Royal Feud

Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Hermione pushed her way through the crowd, marveling anew at the love everyone had for Delvin. From the lowliest villein to the hardened men-at-arms, all were loyal and dedicated to their overlord. She finally located Delvin talking with several of his men. When she approached him, she laid a hand on his forearm and smiled up at him. He returned her smile while the men greeted her. Gradually the other men drifted away, leaving her alone with Delvin.

"It has been a very eventful day," Hermione said.

"Aye, that it has," Delvin agreed.

"Tis good to be among everyone, after being in seclusion for so very gratified at the joy everyone feels that you are still alive." "Aye." His crooked self-abasing. "Tis a long. You must be to be passing strange thing,

from the dead."

raised "I know it was hard for you to admit you were wrong about Damien, especially in front of the whole assembly. Thank you for being so gallant and making your confession in public."

smile was

""Tis the least I could do, since I made my accusation so public." Love for him flooded her. He was all that was honorable, noble, and valiant. He epitomized the heroic knight of her song. The lyrics played in her head.

"My King and my country I serve gladly,

Protecting the weak, pure justice I seek.

Courage, valor, and truth alone rule me,

Loyalty my guide, in honor my pride."

Silently, she praised God. Thank You, Lord, for giving me Delvin for my husband. Delvin leaned close and murmured in her car. "Tis time to retire. I would celebrate our victory in a more intimate manner."

The heat of passion seared though Hermione at his words. Her gaze met his, and his ntense blue eyes ensnared her. Unconsciously, she licked her upper lip and saw his eyes laze in response.

"Aye," she whispered. "That is an excellent idea." "Are you well enough?" He lightly touched the bandage around her throat.

"Aye, I am fine." The powerful need she had for him dwarfed the residual pain from her wound. She ok his hand and walked with him upstairs to their chamber, to their bed, to their

T need to visit Mersthrope and Carleigh so all the villagers will know I am really alive." Delvin said over breakfast the next morning. "I plan to ride to Mersthrope this afternoon and Carleigh tomorrow." He took a bite of cheese date it before continuing. "Would you care to accompany me?"

Hermione paused in eating her bread to answer him. "Aye. I would like that. "Twill be od to be outdoors again. I know you were bored to tears, being confined to our ambers for so long."

"Aye, that I was. Thank you for keeping me company when I was in She laughed. "Twas my pleasure."

my grave."

"Are you up to the four-hour ride to Carleigh?" "Aye, I think so. My muscles have toughened up considerably, with the short rides.

have been doing."

"You can always ride double with me, if you get too tired riding alone." "Aye, thank you, Delvin." Hermione smiled at him.

"I am interested to see what progress they have made on the chapel in Carleigh." "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Father Michael sent word shortly after you were injured at the chapel was finished, and he was waiting for you to recover so you could attend consecration. With everything that has happened lately, I forgot to tell you about t. I am sorry."

"Do not worry about it." Delvin took a drink of his ale to wash down the bread he finished eating. "I will send a message to Father Michael to schedule the secration for tomorrow, when we will be there."

"Aye, that is a good idea." Hermione wiped her mouth..

"I need to talk to Clare as well. I did not see her last night at the celebration, nor

morning. How is she doing?"

"I know she must have been devastated by Bernard's death, but she has been failingly supportive and sympathetic to me during your long recovery. She was one the few people who knew the truth about your 'death.' I felt it would be too cruel to her believe that you had died as well. I did not want her to think that Bernard's rifice had been in vain."

"Thank you for that. Would you ask Clare to come see me in my solar?"

"Aye, I will do so."

Delvin stood and pulled back her chair. "I will see you at dinner, Hermione. I hope you have a pleasant morning." He leaned over and gave her a kiss on each check. She watched Delvin stride through the hall. When Wyham intercepted him and the two men went upstairs together, she headed to the kitchen to consult with the cook She would give the men some time to talk before locating Clare.

Delvin led the way into his solar and shut the door after Wyham. "Thank you, Robert, for all your help with Morefy." "I am glad to be of service," Wyham replied. "Unfortunately, your mother and I need to leave Ishton tomorrow, now that everything with Morefy has been resolved. I have been away from court too long already. And the king's troops need to return to

their regular duties."

"Please give my thanks to King Henry for sending his men. They were a great help

in defeating Morefy's forces." "I will do that. I will also report to him what has transpired here. There is still the matter of what to do with Morefy's northern estate. I will try to persuade the king to grant it to you and Hermione."

"I do not want it. I have no need of more land, and 'tis too far away to manage properly." "One can never have too much land. If you do not wish to keep it, you can always

sell it."

Delvin shrugged.

"Delvin, I hope you will not mind if I consider you and Hermione as my children. I

have come to love both of you.

"Nay, I do not mind, and I am sure Hermione would benefit from a loving father

figure."

"Well, I am considered a fair judge of character and relationships between people, so I wish to offer you some advice. Whether or not you wish to take it is entirely up to you."

"That sounds ominous."

"I did not mean it to. I only wish to urge you to tell Hermione that you love her, as soon as possible." Delvin turned away from Wyham's perceptive gaze. "Tis hard to open up my heart

to her when I do not know how she feels."