When I’d finally been strong enough to get out of bed, Aldric had taken me on a tour of his home and introduced me to the many ancient relics and the artwork that had found a protective home within the walls of Maidstone. He was proud of the beautiful items entrusted to his family, one of which was the ring he’d given me at our betrothal, an ancient family heirloom he’d always worn on a chain. He’d explained that his father had given it to him long ago when he’d tasked him with the responsibility of caring for Maidstone’s treasures.
Although Aldric had failed to be responsible for a time, he hadn’t let his failures destroy him but had let them make him stronger instead. “You’re my greatest treasure,” he’d whispered to me when he’d explained the significance of the ring. “And though I will likely fail you from time to time, I vow to let my failures only strengthen my love for you.”
I’d vowed to do the same.
I didn’t ask about the Holy Chalice, and I didn’t see it among any of the collections he showed me. Although I longed to try the miracle cup with my brother to see if it would indeed ease his suffering, I’d decided that if I couldn’t gain access to the cup honorably, then I had no desire for it.
Upon learning that my father had succumbed to his injuries from the battle with Lord Pitt and had died, I’d been saddened he’d gone to his grave thinking of me as a traitor. But I was relieved that the threat to Aldric’s life was gone. All of my father’s holdings, titles, and wealth had transferred to Charles.
I’d sent my brother an invitation to attend my wedding. But he hadn’t responded, likely too sick. At least I prayed that was it and that he didn’t blame me for Father’s death. I knew he’d been close with Father and would take his death hard. I consoled myself that Cecil was now with him and would hopefully mentor Charles as well as he had me.
Even without Charles, we had many guests arrive to Maidstone for the wedding. I glanced around the chapel to see the faces I’d recently met. Of course, Sir Bennet and Lady Sabine were there.
Sir Derrick, Lady Rosemarie, and their infant daughter had ridden from Montfort Castle in Ashby. Along with Collin, Sir Derrick was another one of Bennet’s elite knight friends.
Lord Collin wasn’t able to attend since his wife was having a baby. But the Duke of Rivenshire had honored us with his presence and had been in a number of meetings with Lord Pitt and Aldric since arriving.
Lord Pitt stood nearby grinning like a proud father. Lady Glynnis, with her colorful headdress and elaborate jewelry, sat with the other guests, her expression grim, almost sour. As with our betrothal, she clearly had no desire to be present. She’d already declared that she had no intention of staying at Maidstone any longer than necessary.
As the priest finished the final prayer, I met Aldric’s gaze and squeezed his hand with the thrill of finally saying our vows. His eyes were warm upon mine and filled with a lifetime of promises.
We followed the guests from the chapel and strolled hand in hand along the passageway that led to the great hall where the servants had been working for days to prepare a magnificent feast. We would have a meal of numerous courses along with entertainment and dancing far into the night.
Aldric seemed in no hurry, and I slowed my steps to his. His eyes took on a calculated gleam that I’d learned meant he was planning something. As the last of the wedding party turned a corner, Aldric opened the nearest door and tugged me inside.
He closed the door quietly so that none of the guests would hear him. And then the moment it was shut, he reached for me and pulled me toward him.
I stumbled against him all too willingly.
“I’ve been waiting to do this all week,” he whispered against my hair as he burrowed his face into the thick strands I’d worn loose with ribbons cascading throughout.
“Do what, my lord?” I asked innocently, even as I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed against him.
“This.” He dipped down and captured my lips in a kiss that was all consuming, one that let me know of his undying love and devotion to me. He took his time, and I relished the sweet meshing of our lips.
When he broke away, he buried his face in my hair again.
“Do we have to go to the feast?” I whispered.
He chuckled and pulled back. His eyes were alight with love and a happiness that I knew I’d put there. I vowed to spend my life keeping the light in his eyes alive.
“I didn’t just bring you in here to kiss you,” he said.
“It would be perfectly fine with me if you did.” I brushed my fingers across his lips, marveling that now as husband and wife we could kiss whenever it suited us.
As he broke away and walked toward a desk, I realized he’d pulled me into his private study, the place he met with important men like Lord Pitt and the Duke of Rivenshire. He also used the room to house Maidstone’s ledgers and take care of business affairs. In the week I’d lived at Maidstone, I’d come to realize Aldric was ready to resume his duties as lord of the manor and had spent a great deal of time poring over the books, acclimating himself to Maidstone’s affairs before Bennet left.
“I have a wedding present for you,” Aldric said as he rounded his desk.
“A wedding present? It is I who should be giving you a present, a dowry. But I have nothing to bring to our marriage—”
“And we’ve been over this,” he said firmly. “I don’t need your family’s money.”
Before I’d known his true status as a baron, I hadn’t considered that a dowry might be an important part of a union as it would have been with the Clearwater family. But as a baron, Aldric could have gained any number of women whose fathers would have paid a large dowry for their daughter’s security as a baroness.
“I cannot bestow upon you a gift,” I said, “so I cannot accept one from you.”
“Not even this?” He held up a cup shaped of a dull but thick silver. It was simple in design, without elegant engravings or markings. But something about it glimmered with an almost ethereal quality. When he slowly turned it, the engraving of the Lamb came into view.
“The Holy Chalice,” I breathed the words reverently.
He just smiled.
The cup seemed to beckon me, and I crossed to stand in front of Aldric. I lifted my hand to touch the chalice, but then stopped and took a rapid step back. “I cannot take it from you.”
“You’re not taking it. I’m giving.” With that, he reached for my hand and placed the chalice into it.
It was heavier than I expected. “Thank you, Aldric.” I traced a finger around the wide rim and imagined the Lord taking a sip from it. Would it really cure Charles? I knew I could do nothing less than allow Charles the opportunity to test its healing properties.
“Whether it heals your brother or not,” Aldric said, “the cup has already brought healing to me.”
“How so?” I lifted my eyes to his ruggedly handsome face.
“Without it, Lord Pitt wouldn’t have had any way to push us together. Without our betrothal, I wouldn’t have had to face my past. And without it, I wouldn’t have you now.”
He bent and placed a tender kiss upon my lips, one that was all too short. “And who would have thought a woman like you would ever be able to love a man like me? That in itself is the greatest miracle of all.”
I smiled. “You are not so difficult to love, my lord.”
“Is that so?” He grinned.
I set the chalice onto his desk and lifted my arms to his neck. “Yes, shall I demonstrate?”
He slid his arms around me and drew me close. “Please do,” he murmured against my lips.
And I did.