Lord de Selcey soon makes himself at home, having brought his own servants. I’m grateful for that. Abel stated that under nocircumstances would he serve him and cleared out soon after breakfast. He too is joining us in the new settlement, enjoying a retirement which is well deserved.
Eventually there’s nothing left but for me to leave as well, except I want to wait for Emmett. His uncle has kept him by his side all day, and I’m full of anxiety that Emmett’s confidence that he’ll be able to join me is misplaced. He gives me the signal we agreed and I withdraw. I walk through the gatehouse one last time and turn towards the new village. The plan is that I’ll wait at the old oak tree, a halfway marker and a good mile from the abbey. A lifetime of prayer and piety have taught me patience, but I don’t think I’ve ever had it tested as much as waiting for Emmett now. In the end I do what I know and pray. I don’t need a grand church to reach God; I can find him just as easily in the majestic oak tree before me. Eventually I hear the beat of hooves behind me, and I rise from my position to see Emmett riding towards me.
“I know if I prayed, you’d appear,” I say, as he reins his horse in before me.
“Do you still believe in that?” he says, sliding out of his saddle.
“It hasn’t failed me so far,” I reply and he laughs.
“Did you have any trouble getting away?” I ask, concerned that he might have been followed.
“No, my uncle has what he wants. I’m no longer of any interest to him.”
“You are to me.” I grin and open my arms. He steps forward for a hug and a quick kiss before we start walking along the lane side by side while Emmett leads his horse. We reach a rise that looks down onto the new settlement, and Emmett stops to take it allin. I follow his gaze and see the bustle of a new community, full of hope for the future.
“You know it should have a name, this new village,” he announces, and I can’t disagree.
“Well, what do you suggest?”
He puts his head to one aide as if considering for a minute and then a broad smile lights up his face.
“As we stole the stone from the abbey, we should call it Stonehaven. Our own private joke about its origins.”
“I think that’s perfect, and I’m sure the others will too.” I hold out my hand and he slips his own into mine. “C’mon, they’re waiting for us.”
Together we walk towards our new home, our new future.
EPILOGUE
EMMETT
One Year Later
“What do you think of the new flowers Abel has grown for you?” I regard the tiny bee who has settled briefly on my arm. I know he can’t understand me, or reply if he could, but I like to talk to my bees. It’s a trick Tomas taught me and they seem to like it. I don’t know if it makes them produce more honey, but I don’t want to stop doing it and find out. No one knew Abel was a gardener, but the retired life in the village seems to suit him. He has a small cottage and garden and he seems to take delight in growing flowers for my bees to enjoy. He still doesn’t talk much, but it’s his way, and everyone accepts him as he is. Just like everyone accepts me and Theobald. Also Francis and Sean and surprisingly Ethan, who also lives with them. The last year hasn’t been easy, especially as the winter was particularly cold and we lost a few of the community, including Tomas who caught a chill which he never recovered from.Matthew did the best he could but even his skills couldn’t save him.
I shut up my bees and leave the small pot where their hives are, and I walk through the village to the cottage where Theobald and I live. It has a small bakehouse and he’s returned to baking bread for the community. I know he finds joy in it and I’m pleased to see him happy. Even though he couldn’t have affected the outcome, and he did as much as he could, losing the abbey hit him harder than he thought it would. For several months I barely saw him smile. I tried to raise his spirits as much as I could, but it wasn’t until he could do something he considered useful that he regained his former serenity.
I let myself in through the door and tidy away the evidence of our lunch then sweep the floor before Theobald returns. He’s gone to Larchdown today, to check on a few of the former brothers who have settled there. He likes to go every week even though he’s no longer responsible for their welfare. Engrossed in my work, I don’t hear him come in until warm arms surround me and he whispers in my ear.
“Hello, little dove.”
I spin round and look into the face of the man I love. Now he’s no longer a monk, he doesn’t have to shave his head, and his hair has grown back, thick and brown with only a few streaks of grey. He was already handsome before, but now he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.
“How were they?” I ask, interested in his visit.
“They’re all good, except they still call me Abbot,” he grumbles.
“Well, you still act like one,” I say and he huffs a laugh. “You will never stop caring and that’s one of your best qualities.”
He shrugs but I see his small smile. He’s not the only one who responds to praise.
“Is there any activity at the abbey?” I ask tentatively. I know how it pains him to see it as a shell, stripped of its relics and valuables. Most of the stone has also gone to build my uncle’s new estate, Monkswood Hall. He knows I’m here but he’s never bothered me, and tucked down here at the end of the lane, no one has reason to come this way.
“Not that I could see,” he replies with resignation.
“Are you looking forward to tonight?” I ask, changing the subject to something brighter.
“Definitely. I know how hard Francis and Sean have worked for this.”
