Chapter Twenty #4
He found himself looking to Margot’s body once more, shaking his head with disbelief as he focused on the brutal woman who had been his first wife’s mother.
Henry, sensing the knight’s internal conflict, was aware that Bose and his wife required a measure of peace and quiet to recover their composure.
After a moment, he placed a comforting hand on the shoulder of the man who had once been his mightiest warrior. His expression was kind as he focused on the bloodied knight and his pale-faced lady.
“It’s all over with now,” he said quietly. “We can thank God for the happening of events that have brought about this ending. I was glad to be of assistance.”
Bose nodded faintly, a weak smile on his lips.
“As am I, Your Grace,” he said softly, feeling Summer’s warmth against him.
Glancing to her lovely, ashen face, his smile turned genuine.
“Certainly, I have everything I want. No matter if I had to dance with the Devil to gain my ends, I find that in spite of the trials I had to face, the results are well worth the effort.”
Henry acknowledged his statement with a vague smile, turning to his hovering advisors and demanding portions of food and ale to help him recover his wits and strength.
As the king moved away and the observers of the trial, including Lord Bruce, found it necessary to disburse themselves in light of the final events, Bose turned to those around him with the utmost wonder and awe.
“It is truly over,” he murmured, watching Artur as the little man moved to Margot’s body and kick it as if to rouse the corpse. “God’s Beard, it seems impossible that the situation is over and we have emerged victorious.”
Stephan, with Genisa under his arm, moved forward and slapped his new brother-in-law on the back.
“Indeed you have,” he said, his tone light as the delight of the emerging future took place.
“You have wed my sister and acquired three very protective, very meddlesome brothers. I would hardly call the acquisition of your wife’s siblings a victory. ”
Bose smile grew. “At least you’ll not have to come and live with me,” glancing toward the edge of the room where Edward continued to sit in dazed silence, he nodded his head in the direction of the muddled baron. “What of your father? What will you do with him?”
Stephan looked to the fat, pallid man, the warmth in his expression fading. “He is still the baron,” he said quietly. “I could petition Henry to become guardian of the baronetcy, but for now I believe I’ll simply bide my time and see what the future holds. My father cannot live forever.”
Exhausted and nearly ill with the events of the day, Summer leaned heavily on her equally pummeled husband.
“T-Thank God for that,” she murmured, feeling wicked for anticipating her father’s demise.
But for all that he had put her through, she could hardly forgive him.
Turning to her husband, she met his gaze.
“I wish to go home, husband. To Ravendark. I have had enough of Chaldon for this day.”
Bose smiled faintly. “As you wish, my lady. I am eager to introduce you to your new residence.”
She returned his smile, weary though it might be. “As I am eager to see it,” abruptly, she looked concerned. “And we must not forget to collect Antony before we go. He’d never forgive us for leaving him behind a second time.”
Bose’s eyebrow rose in feigned horror. “God be merciful. We most certainly must not forget the very beast that brought us together.”
“Even if I plan to share our bed with him?”
“We’ve already had this discussion and I have made my demands quite clear. I have shared one wife with him but I’ll not share the other.”
“I-I realize your feelings on the matter, darling. Now tell me; where would you prefer him, at the head or at the foot?”
He sighed. “The foot.”
Bose’s knights were already in action, moving to quit the hall and intending to prepare for their liege’s departure.
Lance and Ian kissed their sister in turn, bidding her a particularly meaningful farewell with the promise for a future visit to her new home.
Only Stephan lingered, his wife cradled against him, gazing at his sister as if he were seeing an entirely different woman.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?” he asked her gently. “With everything that has happened, are you well?”
Summer removed herself from Bose’s arms long enough to embrace her beloved eldest brother. Aside from Antony’s aid, the man without whose assistance her relationship with Bose could not have occurred.
“I am f-fine, Stephan,” she murmured, embracing Genisa tightly before returning to her husband’s massive arms. “Thanks to both of you for your aid and encouragement. Bose and I are ever grateful.”
The sun was nearly set upon the Dorset coast as the House of du Bonne and the House of de Moray parted company. As a soft sea wind stirred the cooling night air, the mood settling upon the Dorset and Wiltshire populace alike was one of hope, of joy, of a positive destiny.
No stronger faith and joy was felt than within the tight group of the Gorgon and his loyal men.
Upon their arrival to Chaldon less than ten days ago, there was not one person among them that could have predicted the course of the next week and a half.
The jaunt to Lance du Bonne’s tournament had been a most successful endeavor for all concerned, and a most victorious venture for one.
The Gorgon, indeed, had triumphed.