She gave his hand a squeeze. “This...” She gestured around them. “Riding with you, our children, our home… this is real. This is where I belong.”
William lifted her hand to his lips. They continued on companionably, the only sound the crash of the waves on the rocks far below.
When the sun grew higher in the sky, they turned back toward Blackford. As the castle towers came into view, Lucythought about how William could lift her spirits with a smile. How they brought out the best in each other. Having William by her side made all the difference.
They returned the horses to the stables and made their way down a garden path, strolling aimlessly. Lucy paused by a bare rosebush, its thorny branches promising flowers to come.
William turned her toward him. “You are more beautiful than any rose,” he murmured before claiming her lips in a kiss.
Lucy melted against him, the chill of the air forgotten. She twined her arms around his neck, returning the kiss. Like the sea and sky, their love would remain unchanged by the shifting seasons.
They walked on, fingers entwined, not yet ready to end their time together.
Soon enough they came to the courtyard, her husband pausing to speak with the blacksmith while Lucy went inside, turning towards the kitchens when she heard the raised voices.
“You were to mind the child, not sleep the day away like a sloth.” Cook’s annoyed tone was unmistakable, even from a distance.
Lucy froze in the entryway, a grin spreading across her face at the sight before her.
Jason sat happily on the floor, chubby legs stretched wide, grinning up at her. His round cheeks smeared with sticky purple jam. More of the plum jam covered his hands, shirt, and even his wispy blond hair. An upturned crock lay on its side next to the larder door, which hung open.
Cook stood with her hands on her hips, brow furrowed as she scolded Mary, the kitchen maid tasked with watching Jason. The girl stared at her shoes, face red as a radish.
“And how did this happen, then?” Lucy asked, unable to keep the amused tone from her voice.
Mary jerked her head up, mortified. “My lady, I swear I only took my eyes off him for a moment to stoke the fire...”
“You were asleep, that’s what,” Cook interjected with a huff. She noticed Lucy and straightened.
Lucy crossed to Jason, scooping him up. “No harm done. It’s only jam.” She tickled his round belly, making him erupt in giggles. “Looks like someone had themselves a morning treat.”
Footsteps sounded on the stone as William arrived, no doubt following the sounds to the commotion. He took in the scene, his gaze moving from the upset cook and Mary to his jam-coated son.
“What happened here?”
“It seems your darling boy couldn’t wait for dinner,” Lucy said with a chuckle. “He decided to sample some of Cook’s plum jam.”
William rubbed his stubbled jaw, looking unsure whether to be stern or amused. Lucy bounced Jason in her arms as he kept saying, no bath, no bath.
“It’s my fault for not warning Mary. He’s at that age where he gets into everything.”
She met William’s gaze. “No harm done, truly. Although...” She set Jason down and grabbed a cloth to wipe his sticky hands and face. “I think you owe Cook an apology for stealing the jam.”
Jason glanced shyly up at the imposing woman, then buried his face in Lucy’s shoulder. She rubbed his back.
“Can you say you’re sorry?”
After a moment, Jason peered back at the cook.
“Pardonnez-moi,” he mumbled, then stuck two jam-stained fingers in his mouth.
Cook shook her head, but Lucy saw the corners of her mouth twitch.
“Just see that it doesn’t happen again, laddie.” She handed Lucy a damp rag. “Now, off with you. I’ve got dinner to finish.”
Lucy lifted Jason and carried him from the kitchen. William followed, chuckling once they were out of earshot.
“He is faster than I was at his age.” He tried not to laugh, shoulders shaking, but by the time they’d made it to the nursery, William threw back his head, the laughter escaping.
