It was hard not to celebrate their joyous reunion when, in fact, the very reason for their visit was a funeral. Lady Rachel had not joined the meal, as was proper since she was in mourning, but Peyton could not help but think of the plain woman who had not only lost a child, but her husband as well. Even though she did not know Rachel beyond a mereacquaintance, her grief on the woman’s behalf was nonetheless deep.
Pondering the subject of sisters-in-law, Peyton was fully aware that Thia had made herself scarce since their arrival. Brian and Celine were so excited about her pregnancy and the visit of the king that they had not mentioned their daughter and Peyton hadn’t thought to ask. Not that she particularly cared, but she was curious all the same.
“Would you look at Jubil?” Ivy, on her left, elbowed her sister in the ribs. “She and Toby haven’t taken their eyes off one another!”
Jolted from her thoughts, Peyton passed a casual glance at the older woman and her young knight. It was enough to set her to grinning. “I knew Toby was fascinated by her, but I had no idea he was interested in her,” she whispered in reply. “Jubil is forty-two years old!”
“And Toby is twenty-three,” an impish gleam suddenly appeared in Ivy’s eye. “I wonder if they’ve….”
“No more,” Peyton put her hand up sharply, distracting Alec from his conversation. She smiled sweetly at her husband until he returned to his attention to Edward. “Do not say anymore, Ivy. I cannot think of Jubil in those….terms.”
Ivy giggled. Ali, diverted with his wife’s snickers, broke off his conversation with Anthony Bek. As Ali and Ivy lost themselves in private conversation, Peyton sank back in her chair with a chalice of boiled fruit juice in her hand. She was far lighter of spirit than she had been in some time, immensely pleased that all had worked out to a joyful ending. Nigel and Colin were defeated, Thia was scarce, Alec was now heir of Blackstone, and everyone was happy.
She sighed contentedly and Alec squeezed her knee, still conversing with Edward. It was amazing how in-sync they were with one another; hearing only each other, sensing what otherswould miss. He knew she loved him and he had seemed pleased with her admission, and although he had not responded in the like, his soft gaze and tender touch told her what his lips could not seem to form.
On Edward’s left, Brian was engaged in an intense conversation with his son and the king. Peyton watched the man a moment, his color and vigor seemingly returned. It occurred to her that, to her knowledge, her husband had not informed his father of his most monumental decision. After all, the man had a right to know, did he not?
Setting the chalice to the table, her lovely hands clutched her husband’s massive arm as she politely invaded the men’s conversation.
“My most humble apologies for interrupting, my Alec,” she said softly, making sure she had Edward’s and Brian’s attention as well. When Alec smiled warmly at her, she returned the gesture. “Have you told your father of your future plans?”
A blond eyebrow raised and he seemed to falter slightly. “Nay, love, I have not had the opportunity as of yet.”
“Goodness, Alec, you should have shouted it to the rafters the moment you entered Blackstone,” she chided gently, fixing Edward with her sapphire gaze. “And you, Your Grace? You have not seen fit to inform Lord Brian of Alec’s decision?”
Edward grinned at her. “Nay, my lady, I have not. That is Alec’s privilege, although I am growing weary of waiting. I should like to declare my joy before I burst.”
“Joy?” Brian repeated, looking between the three of them. “I do not understand. What could possibly be more joyful than a new grandson?”
Peyton and Edward looked to Alec. After a moment’s pause, he smiled weakly and grasped his wife’s hand. “I have agreed to help Edward subdue Llewellyn.”
All of the color left Brian’s face. His mouth opened with shock, his brown eyes wide. “You…. you are to resume your service?”
Alec’s smile widened. “Edward demands that I lead his army or he shall throw me in irons,” he could read his father’s surprise and sought to explain his choice. “I have so much in this life– beautiful wife, a profitable keep, my family and friends. What happened with Peter was…. an accident. I have never believed that until now, but now that I fully understand my mistake there is no longer any reason to waste the talent God has given me. My one regret is that it has taken me twelve years to realize it.”
Celine was listening. Seated next to Brian, it had not been difficult to hear her son’s softly spoken confession. Immediately, her eyes swam with tears and she clutched Brian’s hand tightly.
“My dear Alec,” she murmured tightly. “We have prayed for as many years that you would recover from your grief. Our joy is beyond what mere words can express.”
Brian was still staring at his son, but he had managed to close his startled mouth. “Are you serious, Alec? You have recanted your vow?”
“Aye,” Alec nodded sincerely. “Are you pleased?”
Brian put a disbelieving hand to his head, wiping at the sweat as he attempted to compose his thoughts. “My God, Alec, I have waited twelve years to hear you say that. I…. I simply cannot believe it.”
“Believe it,” Peyton lay her head on Alec’s arm affectionately. “The Legend has returned.”
“Here, here!” Edward suddenly boomed, raising his chalice high. Immediately, the entire table was silent and goblets were raised in response. “The Legend lives!”
The table repeated the shouted salute, congratulating Alec and Peyton, Brian and Celine. Edward grinned as Alec accepted the tribute with a degree of modesty.
Only Brian seemed overcome with the news. Aye, he was joyful, but he was also remorseful. He had lived the past twelve years waiting to hear those uttered words but, suddenly, he was sorry to hear them for purely selfish reasons; Alec was his only remaining son. He couldn’t help but wonder if his heir would meet death on the Welsh border at the hands of the rebelling prince.
He did not want Alec to die. He almost wished he had never agreed to resume his knighthood. But he kept his feelings to himself and tried to show a measure of happiness, for Alec’s sake. Deep down, however, his heart ached for what the future might hold for the heir of Rothwell.
*
The door toColin’s room swung open, spilling forth Thia. Colin eyed the woman as the door shut softly behind her.
