A Thousand Blessings - Book One (Blessings Series 1)

by Lisa Heaton

  ***

  Isabel took a seat next to Sybil. “I am Isabel.”

  Sybil looked at Isabel a few seconds and then flushed in embarrassment. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, I should be standing in your presence.”

  “You will do no such thing. You will sit here and get acquainted with me.”

  Isabel smiled at her, noting what seemed to be an embarrassed expression on her face.

  “Are you happy, Sybil?”

  “Words could never express my happiness with Eric, especially since we have come here.”

  She reached for the girl’s hand, and said with great sadness, “I am terribly sorry for your loss.”

  “We are sorry, too. Someday, we hope to have another.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “It was a boy, so we’ve decided to call him Andrew.”

  “Andrew is a fine name.”

  Isabel felt the weight of responsibility resting squarely on her since it was her decision. “I’m sorry for the way you were treated in Heath. I’m responsible since it was my decision to send you there.”

  “Then it is you I must thank.”

  “How could you thank me? The commander has told me how Eric was assaulted.”

  Sybil looked out at the water and nodded. “I can’t count the number of times he arrived home beaten bloody.”

  “I can never apologize enough. It seemed like the only answer at the time.”

  “It was the only answer, Your Majesty. If not for what happened to Eric, how he was beaten without his ever once fighting back, I might hate him still. He took it time after time because he thought it was what he deserved.” She blinked away tears. “Early on, I felt that he did.”

  “He wouldn’t defend himself?”

  “No. He allowed those men to pound him in the face. Afterward, all he would ever do was come home and clean up before supper.” Sybil began to cry openly. “He is the bravest, most tender man I know. He’s strong yet gentle, kind but firm. I only discovered what a truly humble man he is while watching him pay over and over for his mistake.

  “From that very first day, he chose to love me. Even when he had no hope of my ever loving him in return, he loved me anyway. I spoke very little to him for weeks and weeks; still he loved me. I withheld myself from him for months and still he reached for me and simply held me each night. He is generous to a fault and will give away every penny in his pocket if I don’t watch over him.

  “Your Majesty, I learned all those things about him and found myself deeply in love with him only because you made the decision to send him to Heath. Anywhere else, and I would likely still despise him. So yes, I thank you.”

  All along the way home, Isabel recounted her conversation with Sybil. It was more than the things she said; it was how she said them. Even in Isabel’s wildest imagination, she would have never believed such a blessed outcome after the couple’s beginning. A relationship that began under horrific circumstances turned out to be a deeply committed marriage.

  Sybil’s specific revelation, that Eric had chosen to love her even with no hope of love reciprocated was what Isabel spent the most time exploring. After some time while they talked, once Sybil seemed to feel even more comfortable with her, she told her of that first night, how Eric had sat on the bed and declared his love and devotion to her. Sybil cried at the memory, and Isabel couldn’t help but tear up with her. Rare was the person who was able to love with no hope of being loved in return.

  “Are you tired?” Colin said.

  “No, just thinking of my time with Sybil. She is a wonderful girl.”

  “And Eric is an impressive young man. I spoke to the foreman on the site. It seems young Eric has won over even the most seasoned of workers, not only because of his work ethic but because of his vision and talent as well.”

  Colin glanced at Isabel. “You know, Eric suggested something I would consider if you like the idea.”

  “What is that?” The way his eyes danced made her grin.

  “We could build many more cottages along the shoreline and rent them out to families on holiday. Imagine the jobs it will create for the town.”

  Isabel thought of that but hesitated. “I like the idea, but I don’t know that I want to lose the peace and quiet of the location.”

  “What if we create a different path to the new homes, one where our house remains private?”

  “I would be open to that.”

  She had thought of something earlier but wouldn’t mention it to Sybil until she had spoken with Colin. “What would you think of Sybil and Eric staying at our home while we are away? They are renting a room now. What if they became our caretakers?”

  “You may do anything that pleases you.” He grinned. “I’m glad for you that you get to see the fruits of a good decision. I don’t always get that opportunity.”

  The remainder of the ride they discussed the idea of new homes being built. They settled on the idea that cottages would be built to the west of the docks, which would leave their eastern location private. Isabel was better pleased with that idea. Just as the original revitalization project had taken on a life of its own as they dreamed and planned, the new cottages were doing the same. All sorts of grander ideas flowed one after another until they had to agree to begin with smaller steps. First thing, they would finish their home so that they would be able to take their child there on holiday. That thought quieted them both as they each entertained visions of what their uncommon family would look like.

  Chapter 25

  While there wasn’t a day that went by that Isabel didn’t think of Elias, she did discover that as time passed, she was less wounded. She hadn’t seen him even once since that day by the lake, something she decided helped her to heal. Daily she prayed the same for him, that absence would lead to a mended heart. Nothing would please her more than to discover someday that he had found another. It would take time, but he deserved to love and be loved in return.

