At dusk that same day, Guy of Gisborne came into his private chambers. He found his wife seated on a chair by the fireplace.
"There you are, my love! Just as you promised." Lady Meridwyn smiled as she arose and walked toward her husband.
"Yes." Guy said absently.
"And how did it go?" Lady Meridwyn asked.
"What, my dear?" He asked in his perfect, raspy voice.
Lady Meridwyn sighed. It was one of the things about him that made her melt. She especially loved it when he whispered in her ear when he was loving her.
"Your mission or whatever it was." Lady Meridwyn said.
"Oh, yes. It was fine, my dear." Gisborne smiled. He glided swiftly to her and held her to him.
"Hungry?" He asked with a deviant grin.
"Maybe!" She laughed wickedly.
"Whatever it is you're hungry for I can offer you." Guy whispered. "I have requested a tray from the kitchen." He winked.
"We can get to that later. First I'm going to eat you." She purred as she fluttered her eyelashes at him. "So, tell me, Guy – what of this mission you were sent on today?" She asked slowly. She'd been thinking about what Rhiannon said earlier. If anyone would know what the Sheriff was up to, Guy would know. He was the only one the Sheriff trusted to tell anything to.
"What of it, Meridwyn? There's really nothing to tell. My cousin asked me to do something for him, so I took care of it. If I wasted my time every day discussing my duties with you, we'd never have time for anything else!" Guy exclaimed.
"Where did you go?" Lady Meridwyn asked with her eyebrow quirked. He seemed awfully defensive just now.
Gisborne exhaled an audible sigh and looked downcast. "There was a matter to deal with in Nettlestone." Guy said.
"Oh? What was in Nettlestone – besides your manor, that is?" She asked.
"Uh, right. Well, it was a matter of… taxes." Guy lied. "I was asked to see a merchant there who was reluctant to give it to us." He said as he looked to the left and stared vacantly.
"Why couldn't Gregor do it?" Meridwyn asked. Why could he not look her in the eye?
"Because he was collecting taxes for the Sheriff in another village. My cousin thought that I might be… more persuasive." Guy said smoothly, still glancing to the left. He hoped they could move away from this topic. He hated having to lie to her.
"I see." Lady Meridwyn said. Rhiannon was right. There was something going on. "Funny you mentioned Nettlestone, my sweet. I could surely use a get away. Take me there, Guy. Take me to your manor." Meridwyn smiled up at him, her bright blue eyes pleading with him.
Gisborne swallowed. "It is our manor, my love." He said weakly. He cleared his throat and continued. "Well, hmm. You see, I don't think I'll be able to get away for awhile, my lady. My cousin and I shall be venturing to Portsmouth with the Bishop of Hereford in the next day or two. We need to make an arrest there." Guy explained.
"Then take me after you get back." Meridwyn suggested.
"The man we're after will be charged with heresy, Meridwyn. There will be a lengthy trial and God knows what else involved. We're only in the beginning of the investigation. There may be much for me to do in the coming days." Guy said as he put his hands upon her shoulders.
"Can't Duke Farnsworth cover for you then?" Lady Meridwyn pouted.
"No." Guy stated firmly.
"I do not understand? You're offering excuses to keep me away from there?" Lady Meridwyn said, shaking her head. "Guy, what is going on in Nettlestone?" She asked pointedly.
Guy shook his head. His long brown hair lashed out in the air. "What do you mean, my dearest?" He laughed nervously.
"There's something funny going on. I can tell when you're fibbing!" Lady Meridwyn huffed as she folded her arms.
"My love, what in the devil are you talking about?" Guy asked.
Meridwyn's eyes widened as a thought came to her. "Have you got some rotten, little tramp waiting for you there? Is that what this is about, Guy?" Meridwyn demanded as she put her hands upon her hips and narrowed her blue eyes upon him suspiciously.
"What?" Guy exclaimed, incredulous.
"That's it, isn't it? I'm getting stout and I'm not all that attractive to you anymore! Splendid!" Lady Meridwyn muttered facetiously as she moved away from her husband and turned her back to him.
