CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The massive Birdof Prey standards were flapping in the cool breeze underneath the brilliant blue sky. As the party from St. Cloven drew closer, Alec drank in the sight of his black-stoned birthplace, a myriad of emotions filling him. Above his head, Edward’s dragon standard flanked the length of the column. The king, beside Alec on his charcoal charger, was engaged in conversation with his secretary while Ali rode to the rear in full armor, silent and strong. The mood was somber, quiet.
Peyton, Ivy and Jubil rode in a wagon in the middle of the column, well protected by both Alec’s and Edward’s guard. Even though the day was bright and the temperature moderate, Peyton could not have been more miserable. Adding to her perpetual headache was the compounding discomfort of constant nausea, and traversing the bumpy roads of Cambridgeshire did nothing to ease her distress. In fact, dying would have been preferable.
But they were traveling for a reason, and a powerful one at that. Alec had woken her with the news of Paul’s passing, almost adding as an afterthought that he was now heir to the Rothwell barony. Peyton had been torn between grief and delight as thetender moment between them rapidly turned heated, but the mood was cut short when she promptly vomited the contents of her stomach into the nearest basin. All thoughts of Blackstone were shoved aside as her misery returned and Alec had laughed softly with sympathy. She had thrown a shoe at him.
As he rode with the king, Alec kept glancing over his shoulder to his wife, lacking any color whatsoever as she swayed on the wagon seat in rhythm to the forward motion. Dressed in a luscious blue gown that matched her eyes, even her lips were ashen. He would have preferred to have ridden in the wagon to comfort her, but he thought it best that he ride with the king in a show of loyalty. They were a quarter of a mile from Blackstone when Ali rode up beside him, raising his visor at the sight of the mighty stone fortress.
“Do you think the Warringtons will still want to have me arrested for thievery?” he asked, although his eyes were twinkling. “I did, after all, steal Colin’s intended.”
Alec cocked an eyebrow. “It would never stand at trial because the contract between Ivy and Colin was purely verbal. Were your marriage common-law, I would be somewhat concerned. However, the two of you are legally wed and there is naught the bastards can do about it.”
Ali laughed softly at the Warrington’s expense. Sobering, he slanted Edward a glance, several feet away. “When is Edward planning on arresting them?”
Alec kept his eyes trained ahead on the approaching bastion. “We were discussing that very subject over the morning meal while you were still frolicking in bed with your wife. Edward plans to send men into the village of March where most of the Warrington crimes occurred for the purpose of obtaining sworn testimony. Even if one girl comes forward with her story, Edward swears it will be enough to arrest Nigel and Colin and confiscate their lands. Unfortunately, the discovery process willtake time and until then, he will delay my sister’s wedding indefinitely.”
Satisfied, Ali’s black eyes met with the looming sentinel of Blackstone thoughtfully. “What about your father? Do you still plan to confront him regarding Nigel’s blackmail?”
Alec sighed heavily. “With Paul’s death, I do not think now would be the correct time. My father has lost his heir and his grandson within the same month and is sure to be brittle. But we shall see what the situation warrants.”
“To learn of your return to the knighthood and his unborn grandchild should ease his aching spirits,” Ali said encouragingly. “I suggest you inform him as soon as possible. The man is in desperate want for a bit of good news.”
Alec grunted his agreement, passing a glance at his wife. “All he will have to do is look at Peyton and see that she is pregnant. I have never seen anyone so ghostly pale.”
Ali turned to look at the women in the wagon. “To compare her to Ivy is night and day. All my wife does is eat, eat, eat.”
Alec looked sharply to his friend, who laughed heartily and nodded his head. “It would seem that our children are destined to grow up together, as we did.”
A smile of pure pleasure creased Alec’s lips. “I did not know! Peyton did not tell me!”
“That is because Peyton doesn’t know,” Ali said quietly, still grinning. “Ivy was only sure herself yesterday.”
Alec reached out, shaking Ali’s hand in a gesture of complete happiness and friendship. “Congratulations, my friend. God has been good to us both.”
Ali’s smile faded. “You know I never had much faith in God, or the church. Mayhap…. mayhap had I not experienced the disappointments, I would not have known the joy I feel now. I know without a doubt that God brought Ivy to me and now hasblessed me with a child. It makes all of life’s failures pale by comparison.”
Alec sobered, too. “Why do you think I agreed to resume my vows? My bad-tempered, aggressive wife has accomplished a feat no other man or God has managed; she has healed me. I am whole again, Ali, no matter what comes. She shall always mean the world to me.”
Ali watched his friend, the tenderness of his expression.
“You love her deeply.”
Alec averted his gaze, wrestling with his inner feelings. How could he admit a love for someone who did not return the sentiments? He may have been deeply, completely in love with his wife, but he did not lack for self-protection. “She…. she is my world.” It was as close to a confession as he could come.
As they drew closer to Blackstone, the sentries on the battlements sounded their approach and the great gates began to crank open. Crimson-clad guards poured from the opening, lining the bridge as the king and Alec approached.
Alec felt a sense of relief as the familiar bailey enveloped him. Somehow, he had imagined that it would have changed in his absence as if to disorient the errant son. He was pleased to see he had been wrong. As he dismounted his charger, his gaze suddenly fell on a wild vision of silk rushing from the castle.
“Alec!” Celine cried. “My God! You have come!”
Alec barely had time to stand before his mother was slamming into him, collapsing in a heap of frantic sobs. Ali rushed from his own mount, helping Alec support his hysterical mother.
“All is well, mother,” Alec whispered gently, embracing the woman in his massive arms. “I have returned.”
“My boy, my little boy,” Celine sobbed. “I have missed you so.”
One of Alec’s men helped Peyton from the wagon. She approached cautiously, unsure if she should show herself to the frenzied woman. After their last exchange she was understandably wary, but her natural instincts wanted desperately to comfort the woman who had been so kind to her.
