Royal Feud

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

"Gavin always liked to see me on the allure when he returned," Margarer reminisced as they walked. "He said when he saw my face, he knew he was home." "That is lovely," Hermione said softly. What must it be like to be loved so deeply by one's husband? It was something she would never know.

On the battlements, she stood next to Lucy, watching the approach of the troops. It was an impressive sight. Two armored knights rode front of the procession with King Henry's banner and Ishton's banner carried by squires directly behind them. A column of men riding three abreast followed. The soldiers remained on the far side of the river as one of the knights came forward. He stopped in view of the guards on the crenellations and removed his coif. Delvin's black hair and blue eyes were clearly visible as he hailed the guards.

""Tis Ishton. Open the gate."

The guards obeyed, lowering the drawbridge and raising the portcullis. Delvin led the men over the bridge and into the castle. When he walked his horse into the outer bailey, he glanced up and looked directly at Hermione. Time stopped for her as she met his piercing gaze. He raised a hand in greeting before turning right and heading toward the stables. Hermione let out a shuddering breath, her gaze tracking his progress.

"Hermione, we should go down now." "Aye, Mother." Hermione followed Lucy to the turret at the southeast corner and

down the stairs. "It will be some time before Delvin comes to the hall, since he always takes care of his own horse," Lucy explained as they walked across the bailey. "And then he will

need to remove all his armor."

"Lady Ishton, Lady Lucy." Renwold greeted them as they stepped inside the hall. His narrow lips curved into a slight smile that animated his usually impassive face. "Lady Ishton, water is being heated for baths, as you ordered, and Cook has supper almost ready."

"Thank you, Renwold," Hermione said.

As she waited with Lucy, Hermione tried to trample down her nervousness. She must not lose all the gains she had made in self-confidence and authority this past week under Lucy's guidance just because her husband had returned. She would show him that she was no longer a frightened mouse, cringing at every imagined threat.

The door to the hall opened, and Delvin entered with Wyham. Hermione took a deep breath and met her husband's eyes as he strode toward them with a broad smile. Even though his black hair was matted with sweat and dirt stained his clothes, Delvin exuded masculine vigor and virility. The dark growth of hair covering his cheeks and chin gave him a rakish appearance.

"Hermione." He took her hand and bent to kiss her cheek. "Welcome home, milord." "Thank you. 'Tis good to be home." Dropping her hand, he turned to Lucy, kissing her cheek. "Mother, I trust you are well?"

"Aye. Delvin, I am so glad you are home safely," Lucy said with a smile. "Welcome back, Lord Wyham." Lucy extended her hand to him. He bent over her hand and kissed it.

"Milord," Hermione addressed Delvin, "water has been heated and supper is ready.

Would you like to eat first or bathe first?") "Bathe first. I am covered in fifth," he replied..

Hermione turned to find Renwold at her side.

"Milady, I will see that everything is taken care of," he told her.

Renwold bowed and walked away. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as Delvin went upstairs. His presence overwhelmed her and set her on edge. She firmly thrust from her mind the realization that they would spend the night together, sleeping in the same bed.

Hermione played her lute and sang to pass the time for Ishton's retainers as they held supper, waiting for the lord of the castle. When at last Delvin descended the stairs, she faltered. She ducked her head, not meeting his eyes, and quickly resumed singing. As she played the last chord of the song, she saw Wyham make his way downstairs. She stood, acknowledging the applause, and found Renwold at her side. He took the lute from her.

"Thank you, Renwold. Please start serving supper now."

She walked toward Delvin, conscious of his watchful eyes upon her. His hair was damp, his face cleanly shaven, and his eyes matched the brilliant blue of his tunic. She marveled again how handsome he was. He held out his hand to her as she approached. All her senses acutely tuned to him, she placed her hand in his, aware of the currens that seemed to pass between them.

Over dinner Hermione listened avidly to the exchange between Wyham and Margare as he recounted for them the surrender and razing of Morefy Castle. Delvin occasionally interjected additional information, when asked by Lucy, but was otherwise silent Hermione felt strongly the tenseness that existed between them, a sharp contrast to the ease evident between Lucy and Wyham.

After supper, Delvin stood and held out his hand to her. "Come, Hermione, 'tis time

for bed." She swallowed and, without a word, put her hand in his, letting him draw her up to

stand beside him. "Please excuse us, Mother, Wyham," Delvin said. "I find I am quite fatigued and wish to retire now."

