Chapter Twenty-six: The Announcement
The knock on Lady Adelaide's door so early on the cold November morning woke her and had her wondering what could be going on. She lay in bed with her eyes closed, the blankets pulled up around her neck until Mary could get the fire going. There was a rustling of skirts, a few murmured words, and the door closed again. Mary stoked the fire, opened the shutters to let in the light, and then came to wake Adelaide up.
"Who was that at the door?" Adelaide asked, startling Mary, who had been just about to push on Lady Adelaide's arm to awaken her.
"My Lady, you scared the life out of me!" the maid complained, hand on her chest, trying to calm her breathing.
Adelaide sat up in the bed, pulling on her cloak to help keep her warm as the cool air of the room hit her upper body.
"I am sorry, Mary. Who was at the door?"
"My Lady, it was one of the prince's servants. More are coming shortly with a bathtub and some warm water for you. There is a new dress, with jewelry to match, and new shoes. We must hurry."
Adelaide lowered her eyebrows in consternation as she thought of what this day could possibly signify; her face cleared in realization just as Mary declared, "This is the first day that your mourning is over, Milady. The prince expects you to break your fast with him in one hour. We must hurry," she added as she went to the door to let in the men carrying the bathtub, who were followed closely by many children with trenchers full of hot water and fragrant herbs, which were all deposited into the bathtub.
Once everyone was gone, Mary gestured to Lady Adelaide to come over by the fire. Adelaide deposited her cloak on the chair and shrugged out of her shift, shivering as the cold air hit her naked body. She climbed quickly into the tub and ducked her head under the water so that Mary could begin scrubbing her from head to toe. Too quickly, the bath was over and Mary was urging her out of the tub where the maid rubbed Adelaide dry and helped her into a clean shift. As Adelaide sat before the fire, Mary took her hair strand by strand and rubbed it vigorously with a towel to dry it, before reaching for a silver brush and running it through to make her hair soft and shiny and tangle-free.
The dress Mary reached for was emerald green and butter-soft; Adelaide's eyes went wide at the sight of it. It was the finest dress she had ever seen, including her wedding dress, and made her realize that there was no escape from this marriage—it was obvious the prince wanted her to look her best for her new fiancé. After the dress was on, Mary reached for a tie of interlaced gold and emerald cloth to pull Adelaide's light brown hair back with, setting it in place with golden combs on which emerald butterflies perched. A small, oval emerald on a gold chain with matching dangling earrings completed the outfit, except for a pair of tan kid boots.
Adelaide swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked at herself in the mirror. She was not a vain woman, but as she stared at her reflection, she realized that, if he were a man of even normal appetites, there was no way Sir Guy of Gisbourne would turn her away at this point. Deciding to put on a brave face for now, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, preparing to go and meet her destiny.
In the hall, Guy sat next to the prince, his cynical gaze sweeping over the others in the room. He knew Prince John planned on announcing their engagement; if this bride tried to flee, he would kill her for the affront. He hated to admit that a small part of him looked forward to seeing her in something other than black. As she walked in, he sat up in his chair, standing as Lady Adelaide approached. He swallowed nervously, reaching for her hand and guiding her to the seat next to his. Before she could sit, Prince John arose and banged his cup on the table, calling for the attention of all those assembled. The buzz of talk died down quickly and the nobles turned their attention to the dais as the prince began to speak.
"My Lords and Ladies, many of you know of the tragedy of Henry of Mablethorpe, who died just over a year ago while serving my brother in the Holy Land. To lose one's husband is sad enough, but the fact that he died thousands of miles away only adds to the sorrow of Lady Adelaide of Mablethorpe's story."
Prince John looked around, making sure that everyone had noted the fact that while Richard was so very far away, causing Englishmen to die in the war, he, Prince John, was here, feeding them instead. And bringing them together as well, he thought before continuing his speech.
"It has taken much time for the lovely Lady Adelaide to mourn the loss of her beloved husband…"
Next to Guy, Adelaide nearly choked hearing the prince refer to Henry as "beloved".
"…but I, your prince, believe that life must go on and that new love can be found. That is why I asked you all here today, to share in the joy of my announcement that the Lady Adelaide has consented to become the wife of Sir Guy of Gisbourne, one of my most loyal knights. They shall be joined in holy matrimony on the first day of January."
The prince raised his cup, all the others in the room following suit. "To Sir Guy and Lady Adelaide!"
"Sir Guy and Lady Adelaide!" the throng cheered.
Adelaide was pale, but as she peeked at her fiancé out of the corner of her eye, she was surprised to find him blushing, seeming ill at ease with everyone's attention on him. They sat and the meal was served, but Adelaide found herself with no real appetite.
Guy watched his new bride-to-be idly pushing the food around on her plate. He leaned closer, whispering in her ear lest he be overheard.
