The Tempest (27 page)
“My Cassia,” he whispered. “My love and my life.”
*****
After the wedding announcement was made the next morning, the manor became a whirlwind of activity. The happy couple, having been openly introduced as being engaged, would have enjoyed some time to themselves, but the chaos of nuptial planning left little time for anything else. They would be wed in a fortnight, which meant that every moment was precious. Cassia was immediately summoned to make decisions about her bridal attire, leaving Guy to begin his new duties as Steward. To say the least, it was a hectic time.
But they continued their late night meetings…neither of them willing to relinquish what time they could manage together. The only trouble was how quickly the nights passed. Guy in particular was growing frustrated with the limitations.
“Nine days feels like an eternity,” he lamented, as they strolled through the garden one evening. “I shall be very glad when we can be done with these formalities and nocturnal meetings.” Then he gave her a wicked little smile. “Not that I
mind
our little meetings. I just wish we did not have to be so secretive.”
The happy look faded from her expression, becoming more solemn. She sighed. “Guy, I think it best if I keep to my own bed for a time.”
He paused in their walking, making her turn to look at him, and his face was full of disappointment.
“Why?” he asked.
She hesitated for several moments. But after a bit of prodding, she made him bend down so she could whisper the reason in his ear, and then her face flushed pink with embarrassment. His own expression was one of shock, for as many women as he’d known, he’d never dealt with their womanly troubles before. The subject made him quite uncomfortable. But when he saw the mortified look on Cassia’s face, he tried his best to be understanding.
“You are a woman, after all. Do not be ashamed. We shall wait until the time is right.”
They continued on in silence, and he expected her demeanor to change with his attempt at consolation. But she continued to frown, and he knew there was something more that troubled her.
“Beloved, what is wrong? I do not like to see you forlorn.”
She sighed, her tone sad. “I was hoping to be with child. And this means I am not.”
It was a lng moment before he replied, and when he did, it was with his own outlet of breath. “I see,” he said gently. After another brief pause, he tried to change his tone to a more pleasant one. Gathering her in his arms, he rested her head on his breast, stroking her back. “Do not be distraught, my love. We will have children soon enough. I am certain of it. And what is more, they will be born in wedlock. I am sure that thought has crossed your mind at times. And while you wait and hope for our own children, you can take delight in your niece and nephew. They are quite fond of you, from what little I have observed.”
Now she smiled…he could hear the change in the little sound she made as she leaned against him. And then he found himself being the one who frowned.
“I fear they do not feel the same about me. Stuart, in particular. He flees when I look at him.”
She chuckled. “I have seen that. And I think perhaps he’s not certain what to make of you. You can be quite intimidating, you know.”
“Yesterday, he gave my leg a swipe before he ran away.”
Cassia pulled back in his arms, looking up at him. “Really? He must have been trying to test himself. Mock charging, like young animals do. I would not be surprised if he makes more attempts. And when he does, you should encourage him. Come down to his level in some way. Let him see that you are not so frightening.”
It was a strange thing to imagine a child not being afraid of him, and he had to wonder if Cassia would be right in her suggestion. He’d spent so many years being a monster in many a youngster’s eye, and he wasn’t quite certain if he could shake the reputation, even now. But when he thought about his own children to come, he decided that he should attempt to right those past wrongs. And what better way to learn than to interact with a child who was at hand. When Stuart came along the next time, Guy vowed he would be ready. Even if he looked foolish in his attempts…even if he failed in some aspect…he would try and learn for Cassia’s sake, and for the sake of the family he wanted to have someday. He’d failed in so many aspects of his existence thus far, but his future with his wife and family was a precious gift. They would be his chance to start his life all over again, and he didn’t intend to let this opportunity pass him by.
*****
Over the next week, Guy was quite busy as he helped to settle several property disputes that had come about with some of the tenants. The matter of getting to know his soon-to-be nephew was quite far from his mind, as he was rarely in the house before dark, and the children were already in the nursery when he returned.
