Epilogue

M orwenna shielded her eyes against the afternoon son. Her three-year-old son Nicholas was playing with a tiny wooden sword, swinging it as he grunted and pretended to be a soldier.

It appeared that a lone rider was approaching, and she wondered who it was. Her daughter had a fist in her mouth, and Robert came to stand beside them. He dropped a kiss upon Eleanor's cheek and then reached down to swing Nicholas into his arms. Their son giggled, and Robert lifted the boy up high before settling him against his chainmail armour.

‘Who is the rider?' she asked.

‘My men sighted him a short time ago. Come and meet our guest.'

She wasn't expecting anyone, but she followed Robert. Over the past few years, he had transformed Dunbough into a massive fortress by the sea. They had protected it against invasion with high stone walls, and he had taken the time to know every person who lived there. The people had not welcomed them at first, despite the king's decree, but Robert had won them over in time. The land was more difficult to farm, but they had sheep and cattle, along with fish from the sea. No one went hungry any more, and Morwenna loved nothing more than to stand on the battlements and watch the waves crash against the stones below.

But who was this rider? The man drew closer, and when she started to recognise him, her heart began pounding. Then she started to run, clutching the baby as she did.

‘Brian!' she cried out, the tears of joy spilling over her cheeks. ‘My brother!'

He'd grown so tall she had to tilt her head up to look at him. His skin held the bronzed tan of the sun, and there was no doubt that he'd been to Jerusalem and back again. He dismounted, and she wept as she reached for him. Robert took the baby so she could embrace her brother.

Brian held her close, stroking back her hair. ‘I returned to the abbey, and Uncle Oswald told me where you were.' He glanced over at Robert. ‘I thought you were dead on the night we tried to rescue Morwenna. It was my fault.'

‘No, you were right to attack. I should have done so sooner,' Robert admitted. ‘I only wish you had stayed at the abbey a little longer.'

But Morwenna knew her brother had left to face his own demons. Joining the Crusaders had given him a purpose, but she didn't miss the shadows in his eyes when she drew back from the embrace.

‘I never thought you would give up your lands at Penrith,' Brian said to Robert.

‘I found something of greater value,' he answered. Morwenna smiled and just then, her daughter began to sob. Robert put Eleanor to his shoulder, soothing her and patting her back. From the way the infant kept suckling her fist, Morwenna knew she was hungry.

Her son's face twisted with worry, as if he somehow believed the stranger had made his sister cry. But Brian only smiled and knelt down to Nicholas. ‘I am your uncle Brian, young lad. What's your name?'

‘Nicholas,' the boy answered.

He appeared uncertain, and Morwenna smoothed his hair to offer reassurance. ‘He's my brother, sweeting. Just as you are Eleanor's brother.'

At that, her son seemed to understand. He tugged at her skirts and informed her, ‘I need to play.'

‘Go on, then.' Brian patted his shoulder and then met her gaze. ‘You look happy, my sister.'

‘I am. More so, now that I know you're safe.' She had worried about him for so long, wondering if she would ever see him again. The years had transformed him from an adolescent into a man. He had a quiet strength about him, as if he had witnessed the horrors of war.

Robert pressed his hand against her spine, and asked, ‘Have you to come to live with us, Brian? We would be glad to have you stay.'

Her brother smiled. ‘I will visit for a time, but I have my own debt to repay.'

‘What sort of debt?' Morwenna asked. ‘Do you need our help?'

Brian only shook his head. ‘Not one that involves silver. The debt was my life.'

‘You have our help, should you need it,' Robert promised. ‘Come and join us for a meal.'

They walked together towards the keep, and as they passed the people, Morwenna saw Dunbough through her brother's eyes. They had taken a neglected estate and rebuilt it into a place of prosperity. She had taken her place as its lady and although sometimes she felt uncertain about her decisions, Robert was always by her side.

‘I need to feed the baby,' she told him when they drew closer to the entrance. ‘I will join you afterwards.'

Robert kissed her, letting his hand linger at her waist. ‘I'll be waiting.'

As she took the baby and walked towards the stone stairs, she paused to look back. Once, she had been a scared girl, fighting to survive. And now, she was surrounded by those she loved. With Robert by her side, they had formed a life together. She cradled her daughter, marvelling that an act of love kept bringing more love into the world.

Her husband met her gaze, echoing her silent message. She loved this man with her very soul. There was nothing in the world she wouldn't do for him, and she knew he would lay down his life for all of them.

And this was only the beginning.