"You look lovely today, My Lady. The green and gold suits you."
Adelaide shifted in her chair, trying to move away without being obvious; Guy caught the motion though, and his features hardened in anger.
"Thank you, My Lord. Prince John is most generous."
Her sudden reference to Prince John's generosity threw Guy off balance. He thought that she was speaking of the prince's bringing them together, so her subtle movement away from him had him baffled. He wondered if she had moved away out of a sense of propriety. She leaned forward over the table and spoke around him.
"My thanks, My Lord Prince, for the lovely new clothing," she smiled winningly at him, hoping to look grateful.
Prince John stared at her quizzically.
"I am sorry, My Lady, but what new clothing?"
It was Adelaide's turn to look confused. She gestured to her outfit. "These, of course, My Lord."
Prince John smiled. "Those clothes did not come from me, My Dear, but from your new betrothed. You do still love me though, don't you?" he pouted at her surprised face.
"Of course, of course, My Lord," she stammered, sliding her gaze over to Guy of Gisbourne, who appeared to be distinctly uncomfortable.
"Thank you, Lord Gisbourne," she murmured, shifting her gaze quickly to her plate and reaching for her goblet. She nearly choked on the sweet wine as Gisbourne's breath tickled her ear.
"When you are done eating, I should like very much to go somewhere and get to know my new bride."
Adelaide colored, thinking that he meant something untoward when he spoke of "getting to know" her. She swallowed the mouthful of wine, collecting herself in the process.
"My Lord, I do not think that would be appropriate…"
As Guy caught her meaning, he smiled, closing his eyes and looking down before letting his gaze rest on her face once more.
"I only meant that we should know each other better, not that we should do anything…inappropriate."
His bold stare made Adelaide uncomfortable and she suddenly found her appetite, wishing her plate were twice as large to stave off going anywhere with this man. She began eating, even though she couldn't really taste the food, taking small bites and chewing thoroughly, taking her time.
Guy watched in amusement and then in growing irritation as everyone else finished and left the hall, including Prince John. The servants had cleared away everyone's plates except for hers as she sat and ate slowly. Guy pushed his chair back and rudely slammed first one booted foot and then the other on the table, crossing his arms over his chest and regarding her closely. She had winced at his show of aggression, so he knew she would be easily cowed if need be. He decided to test the theory, standing abruptly and looking down at her.
"You are done, My Lady," he declared, watching in satisfaction as she ceased eating immediately.
"Come," he held out his hand and she took it, her fingers like ice. "The day is chilly, but the sun shines. We will walk through the town."
Adelaide rose and went with him as the fear poured over her in waves. He was a powerfully built man; if it came to a fight, she would lose—as she had lost to Henry.
The day was cold, but clear, and Deirdre sat watching Allan as he practiced his swordplay with Robin. Allan had taken easily to the sword when Robin had first started teaching him years before, and now—at Deirdre's suggestion—he had decided to add a level of difficulty by learning to fight left-handed as well. It had been a long while since Robin had fought left-handed and the practice was good for him as well, helping to hone a skill long unused. The two men were sweating despite the cold temperatures and the occasional breeze that ruffled their hair.
Marian climbed up to settle on the roof of the cave next to Deirdre, who smiled at Robin's wife. The others were out hunting and gathering bits of wood for the fire, leaving the two couples alone at the cave. Marian adjusted her skirts, pulling them tight to block the breezes from blowing up them and freezing her legs.
"They're well-matched, don't you think?" she asked the older woman, nodding her dark head toward their husbands.
"Aye. Allan may not have been born noble, but he's a natural with the sword."
After a moment's silence, Deirdre spoke again.
"So are you carrying yet?"
"What?" Marian asked in astonishment.
"Are you and Robin going to have a child anytime soon? It'd be wonderful, wouldn't it? Our children playing together. Cousins, practically."
"Deirdre, in case you haven't noticed, we live in the woods. We're being hunted by sheriff's men. It's not exactly the best place or time to think about raising children."
Deirdre smiled wryly, stroking her stomach.
"In case you didn't notice, I don't exactly have control over that timing anymore."
Marian had the good sense to blush.
"I'm sorry. I know you're already having a baby, but I don't have to yet."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing, it's nothing." Marian turned her attention back to the men, trying to change the subject. "Good job, Robin!" she called in encouragement.
"Tell me," Deirdre demanded.
"Robin would be so upset. He desperately wants a family."
"Tell me."
Marian remained silent, her gaze on the men as they fought. Deirdre looked back at the men, watching as Robin seemed to be beating Allan back toward the trees. She knew her man fought best with his back against the wall.
"How about a wager?"
"A what?"
"A wager. If Allan wins, you tell me. If Robin wins, you keep your secret."
