Epilogue

Silloth-on-Solway, England October, 1198

H e dragged her off the horse and kissed her breathless. Until, that was, his men began to cheer and whistle at his actions. He tugged her hand and took her away from the building site. She went with him to the edge of the stream and behind some trees.

“I have missed you, wife,” he said, in the possessive growl that made her blood run hot.

“I have missed you, husband.” She returned his kiss and resisted the urge to undress him further. He was working in only his breeches and boots with his chest bare and his hair pulled back revealing the strong chin she loved to kiss.

“If you continue to look at me with that hunger in your eyes, I will never get this house built in time for winter.” He kissed her once more and then took her hand. “Come, walk with me.”

Anne told him of her journey with Lady Margaret and of the package she’d retrieved for him. She took it out of the saddlebag and handed it to him. He looked at her and she waved him off for a few private moments of reading about his sister Catherine’s progress. William had shown her the other letters on their return to Silloth and he shared each new one with her as they arrived. To receive this one so closely to the last one could mean something good or bad.

His expression was one of disbelief when he returned to her side. “Have you read this yet?”

“No. I would never read it before you.”

“The reverend mother’s news is incredible. ’Twould seem that the Earl of Harbridge’s younger brother is to inherit his lands in Poitou and he has chosen Catherine as his bride.”

“Pardon?” She could not believe these developments. Well, since the news she had for him was of the unbelievable kind, mayhap she should not be so quick to judge.

“The letter says that in spite of many obstacles and the initial objections of the earl, Geoffrey and Catherine marry in three weeks, on their return from Poitou.

“Married,” he said with a smile. “Mayhap the Fates have decided to be kind to the de Severins after all?”

“I am pleased with my de Severin,” she whispered.

He folded up the parchment and handed it to her carefully.

“There is more news, Royce.”

“More news? Share it with me.”

How did she say this to him? “I spoke to Wenda today about my tiredness and lack of appetite.”

“For food,” he added with a seductive smile that had caused this.

“For food. ’Twould seem that your ardent wooing has had some results.”

“I am tiring you out with too much of it?”

“Nay. Aye,” she said, smiling at him. “It appears that I am not barren after all.” She waited for it to make sense to him.

His roar drew the other workers to them, even as he took her in his arms and spun her around. She laughed and laughed until he stopped and held her close.

“I told you it was no fault of yours.”

“You are correct as usual, husband.” William kissed her over and over and then she heard him whisper.

“Come what may.”