Disclaimer: These characters don’t belong to me, except for Grace and Eve. Please have the courtesy to ask if you want to use them in a fic of your own. I didn’t make any money off of this, infact, I probably lost money on this, as I could have been working overtime but instead I was writing this.

Wedded Bliss

By Jennypher Armintrout

Cedric knocked on the door to his brother’s chambers for the fifth time in as many minutes. "Armus, come on, open the door." he whined, banging as loudly as he could.

In a moment the door opened a fraction, and Armus appeared, his hair mussed, trying to cover himself with a twisted sheet to no avail. "This had better be very important, little brother." he growled, fighting with the sheet.

"It took you long enough." Cedric said, ignoring his brother’s state of undress.

"I was ignoring you." Armus said, rolling his eyes in exasperation. "To anyone else it would have been clear that I was otherwise occupied. Could you tell me quickly what it is you want?" he asked, avoiding the stare of a passing servant.

Cedric nodded. "I’m only the messenger. Father wishes to see you now."

"Right now?" Armus whined, looking defeated.

Cedric shrugged helplessly. "He says it’s urgent."

Armus sighed. "Tell him I’ll be right there." he said, ducking back into his room.

Grace sat in the middle of the bed, modestly wrapped in the mussed bed clothes. "Armus, must you really go?" she asked, feigning a pout.

Armus sighed and leaned down to kiss her. "I’m afraid I must."

"Your father’s timing is impeccable. This is the fourth time this week." Grace said with a sly smile. "You’d think he didn’t want any grandchildren."

Armus laughed, searching for his discarded clothes among the clutter surrounding the bed. "We wouldn’t get interrupted so much if we weren’t doing this so much." he said, pulling on his linen hose and tunic. "As for the children part...how long until we will know?"

Grace smiled, her pretty features brightening. "If not by the end of this week, then we will know." she said, rising to her knees on the bed.

Armus kissed her again, enfolding her in his solid arms.

She pulled back, suddenly serious. "Armus, what if I’ve failed again." she said quietly, not looking him in the eye. A tear fell down her cheek, and she leaned against him, her head on his massive shoulder.

Armus closed his eyes, stroking her hair. "Don’t cry. Don’t cry, not about this." he said, kissing her forehead.

"I’ve disappointed you, though. Last time...I was so sure..." she sobbed.

"You’ve never disappointed me, Grace. I won’t be disappointed if you aren’t with child now." he said, laying her back on the bed. "In the meantime, it can’t hurt to keep trying."

Grace laughed, squirming her way from beneath him. "I assume you have forgotten your meeting with your father."

Armus sighed, standing again. "All right. I will go...only if you promise to be right here when I get back."

"It’s a promise." Grace laughed, blowing him a kiss.

Armus entered his father’s study only moments later, hastily tying his belt. "You wished to see me, father?" he asked.

Sir Thomas was staring hard at a piece of parchment in from of him, his brow creased in a frown. Armus noted the seal on the parchment, stamped with the King’s own seal. "Ah, yes, Armus, thank you for coming. Cedric told me that you were...indisposed." he said, for lack of a better word.

Armus felt the color rising in his face, and quickly changed the subject. "Is this anything to do with Richard’s visit with the king?" he asked, motioning to the parchment his father held.

Sir Thomas didn’t answer right away, making Armus nervous. His brother had been called to London a month ago, and no word had returned regarding the trip. "Your brother is coming home." he said, handing the letter to Armus.

He scanned the letter quickly, his eyes growing wider with disbelief. "Richard got married?" he asked out loud.

"Apparently." Sir Thomas said with a sigh. "It was apparently a very quick affair...the King sends his apologies that we were not sent for."

"Why wouldn’t King Edward tell us?" Armus asked his father, who stood and began pacing in front of the fireplace.

Sir Thomas shook his head. "Keep reading, it gets better."

"Richard’s behest? He didn’t want us to come to London to see him married?" he asked, disbelieving. "I don’t understand."

"I do." Sir Thomas said, staring straight into the fireplace. "Edward didn’t give him a chance to ask us to come."

Armus shook his head, still not comprehending.

"Richard’s wife," Sir Thomas began, stumbling over the words. "is Baron Mullen’s niece. She was orphaned, and became a ward of the crown. Quite a prize for the second son in a wealthy family."

"And an opportunity to forge and alliance between feuding families." Armus finished for his father, who nodded in agreement. "You’re not happy about this, are you?" Armus asked, trying not to sound amused. If the situation hadn’t been so gravely serious, he would have thought it comical.

"It’s the wishes of the king...how I feel matters little." Sir Thomas said with a sigh. "I wanted to tell you first...your brother...doesn’t understand some of the finer points of courtship, the way to treat a woman."

"Many irate fathers would disagree with you on that point." Armus said, unable to suppress a smile.

Sir Thomas didn’t see the humor in his son’s remark. "I was speaking of respect...how you would treat a wife. He has a tendency to be quite stubborn."

"I hadn’t noticed." Armus said dryly.

Sir Thomas ignored him, "Please, Armus, do try and help your brother and his wife keep the peace...advise him. For me."

Armus shook his head. "I will see what I can do." he said, "but I’m sure Richard will do fine by himself."

Eve pushed the heavy leather curtain away from the carriage window, grateful for the fresh air. She glanced briefly at her husband, who sat opposite her, his head thumping the side of the carriage in his sleep.

Eve rolled her eyes, looking back out the window. The road was familiar, though she had not seen it since she was sixteen years old. A time when her father was alive, and she had spent her summers in the endless gaiety of parties and hunting. Only two years later both her father and her cousin, Henry, were dead. A pang of longing made her close her eyes, hot tears threatening to escape at the thought of all those summers spent with her childhood friend.

"Eve, we’re almost there."

Richard’s sudden alertness startled her. She swallowed the sob that lodged itself in her throat and managed to smile weakly at him. "Yes, my lord. I should be glad to have a hot bath and a soft bed." she said cheerfully, though she felt as though her heart was being wrenched from her chest.

"Yes, indeed, a good, long rest will do us both some good." he said, not bothering to veil the double entendre.

Eve said nothing, but resumed her survey of the passing autumn trees.

"Armus, Eleanor, Cedric, they have arrived!" Sir Thomas called up the stairs, and immediately his three children appeared, hurrying to meet their father in the great hall. "Where’s Grace?" he asked Armus, noting the absence of his eldest son’s comely wife.

"She’s not feeling well. I thought it would be best if she had her supper brought to her." Armus said quietly.

"If she can eat it. I could hear her retching in the hallway!" Cedric said, and Eleanor immediately elbowed him in the ribs.

