Chapter Thirty-Three

E yreka bustled into Jillian's chamber just after she had risen to break her fast for the day.

"Riders are approaching from the south."

Grabbing her cloak, Jillian followed Eyreka down the stair, through the hall, and out into the bright sunlit bailey. Jillian hailed the guard, "Eustace, can you see who comes?"

"Nay, mistress, but there is a woman in their riding party. 'Tis all I can make out from this distance."

The guards along the curtain wall waited, arrows notched, until the group rode close enough to decide if they presented any danger to the keep.

"Tell Garrick, Henri du Guerre and his lady wife wish entrance to your keep," a loud voice demanded from the other side of the wall.

Jillian and Eyreka exchanged glances; their like minds had them clamoring up the wooden steps of the platform to see over the wall. Standing side by side, they took in the sight below them. Madelyne sat astride a beautiful horse who pawed at the ground impatiently, while to her right, her husband Henri sat atop a black destrier who snorted loudly while being restrained.

"Maddy!"

"Jillian? Are you well? Should you be out of bed yet?" Her friend's concern-wrapped words felt like a warm hug.

"Aye, Lady du Guerre, she should as yet be abed," a deep voice answered from directly behind Jillian.

She whirled around so fast her long hair snapped like a banner in a stiff breeze.

Their gazes locked and held, neither one speaking. Words were not always necessary between them. She sensed her husband's displeasure. Deep lines were drawn around his mouth, forcing it into a grimace. A bad sign.

"Are you going to stand there and glare at me, husband? Or will you bid them enter before I catch a chill standing out here in the wind?"

Her sassy reply brought a rumble of laughter from the solemn man at her side. "Open the gate!" he called down.

Before Jillian could slip out of his grasp, he pulled her close to his side and took hold of her arm. Bending he whispered in her ear, "Lady wife, do not think I shall forget you have disobeyed my wishes after you gave me your word."

Her broad smile should have given Garrick a clue to what she was thinking.

Jillian saw Reka give her son a hard look out of the corner of her eye as they descended the stairs. She would find out why later. As soon as Madelyne dismounted, Jillian took Madelyne's arm and steered her across the bailey to their hall.

"I was worried for you," Madelyne confessed.

"'Tis only my husband who thinks I should be abed. I feel stronger by the day." Looking around for her husband, she added, "He worries about me overmuch."

"Aye, 'tis the way it should be," Madelyne agreed. "Henri could drive me mad with his cautions. Don't ride out alone, Maddy. We have a cook, Maddy, let her do her job."

Jillian laughed at Madelyne's mimicking of her husband. "He cares for you, then?"

Madelyne's smile was blinding. "I love him."

"I didn't know, but am glad to hear you say so." Jillian grew thoughtful before adding, "Does he return your feelings?"

"Oh, aye." The younger woman's face flushed a bright pink.

"Madelyne," Henri stalked over to his wife's side and glowered, "I knew I should have forbidden you to ride out."

"Why is that?" Jillian asked.

"'Tis not your affair, wife," Garrick said softly.

"But she's my friend," she added hotly.

"She is du Guerre's wife," he reminded her.

With a great sigh, Henri answered them both, "She carries my babe, and I'll not let her ride out again until he is safely delivered."

"Oh, Henri," Madelyne laughed softly. "I am fine, mayhap a little tired."

"Come sit over by the fire," Jillian took her by the arm, "and tell me about it."

Garrick offered a mug of mead to Henri. "To fatherhood," Henri toasted.

"My wife doesn't realize her limitations," Garrick complained.

Henri nodded knowingly. " Oui , our women are strong willed, no?"

"Aye, they are," Garrick agreed.

Finally, the question that had popped into his brain the moment he looked down from atop the curtain wall and found du Guerre awaiting entrance to Merewood came out, "Why are you really here?"

"Ah, you think I have other reasons for this visit?" Henri nodded. "I have come to cherish my wife, but cannot stomach her sire."

Garrick's eyes grew cold at the mention of Owen. "Then we share similar feelings toward that whoreson," he added under his breath.

" Oui. Can we speak privately?" Henri urged.

"Jillian, Henri and I are going to meet with the blacksmith."

"Aye, Garrick." Her puzzled look made him smile.

Once outside, Henri began, "'Twas Owen who led me to Loughmoe three years past. I was ready to level the home of any traitor to my king. The fact that two women resided alone at Loughmoe tempted me further still."