While Guy was quite occupied with his work, the house continued to be a hive of constant preparations. Additional help had been brought in to assist with the numerous tasks to be done, and each member of the house had their own jobs to do. Only the children were exempt, and Stuart took the opportunity to run from room to room, bouncing on beds and ducking under tables to watch all the activity. His nurse had quite a task in keeping up with him, and on more than one occasion when her attention was diverted, he managed to escape her and go about exploring on his own. His curiosity sometimes found him in precarious situations, and on one very busy afternoon his climbing led to a tumble from a garden wall. The height had not been great, but it was enough to provide a gashed knee and many tears, and his outburst caught the attention of several people in the stables nearby…Guy in particular.
His horse had thrown its shoe, and since he was not far from the manor, he had gone back to see to a repair. While he spoke to the groom, he heard the sound of a child’s cries. Rushing out to investigate, he and the stable hands found Stuart lying near the garden wall, clutching his knee and wailing. Guy came to him, unsure at first of how he should respond. His first instinct was to panic, as the stable hands seemed to be doing. The two boys shouted to each other about rushing to fetch help, but neither was willing to go, for fear of attracting blame for what had happened. But then Guy thought about Cassia…how she would have remained calm in such a situation, assessing things before leaping to action. He waved off the two nervous young men.
“Return to your duties, and I will see to him.” He knelt down at Stuart’s side as the hands looked on, uncertain about his orders. But he waved them away again. “Go,” he repeated, more firmly this time. And reluctantly, they left him. He turned to the little boy, who was still wailing quite loudly, and Guy spoke as gently as he knew how.
“Come now, young gentleman, it cannot be so bad. May I look at it?”
Stuart’s wailing softened somewhat, but he allowed his hand to be pulled away from the wound, and Guy smiled slightly at seeing it was only a cut. It bled, but not so very much, and it didn’t appear to be deep. He didn’t know much about tending wounds, but he was certain that Cassia would know if it needed more attention. Gently brushing away the dirt, he talked to the boy in the hopes of distracting him.
“How old are you Stuart?”
Rubbing his eye with one hand, he held up three fingers with the other, replying through his tears.
“Almost this many.”
Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, Guy folded it into a band. “You are a brave boy for one so small.” He tied the cloth around the leg as a way to stem the trickle of blood…and he was stunned by Stuart’s reaction. The boy looked down at the material that hid his wound. It seemed that when he could not see his injury, he was not so upset, and his sobbing was reduced to sniffles and hiccups.
“You make it better?” he asked.
Guy smiled. “I hope so,” he said. “But let us take you to your Aunt. She will set it right.” Picking Stuart up, he carried him to the house…and he could not help but be amused by the way the boy babbled softly, alternating between complaints of his pain and exaggerations of how high up he had climbed before he fell. Guy found himself engaged in a strange but entertaining kind of conversation, and as he carried Stuart through the front door, a swarm of household staff came running to them, many in a state of near panic and all speaking at once in their native French. Stuart’s nurse was at the front of the small crowd, her face red with tears as she rattled on and on, and Guy suddenlfound himself feeling quite protective of his young charge. He ordered everyone away except for Cassia and Rosalyn, who was weeping as she tried to take her son in her arms. But Stuart shook his head. He looked up at Guy.
“You take me to my room,” he said.
Guy looked at Cassia and Rosalyn, who could only look at each other in surprise. They showed the way, and Guy followed them quickly.
After he deposited Stuart on the bed, he stood back for a few moments and calmly explained what had happened. Cassia was cool and collected, as she usually was. Rosalyn was much more distressed and visibly upset, though she had now managed to regain her composure, and she thanked Guy many times for his help.
“The hurt cannot be much,” he assured her. “And Cassia knows just what to do.” He looked at his fiancé, smiling, and she returned the gesture. Then Cassia took Rosalyn’s hand, comforting her.
“I will take care of him, sister. Do not fear.”
Rosalyn nodded, leaning down to kiss Stuart’s head and hands. Guy watched them, both moved and entertained by the motherly affection he was witnessing, and Stuart’s reaction to all of the attention, particularly his mother’s tears. He had ceased his crying altogether, and he looked at his mother with compassion, as if
she
were the injured party.
“Do not cry, Mama. Be like me. I am a brave boy.”