After accepting their farewells, Delvin guided her upstairs and into their bedchamber. She entered first and walked away from the door, hearing him close it behind her.

"I will summon the chamberlain to assist you, milord."

"That will not be necessary. I do not need any assistance," Delvin replied. "You will not have need of a maid tonight. If you require help undressing. I shall be happy to oblige."

Hermione stood immobile next to her clothes chest, keeping her back to him. He came

over to her and placed his hands lightly on her shoulders. She could not control her

instinctive reaction; her whole body went rigid.

His sigh seemed inordinately loud in the silent chamber. "Hermione, I promise you that you have nothing to fear in our marriage bed. I will not take you again until you are ready." His voice was quiet and calm. "In time you will learn that I am a man of my word. You have nothing to fear from me." He dropped his hands from her and moved away. "I have been looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. Sleeping on the cold, hard ground loses its appeal."

The thud of his boot dropping on the floor startled Hermione, and she flinched. She took off her veil, undid her braids, and brushed her hair, keeping her back toward Delvin. After removing her shoes and hose, she took off her kirtle and hung it on the clothes peg. Clad only in her chemise, she went to the bed, avoiding looking at Delvin as he stood in the middle of the chamber. As she hesitated next to the mattress, he spoke.

"Get in bed, Hermione, and I will put out the candles." She huddled on her side, as close to the edge as possible, her back to the middle of the bed. Darkness descended in the chamber as Delvin blew out the last candle. Shortly afterwards she felt the dip of the mattress as he slid in beside her.

"Good night, Hermione."

At last, when he made no move toward her, she whispered, "Sleep well, Delvin."

In the morning Hermione lay still in bed as Delvin washed and dressed. She had not slept well; his every movement had awakened her even though he never touched her. Delvin came over to stand next to the bed. "Good morrow, Hermione."

"Good morrow, Delvin." "I am dressed. "Tis safe to look at me now."

She heard the amusement in his tone as he waited. Slowly turning onto her back,

holding the covers to her chest, she sat up. He smiled but made no move toward her. "I would like for you to join me for breakfast. I am interested to hear how things

have been going here in my absence."

"As you wish, milord."

"I will have Renwold send up some fresh water for you." He nodded to her and left the room.

After mass in the chapel, Hermione and Delvin broke their fast together at the high table. A few of the other castle inhabitants ate their meal at the trestle tables set in front of the dais, but they were not within hearing distance.

"I noticed you are wearing Mother's chatelaine," Delvin commented. "Aye." She swallowed a piece of bread, her throat dry. "Lady Margarer gave me an extensive tour of the castle and has been instructing me in my new duties."

Under his questioning she told him about all the tasks she had learned to perform and about taking over the supervision of the household.

"*Tis good you are learning from Mother now," he remarked when she was finished. He took a drink of ale. "She may not be living here much longer."

"What? Why?"

"Lord Wyham has asked my permission to court her."

Hermione stared at Delvin. "Do you think she will marry Lord Wyham?"

""Tis quite possible."

Feeling suddenly bereft, Hermione contemplated what Lucy's departure would mean for her. Even though she loved Lucy and should want only her happiness, Hermione could not help but hope that Lucy would remain with them at Ishton.

"Father Michael came back from Morefy with us," Delvin continued. "He was weary from the journey yesterday so he went directly to the chapel last night. He told me he is looking forward to seeing you again."

"I am looking forward to seeing him as well. Is Father Michael going to live here?"

"Well, with the two villages to serve now, I am sure Father Thomas could use his help."

"It might be better to build another church in Carleigh. The villagers will not be able to come to Ishton for daily mass. "Tis too far away for them to travel."

"Hmm, I had not thought of that," Delvin muttered as he chewed a piece of cheese. "Would you talk to Father Michael and see what he thinks about building a chapel in Carleigh? And if so, whether he would be willing to serve as their parish priest?" "Aye, I would be happy to do so." "Good. I appreciate your assistance. Another man from Morefy Castle came back

with us. Langston, the bailiff." "Oh, that is wonderful news."

"What do you know of him?".

"Damien was my only friend at Morefy," Hermione answered. "He shielded me from

my father's wrath on more than one occasion. I was very grateful for his friendship and protection."

Delvin finished the last of his ale. "Langston wants to complete his training as a knight. I have not yet decided if I will take him on."

"Milord-Delvin, I beseech you to do so. Damien has demonstrated to me all the noble qualities a knight should possess."

"We will see. He will need to prove himself to me first."