Chapter 18
“I’m so glad ye agreed to the blue silk,” Cassie weakly uttered from Serena’s bed where she watched Serena dress for her wedding the next afternoon. “It brings out the blue in yer eyes.”
Eawyn nodded her agreement and carried the gown to Serena.
“I will wear it as a token of our friendship, Cassie,” said Serena.
“And mine for ye is woven into every fold,” came the soft reply from the bed.
So that Cassie could be a part of the day, Serena had chosen to dress for her wedding in her old chamber.
Sir Maurin, who frequently checked on the object of his affection, had to be shooed away to allow the women to prepare.
In Cassie’s place, Eawyn and Aethel were to help Serena don the gown she and Cassie had sewn in anticipation of this day.
Serena’s gaze drifted to Aethel who had remained mostly silent.
Now sorry for all the damage she had caused, the woman had not left Cassie’s side since they carried her back to Talisand.
Serena believed Aethel was trying to atone for her misguided act.
Her demeanor had changed, that much was certain.
Sir Alain might have had something to do with it for Serena had observed the knight speaking in hushed tones to Aethel more than once last evening.
“How are you feeling?” she asked the handmaiden.
“Better.” Fortunately, the knife that had sliced through Cassie’s skin entered at an angle and had not gone so deep as to jeopardize her life. Still, she would need care for some time to recover. Aethel’s knowledge of herbs would be helpful.
Serena gave Cassie a warm, encouraging smile. “Each day will be better.”
She turned to admire the finished gown Eawyn held out to her. The undertunic was of soft linen dyed a pale blue. The fine outer garment Eawyn slipped over Serena’s head was a shimmering sapphire silk. Around her waist was a belt of silver links.
A knock at the chamber door sounded and Jamie peeked his head in.
“Are ye ready, Serena? I have yer father’s sword.
” The boy, now proudly wearing a midnight blue tunic bearing a snarling red wolf, hefted a sword nearly three feet long.
According to their custom, there would be an exchange of the weapons following the priest’s blessing.
Renaud would give her his longer, ancestral sword, one he told her he held in reserve, and she would give him a weapon to symbolize his protection of her and their children.
She had chosen her father’s sword, retrieved by his men after he’d fallen at Hastings. Shorter than a Norman sword and lighter and more flexible, it was the final symbol of her acceptance that she was the willing bride of Sir Renaud de Pierrepont, now Earl of Talisand.
“You can come in, Jamie,” said Serena. “We are nearly finished.”
Jamie stepped through the door, hefting what for him was a heavy sword. He stood admiring the polished metal. “Did ye know, Serena, that the Red Wolf saved my life at Exeter?”
“Yea, Sir Geoffroi told me. How did it happen?”
“He took an arrow for me.” The boy’s eyes glowed with adoration as he spoke of his lord. Then with a sheepish look he added, “I was in the wrong place.”
“You like him?” she asked, though it was clear from the boy’s face that he did.
“I do! And I am happy ye are to be his wife.” Jamie carefully set the polished sword on the chest at the foot of the bed and walked to where Cassie lay, obviously happy to see her awake. Taking her hand, he asked, “How are ye, Cassie?”
“Getting better,” Cassie said with a weak smile.
“Is not Serena beautiful?” he asked the bedridden woman as he turned to stare at Serena’s gown.
“Aye, lad, she is.”
Then to Serena, he said proudly, “I’m to lead ye down.”
“Ye’re dressed for it,” said Aethel as she placed the cloak of purple velvet over Serena’s shoulders, securing it with the sapphire jeweled brooch Renaud had given her.
She would have expected the gift the morning after the wedding night, but Renaud had seen fit to place the gold circle set with sapphires in her hand as he rose from their bed that morning.
The gesture had caused her cheeks to burn reminding her, as it did, of all they had shared.
But since she’d given him her maidenhead, she supposed it was right that his gift should follow.
Along with the brooch, he’d given her a pouch of gold coins, and told her she would also have title to one of the manors and its surrounding land.
As a husband’s gift, it was generous, though she could not help but recall that all of Talisand would have been Steinar’s save for the coming of the Normans.
At Renaud’s request, she had worn her hair unplaited and without covering save for the circlet of silver and gold her father had given her which Eawyn placed on her head.