  Today, Isabel followed the now familiar stone path to the ivy-covered chapel. James was there when she arrived, the caretaker, a kind and gentle man.

  “Good morning, James.”

  “It is, indeed, Queen Isabel.” He removed his hat and bowed his already stooped body. “I will leave you to your prayers.” He ducked out the side door leaving Isabel alone.

  She went to the front of the chapel and sat in the front pew. This had become hers, this particular seat. It was facing directly toward the cross, a sight she had needed to be reminded of on a daily basis. Each day she was able to recall how her sacrifice paled in comparison to that of her Lord. Much heart transformation had occurred in this pew. Isabel traced her fingers along the splintered wood, reminded of all the saved souls who had gathered to grow in this very room.

  Without question her newfound closeness with God was all that carried her through those first weeks of separation and even now. Nearly every day she came to the chapel and prayed for hours. It had become her morning routine, something she had never done even when she did believe herself so faithful. More than peace came, love did too, unimaginable, filling love.

  Most recently, God was clarifying what she had believed she had heard from Him early on. At the time she had thought the Lord was assuring her He would love her in Elias’s place, but that wasn’t the case. Maybe that was needed for a brief time, but what God was offering her presently was to love her in Colin’s place. Just as Elias had once made that promise, Jesus, her Groom, was extending it as well. Little did she know at the time, it was always His offer, only she hadn’t given Him a chance to demonstrate such fulfilling love.

  His call to her now was both old and new: it is not about giving up but giving in. The giving up part had been about Elias. Now, the giving in was where the Lord was guiding her. She was to give in and love Colin. Even at the likelihood that she would never be loved in return, not as she longed to be loved, she was to choose to love her husband anyway. Within hours of hearing Sybil’s story of how Eric chose to love her, Isabel understood the call.

  S
o far, for the past few days, she had been practicing choosing to love Colin. Only from afar up until this point since it still terrified her to give in to it. Each day she reminded herself that she chose to love Colin. She prayed for him and called to mind every kind and loving thing he had done so far. Truthfully, he was easy to love. That had always been her hindrance. At the drop of a hat she could helplessly love that man and set herself up to be hurt. Now that her love for him was no longer dependent on his willingness to love her in return, it was ridiculously simple to fall in love with her king.

  ***

  The moment Isabel entered the dining hall, Colin jumped to his feet and held her chair for her. All welcomed her and assured her that they were pleased that she was feeling better after her extended absence.

  His heart was beating hard and fast at her nearness, so he leaned in close and wrapped his hand around hers. “It’s about time, Queen Isabel, that you have graced us with your presence.”

  She grinned at him. “I decided that you peasants must surely be missing me by now.”

  “Terribly.”

  Since they had taken the trip to Deslan, their friendship seemed to be on the mend. They met on occasion to discuss the future of Deslan and the seaside cottages. Each time he was with her, he found he was feeling more and more at ease all the time. She seemed to feel the same. Now, with Elias out of the picture, Colin had in mind to try and build a better relationship with his wife, one where he was more careful of her feelings and needs.

  Since the night he sat in her room while she wept over the commander, one phrase she spoke was ever in the forefront of her mind, how Elias had promised to love her in his place. The fact that another man had to step in and love his wife because he refused was inexcusable on his part.

  Isabel’s indictment against Melody had lingered in his mind and had so captured his attention that all he could do was agree and determine that Melody had no right to steal his future from him. When he thought of it now, it angered him that he would live under the curse of that promise for so long and hurt the most precious woman because of it.

  For some time they had been in the great hall as others were dancing. Colin was pleasantly surprised at how near to him Isabel remained; even now she was near enough that he could reach out and touch her. While engrossed in a conversation, he thought she had moved on, but when he turned, he found her standing behind him, watching the couples as they moved around the dance floor.

  Colin took her arm and whispered in her ear. “May I ask you a question?”

  “You may.”

  “Are your feet dancing beneath your skirt?” The small movements she made caused him to wonder.

  She looked up at him, her eyes batting up and down until a smile formed on her face. “They certainly are. I can’t seem to make them behave.”

  Over the course of the evening so far, he had watched as one gentleman after another had approached her and asked her to dance, but she only smiled and shook her head.

  “Why are you not dancing?”

  “I’m big and clumsy. I would be terrified of falling and hurting our baby.”

  She placed her hand on her stomach and Colin found his eyes drawn there.

  “I’m not sure there is anyone here I would trust to catch me.”

  “What if we find you a trustworthy partner, one who would never let you fall?”

  “I would rather not.”

  “I would rather. We can’t allow your dancing feet to remain hidden.”

  Colin took Isabel’s hand and began to lead her to the dance floor, enjoying her expression along the way. When he faced her and drew her into his arms, he sighed a long soft sigh, regretting that this was only now the first time.

  “Our first dance,” she sighed, too, as she whispered it.