"I hope it isn’t too serious. Should I send for the physician?" Sir Thomas asked, his brow wrinkled with concern.

Armus shook his head. "All she’ll need is a good cup of broth, and some ginger tea, I’m sure she will be all right tomorrow."

Sir Thomas couldn’t help but smile. His son was obviously besotted with his young, pretty wife. No doubt that before he took his own supper, Armus would have brought Grace her food himself, not trusting a servant to run so important an errand.

With a sudden scrape of oak against stone the doors flew open, admitting Richard and a tall, regal looking woman. Her long, dark hair, so much a trademark of the Mullens family, fell in silky waves down her back, swept back from her face and held in place with a simple metal hair ornament. They looked the picture of nobility, Richard dressed in his finest leather jerkin and breeches, and Eve standing next to him in her deep cranberry colored velvet gown.

"Father, family, this is Eve. My wife." Richard said, taking Eve by the hand to lead her across the hall.

Sir Thomas was the first to speak, coming forward to shake his son’s hand. "Welcome home, Richard." he said, then enveloped his son in a huge hug. "It’s good to have you back." he turned to Eve, who stood by politely during this exchange. "Eve, welcome to Covington Cross." he said, taking his new daughter’s hand in his, patting it warmly.

"Richard you must tell us about the wedding!" Eleanor broke in suddenly.

"Yes, yes, of course! And the King!" Cedric agreed, clapping his brother on the back.

"And what the ladies were wearing at court!" Eleanor said eagerly, quickly following with "Well, I mean, Grace would like to know, I’m sure."

Sir Thomas raised a hand for silence. "Children, children, all this can wait. I’m sure Richard and Eve are famished. Shall we, then?" He asked, indicating the huge table, laden down with food.

Richard laughed. "It’s good to be home." he said, following his siblings to the table.

Eve sat limply next to the fire, letting the heat warm the chill that had set into her bones. Her body ached less from the traveling after her bath, but the air stung her still damp skin and hair. She picked up her hair comb from the table next to her, and began to slowly untangle the knots in her long chestnut hair.

"I was hoping you’d come to me after your bath."

Eve looked up in surprise as Richard entered casually, stopping to lean on the wall just inside the doorway.

Eve managed a small smile, faltering over her speech. "I am not feeling well, my lord." she said, and turned away again to resume her brushing.

Richard walked to the fireplace and warmed his hands, pacing as he did so. "You haven’t felt well since Arundale. Are you sure you are not ill?" he asked, never breaking the nonchalant attitude he had exhibited all evening.

Eve sighed, laying her comb aside. "I don’t know. Please, my lord, I should like to rest."

Richard straightened, no longer putting up the cavalier facade. "This is about Henry, isn’t it? You’re still mad about all of that." Richard said, stepping between her and the bed, effectively blocking her escape.

Eve pressed a hand to her head, her temples throbbing. "He was my best friend, Richard? Am I not allowed to mourn?"

Richard looked away for a moment, then took her hand in his, kissing it formally. His anger was apparent from the cold look on his face. "Then I shall leave you to your mourning, my lady. Goodnight."

Grace roused from her sleep to find Armus, tossing fitfully beside her. He never slept well, and she was by now accustomed to his nightmares. When he sat up, waking with a shout, Grace put her arms around his shoulders, comforting him.

"It’s all right, Armus. It was only a dream." she said, smoothing a few strands of his sweat damp blonde hair away from his face.

Armus nodded, swallowing thickly. After the few moments it took him to recover, he turned to his wife, concern rapidly growing on his face. "Are you feeling better?" he asked, helping her right her nightgown.

Grace smiled, laying back down and pulling her husband down to lay next to her. "I feel much better knowing you are here. When did you come in? I must have been asleep."

Armus smiled, pulling Grace closer to him to lay her head on his shoulder. "I came after dinner. I didn’t want to leave you alone, in case you were sick again." he said with a shrug.

Grace closed her eyes, smiling. Armus would have stayed had she been sick or not, and she knew it.

"Thank you, I’m quite well now." Grace said, snuggling up to her husband.

Armus waited until Grace fell asleep before he gently eased his arm from beneath her and stood, stretching his cramped muscles. He looked down at his wife, laying so peacefully against the pillows. He shook his head, turning away. I’ve been such a failure, he thought, pulling a blanket from the foot of the bed. He wrapped up in it and slumped into his chair near the fireplace, where the dying embers of the evenings fire feebly tried to stay lit. Grace mumbled something in her sleep, and rolled over. Armus closed his eyes, angry at himself for disappointing her so.

When they had first met, it had been love at first sight between Armus and Grace. After the ordeal they had survived after their wedding, the bond between them had only become stronger. They had spent many sleepless nights, watching the stars, dreaming of their future together until the sun came up. They had talked about their children, and how they would never repeat the mistakes of their parents. Grace wanted so badly to be a mother, to start a new family after the tragedy and betrayal that she had come from. Each time things seemed so certain, their hopes would once again be dashed, and Armus would feel more like a failure as a husband to Grace.

He stood and went to the bed, watching Grace’s face as she slept. "You would make such a wonderful mother." he whispered, kissing her on the forehead gently. She rolled over and buried her face into the pillow, muttering incoherently. Armus smiled, and laid back down with her, content to be at her side.

Richard turned over, arranging his pillow this way and that before flopping down again. He couldn’t sleep, replaying the nasty scene that was his marriage, beginning at Arundale.

"Why didn’t you tell me?"

Richard squeezed his eyes shut tight, fighting the pain that shot through his heart. To have told his new bride then that his family was the direct cause of her beloved cousin’s death would not have changed anything. She would still have resented him.

He rolled over, facing the wall. He had instantly liked his new wife, as appreciative of her quick wit as he was of her intoxicating beauty. Although he would never dream of admitting it to anyone, he secretly found smart, rebellious women more attractive than the simpering scullery maids he consorted with. To have the luck of marrying a woman as intelligent and freethinking as Eve was more than Richard could fathom. But loose tongues at Arundale had let slip the involvement of the Grey family in the death of Henry of Gault, and soon the warm, friendly woman who had become his wife had all but turned to stone to him.

It was easy enough to play the game out, pretending he cared little for Eve, and that their marriage was merely a duty. Richard had wanted to marry her, though, from the moment he first laid eyes up on her, and all the while he wore the mask of indifference towards his wife, he was longing to resume the relationship they had formed in the days before the wedding. He wished she would let him explain, let him pour his heart out to him so that she could see how much he cared for her, how much he wanted to change all that had transpired.
He wanted her to no longer resent him, so that they could once again laugh together, tease each other as they had. To share the same passion that they had shared together before that horrible night at Arundale. He shuddered involuntarily, making himself think of something else.