Guy closed his eyes and shook his head. His jaw was set in anger. He was going to speak to his cousin about ending this cursed charade – the sooner the better! Now his wife thought he was romantically entangled with another maiden! How laughable – if I didn't have an urge to strangle him just now! Curses! The things I do for that sorry, old beast!
"My lady, you couldn't be more wrong!" Guy exclaimed. He went toward her and put his hands upon her shoulders. He leaned into her ear. She felt the heat of his breath upon her neck when he spoke. "You're beautiful, my Meridwyn, and right now while you're carrying our child – you've never been more beautiful." He whispered seductively in her ear.
She turned around and looked up at him. "Really, Guy?" She smiled weakly. "I feel so incredibly stout!" Lady Meridwyn pouted.
"My love, you are aglow. You are absolutely radiant." He said as he reached out and tilted her chin up to force her to meet his gaze. "We must work on our next child as soon as possible after our daughter arrives." Guy grinned.
"You're convinced we're having a little lass." She smiled warmly.
"Yes, my love. I feel it!" Guy smiled as he caressed her cheek. "We must start practicing for this family we're going to have, Meridwyn." Guy said softly as he slowly unlaced the ribbons that fastened her bodice together on her gown.
Meridwyn closed her eyes and sighed. She felt a heat rush come over her at his touch. She opened her eyes and looked into his steel blue eyes. "I've been thinking, my love. I've been thinking a little about names for our child. I cannot come up with a name for a little boy, but I think I have a good one in mind if we have a daughter." She said as her eyebrow quirked.
"What is that, my love?" Guy asked, curiously.
"Eve. After your mother." Meridwyn smiled.
"Really?" Guy asked. A smile spread across his face.
"Yes. It's a lovely name, my love! I have another one in mind for the second name too." Lady Meridwyn hinted.
"Tell me!" He exclaimed, suddenly quite animated.
"I had a very dear childhood friend. We were like sisters and we did everything together. Unfortunately she died tragically in a fire when we were ten. Her name was Elizabeth. Rhiannon reminds me of her. If Elizabeth was granted a longer life, I swear they could have been twins! Their similarities in appearance and manner sometimes give me gooseflesh." Lady Meridwyn explained. "Elizabeth was very dear to me, like Rhiannon is now. I've always thought I would honour her memory someday if I were to have a little girl, if that's alright with you." Meridwyn smiled.
"Eve Elizabeth. "Guy said as he looked up thoughtfully. "I like it, my lady! Eve Elizabeth Gisborne shall be our daughter's name." He smiled warmly at her and leaned down and kissed her softly.
"We better come up with a boy's name, Guy. We wouldn't want our son nameless!" Meridwyn laughed.
"Yes, my love." Guy muttered absently as he held her to him.
Guy couldn't help but think of his wee nephew. He certainly was a pleasing little boy! Why, the lad was cute as a button and his hair was just like his father's! Guy imagined that his cousin probably looked very much like that when he was an infant. The Sheriff was quite a bit older than Guy though – by twelve years to be exact, so Guy could only imagine what his cousin must have looked like. Guy thought it was a shame his nephew didn't have a name yet. He knew this fact bothered his cousin.
"Indeed, my love. I shall try to think of something if we have a son, but I'm telling you – we're having a wee lass, Meridwyn. I can feel it!" Gisborne smiled happily as he inhaled the scent of wildflowers from his lovely lady's hair.
The Sheriff walked into the private chamber smiling as he carried a tray for his lady.
"Oh, good! Food! I'm starving! What are you bringing me, my sweet prince?" Lady Rhiannon asked as she sat up in bed and smiled warmly at her lover.
"Well, uhm, don't get too excited about it, love." The Sheriff frowned as he set the tray on the table beside the bed.
She inched over in the bed, slithering on her stomach and looked at the tray. She looked up at the Sheriff and quirked an eyebrow over her green eyes. "What – is that some kind of broth?" She exclaimed as she made a face.
"Yes, my lady. It is veal broth." The Sheriff announced.
"But – that's it? Nothing at all for me to chew? What the –"
"Orders from the medicus and the midwife. You are only allowed liquids until…" He stopped and looked downcast as his words trailed off.
"Until when? Tomorrow?" She asked.
