With that he left the hall in search of Neville. He didn’t have to look far as the man was just coming in through the gates. William didn’t have to ask the gates be closed immediately anymore. It was a given until the order was lifted. If he ever allowed it again.
“Ah, there you are,” Neville said as he dismounted. “I have news.”
“As do I,” William said with a grin. “Tell me yours first.”
Neville cocked his head and raised a brow. “You’re looking rather pleased with yourself today.”
“Aye, now out with it so I can share mine.”
“Very well, the buildings are nearing complete for the two families displaced. Several men from the town have offered to replace the furnishings if you can provide the materials.”
“See to it they receive the best we can find as well as fabrics for bedding and clothing for all the family. I will pay for whatever they need.”
“They will be pleased to hear it. So many in the town are grateful for your continued care and attention. You have well earned their respect over the years, but even more so now.”
William wouldn’t have it any other way. They were his people and he took his responsibility for them seriously.”
“Now what is your news, or perhaps I can guess by the grin on your face.”
“I won’t make you guess, Neville. Agnes is expecting our first child.”
William was pleased when Neville’s eyes misted with his news. He’d mistakenly lost some faith in this man, but he intended to put it firmly back in place starting right now.
“Well, that is the best news I have heard in a long time. How is she?”
Chuckling, he said, “Suffering the very real peril of a doting grandmother to be. Which brings me to your assignment.”
“Oh no. Something tells me I’m not going to like this.”
“My mother’s exact words were,‘Go make sure Neville retrieves Old Nan. Tell her she has to move into the castle now. Tell her I said so.’And so you see, you get to bear the news, so I am saved,” he said as he clapped Neville on the shoulder.
Neville’s face paled. “You wouldn’t do that to an old friend, would you?”
“I would not. Come, we ride together. She can refuse either of us individually, but she won’t be able to resist both of us under my mother’s orders.”
Together they trotted to the village to speak with Old Nan trailing a cart for her comfort and belongings. William took the time to reflect on the time that had passed over the last several weeks. Like the town, his relationship with Neville would rebuild. As it would with his mother. He was pleased she had something else to focus on now, and perhaps in time she would spend more time with them than in the garden. The peace he’d always longed for appeared within reaching distance. They would need to stay the course, but he was certain with theircollective effort they would come through this ordeal stronger than before.
That was all he could hope for at the moment. And that they all wanted the same peace gave him further hope. The king wanted his parties, and William wanted a quiet life. And why couldn’t they both have that? His beloved Agnes would never feel fear for one more moment in her life or else he would slay the person who put it there. He’d found her by way of his own will and by the grace of God and he would never lose her again.
When they arrived at the village, William took his time to look around and truly see the extent of the damage. Those he encountered he spoke with at length to ensure they lacked nothing. He instructed the merchants to bring in extra provisions from wherever they could find them. His people would have fat stores from now on to help them heal as well. This horrible band of rebels had touched so many lives who would need justice, understanding, and support.
Now standing before Old Nan’s home, he hesitated. He couldn’t force the woman from her home. He didn’t have the heart for that. So he would ask her kindly one more time and then if his mother wanted to take it up with her so be it.
When he was about to raise his hand to knock, the door opened. She carried a bag and pointed to several crates behind her.
“Well, ’tis about time. I’ve been waiting all morning for ye. Come now, I will need to see to the lass to see what she’s lacking. Come now, what’s the hold up?”
Neville situated her in the cart, and they lifted in her life’s collection of this and that. William scratched his head as she winked at him.
Would wonders never cease.
Chapter Twenty-Three
As the daysand weeks turned into months, Agnes’s belly grew. She loved the feeling of her wee one kicking inside her. Well, except when they kicked her ribs. That part she did not care for so much. William’s mother and Old Nan quarreled endlessly over what Agnes should eat or how often she should rest. Truly the most peace she achieved was on a daily stroll through the garden. There she talked to her little one and told stories of faeries and sea monsters and promised to share them all again once she was born. For Agnes was convinced she carried a wee lassie as sure as she drew breath.
William had cited no preference, for he looked at her each day she grew larger with a wide, wonderous expression. Not much could remove the smile from her face these days. Her time in the cabin felt like a bad dream she’d once had. Occasionally, she was surprised by an eerie feeling creeping over her, a little voice in the back of her mind telling her she would never be safe, and it was only a matter of time before she was abandoned again.
Thoughts of protecting her daughter kept those intrusions from doing any great harm. She was usually able to quell them and lock them into a box in her mind. Her nights were filled with pleasure in the arms of the most incredible man she’d ever been blessed to know. William was doting and loving and perfect. This life they’d carved between them would surely provide them withmany wee ones who would thrive and fill this place with laughter and love.
