Page 27 of Lion and the Lamb: Easter

Chapter 9

Two weeks had passed since his wedding, and Lionel tried his best to keep busy so he wouldn’t be reminded of how much he wanted to bed his new wife. Night after night, he lay next to Rachael with his eyes wide open, listening to her soft breathing and smelling the rosewater in her hair. Miserable and randy, once she’d fallen asleep, he left the bed and either slept in the chair or on the floor, just so he wouldn’t be tempted to touch her. Then he’d awake before her, and get back into bed again before waking her up for the day.

Why had he agreed to marry her right before Lent? This was one of the worst decisions he’d ever made in his life.

He didn’t think this would be so hard. When she first came to the castle, she was obstinate, though pretty, but not really what he was looking for in a wife. He wanted a mother for his daughter, and didn’t think Rachael was the one. Nay, he hadn’t expected this marriage to have lasted a day let alone a fortnight now. She had made good progress with Winifred and he couldn’t believe the changes he’d seen in his daughter. Before, Winifred was always getting into trouble, wearing trews like a boy, climbing trees and hanging out at the practice yard learning to use the weapons.

For a fortnight now, Lionel had seen Winifred staying at Rachael’s side, sewing and weaving tapestries in the ladies solar. She dressed in gowns and always plaited her hair. And the best part was he hadn’t found her down at the docks at all. Recently, he’d even had a few short conversations with her about little things that didn’t really matter. Still, it felt good that his daughter was talking to him again.

He pushed open the door to the ladies solar, almost regretting what he had to tell Winifred, but knowing it needed to be done. He couldn’t reverse his decision.

“Lionel.” Rachael looked up and smiled, putting down her sewing.

Lionel’s mother and sister were next to her, and Winifred was over at the loom with Drew. Lionel didn’t like the fact the boy was always with the women, and he was going to have to do something about that soon. If he hadn’t been so busy trying to go through every ledger from the past five years to find the discrepancies, he would have talked to Rachael about making the boy a page by now.

“Hello,” said Lionel, walking over and kissing Rachael. Then he did the same to his mother and kissed his sister on her cheek.

“Lion, we are making clothes for the baby.” Lily rubbed her large belly. “I am so excited and only wish Charles would be home for the baby’s birth.” She had been missing her husband more than ever lately, and Lionel realized it was because she was scared.

“You have us here, Daughter,” said Aldith. “I only wish your father were alive to be here to experience the birth of another grandchild.”

Both his mother and sister were still in mourning, wearing black. Lionel, however, had started wearing his normal clothes last week.

“To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure, Son?” asked Lionel’s mother. “It isn’t often that you come to the ladies solar.”

“Aye,” said Lionel, clearing his throat. “I came to talk to my wife.” His eyes lifted to see Winifred laughing and talking to the other young women in the room. She was even being nice to little Drew. “And my daughter,” he added.

“Is something wrong?” Rachael got up and hurried over to him.

“Nay. I received a missive today from Lord Guildersleeve.”

“Lord Guildersleeve?” questioned Lily. “From North Wessex? Doesn’t he have six sons?”

“He does,” said Lionel, clearing his throat.

“What on earth would he be sending a missive about?” asked Aldith.

Lionel turned his back to his daughter and spoke to his wife, mother, and sister in a low voice. “I sent a missive to him a fortnight ago regarding betrothing Winifred to one of his sons.”

“You did what?” asked his mother in surprise.

“What did Guildersleeve say?” asked Lily.

“Well, I had thought he’d consider his youngest son, who is just a little older than Winifred. However, in his reply, he has agreed to the betrothal, but instead, to his eldest son who has recently lost his wife in childbirth.”

“Wait,” said Lily. “Do you mean you’re going to marry Winifred off to a man who is at least twice her age and who already has at least a half-dozen children that I know of?”

“Well, like I said, I was hoping he’d betroth his youngest son for the alliance, but I suppose I should take whatever he offers.”

“Lionel, can’t you tell him you’ve changed your mind?” asked Rachael. “Winifred is too young to get married, let alone to a man who is twice her age.”

“Aye,” agreed Lionel’s mother. “Winifred can’t even take care of herself. How do you think she’ll be able to take care of six children – especially a baby?”

“Especially when some of those children are the same age as her!” added his sister, sounding very disgusted.

“Well, I think I need to make this alliance,” said Lionel. “That is, I have recently discovered that part of Lord Guildersleeve’s shipment has gone missing. I’m afraid he’s not going to take it lightly. I was hoping the betrothal would help smooth things out and show him that I am not trying to deceive him. He and his son, Humphrey, will be here first thing in the morning to meet Winifred. Once he agrees, and I know he will, we will set the date for the wedding.”

“What? You’re really going to marry me off without even talking to me about it first?” cried Winifred from behind him.