Eve’s reaction had come as a surprise to him, when she had learned that her cousin was killed by the family of the very man she had married. Richard had hoped that Eve had come to care for him as much as he had for her, in the days after the wedding. He had hoped she would forgive him, understand the danger they had been in that day. It was her refusal to end the mourning for her cousin that made Richard believe that perhaps there was something beyond a childhood friendship between Henry and Eve.

Richard clenched his fists in frustration. If Henry weren’t dead already, he would have been then. The jealousy Richard felt was something he could not explain. "I shouldn’t even care." he said out loud. He rolled onto his back, and stared up at the ceiling. "I don’t care." he said finally, crossing his arms.

But he still couldn’t sleep.

Grace stood on unsteady legs, pressing a hand to her temple. The rooster had crowed already, twice, but the sun was not yet up. Armus sat reading by the fire place, his boots kicked off, his doublet unlaced. He had already been up, and from the looks of it, he hadn’t slept since waking from his nightmare.

"I have the most dreadful headache." Grace said, causing Armus to look up from his book.

"What a disappointment. I was hoping to beat you at chess this afternoon." he said with a smile.

Grace laughed. "I’m never going to play with you again. You beat me in seven moves last time." she said, walking over to him.

"I’m still trying to perfect it." Armus said, grinning. "Besides, you should be happy I only beat you in chess, not just beat you." he gave her bottom a playful slap, and she laughed, sitting down on his lap. She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I thought I might go into the village today."

Grace nodded sleepily. "What for?"

"To get out of the castle, mostly. I also told father I would take Eve into the village this afternoon while Richard and Cedric go hunting. Will you come?" He asked.

Grace sat up. "You’re taking Eve into the village?" she asked, trying to cover the hint of jealousy in her voice. She had hoped to spend the day alone with her husband, a luxury that hadn’t been afforded them since shortly after the wedding. She folded her arms. "I haven’t met Eve."

"Well then, you should come with us." Armus said, tugging one sleeve of Grace’s nightgown down so that he could plant a kiss on her smooth shoulder.

"Us?" Grace said, shrugging away from him. "Why doesn’t Eleanor take Eve? Why must it be you?" she asked, feeling as though she were five and protesting bedtime. She felt her cheeks grow hot, ashamed to let Armus see this jealous streak in her.

"Grace, do you really think two women should ride unaccompanied into the village?" he asked, laughing.

Grace stood up, grabbing her hairbrush from the table next to the bed. "I didn’t say that. I just haven’t met Eve and I don’t know if I’m comfortable with the thought of you spending the day with her."

Armus smiled, standing. "My God, you’re jealous." he laughed, putting his hands on her shoulders.

Another hot blush flushed her cheeks, making her even redder. She took a few deep breaths and calmly began to brush her hair, never looking at Armus. "I don’t know what you’re talking about." After a moment, though, she ceased her brushing and took one of his hands in hers. "Is she pretty?" she asked timidly.

"Yes." Armus said with a laugh, wrapping his arms around Grace’s waist.

"Prettier than me?" she barely squeaked out.

Armus smiled. "No, definitely not." he said, kissing her neck. "You have nothing to worry about. I will be back before you even realize that I am gone."

We shall see. Grace thought to herself, saying nothing.

Richard looked across the table at his younger brother. Cedric was busily shoving the last remnants of breakfast into his mouth. "Cedric, do take a care, you’ll choke yourself." Richard drawled, picking at a scrap of bread laying on the table in front of him. Eve had not shown up for breakfast, pleading a headache, and it annoyed Richard to no end.

This did not go unnoticed by Cedric. "Are things not going well?" he asked, blunt as ever.

Richard shook his head. "Going to take some getting used to." was all he said, taking another sip of water. Wine didn’t sit well on his stomach in the early morning.

Nodding, Cedric wiped his mouth. "I wish you well. She doesn’t like me. I can tell."

"I don’t think she likes me either, so we’re equals in that arena." Richard said quietly.

"Maybe Armus will have more luck." Cedric said, draining his cup.

Richard looked up. "Armus?"

"They’re going to the village today, while we hunt. Father suggested it. He said it would give you two a chance to be apart for a while." Cedric said, finishing hastily, "From the traveling, I’m sure."

"Well, it’s nice to hear that her blasted headache is better." Richard said, standing and storming from the room, leaving Cedric bewildered.

Eleanor threw her saddle across the back of the lean chestnut roan, swatting at flies impatiently. "Why don’t you just take Grace?" she whined, tightening the saddle straps.

"Because Grace hasn’t been feeling well lately." Armus said, climbing up into his saddle.

Eleanor arched an eyebrow. "Oh really...I wish I could have thought of that, to avoid this ride."

Armus shot his little sister a disapproving look, scanning the stables warily. "Would you like Eve to overhear you?"

"Yes." Eleanor sulked, boosting herself up into her saddle. "Besides, where is she? Didn’t we say-"

"Noon, wasn’t it?" A voice called from the other end of the stables.

Armus and Eleanor turned to see Eve, already mounted, outside in the castle yard.

"And I do believe it’s already a quarter past. Shall we?" she called, laughing.

"This is going to be a long day." Eleanor grumbled.

Grace slipped quietly into the solar, wringing her hands. Lady Elizabeth looked up from her embroidery, glad for a distraction.

"Grace, what a pleasant surprise. I thought you would be in the village with Armus." the older woman said, setting her embroidering hoop aside.

Grace sat down, sighing. "I wasn’t feeling too well."

Elizabeth halted. "You haven’t been feeling well for some time. Are you sure everything is all right?" she asked, studying the younger woman’s face intently. Elizabeth had known the Greys since Armus was a small child, barely able to walk. It was hard to believe that she was now having a conversation with his wife.

Grace looked down, uncertain how to proceed. "May I ask you a...a personal question?" she stuttered.

"Of course." Elizabeth said, a bit surprised. Grace had always been polite and friendly, but she had always seemed reserved, private in some ways. For her to suddenly open up was a shock.

Grace looked down again, clearing her throat. "Well, my mother...she died when I was very young. So she didn’t have a chance to teach me...things. About...well, when you had your first child, I mean, how did you know you were expecting. Besides the obvious, of course."

Elizabeth smiled, leaning over to take Grace’s hand. "Is that what you suspect?"

