Royal Feud

Chapter 33

Chapter 33

"Hermione, 'tis safe to look at me now." She opened her eyes to see his slight smile.

"One more kiss to last me the rest of the day. But this time, you need to open your mouth."

She stared up at him in bewilderment. Delvin cupped her face in both his hands, and he bent over her. Using his thumbs to gently pull down her lower lip, his mouth covered hers. His tongue lightly stroked her lips before he gently slid it inside her mouth. She went rigid at his invasion. He continued to kiss her, but she remained tense and unyielding. He eased back from her and sat up.

"Hmm. We will need to work on that some more tonight." His tone was light and easy, and he gave her a smile. "I will see you at mass." Her eyes followed him as he left the chamber.

"Delvin," Hermione said, "I would like to go visit Sadie this morning."

Delvin finished chewing a piece of bread before speaking. "Aye. I will instruct Belwick to assign an escort to you. You need only go to the stables when you are ready to leave."

Hermione released the breath she had been holding, afraid he would refuse to allow

her to go to the village. Relieved, she gave him a smile. "Thank you, Delvin." There was a comfortable silence between them as they completed their breakfast. "How well do you know the village of Carleigh?" Delvin asked.

"I do not know anything about it, Delvin. For the last five years, I was a prisoner in

my father's castle." "I have plans to travel there tomorrow with Father Michael. I want to acquaint myself with the village leaders as well as determine where to build the new chapel. I will leave shortly after breakfast and will not return until after dark." Delvin turned to look at her. "I am hoping that you will come with me. The villagers should get to know their new lady as well as their new lord."

Hermione bit her lip as she considered Delvin's invitation. A few short months ago she would never have dreamed of showing her face to so many strangers. Now she had the experience of acceptance from the people of Ishton and Mersthrope. She not only felt stronger physically because of the regular meals she now enjoyed, but she felt stronger mentally and emotionally. She could do this. Delvin would be beside her the entire time and Father Michael would be there as well.

She nodded decisively and met Delvin's eyes. "Aye, I would like to accompany you." "Good." He gave her a smile. Standing, he pulled back her chair so she could rise. He loosely held her shoulders and bent to kiss both her cheeks. "Have a good morning, Hermione. I will see you at dinner."

She stood still as she watched him stride from the hall. When he was gone, she went to confer with Margarer about Sadie's condition and the treatment regimen Lucy had started the little girl on yesterday. After packing a basket of herbs, tinctures, and poultices from the herbarium and retrieving a basket of food from the kitchen, Hermione walked to the stables. The marshal greeted her, telling her he had saddled a horse for her on his lordship's orders. Sir Roger and Matthew were also waiting for her. When they reached the village, the people politely made way for them as Hermione

smiled and waved, returning their greetings. When they reached Sadie's cottage, Sir

Roger helped her dismount, and Matthew carried the baskets for her. Hermione knocked softly on the door so she would not wake the children if they were sleeping. "Good morrow, milady." Betsy dropped a curtsy. She held the door open wide and stepped aside. "Please come in, milady."

Hermione took the baskets from Matthew before going inside. Betsy shut the door

behind her, leaving the guards outside. Hermione set the baskets on the table and looked

at the mattress where she could see Sadie sitting.

"Milady, milady!" Sadie excitably bounced up and down in the bed. "Did ya come to see me?" "Aye, Sadie, I have." Hermione turned back to Betsy as she took off her mantle. "How

is Sadie doing today?"

"She's better, milady," Betsy smiled broadly. "Tis a miracle. Almost as if she was never sick. Truly, I'm having a hard time making her stay quietly in bed." "Aye, 'tis a miracle indeed. Hermione went to the mattress, sat down, and hugged the small girl to her. She pulled

back so she could examine Sadie's face. "I came just to see you, Sadie. How do you feel.

sweetie?"

"I fine. I want ta play. I wanna go castle ta see my kitten."