Rosalyn’s face lit up with love and amusement. Cassia chuckled as she gently removed the handkerchief, assessing that it was only a minor injury. She rose from the bed and came to Guy’s side, her eyes still on mother and son.
“I will bring something for the wound, Rosalyn. As Guy said, it is not so bad. I will return shortly.”
She walked out with Guy, and after she closed the door behind her, she leaned back against it and folded her arms, grinning at him. He raised his eyebrow in curiosity.
“What?”
She came to him, standing on tiptoe to give him a kiss. “I thought to adore you enough already, but now I find another delightful aspect to your person…that of hero.”
Guy snorted, but the tiniest hint of a smile came to his lips. “I should return to my duties before your brother comes in search of me.” He leaned in to return her kiss, loving the look of intense affection in her eyes. It was tempting to stay longer, to linger in her arms…but he knew he had his work waiting for him, and reluctantly he left her, asking her to send words of well wishes to Stuart.
He left the house and went to the stable, where his horse was ready and waiting. There was a small dispute between two tenants that had to be settled, and he hoped to have it done quickly so he might return to the manor sooner rather than later.
Anticipating his return, he thought of the small incident that had just passed, and for a moment, he smiled to himself. It felt quite good to be appreciated…to do a kindness and see it rewarded with praise and admiration. He hadn’t known quite what to think when Cassia called him a “hero.” He’d been called the opposite for so very long, it was almost embarrassing to be cast in a good light. Cassia, of course, had always seen worth in him…and he began to wonder if was really deserving of such praise. He’d spent nearly all of his adult years in darkness, dispensing cruelty and committing horrible crimes. He longed to be free of those things, but would any amount of good-doing erase a lifetime of wickedness? Would his soul ever truly be cleansed?
On his way back to the tenant’s farm, he passed the church where he and Cassia would be wed, only five days from now. He found himself drawn to the quiet temple in a way he’d not been before. In former days, he had avoided any and all places of religion unless he was required to be there. Guilt had often been his companion when he did set foot upon a sacred place, and many times he had thought to sense the eyes of a higher power looking down on him with scorn. Anger and doubt had struck him at other times, making him wonder if there truly was a God when all he saw around him was misery. But now he understood that it was not the doing of the Almighty. It was the imperfection and wickedness of men…ones like himself, who chose a life of sin and vice over goodness and mercy. His past miseries had been his own doing, and standing now in the silent chapel, looking up at the light streaming through the stained glass, he was humbled…and felt a deep need to find reconciliation. Kneeling at the altar, he closed his eyes and bowed his head, saying a silent but sincere prayer.
Merciful Father. Grant me forgiveness for those sins which I cannot undo. Give me the courage to do what is right, to live one day at a time and to enjoy each moment. Let me trust in you to make all things right if I surrender to your will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with you forever in the next. Amen.
On the steps of the church, three figures stood before the priest. Guy on the right, Cassia on the left…and Stephen between them, prepared to give his sister in matrimony. The priest began, speaking to the three before him and to the great crowd gathered behind them.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, by God’s Law, or the Laws of the Realm; let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.”
Only birdsong broke the silence of the brief pause.
“I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, that ye confess it. For ye be well assured, that so many as be coupled together otherwise than God’s Word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.”
There was another brief pause. Then the priest lifted his hand to Guy.
“Guy of Gisborne, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
Guy nodded obediently. “I will.”
Turning to Cassia, the priest lifted his hand now to her.
“Lady Cassia DeWarren, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
Cassia bowed her head. “I will.”
The formal betrothal done, they advanced forward into the church, led by the priest. At the altar he turned to the assembly. Stephen took Cassia’s hand, placing it in Guy’s. Then he stepped back, merging into the crowd, watching as Guy and Cassia stood before the altar. The priest dictated the vows, and Guy repeated.
“I, Guy of Gisborne, take thee Cassia DeWarren to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth.”
Now it was Cassia’s turn, and she spoke in a soft voice.
“I Cassia of DeWarren take thee Guy of Gisborne to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom at bed and at board, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth.”
They let go their hands. Guy placed their rings upon the holy book, and the priest gave the rings their blessings.
“Bless these Rings, O merciful Lord, that those who wear them, that give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children’s children. Amen.”