Garrick's face grew taut, as the rage within him bubbled up.

Du Guerre put a hand out to stop Garrick from grabbing the hilt of his sword. "Hear me out. There is more."

Nodding his head, Garrick released his death grip on the hilt.

"We surrounded the keep, yet the women still escaped. After that I trusted him not. He tried to contact me more than once to tell me he had the land within his grasp, but I cared not. That is not until the night I spent with his daughter."

Henri's gaze searched Garrick's before he continued; "I lost my heart to my Maddy that night. Living with her has changed my view on things."

"Such as?"

"Hating all Saxons. We must learn to live among one another if we are to survive and become a stronger people."

Garrick was moved by Henri's declaration. "Aye. 'Tis as it should be." Pausing, he lowered his voice, "Owen was behind the kidnapping of my wife and mother, and the ambush a fortnight ago."

" Oui , this I know. Maddy has recently overheard her father making plans to take back the ransom he was never paid by you."

"He would not dare."

"He would dare much. As much as I love Madelyne, that much I despise Owen of Sedgeworth."

With one hand on his heart and the other on the hilt of his sword, Henri went down on one knee before a stunned Garrick. "I offer my sword in defense of your keep. Together we stand stronger than alone."

Garrick felt humbled by the Norman's words. All that du Guerre had divulged about Owen had not surprised him. That he would pledge his sword to defend Merewood did, but he was wise enough to take him up on his offer.

Reaching a hand out to his new vassal he said, "Henri, together, we shall keep Owen and his band of Reivers under control. With our forces joined, our keeps' people will have naught to fear."

" Oui , my friend."

"Aye, my friend." Garrick paused before speaking his inner most thought, "Owen will pay for his actions."

"What do you have in mind?" Henri prompted him.

"Land and wealth is everything to the man," Garrick said aloud, while rubbing his chin.

" Oui . That and life at the court of King William," du Guerre added quietly.

"His true nature should be exposed, so all would know him for the coward he is," Garrick stated emphatically. "'Tis time to draw the vermin away from his keep and spring the trap."

*

Musical laughter flowed out of the open door as Garrick and his new ally returned to the hall. Jillian and Madelyne sat with their heads bowed together, auburn waves mingled with flaxen tresses.

Fire and sunlight.

Garrick felt a warmth rise up inside of him at the sight. Jillian's laughter, her essence, had infused itself into the walls of Merewood. He was humbled that her courage let her forgive him, and with her loving touch, heal him. His hall rang with joy and laughter.

Now he had a strong ally he could count on should Owen decide to cause more trouble. But beyond that, he had made a friend, heretofore an enemy. Their lives were cycling further away from war by the day, back toward more peaceful times.

"You were gone overlong, husband," Jillian teased. "I missed you." She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips across his cheek, barely catching it in her haste. Garrick pulled her back to him and kissed her deeply, needing to show her without words what her gift of herself meant to him.

When at last he released her, he felt her knees buckle. Chuckling, he wrapped an arm around her waist and led her to an empty chair. Before Jillian knew what he was about, he had settled her down on his lap, resting his hand lightly on the hard mound of her belly. Both watched the babe within it, bounce up and down.

"Milord," she said softly, "we have guests."

"Henri understands," Garrick said, "Don't you Henri?"

" Oui ." Surprising a yelp out of his wife, Henri lifted her out of her chair and sat down, settling her down on his lap in one swift motion.

"Mayhap my son and his guests would rather I return another time?" Lady Eyreka suggested frostily.

"Nay, Mother, come and sit. 'Tis past time we got to know our neighbors at Loughmoe Keep."

Turning toward Henri, she asked pointedly, "How is the renovation of Jillian's home going?"

"Nay, Reka. This is my home. Loughmoe belongs to Maddy and Henri."

Looking from her son to her daughter-in-law, Eyreka nodded. "Aye, 'tis your home."

Jillian suddenly felt as if the truth had finally come to her. Merewood was her home. It was filled with the people she loved. Within a few short months, their babe would be born in the bed she shared with the man who held her heart. Wrapping her arms about his neck, she laid her head over his heart and listened to the strong steady beating of it.

The Lord had blessed her the day she met Garrick of Merewood. But His blessing did not stop there. He gave her a new mother to love and brothers. She'd always wanted brothers. She closed her eyes and smiled.