“Come, Gisborne. Do not stand about like a bit of furniture. You will not find her wandering by, if that is your hope.” He sighed. “I fear she keeps very much to herself, almost always remaining in her room. It has been rare to see her outside of it.”
Concerned, Guy moved quickly to join Stephen in the adjoining dining hall. His breath was coming fast, his nerves close to their breaking point as he watched Stephen pace before the fire.
“You have said she suffers. Is she ill?”
A maid came near, pouring a goblet of wine and handing it to Stephen, who answered in a gruff tone.
“No. Her suffering is of the heart. She loves you, Gisborne. She has grieved deeply for you since we left England. Until today, it was assumed that you were killed in the destruction of Nottingham Castle.”
Guy advanced quickly, his strides determined and angry. “Then let me see her and tell her the truth!”
“It is not so simple as that!” shouted Stephen. “How do I know you will honor her as you should? How can I be certain you will not ruin her as you ruined Lady Marian?”
Guy found it difficult to control his temper at such an insult. It was all he could do to keep from lashing out with his fists…but he clenched his hands tightly, keeping them at his sides.
“What happened with Marian was a mistake…a horrible crime I shall live with until my last hour of life. On the day of judgment I shall pay the price for not doing more to save her. But Cassia is everything to me. I love her more than I have ever loved anyone, and I would gladly give my life for her.”
The two men studied each other, and Stephen’s eyes remained suspicious. When he lifted his hand and rang a bell to summon another servant, Guy felt certain he was about to be dismissed.
If they try to remove me, I will fight them each and every one
, he thought wildly. When a maid appeared, he prepared himself to do battle. He watched as Stephen slowly turned his eyes to the servant>
“Fetch Lady Cassia. Tell her she has a visitor.”
“The Lady Cassia has gone walking, my Lord.”
Stephen looked at her, troubled.
“Walking? Where?”
“My lord, she did not say.”
A fearful look came over Stephen’s face. “Find her,” he demanded. “Gather all the servants and conduct a search.”
At the tone of Stephen’s response, Guy’s blood ran cold. He watched as the Baron headed off towards the Great Room, and he followed fast behind him.
“Conduct a search? What for? What concern is there over a simple walk?”
“Cassia never goes for a walk. She has not set foot outside this house since I brought her here.”
“Where do we begin?” Guy demanded.
“Search the shore, Gisborne. I will go to the village, and the servants will search the house and the grounds. Just hope that she has gone for a bit of fresh air…and nothing more.”
*****
He’d been riding along for some time, but had seen no one. Down below, where the grassy bank of land dropped off and led to the beach, the waves were gently rushing in and out. Other than the ocean and the gulls screaming overhead, there were no other signs of life, and part of him said to leave here to look elsewhere. But another part of him…a stronger kind of sense…told him to go on. Then, just as he was about to turn back, he spotted something.
Footprints in the sand.
For one moment he sank with relief, knowing he must be on the right path.
Leaving his horse behind on the bank, he walked down the sandy slope that led to the shore. He cupped his hands around his mouth, calling out for her…and he heard no response.
They
had
to be her footprints, as strongly as his instincts were telling him so. Looking ahead, he could see how the beach ended in the distance, changing from soft sands along the water to a rising green slope, which eventually led to a narrow ledge of rock that jutted out over the cove. Following the footprints, he saw how they suddenly ended at the bottom of the embankment…and slowly raising his head, he spotted a little figure standing high above on the rocky ledge. Her short dark hair ruffled in the wind. Her long blue dress billowed out behind her. No one in their right mind would be in so dangerous a place as she was…unless they intended something tragic. He could see her poised just at the rock precipice…poised as if ready to leap. A strangled cry escaped him.
“Casia!”
He rushed up the slope. It was a slippery, rugged climb, but not an impossible one…and he hoped against hope that he would reach her in time.