"Tuesday. Monday night if you're lucky." He remarked with an impish grin.
"What?" Rhiannon exclaimed, incredulous.
"For some reason they feel it's best, my angel. Lady Margaret mentioned something about food in your stomach causing irritation to your… womb." The Sheriff closed his eyes and sighed. He was learning far too much about the human body of late! "She said it could cause the pain to begin again." He explained.
"George, you best sit down, my love. You look rather pale just now." Rhiannon giggled.
"Forgive me, my angel." He said. He sat down beside her on the bed.
"Well if they think it is best, I won't argue, my lord. It seems like punishment to me, but it shall be worth it in the end if I can hold onto this child." Rhiannon said.
"I'm sorry, my lady. You are being very brave for me." Nottingham smiled as he kissed her forehead.
"I don't know if I'm brave. I just know what I want." She smiled.
"What do you want, my angel?" He whispered.
"You and our child." Lady Rhiannon answered quickly.
"Oh, my lady." The Sheriff breathed as he held her to him in a sweet embrace.
"Our child is giving us trouble now, my prince. That means he shall be a perfect angel!" Lady Rhiannon exclaimed.
"No child of mine shall be a perfect angel, my lady. You better get used to that." He said with a deviant grin as his eyebrow shot north. "And you're forgetting – we could have a little girl. You always refer to the child as 'he' or 'him'. The Sheriff pointed out.
"I guess I just wish to give you a son." Rhiannon sighed.
He was aching to hold her face in his hands and say to her: "My angel, you did give me a son!", but he knew the timing couldn't be more wrong. Not when she was in a state like this. He sighed. He wished to see his son. Perhaps tomorrow he would try to get away after he met with the Bishop. Earlier he had asked the Scribe to go to the Bishop and tell him to meet with Nottingham on the morrow. The Scribe should be delivering the news right this moment.
"My love? What are you thinking of?" Rhiannon asked suddenly, interrupting his thoughts.
"How much I cannot wait for you to be my wife, and for our child to come, and for our life to begin." The Sheriff answered smoothly. And for my son to come home – where he belongs. He sighed.
"I love you, my sweet prince." Lady Rhiannon sighed happily as she held his face in her hands and softly caressed his cheeks.
"Oh, my Rhiannon. I love you too." Nottingham whispered and kissed her lips softly.
On Sunday October fifth, the Sheriff was meeting with the Bishop of Hereford in the Bishop's private chambers of the cathedral, following mass that morning.
The Bishop was standing before a table. A small wooden chest was opened there. His mitre was resting on the table beside the chest. He removed his narrow, taupe coloured stole from around his neck, and carefully folded it and placed it inside the chest.
"What do wish to speak to me about, milord? Are you ready to deal with the heretic in Portsmouth?" The Bishop asked.
"Yes. The investigation is complete. As you know, when we discussed this matter just over a fortnight ago, I told you I was sending my Lieutenant to investigate the matter. Gisborne left for Portsmouth three days after you and I spoke and returned to report his findings four days later." The Sheriff said.
"I see." The Bishop muttered, narrowing his blue eyes.
"It turns out the cursed insect has been running around Nottingham for the last week or more, so that is why I haven't ventured to Portsmouth. I've been trying to catch the bastard here, but it seems he is on his way back there. We believe we have enough evidence to support the heresy charge." The Sheriff said firmly as he folded his arms and narrowed his amber hazel eyes.
"That is good. It is helpful if there is proof to present in these cases." The Bishop explained.
"Indeed. Now, I'm not very clear on the protocol for proceeding with this. I haven't dealt in one of these cases for half a dozen years or more. My Lieutenant and I are planning to leave tomorrow. I'm suggesting you accompany us." The Sheriff said.
"Very well. I think it would be advisable. I would need to see the evidence." The Bishop nodded.
"Good." The Sheriff smiled. "Prepare for a five day journey in case we run into any difficulty with the cursed little insect while we're there." The Sheriff said as his eyebrow shot north knowingly.
"Indeed, milord Sheriff." The Bishop nodded.
"There's one more thing." The Sheriff said.
"Oh? What is that, milord?" The Bishop asked.
