Authors: Lynn M. Bartlett
Serena's legs nearly gave way and she swayed weakly. Gyles's arms fell to her waist to support her, his eyes full of concern. "What is it, my love? Why are you so pale?"
"I... I thought you meant you had to wed another." Serena leaned against his chest. "Gyles, you frightened me half to death with your talk of brides and vows. Twas cruel of you to jest with me in such a manner."
"I did not jest, Serena," Gyles replied seriously. "Since your father is dead I should more properly ask Bryan for his permission and your hand, but that would take time and I have lost too much time with you already. So I ask you, Serena, to be my wife."
Serena's eyes widened in confusion. "Have you taken leave of your senses, Gyles? We are wed—"
" Twas a ceremony to satisfy the laws of the Church and the laws of the king. It united two people who had no wish to be wed. Tis not the way I want our lives together to begin, Serena. I want our vows to join our hearts and I want our children to know that 'twas the love we bear for each other that gave them life, not simply a moment of lust. You must know, too, that the love I have for you is deep and abiding and will not end no matter what befalls us." Gyles's eyes glowed brilliantly. "Will you take your vows with me now? Will you willingly link your heart and soul with mine?"
"Surely you must know I will." Serena threw her arms around his neck. "Oh yes, Gyles, yes."
Tenderly Gyles drew Serena to the one window in the cottage and there, with the moon bathing them in its light, they clasped hands and sank to their knees. Hesitantly, almost shyly, Gyles began speaking, not the formal words he had once recited but the vow he had made to himself nearly every day since Serena's disappearance.
"Now and forever I take thee unto me. I pledge my right arm to protect thee and my love to surround thee through all the tomorrows we will share. Never again will thy heart wander alone and afraid, for mine shall walk beside it into eternity."
If her voice had wavered when she had first taken the vows that bound her to Gyles, now Serena's voice was strong and clear.
"Thy life is mine; wherever thy path shall lead I shall willingly follow for that way lies my love. All that I deem of value—my heart, my soul, my honor—all do I lay at thy feet, and in doing so their worth is increased ten-fold. My love goes out to thee as thy love flows unto me, timeless, unending, eternal."
Only the moon watched as Gyles rose and pulled Serena into an embrace as sweet and tender as any bride could wish. Happily content, Serena rested against his broad chest, listening to the steady, even rhythm of his heart. Tomorrow they would return to the outside world with all its obligations and duties; but the night with its velvet cushion of stars was theirs to share, as was their love.
What better way,
Serena wondered dreamily as Gyles swept her up in his arms,
to begin a new life of memories.
Camden
The pennants above the castle walls were snapping proudly in the early autumn breeze, proclaiming to one and all that Gyles, Lord of Camden, was in residence. Below in the freshly harvested fields pavilions were being erected, squires hurried about rubbing down lathered mounts and polishing armor. Knights owing their allegiance to Camden greeted their equals as they arrived in their lords' retinues and high born ladies fell into each other's arms, exclaiming over the unusual turn of events that had led to Lord Gyles holding two tourneys in one year.
In his chamber Gyles donned a tunic from his coffer and smoothed the material over his broad chest. Turning, he delivered a lusty whack to a pair of softly rounded buttocks.
" 'Tis your own fault, cherie—" Gyles laughed to forestall an outraged protest "—for placing temptation within my reach."
Her blue eyes sparkled as Serena laughed up at her husband in complete agreement, and went eagerly into the circle of his beckoning arms.
Gone was the dismal pall which had hung for so long over Camden and Gyles in particular. Unparalleled joy tinged with disbelief had greeted Gyles when he first returned to Camden with Serena held lovingly but securely before him in the saddle. Nellwyn had wept copious tears.
Alan had shrieked with happiness, while Evan curiously eyed the stranger who was his mother.
It had taken less than a fortnight for Evan to completely accept Serena and he was soon toddling into her outstretched arms with delicious abandon: Nellwyn had declared her young mistress to be naught but skin and bones and set about preparing the most appetizing meals she could concoct while Gyles merrily composed a letter to the king informing him that the Lord of Camden was no longer free to wed a certain Lady Margaret.
Serena herself was euphoric. Gone were the days and nights during which she had lived in a void and in their place was a delightful world where she was surrounded by those who loved her. Serena could not get her fill of Alan and Evan, so that when word reached Camden that Catherine had been safely delivered of a son, Serena sent a note of congratulations along with a gold christening cup to Bryan, but declined the invitation to visit Broughton. She was home, at Camden; at long last her life was as she had always dreamed it would be.
Gyles rarely allowed Serena out of his reach or sight during the first month she was home. After nearly a year of agonizing loneliness, Gyles was determined to keep his wife by his side lest she be torn from him once again. He was starved for the touch, sight, and sound of his wife, and while Nellwyn plied Serena with food, so, too, did Gyles tenderly nurture her with a love as vibrant and vitally alive as he was. By day Gyles played the courtly suitor who laughed and wooed his gentle maid and at night he held Serena and gave proof of his love 'til both nearly fainted with pleasure. Only now, nearly two months since her return, could Gyles bear to be separated from Serena for a few minutes, and finally Serena had been able to persuade him to participate in the lists he had planned in celebration of her return.
"May I be assured Godwin will not appear on the field this time?" Gyles now raised Serena's chin with his finger and smiled, but his eyes were serious.
"You may indeed, Gyles," Serena replied, a teasing light in her eyes, then she sighed. "Poor Godwin, I fear he will never more take part in the lists, so you, my dearest love, must carry my standard."
"With the greatest pleasure, love." Gyles bent to place a lingering kiss on her lips. "And with the greatest honor."