Grace nodded, a little embarrassed. "I’m not sure, though...it seems as if every time..." she blushed, and trailed off.

"It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Women have babies all the time." Elizabeth said, smiling. "But you have to be sure, is that it?"

"I told Armus that we could be sure if...my time hadn’t come...by the end of this week, " Grace said quickly, "but it was a bit of a fib."

Elizabeth laughed. "Better to keep them in the dark about unpleasant things, dear, not the other way around." she was silent for a moment, studying the girl’s face. "You’ve been ill recently? Sick to your stomach?"

Grace nodded, looking at the older woman with wide, fearful eyes. "That’s all right, isn’t it?"

"Heavens yes," Elizabeth said, laughing. "it’s perfectly normal. When I first was expecting Aaron, I was sick morning, noon and night."
"What if I tell him, and I’m wrong? I don’t want to disappoint him again." Grace said, trying to keep the tears that were forming in her eyes from spilling down her cheeks.

Elizabeth put her hand on the younger woman’s arm. "Do you think you are wrong now?"

Grace shook her head, wiping her eyes.

"Then tell him." Elizabeth said gently.

"I will tell him!" Grace said, standing. "I will tell him as soon as he gets home! As soon as he walks through the door!"

Elizabeth laughed, taken a bit off guard by Grace’s uncharacteristic tenacity. "I think," she said, picking up her embroidery, "that is a fine plan."

Armus looked past the stalls where Eleanor and Eve stood looking at combs and anxiously scanned the sky. "The sun is setting, ladies. Perhaps we should get back."

"Oh Armus, don’t be so pushy. We were just finishing, anyway." Eleanor called over her shoulder.

"I told Grace I would be back before supper..." Armus began, but he stopped at Eleanor’s snicker.

Eve turned and smiled over her shoulder. "We’ll be right along, Armus. It’s nice to see that you care about your wife...that someone in this family has a little courtesy."

Eleanor and Armus exchanged a glance, knowing full well what part of the family Eve was referring to. In less than a quarter hour they were in the saddle again, making the trip back to Covington Cross.

"The woods are beautiful this time of year." Armus said, gesturing to the golden canopy above them. The ride had not been unpleasant, but far too quiet for Armus’s tastes.

"Yes, that’s something I always remembered about this place." Eve said with a sigh.

"You’ve been here before?" Eleanor asked.

Eve nodded, smiling at the memories that came to her. "With my cousin, Henry."

Eleanor shot Armus a worried look, which he returned in kind. "Henry?" he asked, trying to sound as light as possible.

"Yes, and one in the same as the Henry you are thinking of." Eve said coolly.

"My lady, I am sorry for the pain your cousin’s death has no doubt brought you. But rest assured that the blame doesn’t lie solely on my father." Armus said.

"No, I’ve already been assured of that." Eve said, practically spitting the words, "but thank you for your concern."

Armus nodded at Eleanor to ride on ahead, which she did without protest.

"It seems to me that you and my brother are experiencing some...difficulties." Armus said, trying to keep a smile on his face.

Eve smiled back, wearing as much a mask as Armus did. "I don’t think it’s uncommon for a husband and wife to have a spat every now and then."

"Every now and then, yes." Armus nodded, carefully adding, "but I’ve not seen the times in-between now and then."

Reigning in her horse harshly, Eve turned to Armus. "Don’t presume to tell me that my relationship with your brother isn’t up to your standards. You have no idea what it’s like to know that....to know the kind of people you’ve fallen in with."

"And what kind of people are we?" Armus asked angrily.

"The kind of people who would kill a young man over something as trivial as their honor." Eve said, choking over the words before riding off into the Forrest.

"Eve, come back!" Eleanor shouted from the head of the trail, but Armus motioned for her to be silent.

"Give her time to cool off...she’ll likely be back before we finish supper." He said, riding ahead.

"Tell that to Richard, when we return without his wife!" Eleanor shouted after him, urging her horse into a gallop after her brother.

"How could you let her run off like that?" Richard shouted, running a hand through his ruddy hair. He slammed his fist down on the table top, satisfied at the sound that echoed through the emptiness of the great hall.

Armus sat calmly by, allowing his brother to continue his tirade. "She was talking about that blasted whelp of Mullen’s, and then rode off. She was angry, and rightly so. She does believe that her cousin was in the right. I honestly feel she thinks that Eleanor killed Henry in cold blood."

"Mullens? Henry?" Richard asked, not needing an answer. "I’ll beat her, I swear it. I’ll wait right out in that stable, and thrash her within an inch of her life. She might have thought I was a cruel husband before, but she will rue the day she accuses my family of murder!"

Armus shook his head. "Say what you will, but I know you better. She has no more to fear from you than I have to fear from Grace." he laughed.

"I’m sorry I don’t appreciate your wit at a time like this, brother, but my wife has run away." Richard said, a bit softer. "How could things have turned out so dreadfully?" he asked, more to himself than to Armus.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Armus asked, leaning forward in his chair.

Richard stopped, turning to his brother sharply. "You honestly want to talk with me about this?"

"Of course...I might be able to help." Armus said.

Richard sat in the chair opposite his brother, sighing in frustration. "Impossible, brother, since you are so blissfully happy with your new bride. But whatever solution you may be able to conjure up, I am open to suggestion."

Armus frowned. Richard seemed to truly care for his wife, more than any other girl he had mentioned in the past. Armus knew it was not likely that Eve and Richard’s relationship had gotten off to a rocky start. "Tell me, have things always been so...strained between the two of you?"

Richard shook his head, staring into the fire. "It seems as though we’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere. At Arundale." he said, chuckling ruefully. "Armus, what am I to do? I can’t spend the rest of my life with a woman who hates me."

"Why not, a lot of men do." Armus laughed, and seeing that his brother was not amused, quickly stifled his mirth. "What happened at Arundale, Richard?"

"You know how people talk....especially people who’s husbands are in prison for treason." Richard said, arching an eyebrow.

Armus sighed. "So the duchess has a loose tongue. I take it Eve did not know we were involved in her cousin’s passing?"

"Not until Arundale." Richard said sheepishly.

"You should have told her." Armus said, staring into the fire. "Perhaps that’s what she’s so upset about."

Richard shook his head. "She’s too attached to Henry... I hate to admit it, but perhaps..."

"There was something more there." Armus finished for him, shaking his head. "You’re right, the pieces do seem to fit. Perhaps if someone else asks..."

"Someone like...." Richard began, when the door blew open, admitting a stable boy.

"Sirs, I believe there’s a girl out here what belongs to one of you." the boy said, shifting nervously from one foot to another.

