“Go to the stables and tell Louis that if he has not brought three ponies with him, then he had better flee for his life,” she said. “I am going to make sure my mother does not take a stick to the boys. She’s been known to do that when they argue with her.”
Julian’s grin broke through. “Your mother was born to tend a gaggle of young lads,” he said. “She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her.”
Lista had to concede the point. “She is,” she said. “All she needed was some children to love to give her a reason to stay away from the wine and live again. I can hardly remember that drunkard she used to be when Flora was around.”
“Have you heard from her lately?”
Lista shook her head. “Nay,” she said. “She’s gone back to The Filey and she evidently has a new companion to drink her days away with, so she has no more need of us.”
“Not even our social connections?”
It was a sarcastic question and Lista grinned. “Not even our social connections,” she said. “Now, go. Tell Louis that I am greatly displeased. And also ask him what he has done about the de Chevington lass. We met her during the summer when we visited Sunderland at his invitation. Remember?”
Julian nodded. “I remember,” he said. “She seemed very keen on him.”
Lista nodded. “The man needs to get married. He’s not getting any younger.” A scream rose up, catching her attention. “I must go save my children from my mother. Or would you rather do it and let me see to Louis?”
Julian shook his head firmly, pulling her close for a tender kiss. “I’ll take the knight,” he said. “You take the wild animals. And then later tonight, I will takeyou.”
Lista giggled, kissing him again, gazing into those eyes she loved so well. Six years of bliss with a man she loved with every fiber of her being, a man who was the most perfect father and husband imaginable. A man she thought she’d lost once, but a man who had learned from his mistake. Their love had healed that weakness inside of him, the lack of confidence that had taken a chunk out of his soul. Everything about their love had been healing and glorious, timeless with wonder.
Theirs was the stuff that dreams were made of.
It was the greatness Julian had finally found.
And Jax would have been proud.
*THE END*
