Agnes’s belly lurched at the thought, and she spewed her guts on the ground in front of her.
“Eww!” Geoffrey and Glenn said in unison.
“There now, do not fret. Let’s get you inside. No more talk of your ordeal, my dear. And you two,” she said to the boys. “See to it that’s cleaned up.”
They huffed and stomped their feet but headed toward the stable anyway. Agnes let William and his mother lead her to the great hall.
“Is it too much for you to be in here, love?” William asked when she stopped just inside the hall.
“I am well,” she said. “But you might want to do something about those passageways.”
“They’re already sealed.”
Good. That was one step closer to healing.
*
William searched highand low until he found the whittled figurines she’d tucked into her clothes chest. Gripping them tight, he brought them with him to their evening meal. She was home now, and he would do everything in his power to return them to where they were. With Elspeth, Connor, and John still at large and a significant complement of the king’s guard still about, he vowed to distract her as much as possible.
They had not told his mother yet of her condition as truth be told, he rather enjoyed knowing that it was their secret alone. He didn’t feel the threat was the same for them now as it had been, but it was not completely removed. The king had sent a missive stating how pleased he was Agnes had been found and that the majority of the rebels had given up once a few of them broke and revealed other names and locations. The whole thing had fallen apart pretty quickly after that.
So, was he still concerned? Aye. But the likelihood of anything further happening was beyond slim.
When he entered the hall, he found her sitting by the hearth with the boys on either side of her, all hunched over looking at something. He stopped for a moment to observe them. When he heard her laugh, his heart lifted. This would heal her. All of this; the love they shared, being around family. All of it. He was left in no doubt it would heal him too.
“She is a treasure, William. Surely there could be no other who would be better suited for you and for us.”
He turned to see his mother standing beside him. She wrapped her arms around his middle which was something she hadn’t done in many years.
“And how do you fare, Mother?”
“I am working through my mortification that my own daughter turned out to be such a monster and I didn’t see it. All the signs were there for such a long time, and I was blind to it because of my own pain. I was unable to see any of yours, and for that I am so very sorry.”
“You owe no one an apology, Mother, least of all me.”
“Oh, but I do. William. You were left to pick up the pieces of this family when he died. I know you put your life on hold, and now you finally get to be happy.” She shook her head and looked up at him with a watery smile. “I am so proud of the man you have become and the positive influence you will have on those boys and your own bairns.”
Thoughts of the child growing in Agnes’s belly made him swell with pride. He hoped they would fill this castle with many in the years to come. He’d forgotten for the moment, his mother did not yet know.
“William, what is it?”
Just then Geoffrey came running up to them. “Mother, such a wonderful thing has happened!” Tugging on her arm, she looked at William with a furrowed brow and let her younger son pull her toward the hearth.
Agnes stood and faced her with her hand on her belly wearing a warm smile. William’s heart was about to burst with the pride of her strength and his love for her.
With no words spoken, his mother understood immediately and raced over to embrace Agnes.
“Och, my sweet dear, is it true? And how do you feel? Are you wanting any particular food? Do you feel ill? Come and sit, and I will call for the cook. You must eat plenty of meat, for that is what will grow strong bairns. You are pale and so I will make sure we find pressed beetroot to drink.” She drew in a breath and turned to William. “Go make sure Neville retrieves Old Nan. Tell her she has to move into the castle now. Tell her I said so.”
William moved to Agnes and placed her figurines before her then smiled. “I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do for you now,” he said with a grin. “She will give you no rest.”
Agnes laughed and snatched up Bregdi and Nessie. “All is well,” she said. “I don’t mind a little pampering.”
William kissed her soundly. “I will return soon. I have no idea what this evening’s meal might include, but I suggest you select a sampling of all that is offered.”
“If I do that, I’ll be fat before I’m even showing,” she said teasing him.
“There is no version of you I would not love and will not cherish.”
