Warin raised his cup. “And to the health of her child.”
TWENTY-FOUR
Hylda handed a nervous Fulke his daughter before returning to Reina. “Rest now, my lady.” Caressing her cheek, she said softly, “Your dear mother would have been very proud of you.”
Catching Hylda’s hand, Reina gently squeezed it. “You have always been a mother of my heart, Hylda.”
Hylda smiled as Reina closed her eyes in exhaustion.
Turning to Fulke, she admitted, “My lady could not have found a finer man, your lordship.”
With burning eyes, Fulke briefly glanced away from the wonder of his daughter. “You have my undying gratitude, Hylda.”
“Consider us even, your lordship.” She dabbed absently at her cheeks with the sleeve of her kirtle. “I best ease the minds of the louts below,” she said fondly.
Fulke absently nodded as he gazed tenderly at his daughter.
By the time the men heard the door in the upper passageway even Rowan had trouble focusing.
The men watched in silence as the two village women descended the steps. Without a word or glance at the anxious men, they left.
Seeing Hylda make her way down the steps, they stood as one. Her expression giving nothing away, they held their breaths as she made her way to Rowan. Wrapping her arms around him, she began sobbing into his tunic.
Wide-eyed, the men fell heavily into their seats.
Regaining her composure, Hylda lifted her head. “My Reina has a daughter,” she sobbed happily.
Albin stood with a roar, “Zounds woman! Do you think you could have imparted the good news another way? You had us panicked near to death.”
Returning more to her normal self, Hylda assessed the infuriated knight. “Perchance if I entered a hall of sober knights instead of drunken louts, I would have.”
His stomach unclenching, Albin chuckled. “I think madam that I am quite fond of you.” Albin raised his tankard high with a grin. “To Castell Maen’s newest mistress.”
As the rest of the men raised their tankards, Talan shouted, “God help the men who are brave enough to seek her hand.”
Laughing their relief, Guy caught Gervase staring at Hylda. “By all that is Holy, what is wrong with you, Gervase?”
Eyeing Guy’s hand, Gervase shrugged.
* * * *
Fulke ran a finger lightly through the soft down of his daughter’s blond hair. “Wondrous,” he breathed.
Opening her brilliant blue eyes at her father’s touch, his daughter studied the imposing figure he presented. With a soft cry, she shoved a tiny fist into her mouth. Holding out a finger, he watched in fascination as she wrapped her tiny hand around his thumb.
A fierce protectiveness flowed through him as he stared down at the miracle love had created. Unashamed, he felt tears track down his face. “You are as beautiful as your mother, little one.” Bending to kiss the top of her head.
Glancing up, he found Reina watching him with tears sparkling in her eyes. “My love, meet your daughter, Catrain Malina.”
Overwhelmed his mother would live on through him, Fulke could not voice the words he wanted to say. Gazing at Reina with all the love in his heart, he could only nod.
Before her, he never would have believed it possible that he would be placing his infant daughter into the arms of his beloved wife. Leaning down to kiss her, he managed a shaky, “Thank you, my lady.”
Cupping his cheek, she gazed into the clear depths of his eyes. “No, thank you my love, my lord, my life.”
* * * *
Fulke made his way through the darkened castle, cradling his infant daughter. “There are some people I would like you to meet, little lady.”
Entering the Great Hall, he smiled to see his men passed out in various positions, too far into their cups to make it to their beds. “I shall introduce you to the rest of the family on the morrow, I have a feeling you will grow as fond of them as I.”
Stepping out into the humid night air, he moved away from the castle to gaze at the twinkling cluster of stars above him.
This time when the warm breeze caressed his face, he would have sworn he heard the sound of laughter.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Although I only briefly touch on the White Ship disaster, the sinking itself changed the course of history. Along with hundreds of nobles from England and Normandy, King Henry I’s only legitimate son drowned. Henry spent the remainder of his reign fighting to name his only legitimate daughter, Matilda, the first Queen of England. Upon his death, England was thrown into Civil War, also known as The Anarchy or Nineteen-Year Winter. It concluded with Matilda’s son proclaimed future king, giving birth to Plantagenet rule in England. I believe everyone is familiar with the infamous king that ruled close to four hundred years later, King Henry VIII.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Exhibiting a lifelong passion for history and writing, Candace Early was inspired to create a story about a deaf heroine after seeing Marlee Maitlin's performance on Dancing With the Stars. Based in the twelfth century court of King Henry I, A Knight of Silence is the first volume in a Knight Series.
Currently hard at work on Volume II, A Knight of Battle, Candace resides in Pompano Beach, Florida with her husband and young son.
A member of Romance Writers of America, you can learn more about Candace by visiting her website at www.knightseries.com.
* * *
[1] Tell me, do you think she can understand him, when he instructs her to get on her knees?
[2] He who tries to serve two masters serve neither.
[3] In God’s sight, nothing ever remains unavenged.
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