Page 94 of Suddenly a Bride
“I would be honored if you would let me call you my son.”
She put her small arms about him, and he felt embraced by the mother’s love he’d never thought to have.
~oOo~
An hour later, Gwyneth saw the earl and countess settled in the tower room her parents had graciously vacated. She left the Langstons to her parents’ company, then escaped down to the kitchen, to the servants bustling with their preparations. She had just thought of an idea for how to deal with the Langstons.
“Mrs. Haskell,” she called, “please do me a favor. Send people to every part of the castle. I need to speak with all the servants immediately.”
In half an hour, the kitchen was full to bursting with serving maids, scullery boys, grooms, footmen, shepherds, and farm workers. More waited in the courtyard for the message to be passed back to them. Gwyneth stood upon a chair, and their merry conversations died into silence.
“I’ve called you all here because I have a favor to ask. I know things have been uneasy, since we have someone among us trying to make life difficult.” She noticed that Lucy dropped her gaze. “But you must trust me when I say we have almost put it all behind us. The earl is here because he wants this land back, and he’s done all he can to make sure my husband fails. Do you want him to be your lord again?”
There were immediate cries of “Nay!” and looks of worry and fear.
“Then help me—help us. Go out to Swintongate and invite everyone you know here for Christmas dinner. We need your support, but we only have three hours to fill the great hall. I promise all your doubts will be answered this day.”
She watched in relief as people rushed out of the room in twos and threes, talking excitedly.
~oOo~
Edmund stood at the doors and watched with amazement as the whole village arrived at Castle Wintering for Christmas dinner. The hospitality of his household enveloped even the Langstons. Everywhere people toasted each other and the season. Beggars were brought in to eat with the residents of Wintering and Swintongate. Servants in red livery danced attendance. Tray upon tray of beef, lamb and goose were laid across elegant tables covered in damask cloths. White breads and cheeses overflowed baskets. A peacock, roasted then sewn back up, complete with feathers and beak, adorned the head table.
He realized how much Castle Wintering had changed in the few months of his marriage. It truly was the tapestry come to life. What had once been a decrepit, cavernous abode for one lonely man had become a healthy home for many. Amazed and relieved, he suddenly knew that he’d succeeded in his quest to become a landowner, lord of this castle. He’d allowed his frustration with what was really a small series of crimes to overshadow everything that had been accomplished at Castle Wintering. He could honestly say he’d helped better the lives of many people.
In the center of it all was his wife. Gwyneth moved among beggar and servant and guest with good-natured ease. Her authority was unquestioned, her kindness a certainty. Everything he enjoyed now was due to her. Even his dogs waited obediently in the corner for her attention.
He watched with pride as she greeted the earl and his wife with a polite curtsy. He hadn’t had time to warn her of his plan to behave normally and see what the Langstons did. But without prompting, she played the joyous, loving wife so successfully that it made his chest tight with remorse. She slid her arm about his waist, and he rested his about her shoulders. He listened as she answered the countess’s questions about the changes in the castle. She graciously introduced her sisters to the Langstons as if the girls had never been slighted by their wealthy relations.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her, this fearless woman who’d braved a cold husband and a broken-down castle. He was staring in a besotted fashion into her lovely face, when she stood on tiptoe and leaned toward him, her hand resting on his chest. His heart started pounding.
Staring with imploring eyes, she whispered, “Trust me—just this once. I have a plan. Pretend that you love me.”
He could only nod, but his love wouldn’t be pretend. He could no longer lie to himself. Gwyneth had pierced his armor and found the heart he thought he lacked. He loved her, her warmth and compassion, her bravery in taking a man like him in marriage. His worries faded, and he let himself trust her completely, knowing that this was his only chance for the happiness he’d thought he didn’t deserve. He’d been using his doubt and her small faults almost as a last barrier between himself and his wife, but no more. There would be mistakes aplenty between them in the coming years, but none they couldn’t talk through.
Before they could all sit down for Christmas dinner, there was another commotion out in the courtyard. When the doors were again thrown back, in strode Alexander Thornton, the man whose family had saved Edmond from poverty. Through a wager, Alex had led Edmund to Elizabeth—and through her to Gwyneth. Alex’s wife, Emmeline, carried their year-old son, Nicholas.
“Edmund!” Alex called, stepping forward to shake his hand. “We made it in time.”
Edmund returned his grip and stared uncomprehending at Gwyneth.
She shrugged and smiled ruefully. “He’s one of my presents to you.”
He grinned at her, and she blushed.
Alex turned to give her his usual scoundrel’s look. “So this is your wife, Edmund. How did someone like you become so lucky? And when are you going to introduce us?”
Edmund laughed, even as he hugged Gwyneth to him. “This is my bride, Gwyneth, who has made our first Christmas together very memorable indeed.” He gave her a quick kiss, and her smile grew even more brilliant than he’d imagined. The light from hundreds of candles was reflected in the sheen of her eyes.
“Lady Emmeline,” Gwyneth said, “could I hold the baby for you while you remove your cloak?”
Smiling at each other, the two women talked quietly, and Edmund stared at Gwyneth as she looked wistfully at the child she bounced on her hip.
“Edmund,” Alex said, “I’ve never seen you look quite so contented. And it must all be due to your bride here.”
Gwyneth glanced at Edmund with hope in her eyes.
“It is a good life we’ve made for ourselves,” he said.