  “Forgive me. This should be at least a thousand by now.”

  His statement being so similar to when they first kissed caused her face to flush – exactly as he intended.

  She moved in a little closer as he twirled her around the room. They moved so fast at times, keeping pace with the other couples, that she clung to him.

  “Please don’t let me fall.”

  He slowed only a little. “I assure you, I will never allow you to fall.”

  Together, they became so lost in the music that they failed to notice the audience they were attracting. Once others realized that King Colin was on the dance floor, the dancing couples stepped aside and become mere spectators.

  “Isabel, Isabel, watch you twirl around the room.” The song brought a smile to his lips.

  “I’ve never heard that song.”

  “My mother made it up and used to sing it to me. That’s the song I heard in my head the day I chose you to be my bride.”

  “Really? Your mother used to sing my name?”

  “She did. Maybe God gave her a love for your name so that you would someday be mine?”

  The current song ended and another began. It was at that point that they noticed their audience. Both only smiled and continued to dance, this time with others joining in.

  “I’m glad to see you are breaking your one-time rule with me.”

  “It only took finding the right partner.”

  After each song Colin would ask his wife if she was tired, and when she said no, he would continue to twirl his Isabel around the room.

  Finally, after many dances and complaining about two sore fat feet, Isabel admitted to being too tired to continue.

  Just before leaving the dance floor, Colin leaned in. “I will never leave you without a partner again. I give you my word.”

  “I will hold you to that.”

  ***

  Isabel was so completely captivated by her king that she thought of nothing else for the remainder of the night.

  Because she watched him so intently when they weren’t together, she noticed something that unsettled her. There was a woman there that Isabel didn’t recognize. After asking around, she was told her name was Eliza, the widowed niece of one of Colin’s advisors, Edgar. She was staying at the palace in the hopes of finding a proper union.

  What caused Isabel’s apprehension was Eliza’s behavior toward Colin. With no shame at all, any time the woman was near him, she openly flirted with him. Colin seemed to ignore it, so Isabel wasn’t concerned about him, but the more than attractive woman was relentless in her pursuit. After some time, unwilling to stand by any longer and watch this spectacle, Isabel took hold of her husband’s arm and never let go again. She wanted to address the matter with Colin but decided against it. A jealous wife was rather unbecoming, especially one who had only recently broken off a relationship with another man.

  When it was time to go upstairs, Colin insisted on walking her up. All the way he held her hand and on more than one occasion lifted it to his lips and thanked her for a wonderful evening.

  Now, they were standing before her door, and she found herself anticipating the night to come.

  “More than anything, I want to come in and spend the night with you.” He sighed and blinked long and hard.

  She placed her hand on his chest. “Then do.”

  He rested his forehead on hers. “Not yet. For the first time since I’ve known you, I want to get this right. I want to know you are free to be mine and that I’m free to be yours. Let’s work on that first. Can we?”

  Nearly speechless that he suggested he wanted to be free to be hers, Isabel caught a glimpse of an entirely altered future with him. He was allowing himself to love her.

  “You are a wise king.”

  “Married to a lovely queen.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “There’s a chill in the air tonight. Would you like for me to come in and tend to your fire first?”

  She grinned and looked at him with eyebrows arched in suspicion.

  Colin said, “No, really, only to tend to the fire.”

  “No fire tending necessary. I’m so hot natured these days that I tend to sleep on top of the covers as it
is.”

  “Dressed?” He threw up his hand. “Wait, don’t answer that.”

  Isabel giggled at him. “I’m predicting your self-imposed exile won’t last too long.”

  “I’m predicting you’re right.” He glanced down and then back up at her. With a soft expression and tone, he said, “Once we each get our hearts in the right place, I want us to be a family, a real family.”

  She swallowed hard and her heart fluttered at the tender look in his eyes. “I want that, too.”

  When Isabel closed the door behind her, she leaned against it and sighed out of sheer joy. The night had been purely magical and her intention was to sit and relive every moment of it over and over until she fell asleep.

  After taking one more step into the room, she stopped in her tracks. Elias was sitting there, facing the fire, waiting for her. The fact that Colin hadn’t come in was a sheer miracle. Had he found Elias there waiting, there was no telling what he would have done. Elias was risking his life by this intrusion.

  She rushed over and sat by his side. “What are you doing here? You will get yourself killed.”

  Even before he responded, she noticed a different expression on his face, a quality she had never encountered before. He seemed desperate, something that was dangerous for them both.

  “You have no right,” he said.

  “Elias, please don’t.”

  “Do you know what you’ve done to me? You’ve taken my very life when you took my ability to love you.”

  “This was never fair to you.”

  “I’m a grown man. I knew what I was getting into. You have no right to make this decision for me.”

  “I won’t do this to you.”

  “This is done already with no going back. Not for me. My heart is forever yours.” He took her hand in his. “Take back your command.” His words caused him to choke up.