"Thank goodness she’s come to her senses." Armus said, standing and stretching.

"No, Sir," the boy said quietly. "She says we’re to water her horse and fix it’s shoe up proper. She wants to leave before sun up."

"By God she will not!" Richard shouted, hurrying to the door.

Armus hurried for Sir Thomas’s study. This was definitely more than anyone bargained for.

Grace paced nervously up and down the hallway. She replayed what she was going to say over and over in her mind, waiting. The sun had gone down hours ago, and Armus’ short trip into the village seemed to have taken a bit longer than he had expected.

Grace started at the heavy footsteps approaching. It was now, or never. "Armus, I have to tell you something, it’s very important!" she said, clearing her throat several times.

Armus barely stopped, "I’m sorry, Grace, I can’t talk now."

"Armus, this is important!" she called after him, dismayed.

"So is this!" he called back, never stopping.

Grace sank back against the wall and chewed her thumbnail. Getting courage had been the easy part. Getting her husband to sit still for a few seconds to listen would take a miracle.

Out of the corner of her eye, Eve caught a glimpse of her husband striding towards the stables. Here we go. She thought to herself, bracing herself for the battle of wills that was about to ensue.

"What are you doing?" Richard shouted, slamming a stall door loudly.

"I’m leaving, My lord, I thought that was quite obvious." Eve said calmly, fastening the closure of a saddle bag and hefting it over her delicate shoulder.

In one fluid movement, Richard lifted the bag from Eve’s shoulder and caught her slim wrists in his other hand.

"Let go of me!" Eve shouted, struggling to break free. In one dizzying instant she was upside down, flung over one of Richard’s shoulders. "Put me down!" she shouted, pounding his back with her fists and kicking her legs wildly to free herself.

"Fine, struggle. But if I lose my grip, you’ll dash your stubborn brains out all over the stable floor." Richard said, starting back towards the castle.

Eve resigned herself to her fate, hot tears coming to her eyes. She willed them away, not wanting to show her weakness.

By the time they reached the great hall, quite a crowd had gathered. Cedric and Eleanor stood, their mouths agape, while Armus, Sir Thomas, and Lady Elizabeth tried to keep a straight face. Several serving maids howled with glee when they caught site of Richard and his lady-wife.

Richard kicked the door to Eve’s chambers open and dumped her roughly on the floor. "From now until I decide you are not to leave this room." Richard said, then snapped at a passing servant to bring him the key to the door.

"I will leave. One way or another." Eve said, folding her arms.

"I am your Lord and master and it is my pleasure that you should stay!" Richard said, losing his patience.

"I care not what is and isn’t your pleasure." Eve snorted.

"You’ve made that obvious, my lady, by pleading some form of sickness every night since Arundale." Richard said through gritted teeth.

Eve clenched her fists, willing herself to stay in her place, rather than fly to her bed in tears. "I would rather not sire the sons of a murderer." she spat. "It matters not. I’ll be gone by morning."

"You’ll stay here until I see fit to let you out!" Richard shouted, running a hand through his hair. "How could you do that to me? You’ve humiliated me!"

Eve swallowed hard against the tears that threatened. "You mock me, sir. It is I who have been made the fool."

"Who is the bigger fool in this, then, the fool I see before me, or the poor fool she tricked into marrying her?" Richard shouted the words, and instantly regretted them.

"I hate you!" Eve screamed, allowing the tears to come now. "I wish to God that you would have been killed in Henry’s stead!"

Richard drew his arm back, and stopped himself. This woman had gotten his better, broke his control. He slammed the door and locked it, taking a deep breath. Leaning against the heavy oak, he could hear the sobs issuing on the other side. She wishes me dead. He thought grimly, closing his eyes. He longed to open the door and take her in his arms, to kiss her face and beg her forgiveness. He cursed his pride and slammed both fists against the stone of the wall, turning to see Armus standing at the end of the hallway.

"I think I know who can fix this." Armus said, offering a hopeful smile.

"Oh, I don’t think I could! I’ve never even been introduced!" Grace said. Richard and Armus had cornered her in the Great Hall, and requested that she speak with Eve. Given the mood Eve appeared to be in when Richard retrieved her from the stables, Grace didn’t think she wanted any visitors.

"An introduction can be arranged." Richard said, taking one of Grace’s hands in his. "Grace, please. I love you as if you were my own sister...and I need your help."

"Grace, please, will you speak with Eve?" Armus asked softly.

Grace looked from one pleading face to another, cursing the Grey family lineage for their handsome sons. "It seems you have me at a rather unfair advantage." she said to Armus, and then to Richard, "Yes, I will help you. Only if it means you will stop giving me that sad, sad, look."

Richard smiled, kissing her hand. "Of course." he turned to Armus. "I’m going to go saddle the horses."

Grace turned to Armus as Richard left the hall. "Horses?"

"I told Richard I would go for a short ride with him. He’s...upset." Armus said, taking Grace’s hand.

"But it’s dark, the moon isn’t even showing his face. And you haven’t had any supper." Grace protested, and Armus laughed.

"You do worry about me, don’t you." he said, drawing her close and kissing her forehead. "I will be careful. And I’ll get some food from the kitchen. But don’t wait up for me. I feel there is a lot that Richard needs to get off of his mind."

Grace nodded, smiling against the feeling that she wanted to cry. "But I do have to speak to you soon."

Armus nodded, distracted by a group of chatty maidservants that were rushing through the room, preparing the table for the evening meal. "I will return before you even realize that I’m gone."

That’s what he said this morning. Grace thought, watching as he hurried from the hall.

Eve looked out of her window, watching her husband and his brother as they rode from the bailey. Her heard constricted painfully in her chest, forcing a fresh sob from her throat. I never should have come here. She thought, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. The last few days had felt like and eternity. The thought of weathering another forty years of this was unbearable.

"Hello?" A tiny voice called from the doorway.

Eve drew herself up regally, smoothing the front of her dress. "I do not wish to be disturbed by servants."

"I’m not a servant." the voice said, and Eve turned.

A girl, not much younger than Eve herself, stood, holding a tray of food.

"I thought you might be hungry." the girl said, flipping one of her long, blonde curls over her shoulder as she set the tray down. "Should I come back later?"

"I suppose Richard sent you." Eve said, folding her hands in her lap.

"Yes. He’s worried." the girl said, shifting nervously from one foot to the other.

"Are you his mistress?" Eve said, and the girl started.

"N-no." The girl stammered, looking down. Eve smiled. The girl before her was naive, and easily manipulated, if her body language was telling Eve anything. "I’m Armus’s wife, Grace."