"There's no way Allan can win against Robin!" Marian exclaimed in shock, amazed that Deirdre, a former noble herself, could even entertain the idea.
"Then you have nothing to lose, do you?"
Deirdre held out her hand to Marian to seal the deal and Marian took it. As Allan and Robin fought, the women watched with renewed interest. Deirdre saw Allan back up until his back was against a tree, watching the smile of triumph that spread across Robin's face and its reflection in his wife's face. Her own face mirrored that of her husband, looking desperate and frightened. That was, until he struck.
Allan came away from the tree, the sword like an extension of his arm, the sheer ferocity and speed of his attack driving Robin back until he fell to the ground, panting in exertion, glaring in consternation at the sword-point at his throat and the grinning thief standing to the side of him with one foot on his stomach to hold him down. Allan's gaze moved to the roof of the cave and he saluted his wife, bowing low like a player while she squealed in delight and clapped her hands.
"I believe you owe me a wager," Deirdre glanced over at Marian's pale face.
"You mustn't tell Robin. Please. It would kill him to know."
Deirdre nodded her head gravely in agreement. "Of course not."
"Nor Allan. I wouldn't want him to accidentally tell Robin."
Deirdre sighed in exasperation. Why did everyone think Allan was such an imbecile? He had lived for many years as a thief, having to use discretion to avoid the noose, and yet the gang often treated him as though he were the town gossip.
"I won't tell anyone. Unless you don't tell me. Then I'll make something up to tell Robin and you'll be in it. Now talk!"
"Queen Anne's Lace seeds."
"What?"
"Queen Anne's Lace seeds keep a woman from conceiving. I got them from Madeline, the morning of the wedding while you slept. I told her of my fear of having a child right now, that I was afraid for the danger you and Allan would be in when your child came…"
"You mean the danger our child puts everyone in," Deirdre supplied the details of Marian's insinuation.
Marian stopped for a moment, once again nonplussed by Deirdre's candor.
"You have to admit, one baby is bad enough, two would have been terrible." At Deirdre's furious look, Marian added, "Look, we're all excited about the baby, but if you could have put off having a child for a few years until things are settled and King Richard returns…"
Deirdre sighed. Marian was right. She was pregnant and there was no turning back, but it would have been safer for them all if she was not. She had admitted as much to them all when she had given them the choice on the road to Scarborough.
"Your secret's safe with me, Marian."
Marian got up and went to smooth her husband's bruised ego while Deirdre remained where she was, smiling down at Allan proudly.
Guy and Adelaide walked in uncomfortable silence. Guy was not a natural conversationalist, and Adelaide seemed disinclined to speaking any more than was purely necessary.
"Tell me of Mablethorpe," Guy asked, the question sounding like a command.
"It is on the east coast, My Lord, and has a port. It is a fairly good-sized holding, self-sufficient, and I believe its income will please My Lord."
Guy frowned. She had told him things he had already learned from Prince John. It seemed she was doing her best to keep him at a distance. It mattered little. Prince John desired to see them joined and so they would marry. He did not need the "friendship" he had thought he had with Marian, nor the laughter he had shared with Deirdre. She would be his wife and bear him sons to carry on the Gisbourne name. They did not need to like each other for that, but he found he wanted it nonetheless
Guy was just about to suggest that they return to the castle when Adelaide spoke. At first, he was not sure she had, as her voice was so low.
"Why do you want this marriage, My Lord?"
"I am grateful to the prince. Marriage to you will give me more lands and more money and therefore, more power. It will be a legacy I can pass down to my sons."
"Have you children, then?"
"No, but you will bear me children. You are still young enough."
"And if I told you I could not bear children?"
"Can you not?"
Adelaide blushed. "Henry of Mablethorpe was much older than I when we married, but not yet old. We were together for two years before he left on crusade. There are quite a handful of young men and women living in Mablethorpe who look much like Henry and yet, I never bore him a child. What does that mean to you?"
Guy turned to look at her, intending to make a sharp comment, but the vulnerability on her face caught him. He raised a hand to her cheek, watching her flinch slightly, but she still stood her ground. His blue eyes bore into her green ones.
"It means he was a fool and that he left too soon." Guy was surprised to find he meant the words.
Adelaide swallowed hard, caught for a moment in his gaze, and then wrenched her head away, walking swiftly back toward the keep. Guy caught up to her and as he did, she spoke again, never slowing her pace or looking at him.
"And if that is not the case? You wish for children. What if I cannot give them to you?"
Guy grabbed her arm, stopping her. She cried out and he dropped her arm like it was on fire.
"I am sorry. I meant only to stop you so we could discuss this. Are you hurt?"
Adelaide refused to meet his gaze. "I think we should go back to the castle. There is much to do to…prepare. Please, My Lord."
Guy nodded, then gently put his arm on her back to steer her through the crowd as he realized she had not seen his nod.