Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
As the sun slowly lifted the veil of night towards the east, a brand new day was dawning over the inhabitants of Babylon Castle and Kenton faced his new wife upon the steps of the keep where they had met, a place that had become the heart and soul for them.
He could hear people milling about in the hall inside and the sounds of sleepy boys could be heard on the floors above.
He could hear Tab yelling at his brothers from where he stood.
Nicola heard it, too, and she simply shook her head, resigned, as Kenton grinned.
“It will always be like this for us, you know,” he said, pointing a finger upwards to the noisy keep. “The joy of the family I never thought to have. I hope to do you all very proud.”
Nicola went to him, putting her arms around his trim torso as he swallowed her up in his embrace.
“You needn’t worry over that,” she said, hugging him tightly, knowing it would be her last feel of him before he departed.
Already, she found herself fighting off a flood of tears.
“You have already done us quite proud, Kenton. Surely you know that.”
Kenton kissed the top of her blond head, sighing heavily as his thoughts mirrored hers.
He had to leave very soon but he avoided saying anything.
She already knew, so to voice those words, to bring to the forefront that which neither one of them wanted to hear, was something he didn’t want to introduce into their conversation at the moment.
He wanted to spend just a few moments with his wife, enjoying their new marriage and enjoying each other.
His wife.
He could hardly believe it even as he thought the words. It seemed like a dream to him, still a dream even though they were legally married in the eyes of God. He’d never known such satisfaction in his life.
“I apologize that I do not have a ring to give you,” he said. “I will make sure I remedy that upon my return. What kind of stone would you like? Garnet? Amethyst? Beryl?”
Upon my return. He acknowledged the fact that he had to leave, for only a man leaving would be returning.
She’d hoped he’d forgotten about it, hoping he would simply remain at Babylon and forget all about Warwick and his promise to the man.
But she knew that was a foolish thought.
God’s Bones, it hurt already. She felt his loss to her very soul but she wasn’t entirely sure she should let him know.
She didn’t want him to think her weak or ridiculous, weeping over something she could not control.
“I have always liked red jasper,” she said, forcing a smile when she looked up at him. “My mother had a ring of red jasper. Mayhap you can find one on your travels back home.”
He nodded. “A fine stone, but not nearly brilliant enough for you,” he said. “Would you like a ruby? That is a beautiful stone and worthy of my wife.”
Nicola laughed. “You make the choice, then,” she said. “Surprise me. Whatever you bring for me, I shall cherish it always.”
He started to reply when the noise from the boys grew louder and suddenly, they were on the massive staircase of Babylon’s vaulted entry.
Raven was with them, trying to keep them quiet, but they thundered down the steps, declaring how hungry they were.
Teague said something about going out into the kitchen yard to see the lambs again.
They didn’t see Kenton or Nicola standing at the entry, running past them and into the hall where there was food and warmth at this early hour.
Outside, Kenton and Nicola watched the boys as they disappeared into the hall to break their fast. Nicola took a step to go inside and follow them when Kenton reached out to stop her.
“Not yet,” he said softly. “I must leave right away and I am not entirely sure we will have any more opportunities for a private farewell, so let us say our farewells here and now. I have never faced a situation like this before, leaving a woman I love, so I fear that I may be somewhat inept at it. I have told you how much I love you and how much you mean to me. I have sworn to return to you and I shall do exactly that. But I have not told you how much I have been dreading this moment, because I have… to lose sight of you, even for a moment, fills me with longing that I cannot even begin to describe. All I know is that I will miss you more with every beat of my heart, a pain that will not be eased until we are together again.”
Nicola’s expression was warm and loving as she gazed into his eyes.
“You have spoken everything that is in my heart, Kenton,” she whispered.
“I do not want you to leave Babylon. If I thought it would do any good, I would throw myself on the ground and refuse to allow you to pass, but I know that it would not do any good at all. More than likely, you would simply step over me and I would make a fool of myself, and as Lady le Bec, I would die before shaming you or dishonoring you. I have never been more proud of anything in my life, other than my children. You are my pride and my joy, Kenton, and I shall be expecting your return every single day that you are gone.”
He touched her cheek softly. “We have not spoken of the possibility that I may not be able to return,” he said quietly.
“If that is the case, and death keeps me from you, then know that it is my wish for you to be happy and if that means remarriage, then you have my blessing. I only want what is best for you, my love. Be joyful and content in whatever life you choose if it is a life I am not a part of.”
Nicola was emotional after his speech, swallowing tears that were close to the surface. She couldn’t even entertain the possibility of his death but she knew it was ridiculous not to be aware of the potential. She was, but she clearly wasn’t happy about it.
“I should tell you something that will guarantee you will return to me,” she said, her throat tight with emotion.
He cocked his head curiously. “What is that?”
She fought off a grin. “St. John proposed marriage to me before he left for Conisbrough yesterday,” she said. “If you do not return, I am afraid I shall have to marry him.”
Kenton’s eyes narrowed. “Never,” he hissed. “I will be back, Madam. Rest assured. I will crawl out of my grave and return as a living corpse before I let you marry Brome St. John.”
Nicola laughed weepy tears. “You see?” she said. “I told you it would guarantee that you will return to me.”
He growled, pulling her into his arms, holding her so closely that he was surely crushing her, but Nicola did not complain.
She was happily crushed by him, happily devoured by the only man she had ever loved, the only man she would ever love.
All things in her world were well and true so long as she was with him.
When Kenton and Conor rode from the fortress a short time later, Nicola stood on the steps of the keep, waving to her husband, smiling bravely and believing that, no matter what, he would return to her. He had promised, after all, and Kenton le Bec was not in the habit of breaking his promises.
She had little doubt that the walls of Babylon would see him once again.
At least, that was her fervent wish.