*****
Standing at the edge, looking down at the waves below, she could see the rocks jutting up at the bottom of the cove. They would bring an instant end…and a new beginning, if she chose. With one step further, she would be submitted to that life to come, and this old world would pass away. She wanted it to…for what was this world without the man she loved?
At first she’d struggled against the idea of his death. All along the journey from England, she’d hoped and prayed that he would suddenly appear…that he’d somehow survived the destruction of the castle, and would come for her. At the manor she’d found herself staring out the window each day, looking for that imposing dark horse with its dark rider, galloping forth to claim what belonged to him. But each day had passed and he had not come. At last she realized there was no hope…and no amount of love and attention from her newfound family would set it right.
Rosalyn was warm and gracious, welcoming her instantly and trying her best to make her feel wanted. She sat with her for hours, usually with her children in tow. Little Katherine was a quiet and sweet baby, and young Stuart was one of the few reasons she found to smile. At nearly three years old, he was a bundle of energy that kept his mother and the servants quite on their toes. He had a particular habit that Cassia couldn’t help but be amused by. When his mother scolded him, he would put his little hands on her face and whisper…
Mama, I must tell you. I do not like that.
Rosalyn always succumbed to his sweetness, and left the real discipline up to others, usually to his nurse, but even she was not always immune to his charms.
When she wasn’t entertaining Cassia with the children, Rosalyn often talked of the places they could visit if they chose, and quite often she would bring small gifts. She even called in a seamstress and had a whole wardrobe of ornate clothing tailored. Cassia graciously accepted the gifts, and stood for the fittings, not wanting to hurt her sister-in-laws feelings…but in truth she cared little for the grandeur of her new life. Because of Stephen’s status she was now a woman of rank, but titles meant next to nothing. All she could think of was the short time she’d shared with Guy…how those few days they’d had together, at the lake and at the cottage, had been some of the happiest moments she’d ever known. Now those days were long gone, just as he was…and there was nothing left in this life that could ease the pain of his loss.
Now, standing at the edge of the ridge, she was prepared to let her misery end. She let her foot slide forward…and heard a strange voice carried on the wind. She turned her head to listen.
It was a deep, familiar tone that called her name. She knew that sound…knew it as well as she knew her own voice. And yet she refused at fir believe it. Her head was playing tricks on her…her memories of his long gone presence still reverberating in her anguished mind. She turned back to face the wind. And then she heard her name again, this time louder, clearer…and drawing closer. She took a step back from the edge, her eyes searching for the source of the sound. And then she saw the dark figure rushing towards her, just like a storm cloud coming forth.
A tempest on the horizon.
She found herself managing only a few shaky steps forward before she was swept from her feet. Powerful arms wrapped themselves around her. The solid wall of a chest crushed against hers, stealing the breath from her lungs…and an anguished voice spoke in her ear.
“Cassia, Cassia!”
For several moments it was all he said. Stiff with shock and confusion, she leaned back in his arms, her hands searching his beloved face, feeling the rough texture of his unshaven jaw line. Was he real, or some desperate figment of his imagination? She searched his beautiful eyes, seeing the shine of tears in them…and a wild, desperate light. He grasped her by both arms, shaking her.
“What in God’s name were you thinking just now?”
A moment later he was kissing her, his breath coming in ragged gasps. And she suddenly realized it was no dream.
“Guy! Oh, Guy, is it really you?” She threw her arms around him, clinging tightly to his neck, running her hands through his dark hair…and as if to answer, as if to convince her of his substance, he kissed her again with a long hot press of his mouth on hers. When he broke away for a moment to take in a breath, she clutched his face in her hands and peppered it with small and urgent kisses, wanting to feel every scrap of skin she could touch. He fought her for dominance, rushing his lips hotly over her face and neck. Suddenly he clutched her tightly and pressed his cheek against her breast, his arms locked around her, while her hands held him firmly in place, stroking his hair. His voice was ragged, full of pain.