"My lady and I have chosen a date for our nuptials. We will be wed on November eleventh, so if you had anything planned that day – cancel it." The Sheriff smirked.
The Bishop nodded. "I shall make a note of it, milord." He smiled.
The Sheriff swiftly exited the Bishop's chambers. He was eager to leave the cathedral. He only attended mass this day for two reasons: because the Bishop would be marrying he and Rhiannon in just over five week's time, and to tell him of the plans to go to Portsmouth. Now he needed to get back to the castle. First he needed to meet with his men, schedule in a visit with his son, and then he would spend the rest of the day with Lady Rhiannon. He hated having to leave her but this was a matter he preferred to deal with and get out of the way as soon as possible. He knew he was taking a risk by leaving her but she had remained quiet ever since Thomas began administering the wine to her yesterday morning.
He saw Gisborne and Lady Meridwyn speaking to some noblemen and their ladies in the reception hall of the cathedral. He gestured for Gisborne to come to him. Gisborne excused himself from the conversation and walked over to his cousin.
"Yes, cousin. What is it?" Gisborne asked.
"I spoke with the Bishop. He shall accompany us. I need to meet with my men. Your presence is requested in fifteen minutes in the Council Quarters if you can tear yourself away from this cursed tomb!" The Sheriff spat.
"Very well." Gisborne nodded. He cleared his throat before changing the topic. "Cousin, have you given any thought as to when you'd uh… tell your lady about your son?" Guy asked slowly, keeping his voice lowered so he wouldn't be heard.
"It shall be sometime after I return from Portsmouth. Why?" The Sheriff asked pointedly as he narrowed his eyes upon his cousin.
"It's nothing. I'd just that my wife thought I had a lady waiting for me in Nettlestone." Guy sighed.
"And why would she think that?" The Sheriff asked, shaking his head.
"She demanded to know where I was yesterday. I told her I went to Nettlestone to collect taxes from a stingy merchant." Guy said.
"Aren't you smooth, cousin?" The Sheriff remarked as his eyebrow shot north. "If it's any consolation, I was accused of the same thing when I disappeared on my lady yesterday. I was with you in the armoury, then as you know I was chasing after the elusive insect!" The Sheriff spat. "She asked me who I was with." He added with a snarl.
"I hate lying to Meridwyn." Guy seethed.
"You're doing me a favour. When she finds out the truth she will understand!" The Sheriff huffed. "I've been lying to my lady for months, but this is the best I can do for now. Do you know I actually tried to tell her once?" The Sheriff asked with a knowing look.
"What? No, you didn't tell me! When was that?" Guy asked curiously.
"Just over a month ago. It was the Tuesday before your wedding. Remember when she barged into the Council Quarters that day? We were meeting with the Scribe and one of my knights. We were discussing the matter of Stephanus before we knew the poor, cursed soul was going blind!" The Sheriff reminded him.
"Oh, yes. She was behaving very peculiarly that day." Guy nodded. "What was that scroll she had in her hand?" He asked.
"It was my proclamation. No wonder she was alarmed. Her brother's image was upon it!" The Sheriff exclaimed with a shudder. He realized she was trying to tell him that day. "You're wrong. I know for a fact this man could not have kidnapped a child. He couldn't…That man is dead." He could still hear Rhiannon's voice uttering the words. He shook his head.
Guy looked at him, slightly bewildered. The Sheriff looked up at him and continued.
"She demanded to know what the man in the proclamation was wanted for so I told her. Then she challenged me and asked me – whose child did the man have. So I told her. I said: "It is our child who was kidnapped." The Sheriff sighed.
"Oh! Well? What did she say to that?" Guy asked as his eyebrow quirked over his steel blue eyes.
"She laughed." The Sheriff snarled. "She stared at me a moment, then she just burst out laughing and exclaimed that I was making it up! She asked if that was the best I could come up with!" The Sheriff spat.
"Because she doesn't remember." Guy pointed out.
"I wish something would jog her memory to help me out because this matter is getting to be too bloody much!" The Sheriff huffed. He noticed some passersby eyeing him curiously just then. He looked downcast and sighed. "Bear with me, cousin. She shall know soon enough. She must or I shall go mad! Now, do not remind me more of this cursed situation I'm in! I shall see you in the Council Quarters in ten minutes hence." The Sheriff stated firmly.