Dressed in her finery, the women pronounced her ready, and she followed Jamie down the stairs.
* * *
Renaud watched his bride slowly descending the stairs to the manor’s entry where he waited surrounded by his senior knights. She is mine!
Once again, Serena appeared like a queen, this time in a shimmering gown of blue framed by a purple cloak thrown back over her shoulders, his gift of the gold sapphire-studded brooch secured at her neck.
He preferred to imagine her as she was that morning when he’d left their bed: sleepy, naked and tumbled from his lovemaking.
Never before had his soul merged with a woman, but he was certain it had happened with Serena when they joined as one flesh.
He could hardly wait for his wedding night.
“My lady,” he said, offering her his hand. “You are a vision for this humble knight’s eyes to feast upon.” Then his mouth twitched up in a grin. “I was half worried you would appear dressed as a lad.”
She laughed and placed her hand over his. “And embarrass my husband? Nay, I would not.”
He was glad she could accept his teasing on this day that would see her wed to a Norman in the eyes of the church. Mayhap she no longer resented him. He could only hope.
His knights moved aside as he and Serena walked to the door Geoff held open. Jamie, beaming a smile for his lord, took his place next to the senior knight.
“The priest awaits us at the entrance to the chapel,” he said to Serena as he led her into the yard.
All of Talisand turned out to celebrate the marriage of their lady to the Red Wolf.
The yard was filled with his men and the villagers.
He well knew some of them came out of curiosity.
But the averted eyes of others told him there were still some who were unhappy their lady had been forced to wed a Norman.
They should have drawn comfort in the knowledge that at least one member of the thegn’s family remained to see to their needs.
The crowd parted as he and Serena proceeded through the village to the chapel where Father Bernard waited for them in front of the doors. Renaud stopped before the priest, who covered their hands with his and began to speak.
Father Bernard talked of the Master of the Heavens’ love for his children and the importance of the gift of marriage. They were simple words but significant in their meaning. Then he blessed their union.
The ceremony concluded, Renaud slipped a gold ring on her finger and whispered, “Seulement l’amour entre nous.” Only love between us. The words he’d had engraved inside the ring.
She looked up startled. He had never uttered the word “love” to her before.
Mayhap he did not give his heart now, but he wanted no strife, no rancor between them.
He was not certain there would be love. As Geoff had said, only time would tell if she could be trusted.
And for Renaud to love would demand his trust.
He turned and, with his palms outstretched, accepted from Mathieu the long Norman sword of his family, the hilt carved with intricate designs and decorated with rubies, emeralds and sapphires.
Looking into Serena’s eyes, more violet because of the cloak she wore, he said, “I give you this sword to hold for our sons.”
She solemnly thanked him and accepted the sword onto her own palms and handed it to the tall blond Theodric, who now served Renaud. Since Exeter the English guard had cut his hair in the Norman style and now looked like one of them.
Serena faced Jamie who held in his palms the same sword Renaud had seen him holding earlier, a shorter Saxon weapon.
Laying it carefully across Renaud’s welcoming palms, with tear filled eyes, Serena said, “This was the sword of my father. It represents the honor of the thegn and that of the people he loved. With this sword, keep our home safe.”
Meeting her gaze, he promised, “I will.”
With the words spoken, Renaud handed the sword she had given him to Geoff.
Then he took her hand and led her from the church back to the manor.
Along the way, they were greeted by the smiles of the people of Talisand who were pleased with the marriage.
He snatched glimpses of her smiling at the villagers and his men and rejoiced that his beautiful bride loved the people of Talisand, now his people.
If he could only trust her, she would be a worthy helpmate.
The celebration that followed was much lighter in spirit.
Both mead and ale flowed freely as all work was set aside for the rest of the day to allow for eating, drinking, music and dancing.
His men had hunted the day before enabling them to dine on fresh fowl and venison.
Even a lamb had been slaughtered for the feast spread before the people who crowded into the hall.
Renaud looked down the high table to see Geoff on Maugris’ other side with the dark-haired Eawyn.
The two seemed to be acting good friends, though Renaud knew his fellow knight hoped they would one day wed.
On the other side of Serena sat Sir Maurin, who every now and then looked toward the wide opening that led to the manor and to his lady love still abed.