“Oh Cassia, if you had gone to the rocks below, I would have followed. To think what would have happened if I had not found you…”
Tears fell from her eyes as she leaned her cheek against his dark locks. “I am so sorry, my darling. I will never bring you such pain again.”
“No,” he declared with a shake of his head. Putting her face in his palms, he brought her lips to his and kissed her firmly, speaking breathlessly against her mouth. “We will never be apart again, I swear it.”
She buried her head against his chest, weeping wildly with joy. She felt the brush of his chin against her temple, and she closed her eyes against the tide of emotion welling in her heart. He held her safe and secure in his arms as he rocked her back and forth, and she heard him whispering with a trembling voice.
“My love, my life. I shall never lose you again.”
It was nearly sundown before they moved from their rocky perch, neither of them willing to leave the other’s arms. But with the setting sun came a cool breeze, and Guy did not want her remaining in the night air. Taking her hand in his he kissed each delicate finger, and together they slowly walked back to where he’d left his horse. Occasionally they paused, turning to one another to share a passionate embrace and a kiss…both still in awe at the miracle of their reunion.
After they reached his horse, when he lifted her in the saddle and rose up behind her, she once again touched his rugged face…and studying his features, she suddenly noticed the slight darkness beneath his eyes. She took in the length and unruliness of his hair…and frowned slightly.
“Oh Guy, you have suffered so. I can see it. How it breaks my heart to think what you must have been through.”
He brought a finger to her lips to shush her…then replaced it with a sweet kiss. He leaned his forehead against hers, his words gentle and soothing.
“We will not speak of those things now. We are together again, and that is all that matters.”
A tear ran down her cheek. She buried her head in his chest, holding him tightly in her arms. He leaned down, placing a sweet kiss in her hair…and then he gave his horse the spur, holding her in his arms as they rode back towards the manor.
*****
Just before the house came into view, Guy pulled at the reins of his horse. From his arms, Cassia looked up at him, puzzled.
“Why have you stopped?”
He slid down the ground, though he still retained her hand. He looked up at her with a little smirk.
“I do not think your brother would look favorably upon me if I returned with you in my arms.” He kissed her hand, letting his lips press against her skin for a long moment. Then, taking hold of the reins, he led his horse up the long graveled drive.
Almost at the moment they arrived, they were surrounded by several members of the household, many of whom came running towards them only to stop half-way, seeing Cassia upon Guy’s dark horse and unsure of what to make of it. It was Rosalyn who at last came forward, though she stopped just short of coming directly to Guy himself.
“Cassia, thank heavens. We have been looking everywhere for you. Are you well?”
Cassia smiled as Guy helped her down. “I am quite well, I assure you.” She glanced up at Guy, who smiled at her in return. Then, as he handed his horse off to a groom, Rosalyn took her by the hand and pulled her close, walking with her towards the front steps.
“Dearest, you seem a different person. What has happened?”
Cassia’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Oh Rosalyn, it is a miracle. My true love has returned to me.” She gripped the hands of her sister-in-law, whose eyes grew wide with disbelief as she looked between the two of them.
“This? This man is the one you have been longing for?”
“Yes, he is.”
Rosalyn shook her head, stunned. “How can this be?”
“It is a gift from God. A blessing such as I never thought to have.”
“Are you quite certain of him? He seems so…”
Cassia grinned. “I know he appears quite dark and fearsome. But there is another side to him. A wonderful, loving side to him.”
There was much skepticism in Rosalyn’s expression…and concern. “I would be quite fearful of such a man.” She looked over at Guy, examining him as he talked to the groom. For several moments she studied him…and then she sighed, a more optimistic light coming to her eyes.
“He
is
quite handsome…in a rakish sort of way.” She turned her eyes to Cassia, and smiled sweetly. “And he seems to have brought out such light in you. I wish you every happiness, dear sister.”
They embraced…just as Stephen came thundering up the walk, his white charger scattering gravel as it skidded to a stop. Leaping to the ground, he seemed quite upset as he approached his sister, and yet he was clearly relieved to see her there.