping out of her gown. Placing the chalice down, his hands skimmed over the lush body before him.

She wound her arms around his neck and pressed herself into his chest. “Now… what were you saying about having your wicked way with me, my lord?” she said seductively whilst running her fingers through his hair. She wiggled her body against him and a part of him rose to the occasion.

A short chuckle escaped. “I believe, my lady, ’tis time I take us on another adventure.”

“I look forward to the journey, Richard.”

“We shall share a lifetime’s worth and more, my dearest Annora.”

“Have I told you today that I love you?’ she asked helping pull his tunic over his head.

“I shall never tire of hearing such a sentiment from you. I love you as well, my dearest. Yesterday, today, and for all of eternity,” he vowed before sealing his words with a kiss.

He heard a moan of delight to which he responded by lifting his wife into his arms and carrying her to their bed. There was no need for further words to proclaim their love. Instead, they showed one another through the remainder of the eve the true commitment they had made to one another when they spoke their vows and the priest had sealed them together.

Aye, Richard would indeed look forward to such an adventure as spending eternity with the love of his life. ’Twas a miracle they had found one another through the mayhem of war that was now behind them. Their future together looked bright and Richard would do all in his power to see that Annora never worried about anything ever again. Her happiness was the main goal now in life and that would be more than enough to keep him satisfied.