Gisborne nodded and the Sheriff swiftly exited the cathedral. He ran into Duke Farnsworth in the courtyard and asked the Duke to round up Luke, Mordrid, and Adam and bring them to the Council Quarters. After he thought more about it, he decided to make one change to his original plans.
His men gathered before him in the Council Quarters as per his request, and on time. Officer Adam was bewildered and wondered why he was summoned. He looked to his comrade and cast him a curious glance, but Luke only shrugged in response.
"Is it time, milord?" Duke Farnsworth asked.
"Indeed. It is time. Tomorrow my Lieutenant and I and Officer Mordrid shall depart for Portsmouth, and the Bishop shall accompany us. However, after much consideration I've decided to bring one other of you along with me. Clearly, it's the only choice that makes sense and I should have thought of it before." The Sheriff hinted.
"Milord?" The Duke asked curiously.
Luke and Adam looked at each other, wondering what this was about.
"It occurred to me two days ago when Gisborne, Mordrid and I arrived at Nottingham Inn that none of us could describe the outlaw's henchman to the innkeeper. Luckily the innkeeper had seen Homely Hamon with his comrade so he knew whom I was referring to." The Sheriff explained as he clasped his hands together and walked toward Luke and Adam.
Nottingham looked to Luke. "I thought of bringing you along, Luke, but your duty shall be the same. You have the most important responsibility and there is no one else I wish to assign it to. You shall be guardian of my lady commencing tomorrow at midday when I leave." The Sheriff said.
"Very well." Luke swallowed.
"You are to report to Alistor and tell him you shall guard my chamber in his stead. You shall also accompany my lady should she choose to leave the chamber, though you must be warned – she is recovering from… an illness. She should remain in the chamber while you are guarding her if she knows what's good for her. She is being seen to by my personal physician and… his assistant, but should my wilful wife to be pull her usual act of disappearing – you will be her shadow." The Sheriff said firmly.
"Aye, milord Sheriff. Understood, but – who is Alistor?" Luke asked, shaking his head.
"My sentry! He is posted at my chamber door every cursed day!" The Sheriff spat.
"No, sir. Actually… that is Alfred." Luke corrected.
"Bah! Alfred, Albert, Alan, Alistor – whatever! He shall have a new assignment too. He shall be assigned to man the portcullis with Drake." The Sheriff stated. He looked over to Adam. "You shall accompany my Lieutenant, Officer Mordrid, and myself to Portsmouth. You will be the only one of us to have seen the outlaw's henchman, Adam, that is why I need you there." The Sheriff explained.
"As you wish, milord Sheriff." Adam nodded. He suppressed a grin. He was pleased his master did remember his name, and he was most eager for the mission. It had been three years since he was asked to participate with one.
"Good." The Sheriff said. He looked to his Captain of the Black Knights. "Duke, your assignment is the same. You are in charge in my absence. Everything is taken care of. You may only need to meet with some of my staff from time to time. We will only be gone four days – five at best, so I trust you shall be able to manage?" The Sheriff asked as his eyebrow shot north.
"Aye, milord. There won't be a problem." The Duke nodded.
The Sheriff smiled. "Very good. Then tomorrow we begin. Tomorrow we leave at midday with the Bishop of Hereford. We shall meet here in this very chamber and then depart." He looked to Mordrid and Adam. "Prepare for a five day journey, men. Let the heresy trial begin!" He snarled.
A few hours later he was walking along the path toward the door of Guy's manor. He was met with his men, Officers Richard and Nigel, who were dutifully standing guard outside of the door.
"Oh, good. I'm glad to see you lads are finally taking your duty seriously." The Sheriff remarked facetiously as he stood before them.
The tall, dark haired knight with the vivid green eyes spoke first.
"Of course, milord Sheriff." Richard nodded.
"Has there been any trouble?" The Sheriff asked of the two men.
"No, milord. The only visitors to the manor have been you, Gisborne, and Master Wordsworth and his lady." Nigel replied as he pushed some strands of his unruly blond hair from his green eyes.