Eve nearly laughed. The thought that the beautiful young girl standing in front of her was married to the oafish knight who escorted her to the villiage earlier that day made her sides ache. "Grace. Well, what did my husband send you for?"

Grace swallowed, wringing her hands. "He wanted me to talk to you...he wants to smooth things over with you."

Eve’s breath caught. "He wants to smooth things over...with me?" she asked, not wanting to believe it. "And why would he want to do that?"

"I believe he was very disappointed after what happened at Arundale...he wishes to mend things." Grace said, giving a small smile. "If I might inquire, what happened at Arundale?"

Eve’s confusion at Richard’s clumsy attempts to mend their marriage changed to anger. "You came here to defend him, when you didn’t even know what was happening?"

"I do know! And I didn’t come here to defend him-" Grace began, stepping forward.

"You meddle in matters you know nothing of! Did you know that your beloved husband is a murderer? And his brother? And his sister? And their father?" Eve shouted, slamming her fists down on the window sill.

Grace shook her head. "I understand you loved your cousin a great deal-" she began again, trying to stay on the path she had chosen before entering the room.

"You understand nothing! You live a pampered life with a doting husband, within the walls of a majestic keep. You know nothing of loss!" Eve spat, turning back towards the window.

Grace balled her fists, determined to leave the room and let matters lie. The anger within her got the best of her, though, and she grabbed the supper tray and threw it on the floor with a loud bang. "To hell with you!" she shouted, not believing the language that had escaped from her mouth. "I’ve lost everything! Everything! Don’t presume to tell me that I know nothing of your meager pain. My father, my brother, my sisters, they all used me as a pawn in a filthy game. I didn’t mourn only their deaths, but the loss of every ideal I held! Your cousin was a murderer, a dishonest thief, and if Eleanor hadn’t killed him, someone else would have soon enough."

"Eleanor? Eleanor killed-" Eve called after Grace, but the door slammed in place, and the lock snapped shut.

Grace tossed and turned in her bed that night. She felt wretched for the way she had spoken to Eve. But the woman was stubborn, and she knew just what buttons to push. Just like Richard. Grace mused, standing and pacing the floor. She felt as though she had run miles all day, when she had really done nothing out of the ordinary. The tension in the castle could be cut with a knife, and Grace barely noticed the way it was affecting her.

The door to her chambers flew open, and she turned with a jump. "Armus, you startled me." Grace said, smiling despite the fact that something seemed very wrong.

"Did you do this deliberately to make things more difficult, Grace?" Armus asked angrily, pacing the floor. "Explain to me why you would intentionally pick a fight with Eve."

Grace’s stomach turned. He had been to see Eve. He had gone to see Eve the moment he returned. Never mind that she had told him of her need to speak with him. "Explain to me why you went to her first!" Grace choked on the words, folding her arms.

"That’s not the point! I asked you, Richard asked you, to go help smooth things over with her, and you go in there and throw a- a temper tantrum!" Armus shouted.

"I didn’t mean to...she just made me so angry! And here you are, scolding me before you even listen to what I have to say!" Grace cried, stamping her foot. "And I do not throw tantrums!"

Armus turned away from her, rubbing his forehead. "I can’t believe we’re fighting."

"We’re not fighting." Grace said, flopping down on the bed. "You are overreacting."

"Overreacting? What do you mean, overreacting? No one in my family overreacts, least of all myself." Armus said, sitting on the bed next to her.

Grace smiled. "When your father locked Eleanor in the dungeon for a week, that wasn’t overreacting?"

"She had it coming." Armus said, standing. "I’m tired. I will be in my chambers, if you need anything."

Grace nodded. She sensed this battle was far from over.

The morning came faster than Grace had expected it, and she sprang out of bed with a newfound confidence that today would be the day she put everything right. With hope in her heart she dressed and hurried to the kitchen.

"I will be taking the lady Eve’s breakfast to her this morning." Grace said to the scullery maid who was filling the tray with food.

"Are you sure you’re wanting to do that, my lady? I heard she was in a foul mood this morning." The woman said, wiping her hands on her apron.

Grace felt annoyed at the scullery maid’s attempt to sway her. "Yes, I am sure. I do believe that as a servant in my household, you have no business to try and stop me."

The woman clucked her tongue and handed over the tray. "Suit yourself."

Grace shook her head as she left the kitchens, grateful to be away from the sweaty, noisy servants. She walked swiftly to Eve’s chambers, and took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

"Who is it?" Eve called from within, and Grace tried to steady her shaking nerves.

"It’s me. Grace." Grace called, wincing. She should have used something more formal, forceful. "I have your breakfast."

"And I have no wish to see you this morning. Go away." Eve called, and Grace was about to turn and do just that, when that same anger that had caused her to lash out at Eve the night before returned. She quickly found the key to the door, and pushed the heavy oak aside.

"I asked to be left alone!" Eve thundered, rising from her place next to the fire.

"I don’t care. If you wish to eat, that is, to not starve to death out of stubbornness, then I suggest you show me a bit more courtesy. I am not a servant for you to command, and I come here only because your husband wishes to make amends with you. Lord knows why." Grace said firmly, setting the tray down.

"Oh, I see you’re going to put it on the table this morning, rather than the floor." Eve smirked, turning away.

Grace picked up the tray again and dropped it directly to the floor. Bread and fruit rolled over the stones and rushes, and a bowl rolled noisily to a stop in the center of the floor with a satisfying clatter. "If that’s the way you prefer it, then so be it." Grace said, wiping her hands.

Eve turned, flushing furiously. "How dare you! If this is my husband’s idea of an olive branch, then he is more cold blooded than I thought!"

Grace shook her head. "We’ve gotten off to a wrong start. That’s all. I refuse to keep arguing with you."

Eve looked away, saying nothing. Grace sighed, and turned towards the door. She was almost in the hallway before Eve spoke.

"You said Eleanor killed my cousin." she said, almost a whisper.

"Yes." Grace said quietly.

Eve shook her head. "How can that be? I was told that when Henry bested your father in a duel, Richard killed him in cold blood."

"Your cousin had been mercifully spared by Sir Thomas. Henry tried to kill him once his back was turned. Eleanor shot him with a bolt from a crossbow." Grace said, looking down at her hands.

"I don’t believe you. My cousin was an honorable, decent man." Eve said, sitting back down by the fire.

"So was my brother." Grace whispered, shutting the door.

"Unbelievable! Who told her this?" Richard fumed, stalking up and down the length of the great hall.

