A Knight's Vengeance (57 page)

Chuckling, the healer mopped her eyes.
"'Tis a strong son.
He will make his sire proud."

The baby kicked again and Elizabeth giggled. "I think he knows how nervous I am."

"If 'tis any consolation, milady, I imagine Geoffrey is as anxious as you."

He
was
nervous, Elizabeth saw moments later, when Mildred and her father escorted her down the winding path toward Wode's parish church. 'Twas odd they should both be so affected by the day. At Geoffrey's bedside months ago, they had exchanged rings in a betrothal ceremony and the priest had published the marriage banns on three successive Sundays. She and Geoffrey had wed in a simple exchange of vows.

Yet he had insisted upon honoring her with a formal ceremony on the church portico in front of plenty of witnesses, followed by a lavish and rowdy feast complete with jongleurs, tumblers, and other entertainers, once he had recovered.

Now, he paced before the crowd of onlookers, his tall form slicing through the streaks of sunlight filtering through the oaks in the church cemetery. A pair of twittering robins darted in front of him, startling him, and Elizabeth chuckled.

The familiar haze of stubble on his chin had gone. His hair shone in dark waves to the collar of his finest black silk jerkin, which complemented his black hose that hugged his muscled legs, and black leather boots.

Elizabeth sucked in a trembling breath and smoothed her veil with her fingers. She could not believe seven months had passed since Geoffrey was wounded. That terrible episode was all in the past now. The injury had almost healed over, leaving but a deep, pitted scar similar to the other one marring his chest. With Dominic's persistence, Geoffrey had regained much of his former strength though 'twould be many more months before he would be able to lift anything heavier than a chair.

In that time, Aldwin had come before Geoffrey to answer the charge of attempted murder. She had stood nearby while Geoffrey listened to the squire's tearful explanation and apology. When finished, Geoffrey had informed Aldwin that his penance would be to swear fealty to him for the rest of his life. 'Twas a decision never once regretted. Aldwin threw himself into his duties and excelled for his new lord.

Elizabeth nibbled her bottom lip. She wished matters had resolved as well with Sedgewick and Veronique. Accompanied by an armed escort, they were sent to the king's dungeons to await trial and punishment, but had somehow escaped. Neither had been seen or heard from since. Elizabeth resisted the urge to worry, for she doubted the baron or Veronique posed any threat to her and Geoffrey's future happiness.

Sidestepping a muddy puddle, Elizabeth looked up at Geoffrey. She loved him more than she ever thought possible, cherished even the simplest of his gestures, like the way he raked his fingers through his hair and with lithe grace, strode back to the priest.

Over the past months, he had proven his devotion to her with his hard work to secure their future. His first shipment of two thousand sheep had arrived at Branton. He left his bed every morn to supervise the construction of a fuller's shop in preparation for the carding and drying of the first shearing of wool that summer. He had also received his share of the returns from the Venetian silk shipments, a profit more than three times his expectations. The coin had not been in Branton's coffers two days before he had spent it to upgrade Branton "to a level of luxury suitable for my beloved wife and babe," he had told her with a tender kiss. Geoffrey had even paid for the modern convenience of piped water.

He seemed to sense her gaze upon him now, for he glanced up. His gaze locked with hers. Still, after all this time, one heated look from him could make her limbs go weak.

The crowd parted with murmurs of awe. Among those gathered, she saw Dominic, Elena and Roydon, waving to her as she approached the portico. She laughed and waved back.

Geoffrey's gray eyes skimmed over her, and his mouth slid into a roguish grin. Elizabeth smiled too, for she saw in his expression all facets of him—the rogue, the confidant, the gentle lover—and knew without doubt she loved them all.

As the priest stepped forward with the gold rings and spoke the first words of the wedding ceremony, Elizabeth also recognized the promise in Geoffrey's smoldering gaze, to cherish her and their children today, tomorrow, and forever.

THE END