Taking Cassia’s ring, the priest gave it to Guy, who repeated the given words.
“With this Ring I thee wed.” He slid it on her thumb, and next to her index finger. “With my body I thee honor.” At last he moved it to her ring finger. “And with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Now it was Cassia who performed the ritual, taking the ring, moving it in the same way as she repeated the words. Then they knelt, and the priest spoke once more.
“Let us pray.” All heads bowed in reverence. “O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name. That, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever hereafter remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
The priest joined their hands together. “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.” Then he spoke to the crowd. “For as much as Guy and Cassia have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands, I pronounce therefore that they be Man and Wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” He turned back to Guy and Cassia, blessing them. “God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. The Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.”
He turned them to the crowd, and as they kissed one another, a great round of applause and cheering went up…at long last announcing them, officially, as husband and wife.
*****
He could not keep his eyes from her. He was aware that many glances were being cast their way. Custom dictated that a bride groom should not be excessively eager for one another. But no one else knew the power she possessed…how she could make him weak with only a look. Or even without a look. Just watching her as she sipped her drink, the delicate way her mouth touched the rim of her goblet, it made his heart beat fast…and he fought the impulse to knock the cup from her hand, to yank her into his arms and taste the wine that was shining on her lips.
If only they could get away from all of the noise and commotion of the weddg celebration. It was all pointless spectacle, anyway. These kinds of feasts were simply an excuse for nobles to gather together, to gorge themselves on food and to drink themselves into a stupor. If he and Cassia had been penniless and without rank, they would have had a brief celebration with neighbors and friends, and then gotten on with things. It was one of the few times in his life he wished he weren’t a nobleman. Then he wouldn’t have to be enduring these formalities, and he would be celebrating in true fashion by being in the loving arms of his wife.
One distraction that helped to ease his mind was his nephew. Stuart could hardly contain his excitement as he ran among the guests. He had a new nurse, younger than his previous one, who kept up with him more easily. And yet he still managed to stray on occasion, and this night he made a bee line for Guy and Cassia’s table. Seeing Guy, he went right to him, holding out his arms…and Guy looked down at him, uncertain what the boy was doing.
“Up, up!” Stuart demanded.
Awkwardly, Guy picked him up, not sure just what to do with him. But Stuart positioned himself on Guy’s lap and was quite content, chattering happily and pointing at the performers doing their tricks. The jugglers and fools made him clap his little hands in delight, and when he saw the acrobats, he pulled on Guy’s sleeve and pointed.
“Look at that, look at that!” he cried, and Guy couldn’t help but smile.
“I see them.” Despite his impatience for his bride, he was quite entertained by his nephew, and it helped to distract him for the time. It was impossible to ignore the boy, for if Guy turned his attention away for more than a few moments, he would feel a little tug on his shirt or sleeve, and a demand that he look at the action on the floor.
When the minstrels came out to play music, Guy saw how Stuart’s head was starting to droop, though the child kept lifting it in an attempt to stay awake. It was a sign of how very late it was, and though he enjoyed his nephew’s company, he knew it was time to say goodnight to him. He motioned for the nurse, who came to his side and took Stuart from Guy’s arms. He smiled as he heard Stuart protest weakly.
“I not tired yet. I want to stay with Uncle Guy.”
It pleased Guy to know that he was so admired. But what pleased him most about being a favorite of Stuart was that Cassia seemed to find great delight in their little bond. There was a certain look that came to her expression when she saw he and Stuart together…a look she was wearing now, her eyes shining bright with amusement and so much more.
He knew she was anxious to be away as well. It was written in her eyes when she glanced at him, for though her looks were brief, they were full of love and promise. Just as he grew tired of waiting, preparing to take her by the hand and depart with her on his own terms, she was approached by a maid who leaned and whispered in her ear. Cassia smiled at Guy, saying nothing, and yet saying everything. The maid was escorting her to the room…to
their
room, to prepare her for the night. He would have preferred to take her upstairs himself, to lessen the time he would have to wait. But no…she was being led away and he would have to remain there, a table, waiting until the moment when he was permitted to depart.