Grace stood silently, wringing her hands. She wished Armus were there to help her. Her thoughts were all muddled in her head, and she found it increasingly difficult to get a word in edgewise with Richard.

"I believe that was what she overheard at Arundale." Grace said softly.

Richard stopped, raking a hand through his hair. "Well, that’s just stupid."

Grace was fast loosing her patience. "Richard, couldn’t this whole thing have been avoided by just talking to Eve?"

Richard shook his head. "You don’t understand...I’m not like Armus, I’m very..." he searched for the word, snapping his fingers.

"Stubborn?" Grace asked, arching an eyebrow.

"No!" Richard said, dropping his hands in defeat.

"Full of pride?" she ventured, and Richard smiled.

"So there are claws beneath that angelic exterior." he laughed, and Grace smiled.

"Well, I don’t show them to many people," she laughed, "but just ask your wife about them."

Richard sighed. "I can’t. I doubt we’ll ever speak again, after this." he walked over to the table, already being prepared for the afternoon meal. He flopped down on one of the trestle benches, leaning his face on his hand.

"Richard, you have to speak to her. You might be able to convince yourself that you don’t care for her, and she for you, but neither of you are any good at hiding it. You’re just both too alike." Grace said, patting him on the back.

"Please, try, just once more, this evening. This is all I ask." Richard said, grasping her hands in his.

Grace sighed. "I’m so glad I didn’t have to grow up in this castle...I’m certain you would have talked me into a lot of trouble."

Eve rested her head on her hands, staring longingly out the window. She had read every book she had brought with her, and was halfway through the Old Testament. Her head hurt from translating the Latin, and it was no fun to reread it for the hundredth time.

A loud crash below her window caught her attention, and she got up quickly, laying the heavy book aside. Leaning over the sill she saw her husband sparring with Cedric, the youngest Grey brother. They both wielded swords, and it seemed that perhaps Richard was in danger losing his hard won title of best swordsman in the county. Cedric swung high, and Richard effectively blocked the blade. Keeping his balance, however, proved harder, as his foot found it’s way into a small hole, causing his ankle to twist and bringing him crashing to the ground.

"Oh!" Eve cried, before she could stop herself.

On the ground below, Cedric turned, and Richard looked up. Catching site of his wife, Richard looked as though he would smile, then he turned back to his brother.

"Come on, you can do better than that. Let’s see if you can best me on even ground." Richard said gruffly, clapping Cedric on the back and leading him from the bailey.

Eve followed them with her eyes, disappointed that her brief entertainment was leaving. She cushioned her head on her arms, content to watch the leaves of the ivy crawling up the stone walls as they fluttered in the breeze.

Ivy.

Eve shook her head. Why hadn’t she noticed this before. Covering the walls of the castle, in thick, sturdy vines, ivy was the answer.

Eve eyed the drop to the ground warily. No higher than any of the trees she had climbed with Henry, if she fell, the worst thing that could happen is that she would be discovered escaping.

There’s no time like the present, She thought, better get packed.

The evening came swiftly, and before too long the family was tucked away in their chambers, readying for supper. Richard stood at his window, ignoring the servants who were busy filling his bath for after dinner. His head was pounding, and he was torn between blaming it on his marriage troubles or the walloping he had gotten from Cedric earlier that afternoon.

This is crazy. Richard thought, turning from his window. He would go see her, now. He would end this whole mess right now.

"Richard!"

Grace burst into his chambers, face flushed. "She’s gone!"

Richard ran to his sister in law, shaking his head. "She can’t be gone, there’s no one but you with the key. Are you sure she’s not.....hiding somewhere?" he said, panic rising in his voice.

Armus hurried into the room, his face creased with worry. "What’s happened?"

"What’s happened?" Richard said, stuttering over the words in anger. "Your wife has, has, well, she’s gone and lost my wife!"

Grace’s jaw dropped, her eyes alight with fury. "I lost your wife! I lost your wife! Who locked her in there in the first place? "

"Grace, how could you be so irresponsible?" Armus shouted, grabbing her by her shoulders.

"I must have forgotten to lock the door is all! Why was this whole matter placed on my head in the first place. It’s not my fault this family is people with, with stubborn jackasses who can’t work out their own problems amongst themselves!" Grace screamed. Richard shook his head. "I have to go find her!" he said, and ran from the room.

"Grace, what is the matter with you!" Armus said angrily. "First you fight tooth and nail with Eve, and then you let her out? I can’t decide weather you’ve just become a horrible brat or you’ve taken complete leave of your senses! What have you got to say for yourself?"

Twisting away from Armus, Grace gave him a huge shove, toppling him backwards into the half filled wash tub. "We are going to have a baby, you great insensitive dolt! That is what’s wrong with me!" she shouted. Before Armus could even extract himself from the tub, Grace was gone.

Richard ran through the castle yard, straight to the stables. "Have my horse saddled immediately!" he shouted at a stable hand, who was obviously on his way home.

"Yes sire." the man grumbled, shuffling off to do as he was told.

A faint rustle from a vacant stall near by caught Richard’s attention, and he quietly crept over to the source of the noise.

Eve sat pressed up against the wall, her eyes shut tight, chewing her lip, trying to hold as still as possible. She was dressed in shabby servant’s clothes, holding a bed sheet that was bundled up in a knot.

"If I didn’t know better, I would think you were running away." Richard said, and she jumped.

"Leave me, Richard, it’s better for us both if I just leave." she said with a sigh.

For the first time since the whole mess had started, Eve was speaking to him as though she were unhappy with the turn of events as well. Richard offered his hand to her, and she stood, brushing the straw off of her clothes.

"It’s not better for me." Richard said quietly.

Eve’s heart pounded in her chest. A million things came to her at once to say, but all of them sounded alien to her. "I fell off of the castle." was all she could say, with a half smile.

Richard smiled. "Are you all right?" he asked gently, never letting go of her hand.

Eve nodded. "Why?"

"Because you said you fell off of the castle." he said, gesturing towards the castle wall.

Eve shook her head. "Why wouldn’t it be better for you?"

Richard dropped her hand and stepped back a bit, turning his back to her. "I didn’t kill Henry. Eleanor killed him. My father...it was a duel, out of honor, over Eleanor. We didn’t want it to go that far." He said.

Eve felt her eyes filling with tears. "I know."

Richard turned, a look of hurt on his face. "Then why are we still fighting?"

"I just needed to hear it from you." Eve said, wanting to run to him, but keeping her feet firmly rooted to the ground. "But why wouldn’t it be better for you, if I left?"