"Good. Just be on your guard. You never know who might make trouble." The Sheriff said as his eyebrow shot north knowingly.
His men nodded and stepped aside. He wrapped upon the door.
Robert opened the door and greeted the Sheriff.
"I do have servants here who could have answered the door for you." The Sheriff said.
"Force of habit." Robert grinned. He opened the door wider and the Sheriff stepped past the threshold.
"How is he? How is my boy?" The Sheriff asked as he removed his gauntlets and held them in his hand.
"He's thriving, milord. What a delightful lad he is!" Robert smiled.
"He certainly is." The Sheriff agreed.
"He reminds me so much of my brother it is eerie." Robert commented as he shook his head. "Aye. It is quite astounding! I don't know why I never noticed it before?" He added.
"Really?" The Sheriff asked as his eyebrow shot north.
"Oh, indeed! I remember when Edward was very young. His hair was a lighter shade than my nephew's is, though. He had hair the same colour as my sister, but his hair was always curly and his eyes were just like that! I swear – Edward will never be dead to my sister and I with your son around." Robert smiled.
"My, isn't that interesting?" The Sheriff mused, nodding his head.
"Oh, don't get me wrong – he is your son indeed. He looks very much like you, but oddly, I see a lot of my brother in him too." Robert remarked.
The Sheriff always found it fascinating when he noticed family resemblances because he had no family to compare himself to besides Guy, but the two of them looked nothing alike. He'd especially found it intriguing the more he was becoming acquainted with his soon to be brother in law because the similarities between Rhiannon and Robert were astonishing to him. Any fool could see they were siblings! He wished he had figured it out on his own. He sometimes felt foolish that he hadn't, especially once he had seen them standing beside each other in the dining hall on Thursday evening. For awhile he couldn't stop staring at them. They seemed to have similar personalities as well, despite their six year absence from each other.
Occasionally, the Sheriff would think of his brother. He never saw the lad and if he had he doubted he would have remembered anyway, but he often wondered if the child had lived, would his brother have looked much like him? Would he have been similar in characteristics?
"Nottingham?" Robert asked, bewildered by the Sheriff's sudden quiet manner.
"Forgive me. I was just thinking of something. Where is he?" The Sheriff asked.
"He is with my lady Isabelle in his room. Well, I guess it's your cousin's chamber, but it is like his chamber now." Robert said.
"Indeed. Well, he better not get too used to it." The Sheriff smirked.
Robert led him up the stairs to Guy's chamber. The Sheriff stood in the threshold a moment looking upon his son. The boy was seated upon a fur throw on the floor holding a small wooden rattle in his hand as he smiled. The child shook it, then put it in his mouth and grinned up at his aunt.
The Sheriff grinned. Robert was right. The child was a delightful little lad indeed. His hair was now almost raven black like his father's, and so curly it was nearly in ringlets and fell to his shoulders. He wore a long, navy blue velvet gown. His eyes were just like his mother's and his cheeks grew rosier in colour as he began to giggle.
"Now, now, you mustn't chew on that, little one!" Lady Isabelle smiled as she went to the child and picked him up.
"Izzy!" The boy cried out playfully. He grabbed Isabelle's golden locks and brought them to his mouth.
"Aye, lad. Auntie Izzy! Soon you shall be speaking in sentences!" Isabelle smiled as she held him out and twirled around with him. The child giggled in excitement. She certainly had a way with children, the Sheriff noted.
"Did my son just… speak?" The Sheriff exclaimed, incredulous.
Isabelle looked to her left, startled a moment to see him there. "Aye, milord. Lady Margaret reports he started doing that just recently." Lady Isabelle replied.
"His hair needs to be cut!" The Sheriff huffed.
The child looked to his right toward the doorway at the sound of his father's voice.
"Oh!" The child uttered. He smiled and clapped his hands.
The Sheriff's eyes widened. He swallowed. "My son! You know me!" He exclaimed as he went swiftly to the boy.