*****
Cassia sat at her dressing table while the maid removed the flowers and decorative pins from her hair and brushed it loose. It had been a long, trying day and she was glad to be rid of all the finery she’d been wrapped in. Not that she didn’t love her beautiful wedding gown. It was turquoise, with tiny gold beads…almost exactly like the dress that Guy had once given her as a gift. She would cherish it always, and someday she hoped to hand it down to her own daughter. But as much as she loved the garment, it was the tight bindings underneath it that she was glad to be rid of. Now she sat in a nightdress of delicate lace, free from the trappings of a bride, waiting for her new husband.
At the knock on the door she gave a start. As the maid went to answer it, Cassia looked at herself in the mirror and wondered why she was feeling so nervous. It wasn’t as if she were an untouched innocent, unfamiliar with a man and scared of the unknown. Feeling a bit foolish for her apprehension, she took up the brush to finish what the maid had begun. A moment later Guy entered the room as the maid held the door open. Behind him was a male servant carrying a tray. Once the tray was placed on the small table, Guy dismissed them both, and after securing the door, he slowly turned to look at her.
He smiled, his expression soft and very warm.
“Alone at last,” he said.
She smiled back at him…and found herself looking at her hands, which were gathered together in her lap. When he crossed the floor and came to her, she felt his hands reaching down for hers. Slowly she brought her eyes up to meet his…and then she laughed, pressing her cheek against his palms.
“This feels so strange,” she declared. “I keep expecting someone to be waiting outside the door, ready to barge in and discover us.”
He smiled. Then, taking her face in his hands, he kissed her repeatedly in an expression of great joy. Passion would come soon enough. They were both giddy, still in awe of the notion that they were truly married…truly bonded forever. She squealed as he swept her up in a quick motion, reaching the bed in a few quick strides, and she giggled as he dropped her on it, following her down to stretch himself alongside her. Covering her with his upper body, resting on his forearms, he examined the wondrous beauty of her face. She sighed, a satisfied and happy sound.
“I am so happy to have you for my own,” she said.
He kissed her softly. “As am I to have you. And I will not share you in any way, even if it means breaking with tradition.”
She smiled at that, knowing what he spoke of. While it was custom to have observers on the wedding night…to have them witness the consummation and spread word of it…she had dreaded the thought of enduring such humiliation. But in his stubborn way, he had not allowed anyone near their door. There had been an argument between he and Stephen just last night, and though she hadn’t caght all of the conversation, she had surmised from catching several words of it that they were speaking of the wedding night. He looked in her eyes now, and his were dark and serious.
“I was not so fond of the thought of observers in our bedchamber. The only judge of our abilities should be each other.”
She smiled for a moment…but then she sighed, and her mouth turned down slightly as a long forgotten memory came back to her. She tried to push it away by pressing her lips to Guy’s warm mouth, wanting to forget everything but him, and the here and now. But he seemed to sense her trouble, and he pulled back for a moment to look at her.
“Cassia my beloved, what is it? Something troubles you.”
She sighed. For a moment she hesitated. But then she thought again. He was her husband, and there would be nothing left unsaid between them. A tear fell from the corner of her eye.
“The first time I was a bride, there were many people…watching. It was so very humiliating. And I love you so much for sparing me that.”
Bringing his mouth to hers he kissed her possessively. Wrapping his arms around her he held her in a fierce embrace, and she held him as tight as she could, kissing him back with every bit of love she had within her heart. They parted for just a moment as his fingers untied the ribbons of her nightgown. His tone was strong, almost demanding as he spoke.
“Do not let your thoughts linger on such hateful memories. The memories that you and I make together are the only ones you will know from this day on.”
As she raised her arms, he pulled the gown over her head and discarded it. Gathering her nude body against him, he spoke hotly in her ear. “Let us begin making those memories right now.”
The moment their lips met, it was fire ignited. They were famished for one another. She pulled at his clothing, wanting him free of them. He was holding her so close, unwilling to break from her, as she was unwilling to break from him. But they had to part for just a moment, if only to divest him of his clothes. She gave his shoulders a hard shove, and hearing his little groan of disappointment at losing her kiss, she laughed.
“I am unclothed. Tis’ only right that you should be as well.”