He closed his eyes tight, feeling as though he couldn’t get enough air. The silence hanging between them thwarted every attempted at speaking, his fear was so great that the words would come out wrong. "Because...Because I love you." he said finally.

The words struck Eve as a shock. She had not dwelled on much more than her cousin’s death since that night at Arundale. She had been nearly certain that she was falling in love with him before then. The past week had done nothing to endear him to her more, she had thought. Looking back, however, she remembered the way he had attempted to apologize after she had confronted him at Arundale, showing up at her door with a bunch of roses he had plucked from the gardens, thorn scars on his hands to prove it. She remembered how he had fussed over her when she turned her ankle getting into the carriage the morning they had come to Covington Cross. She remembered the hurt in his eyes when she turned away from his attentions again and again. She remembered how she cried, out of loneliness for him the night he had left her sitting alone in her chambers after she tried to run the first time. Then she realized that this was truly the first time her husband had admitted to having any affection for her outright.

"Richard, I...I don’t know what to say." She sputtered, shaking her head.

Richard closed the distance between them in two long steps, taking her hands in his. "Say you will stay. Say you will try to endure life here, if only for me."

"I will stay. I will stay because I love you." Eve said, her eyes growing wide. She hadn’t even intended to say the words, and there they had come, hanging in the silence.

"Your horse is saddle, my lord." the stable hand called gruffly.

Richard jumped, startled. "Thank you, you may go now." he called to the man, and turned back to his wife. "I suppose we should go inside now. Everyone will be gathering for supper soon."

"Yes, I suppose we should go." Eve whispered.

In the space of two heartbeats Richard grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him, kissing her fiercely.

Startled, Eve lost her balance and fell back into the soft straw that covered the stable floor, taking Richard with her. They both stared at each other, startled for a moment. Richard laughed and kissed Eve again, smoothing the dark hair that had escaped her braid away from her face.

Eve gasped as she felt her husband’s hand on her leg beneath her simple woolen skirt. "Richard, what if someone comes along..." she gasped, but the feeling of Richard’s mouth on her neck and the touch of his hand on her thigh drove all apprehension from her mind. He lifted his other hand to the laces of her coarse vest, loosening it enough to let his fingers creep into her chemise. They found one hard nipple, as his mouth made it’s way down her neck to join his hand. The memories of the nights they had shared seemed far away, yet vivid enough to inflame their desires again. The hand that had been stroking her thigh with feather light touches found the warm, moist part of her that clamored for it’s touch. Eve arched her back and cried out, not caring if they were discovered. It had been far too long since they had last shared the intimacy and passion of love making, and discovery was the furthest thing from either of their minds. Gone too were any thoughts of propriety or discretion.

Eve fumbled with the laces of Richard’s breeches, freeing him from the tight leather confines. He sucked in his breath as her warm hands found his manhood, making him shudder. Shrugging her hands away he settled between her legs, pushing her skirt father up to gain access to her. With a groan Richard slid deeply into her warmth, wrapping one arm around her waist to pull her closer to him.

"It has been far too long." He whispered against her ear.

Eve ground her hips against his, wrapping her legs around his waist. The feeling of his clothing, rough against her smooth skin, excited her, as did the cool evening air against her flushed skin. It had indeed been far too long.

A loud crash at the end of the stables startled them, and they disentangled themselves from each other, standing quickly, trying to right their clothes.

Eleanor stood at the end of the stables, next to Cedric, who was struggling to keep a stack of pitchforks that had been propped up on the wall from falling.

"I suppose they’ve made up." Cedric said, and Eleanor gave him a sound smack on his head.

"Dinner is ready." Eleanor said, turning and quickly leaving, dragging Cedric along with her.

Outside the stables Eleanor cuffed her brother again. "What a stupid thing to say!"

"Well, it’s true!" Cedric said, dodging another blow.

"Just because it’s true doesn’t mean it needs to be said, half wit." Eleanor shouted, quickening her pace.

"What do we tell father?" Cedric called after her.

Eleanor turned back, a blush creeping up her neck. "I guess we tell him that it appears they have made up."

They both began laughing and ran towards the castle.

"Grace, can I come in?" Armus called through the heavy door to Grace’s chambers, knocking gently. When there was no answer, he pushed the door open a bit and slipped inside.

"I don’t want to talk to you." came a muffled voice from the bed.

Armus sat down beside the lump in the bedclothes that was his wife, and pulled the coverlet aside. "I wish you would have told me."

"I tried to. You were too busy worrying about Eve." She said, sitting up. Armus gently pulled the covers down from her head, pushing her hair back.

"Grace, you know that isn’t true. I was worried about my brother." he said, kissing her forehead. "Do we know for sure, this time?"

Grace nodded, leaning against her husband. "I have never been more sure of anything."

Armus laughed and enveloped her in a crushing hug. "Can I tell father?"

"Of course," Grace laughed, kissing him. "But we are late for dinner."

"Of course, you are right." Armus said, standing. "Shall we?"

The Greys crowded around the table, Richard and Eve both keeping their eyes lowered, but snickering like school children, Cedric and Eleanor both wishing they weren’t privy to the secret that Richard and Eve shared, and Grace and Armus sat next to each other at Sir Thomas’s right hand, beaming. Lady Elizabeth surveyed the whole scene with a knowing smile, and patted Sir Thomas on the arm. He stood, clearing his throat over the commotion at the table.

Everyone stopped, their eyes turned towards Sir Thomas.

"Before we all commence tearing into this suckling pig as though this were our last meal, I have a bit of news. There is to be an addition born to the Grey family." He said, his face full of pride.

Cedric, Eleanor, and Richard immediately looked towards Lady Elizabeth. Sir Thomas’s face fell.

"Armus, would you like to tell them, then?" Sir Thomas said sternly.

Armus stood, barely able to conceal his pride and excitement. "It seems that I am going to be a father."

Shouts of excitement and congratulations echoed through out the hall, quite a few of them from servants as well as family.

"Shall we now begin acting like savages and consume this fine meal?" Armus asked Sir Thomas.

"Of course, how else would we go about it?" Sir Thomas laughed, and watched as the children tore into the food like a pack of hungry wolves.

Later that evening, sitting by the fire, Elizabeth set aside her needlework to put her hand on Sir Thomas’s arm.

"So it seems everything has worked out in the end." she said quietly.

Sir Thomas nodded. "It does seem that way, doesn’t it." he said, then held up his hand.

"What is it?" Elizabeth asked, nervous.

"It’s the sound of a castle blissfully at peace." Thomas said with a laugh.

Elizabeth shook her head. "For now."

"For now." Thomas agreed, kissing her hand.

The End.