Royal Feud

Chapter 58

Chapter 58

When Langston got to his feet, a resounding cheer swept through the audience. Langston walked toward Hermione, who had been standing at the base of the chapel steps, closely observing the rite. He went down on one knee before her as she offered him her right hand. After placing a kiss of fealty on the back of her hand, he then stood and bowed deeply to her. She graced him with a smile, her joy and pride in him filling her heart. His solemn face dissolved into a broad smile in return. Langston stepped away, accepting the congratulations of Hugh, Ralph, and the other men who crowded around him.

Hermione walked toward Delvin. He turned to her, offering her his hand. Smiling at him, she placed her hand in his. The boisterous celebration carried over to the elaborate feast at dinner. Wine and

ale flowed freely as the revelers consumed roast beef, ham, venison, meat pies, cakes,

wafers, and cheese. After eating their fill, everyone adjourned to the lists to watch Sir

Damien exhibit his skill and demonstrate his prowess.

"I do not know how Damien and the other men will be able to fight, after that huge meal," Hermione remarked to Delvin as they stood beside the lists. ""Twill not be very serious fighting." Delvin commented. The wine and ale would merely have served to make everyone more relaxed."

Langston walked into the middle of the lists with Ralph, speaking to him. When Ralph nodded, Langston left him and walked toward Hermione. He dropped down on to one knee in front of her and looked up at her, his love for her clearly showing in his happy face. A hush fell over the crowd at this unusual, slightly scandalous, behavior. "Milady." Langston spoke, "I would fight as your champion. Would you grace me

with a small token I may carry into battle?"

Mortified, Hermione cast a helpless look at Delvin. He nodded to her in reassurance, his eyes clear he returned her look. Realizing it would cause more of a scene to refuse Langston's extraordinary request than to comply, Hermione swiftly took off her veil and handed it to the young knight.

"My friend," Hermione said. "I know you will fight with honor. "Aye, milady. Thank you."

Langston accepted the veil and stood, smiling broadly. He bowed deeply to her and returned to the lists. As he walked, he tied the veil around his upper left arm. When the buzz of the crowd rose, Hermione knew the audience must be speculating on Sir Damien's outrageous behavior.

"Delvin," Hermione whispered frantically to Delvin, clutching his arm, "I had no idea

he was going to do that." "Hush, Hermione, do not worry. Everything is fine."

He cupped her scarred left cheek and bent to give her a thorough kiss. It was the first demonstration of passion he had ever displayed toward her in public. She leaned into him, completely absorbed in the kiss, forgetting they had an audience. When Delvin pulled away from her, he hugged her to his side before turning to watch the contest already underway. Hermione looked around at the faces of the villeins surrounding them, seeing approval and acceptance in their eyes.

She leaned against Delvin as she watched the competition between Damien and Ralph. Even to her untrained eye it was clear that Damien was doing a better job than Ralph. At first she suspected that Ralph was letting Damien win the contest, as it was his day, or that maybe Ralph had had too much to drink over dinner, but finally she realized that Ralph was earnestly fighting his best but was outmatched by Damien's superior skill.

When the battle finished, with Langston the clear winner, a resounding cheer greeted the new knight's achievement. Damien left the field, coming toward Hermione. She stayed close to Delvin's side, his arm around her waist, as Langston dropped to one knee in front of her, untied her veil, and extended it toward her.

"My humble thanks, milady," Damien said, looking up at her.

Delvin reached over and took the veil from Langston's outstretched hand. "Sir

Damien, you have fought well. You have honored Lady Ishton with your devotion."

"Thank you, milord." Damien stood and bowed before walking away. "Here, milady." Delvin took the gold circlet from her head, draped the veil over her

hair, and replaced the circlet.

"Thank you, milord," Hermione murmured.

With her heart full of Delvin's romantic gesture, she tried to concentrate on the next competition between Gregory and Matthew but found her gaze wandering to Delvin's face instead as he intently watched the battle.

"Do you wish you were fighting today?" she asked him as they waited for the next

pair of combatants,

"Nay," Delvin said, looking down into her eyes. "I am more than content to be here by your side."

H elena dozed in bed, hearing the sounds of Delvin's ablutions, but not really conscious of them. She had been so tired yesterday after the tournament that she had fallen asleep as soon as she went to bed. When Delvin quietly let himself out the chamber door, she hazily appreciated his thoughtfulness in letting her sleep. Eventually she decided she really had to get out of bed, so she pushed back the covers and tried to sit up. A wave of dizziness swamped her as nausea churned in her empty stomach. She quickly lay back down, willing the sickness to pass. This cannot just be hunger. She had eaten like a horse yesterday, both at dinner and

at supper. Tentatively she touched her flat abdomen. Could it possibly be? After waiting until the nausea and dizziness diminished, she gingerly got out of bed. She called a servant to bring her a piece of bread and ate it before trying to wash and dress. As she went about her usual activities that morning, she was in a daze. She felt Delvin's questioning look more than once but merely smiled dreamily at him.

That afternoon, she sat with Elizabeth and Clare in the ladies' solar, playing her lute

while they sewed. "Hermione," Elizabeth said, "are you all right? You seem to be very distracted."

Hermione looked up to find both women's eyes on her.

"I, um..." She bit her lip. "I am fine." The more she reflected on her symptoms and the timing of her last cycle, the more convinced she became that she was indeed pregnant. She wanted to tell her friends her joyous news, but she felt Delvin should be the first one to learn she was with child.

Elizabeth and Clare smiled at her, resuming their sewing and their conversation.

Hermione went back to picking out the new tune she was trying to compose. A little while

later the door opened, and Delvin walked into the chamber.