Hermione placed her hand over the girl's forehead before cupping her cheek as she closely examined Sadie's eyes and skin. "Aye," she said with a smile. "You do look very well to me. You can get out of bed for a little while today. But you must not play too hard because you will get tired very easily."

"I not get tired." Sadie pushed back the blanket and got up. Hermione trailed the little girl around the cottage. Sadie showed her all her favorite places and toys as Betsy went about her household chores. After a time, when Hermione noticed the child beginning to droop, she walked toward the table and sat on the bench. "Sadie, I am afraid I am a little tired. Will you sit on my lap while I rest?" Sadie looked seriously at Hermione, her head c****d to one side. She nodded. Hermione

picked her up and held her with Sadie's head tucked against her shoulder. Sadie put her thumb in her mouth, closed her eyes, and abruptly fell asleep. "Milady, let me take her from you." Betsy wiped her hands on her apron as she

came toward Hermione.

Hermione smiled at Betsy. "I would like to hold her for a little longer. I am enjoying

"If ye're sure, milady." "Aye. Sadie is very sweet." Hermione dropped a light kiss on the girl's head.

"Aye, that she is. Milady, ye'll be a good mother when ye've yer own children."

Betsy turned back to the kettle she had suspended over the fire.

Hermione contemplated the idea of having her own child, tightening her arms around

Sadie's small, warm body. Her heart yearned for a baby to love and nurture, but she

would not conceive a child unless she submitted to Delvin in bed. The idea of his taking her and invading her body again haunted her. Yet that was the only way to achieve her heart's desire. She buried her face in Sadie's fine hair, thinking about the way Delvin had kissed her this morning. She had enjoyed the light kisses he had given her at first. His last kiss, however, had frightened her. It had reminded her of his invasion of her body when he

had consummated their marriage.

She was grateful Delvin was sensitive to her fears and was patiently taking the time to allow her to become accustomed to him. It was not his touch so much that she feared, she finally realized. It was being under the control of someone stronger and larger than she was. Her father's a***e had seared her soul. Her only defense against him had been to hide, to make herself as small and inconspicuous as possible so he would forget about her. Whenever she had been unlucky enough to come to his attention, he easily overpowered her weaker body and had beaten her.

What was she to do? Hermione silently considered. Delvin would always be bigger and stronger than she was. How long would it take for her to become accustomed to his touch? And if she ever did, would her fear retreat or would it still plague her and ruin her marriage? She knew this was not a problem she could solve on her own.

The door opened, and Ogden stepped inside, closing the door behind him. He bowed awkwardly and stood before her, fingering his cap between his hands. "Good morrow, milady."

Hermione smiled at the villein. "Good morrow, Ogden. I had to come and make sure

for myself that Sadie is better. I am so glad she is recovering from her illness." "Aye, milady. Thanks be to ye and his lordship."

"Thanks be to God. He cured Sadic. As much as I hate to let this precious little girl go, I should let you have your dinner."

Hermione gave Sadie one last hug before relinquishing her to her father's arms.

A s soon as Hermione returned to the castle, she went to the chapel. She fell down on to her knees before the altar, crossed herself, and bent her head. Closing her Leyes, she folded her hands together and silently began to pray. Dear Lord God Almighty, thank You for healing Sadie. Thank You for answering my

prayers. Thank You for Your perfect faithfulness and everlasting love. Strengthen Sadie and

make her healing complete. Dear Lord, please heal my spirit. Remove this fear from me. I know You gave me. Delvin as my husband for a purpose. I want to be a proper wife to him, but I do not know how to get past this fear. Please help me. Help me to trust only in You and to submit to Your will

for my life. I know that You alone are my help and my salvation. Hermione took a slow, deep breath. And dear Lord, help me show Delvin how wrong he is about Damien. I am so weak and spineless that I gave in even when I know he is Help me to stand up to Delvin and defend Damien. wrong

Hermione sighed. All these things I pray in Jesus' name, amen. She crossed herself but remained on her knees before the altar. As always, the serenity of the chapel soothed her.