“You will have your meal after the Mass, my lord.
While we have been speaking, Father Gilbert and two lads have been setting up the altar on the high board.
While the marriage contract was signed at Middleham, the blessing of our union will be this morning in the presence of my Stanton folk. It is a fortunate coincidence that you have come now. I am glad Andrew’s family will be here to witness our marriage.” She signaled to Albert and said softly, “Have two sturdy men take the old man in the chair and set it before the altar so he may be part of the ceremony.”
“At once, my lady,” Albert said, and went off to do her bidding.
“It is good to see you again, my lady,” Robert Lynbridge said, and he bowed.
“Please, Rob, you will call me by name. You are now my brother, and I have always wanted an older brother.” She gave him her hand, and he kissed it.
“You handled the old man well,” Andrew murmured low. And he slipped a proprietary arm about her waist.
“He’s a bully if allowed.”
“I have never allowed any man to bully me, even the king,” Adair said sweetly.
Rob laughed. “Can it be you have met your match, little brother?” he teased.
“Perhaps Adair has met hers,” Andrew answered with a chuckle.
“We shall see, my lord,” Adair replied.
The altar was now set up upon the high board. Old Lord Lynbridge was carried before it so he might see all. The great hall was filled with the Stanton folk. The Mass began. The candles flickered while the voice of the priest spoke and sang the ancient service. And when he had concluded the Mass, Adair and Andrew came and knelt before him. Father Gilbert blessed the union that had been formally contracted almost two weeks back. Then he raised the couple up and turned them to face the Stanton folk, who cheered heartily,bringing smiles to the faces of both the bride and the groom.
The candles on the altar were snuffed, and the servants hurried to clear the high board while the Stanton folk brought the trestles and benches from the sides of the hall, where they had been pushed and stacked so the Mass might be said. The house servants began hurrying forth with the food. Bread trenchers of hot oat stirabout were put on all the tables. The oats were sweetened with honey, and bits of apples and pears. Platters of ham and hard-cooked eggs along with freshly baked loaves were brought, with tubs of butter and dishes of honey.
Wooden cups were filled with October ale. At the high board the eggs were poached in cream and marsala wine. There were baked apples with honey and cream as well.
Lord Lynbridge had been carried to the high board and seated to the left of the bride. He said little, but the murmurs from him and the smacking of his lips indicated his approval of the meal set before him. Albert himself saw that the old man’s goblet was never empty, Adair noted, well pleased. After the meal Lord Lynbridge declared that he and Rob would return home that same day, but Adair prevailed upon him to sit by the fire for a brief while. There Humphrey Lynbridge fell asleep.
“It was too much for him,” Adair said. “You and your grandfather must spend the night, Rob. Unless you have pressing business that requires you to leave sooner, I think it better you go in the morning. How long a ride is it to the court?”
“It is several hours’ riding,” Robert Lynbridge answered.
“Dear heaven, what time did you leave this morning?” she exclaimed, for they had been at her door before sunrise. “At least there was a border moon to ride by, but it had to be cold and damp. How old is your grandsire?”
“Seventy-three years, he says,” Robert answered her.
“And we departed the court just after two of the morning.”
“Why was he so determined to come today?” Adair asked frankly.
“I believe he thought you would be back by now. He was distressed that Andrew would take your name and cast off ours,” was the candid reply.
“It is better I did,” the new earl said. “This way Grandsire can have no illusions that Radcliffe lands are Lynbridge lands. And you know that he has always coveted the grazing meadows belonging to Stanton. Now he must put those thoughts from his head.”
Adair arose from her own place. “I must go and tell Cook that our guests will be remaining until the morrow,” she said. Then she hurried off.
“She is lovely,” Robert Lynbridge remarked. “And strong-willed. Did you see how she stood up to Grandsire? And he was not in the least taken aback by her.”
“I have no idea what it is to be married, Rob,” Andrew said suddenly.
“No man does at first,” Robert replied with a grin,“and even after several years have passed it is still confusing, little brother. Marriage is a game, but it is your wife who will make the rules for the game. Those rules will always be changing, but you will not necessarily be told of those changes, yet you will be expected to know all about them.” Robert Lynbridge chuckled. “Just remember that the house and the servants are hers. And the children when they come. The rest is yours to manage.”
“I expect that Adair will want the rest as well,” Andrew said. “She loves Stanton and is devoted to both the lands and the people.”
“Then share it with her until she is ready to let you have it,” Rob counseled wisely. “She will eventually.