"Good afternoon, ladies," he said in his deep voice. After exchanging greetings with

Elizabeth and Clare, he looked at Hermione. "Milady, I would like to speak with you."

"Of course, milord." She put the lure down by her chair and stood. Delvin led her to his solar. "I received a message from Wyham." He handed her the letter. "He has informed King Henry of Morefy's attack and his death. Wyham has persuaded the king to give Morefy's northern estate, Narhex, to you."

"To me? Not to you?"

"I told Wyham I did not want Narhex. Tis too far away and will be difficult to administer. I suppose you could sell it."

"So Narhex is mine?"

"Ave." Delvin said. "Read Wyham's letter for yourself."

When she had finished reading the letter, she stared sightlessly

lined the wall, thinking about this development.

"Have you ever been to Narhex?" Delvin asked.

"Nay." Hermione shook her head.

"Do you know anything about it?"

"Nay. Delvin, I would like to give the estate to Damien."

"Why?"

"We do not need the money it would bring if we sold it. You have more than

enough land to manage here." Hermione reasoned. "I think Damien is in love with me"

"Aye. "Tis very clear to everyone that he is." ""Twould be good for him to be gone from here. He needs to find a woman who will return his love. I owe him so much. Delvin. If not for Damien's protection, I truly

believe Morefy would have killed me."

"Aye. That is a good idea. It might be better for Langston if he were not constantly in your presence. His unrequited love for you could so easily turn bitter. We could grant Narhex to Langston as compensation for his extraordinary service to you. That way he can hand the fief down to his son. There is nothing like the incentive of preserving one's property to spur a man to take a wife. But before we make this decision, I think we should pray about it first."

"Aye, you are absolutely right. We should pray."

"Come, my love."

She placed her hand in Delvin's outstretched one and walked with him over to the settle. Sitting side by side, hand in hand with her husband, she closed her eyes to concentrate on her Lord as she rested her head on Delvin's shoulder.

"Dear Lord, most gracious and merciful God." Delvin prayed, "thank You for all the blessings You have showered upon Hermione and me. Thank You for the love You have given us. Thank You for the devotion and service that our people have given us, and thank You for Damien Langston's fidelity and friendship. Dear Lord, please show us if it is Your will that we grant Narhex to Langston. We ask that Your will be done in our lives and that we base our actions and decisions solely on Your will.

"To You we give all glory and honor and praise. You alone are worthy of our praise. Holy, holy, holy, You are the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. The whole earth declares the glory of Your name. In Jesus' name we pray, amen." "Amen." Hermione echoed.

She felt a peace descend over her. These times that she and Delvin spent together in prayer had further cemented their love for each other, as well as their love for the Lord. After a long, contented silence, Delvin spoke. "I feel an overwhelming peace with this decision, Hermione. I think we have God's answer. What say you?"

"I too feel the Lord's peace. I believe it is His will that Narhex be Damien's. I think

you should tell Damien what we have decided. I do not wish to tell him by myself." "I will send for Langston, and we will tell him together." They spoke lightly of inconsequential matters as they waited for the young knight

to arrive. When Sir Damien entered the chamber, he bowed and stood quietly, while

Delvin informed him of their decision.

"I will send a contingent of men with you to help you get settled in at Narhex," Delvin offered. "I require one-tenth of your profit from the estate as your annual payment to me. If you realize no profit the first few years, then no payment is required. Do you have any questions?" Langston appeared to be stunned by this good fortune. "Nay, milord."

"I would like a report of the conditions you encounter at Narhex. Do you read and

write?" At Langston's nod, Delvin continued, "I think you should be able to leave for

the north the day after tomorrow. Is that acceptable?"

"Aye, milord."

"Well, I believe we have covered all the details," Delvin said. "You may leave and begin to make preparations for your journey." "Milord, thank you for this extraordinary honor." Langston looked at Hermione.

"Hermione-milady-I do not know how to thank you for this incredible opportunity." "Be happy, Damien." Hermione came him and took his hands. "Thank you, my friend, for your love and protection."

He nodded. With a glance at Delvin, Langston bent to kiss each of Hermione's cheeks. He released her hands, bowed to both of them, and left the solar. Hermione turned a watery smile toward Delvin. He strode to her and wrapped her in his arms. She hugged him tightly and laid her head against his chest, accepting his comfort.

Later that night, Hermione lay replete against Delvin's bare chest, reveling in the warmth

of their passion.

"Delvin?" she said softly.

"Hmm?" came his languid reply. He held her closely to him, one hand lightly caressing her back and shoulders.

"I am carrying your child."

His hand stilled. Abruptly he rolled her over onto her back and looked intently into

her face. "Say that again," he insisted. "We are going to have a baby."

Hermione's joy overflowed at the look of wonder on his face. Delvin pulled back from her, throwing the covers away from them to inspect her body, placing his hand over her flat abdomen. Her heart swelled at the reverence in his touch.

"My babe grows inside you?"

"Aye. Tis too soon for him to show. He or she will be born right before Christmas.

"Are you happy about the babe?" "Aye, very happy," Hermione affirmed. "And you, Delvin?" "You have made me the happiest of men," Delvin vowed. "Hermione, I love you."

"Oh, Delvin, I love you so, so much."

"Hermione, I love you with all my soul." Delvin made sweet, soul-shattering love to her, demonstrating his love, his devotion and his commitment to her and to their child in his every touch.

As they rested in each other's arms, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking Hermione offered up a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for the infinite blessings He had bestowed upon her. A husband who loved her as intensely as she loved him, child to love and nurture, a home filled with peace and friendship. All the pain she had endured in the last five years had long ago faded into insignificance in light of the abundant love with which she was now surrounded.