Page 60 of A Knight To Call My Own
Several men began to bring in bundles of items for Lynet’s inspection. Lynet gasped in startled surprise. “Why, they are my things from Berwyck,” she cried out happily.
Fletcher smiled. “Aye, Dristan thought you would want a bit of home with you, along with your dowry and horse. To be honest, I do not think it appeals to him that you are so far removed from his notice.”
“This is my home now, Sir Fletcher,” Lynet said, marveling that Dristan and Amiria knew how much ’twould mean to have her possessions. A shadow fell across her features that did not go unnoticed by Ian.
“What is the matter, lass,” Ian whispered whilst he cupped her face to wipe away a lone tear running down her cheek.
How could she not but shed a tear or two whilst remembering a handsome knight who sacrificed his very life so that she might live. A fallen knight who had loved her, mayhap, more than she deserved. She raised her face to Fletcher, begging him silently to answer what surely he knew what she would ask of him. “Did you find h-?”
“Aye, we found Rolf after one of the guards who had traveled with him returned,” Fletcher answered.
“You have him here?” Lynet tried to disentangle herself from Ian’s arms. “I must see him,” she said, trying to get to the door.
“Nay, Lynet. Rolf’s body is not here, my lady, but already in a final resting place at Berwyck,” Fletcher answered gravely.
Ian pulled her back into his arms whilst she attempted not to cry a river full of tears. “I but wanted to see him one last time,” she whispered into his chest. She felt him place a kiss upon her head.
“My dearest wife, you and I both know Rolf would not have wanted you to see him like that. Remember him in your heart, alive and being the cocky pain in my arse that he was,” Ian said, attempting to make light of the situation.
“He is in a place of honor, Lady Lynet, and he is resting in the only place he ever called home,” Fletcher said. “’Tis more than some of us ever get a chance at.”
“Will you stay with us for a while? You are most welcome for as long as you so wish it,” Ian inquired, brushing Lynet’s hair back from her face.
“Nay, I will only stay long enough to rest the horses. But also know that Dristan and Amiria will expect you to bring yourself to Berwyck soon. They will want to see for themselves that Lynet is content in her choice of husband. Personally, I am ready to be about the journey. No offense, Ian, but I prefer my feet to be planted firmly on good English soil.”
Lynet was only half listening to Ian and Fletcher speaking already of his departure. She was more than thankful they had found Rolf. She gave herself a mental shake to right herself and then peered strangely at Berwyck’s captain afore she smiled. “You should be married, Sir Fletcher. I will see how we can best go about finding you a fair lady to call your bride.”
Fletcher laughed at the prospect. “That may be a little difficult, my lady, for I am most particular on the sort of woman I would even consider to take to wife. Besides, ’tis not as though she is just going to show up and fall at my feet, now will she?”
A strange gleam lit Lynet’s eyes. “One never knows, Sir Fletcher. One never knows…”
Stifling a yawn, Ian and Lynet at last made their way up to their chamber. She did not wish to admit it, but her ordeal had taken its toll on her, and all she wanted was to lie down. Even that was denied her as a tub of steaming water was at the ready near the hearth. She was more than willing to sacrifice a little sleep to sink into the soothing water.
Stripping off her soiled garments, she gave them no further thought as she slipped down into the liquid paradise that immediately began to work its magic. With her head laid back on the rim of the tub, she suddenly felt a soapy cloth being run along the length of her skin. Opening her eyes, she saw Ian, who was just as naked, as he began to wash her.
“I believe you owe me a bath, my dear,” Ian said huskily.
“I believe you are right, husband,” she answered sweetly. She pulled herself up so he could join her as the water sloshed over the sides of the tub and onto the floor. But such a mess mattered not at all. She came to him and sat down on his lap with a wiggle of her bottom. His brow rose in invitation, and she gladly accepted what he offered. When Ian began to kiss her, Lynet became completely lost, especially whilst he guided her into taking the lead in their lovemaking. ’Twas not ’til the water began to cool that common sense prevailed, and they rushed to climb beneath the coverlets on their bed.
Lying there, face to face, Lynet could only stare in fascination at those hazel eyes that had captured her in her youth. He reached over and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, but continued to twirl the end of the length around his finger.
“Any regrets, Lynet?” Ian asked with such a serious expression that she leaned forward to capture his lips.
“Nay, none whatsoever, my love,” she replied honestly.
“My love?”
“Aye. I love you, Ian, just as much, if not more, as when I was just a child. There has only been you who has filled my heart for as long as I can remember. You are everything I could ever want, and more, for my husband.”
“I am proud to call you my wife, little one, and look forward to a lifetime together,” Ian murmured, gathering her close within his embrace as exhaustion began to consume them both.
As she listened to his heart beating for her beneath her ear, she thought he might have dosed off. Instead, her heart soared with his next words.
“I love you, my sweet Lynet…” His words trailed off as slumber overtook him, leaving Lynet with a satisfied smile. A vague memory of her brother Aiden asking Amiria if she was content with Dristan as her husband flashed in her memory. Her sister had never given him an answer that day, and, mayhap, there was no need for her to do so, either.
Aye…it may have taken Ian a while to profess his love, but he had undeniably proved he cared for her after all. She, too, was indeed most content…
Epilogue
