“I didn’t think a king would ask such a question.”
William shrugged. “He asks for input of his closest allies from time to time as a good king should. But the final decision rests with him.”
He wasn’t sure that made sense to her, for she appeared to see the topic more in black and white versus the various shades of gray making up the complexities of leadership.
“Either way, it is out of our hands now, and you and I have more pressing matters to attend.”
“We do?”
“Aye, my beautiful wife. We have to decide which of the chambers will belong to this child,” he said pointing his finger to her belly. “I suggest we make our way to the village and see what might spark your interest by way of inspiration.”
He loved the way she squeezed his hand as she nodded. She was too far along to ride horseback so he had Neville ready the carriage and he would ride with her. And then another thought occurred to him.
“Wait right here,” he said and left her standing by the carriage.
He found his mother and Old Nan in the great hall, bickering as usual over Agnes.
“Ah, there you two are,” he said. “Come with me. We are taking Agnes to the village for the afternoon so she can choose fabric and give some instruction for the furniture for the bairn’s chamber.”
“She shouldn’t be bounced around like that right now,” Old Nan said shaking her head, though she still made her way toward the door. Was there a little spring in her step?
“She should be as active as possible which will help with the delivery,” his mother said and walked fast enough to overtake the elder woman.
The two had forged a strong bond over these weeks through a common goal of a healthy and happy Agnes. Though Williamhad to admit, the disagreements between them could be rather trying. Still, he’d take their current situation any day as it led to all their future joy and happiness. He could only imagine how they would be once the child was born.
They spent a lazy afternoon in the village. William was proud to give Agnes the full tour and introduced her to as many villagers as he could find. She’d met some before at the castle, but this was how he wanted them to mingle, in their element. And they were all so proud to show her what they could do.
By the time they were to return to the castle, Agnes had all the fabric arranged for the bedding, the design set for the bed and wardrobe, and tapestries ordered for the walls. Either his son would grow fond of soft colors, or Agnes was correct and the wee bairn would be a lass after all.
Though the distance to the castle was not far, the soft rocking of the carriage lulled her to sleep. William watched as she rested her head on his mother’s shoulder. The latter beamed with pride and lifted her chin toward Old Nan who sat beside William.
“She had a good day,” he whispered.
“Aye, the exercise was good for her. I recommend it twice a week.”
“She will need to lie in very soon so I agree, but once a week will be enough.”
He chuckled to himself. These two were impossible, and he was sure they would argue over the shade of blue in the sky.
At the castle, William lifted Agnes from the carriage and made his way to their chamber. He would let her rest and bring up a trencher for her later. Sitting by the fire and watching her sleep was the most peaceful thing in the world.
He thought back over their time together which had been filled with danger, passion, and adventure. Surely, they would have many stories to tell their own children and theirs again. He couldn’t wait to tell of the brave lass who took on an entire rebelband, aiding in dismantling them. Of how she charmed him into falling so hard for her, he didn’t know up from down. He’d tell of how she could bring magic into this world, simply by being the light others followed. He would follow her anywhere. He knew that now. From the moment he first laid eyes on her, he fell under her spell. They didn’t need stories of fantastical beings to demonstrate the wonders of the world. She was it—all of it. She was the wonder in this world.
“You seem deep in thought,” she said.
He looked up to see her watching him.
“Aye,” he said as he crawled onto the bed beside her. “I was thinking what a fortunate woman you are to have a man such as me.”
She rolled her eyes and swatted his arm. “I know you well enough to know you are not so vainglorious as to think that.”
He chuckled and nuzzled her neck. “You know me too well. I was thinking how fortunate I am to have found you. Truly, you make my life complete. This bairn,” he said rubbing her belly, “will be the first of many. We shall have our own army of storytellers.”
“And which stories shall we tell them?” she said turning toward him.
He loved the delight that rested on her face. “We shall tell them of a fearless lass who took on the devil himself.”
Agnes winced and he immediately regretted making light of that ordeal. “Shh, love, I am sorry. It might be too soon to tell that tale.” She nodded so he continued. “I shall tell of an enchantress who entered a king’s hall in search of a heart to steal. And that the heart she found was gifted to her for all time.”