Isabelle handed the boy to him and the Sheriff held him in his arms and lifted him up to get a good look at him. "Oh, my son. Look at you! My, you've grown!" The Sheriff exclaimed. He looked to Robert and frowned. "Seriously, his hair is too long! He shall look like a little lass! See that his hair is cut!" The Sheriff snapped.
"Why, it's the same length as yours is, Nottingham! He looks like you – what's the problem?" Robert grinned wickedly.
The child leaned forward and grabbed his father's hair and began to chew on it.
"What in the devil is he doing?" The Sheriff asked Lady Isabelle, as his eyebrow shot north.
"He's teething, milord. He chews on everything." Lady Isabelle smiled.
"I see." The Sheriff sighed. He looked down to the floor and noted the wooden rattle and a curious, small wooden horse. "Where did the toys come from?" The Sheriff asked. "I should like to thank whomever thought of it." He said.
"Then you should thank your cousin." Robert said.
"What?" The Sheriff asked, incredulous.
"He crafted the toys himself. Did you know he was a carpenter, Nottingham? He made the cradle as well, and another item that waits in the barn, but your son is too small for it yet." Robert explained.
"What is that?" The Sheriff asked.
"There is a wooden rocking horse waiting in the barn. Your cousin is quite talented indeed. "Robert grinned.
"Yes. I had forgotten he was skilled with carpentry. He learned the craft when he was a lad." The Sheriff said.
He nodded to Robert and Isabelle and the two left the chamber to grant the Sheriff time with his son. The Sheriff went to the chair near the window and sat the boy in his lap.
"Ah!" The infant exclaimed as he looked up into his father's warm amber eyes.
"It won't be long now, my son. Your place is with me in the castle. You shall know your mother soon, my son." The Sheriff smiled.
The child began to play with the laces on the Sheriff's doublet and put them in his mouth, curiously.
"Oh, my boy, you're quite remarkable, aren't you? Wait until your mother meets you. That shall be one of the happiest days of my life – when we are all together at last!" The Sheriff smiled.
He held his son to him and closed his eyes. He realized he always felt the most perfect peace come over him whenever he held his boy in his arms. The child had always seemed content to be held by his father. In fact, the Sheriff realized he had never heard his son cry. He couldn't believe how the simple act of holding his child could make him forget about everything that troubled him.
Suddenly he was excited at the thought of the other child coming. He never knew that children could be such a delight. Maybe it was because this boy was his child that he had so much tolerance? He didn't know and he didn't really care. He realized he had so much to thank his lady for. She had given him a family.
"My son, I have the most wonderful news!" The Sheriff exclaimed as he held the boy out and looked upon him.
"Oh!" The boy laughed.
"Yes, my son! Now, listen to me – you shall have a little brother or sister! Isn't that marvelous? Now, don't tell mother I told you. She might not like that. It shall be our secret." The Sheriff grinned.
Later he stood out in the barn with Robert. He was interested to see the rocking horse that Guy had made for the boy. The Sheriff agreed that it was a finely crafted piece of work.
"I'm not sure how long I shall need your wife's assistance." The Sheriff began. "I am leaving for Portsmouth tomorrow. It is an important matter and I shall be home by Saturday at the latest. My lady understands and has agreed to follow the advice of the physician and the midwife, but I'm not sure how long Lady Margaret will need to stay." The Sheriff explained.
"I see. Well, what would you like me to do? I'll return to the armoury if you wish." Robert suggested.
"No. You can stay here until I return unless you want to go back." The Sheriff said.
"I was just thinking of my sister. She was asking a lot of questions yesterday. I tried to tell her it was very busy in the armoury and I wouldn't be able to see her for a few days. Naturally, she was very suspicious." Robert said with his eyebrow quirked.
"Indeed. My lady is curious by nature." Nottingham agreed.
"She has been clever since the day she was born!" Robert huffed as he folded his arms.
"I can imagine." The Sheriff sighed. "Right, well, I shall leave it up to you to decide when to return. Stephanus can manage in the meantime, if you're sure Lady Isabelle won't mind." The Sheriff said.
"I shall speak to my lady about it. Are there any other instructions, Nottingham?" Robert asked.
"Yes. See that my son has his hair cut! Not too short though." The Sheriff said with a deviant grin.