The Tempest: A Guy of Gisborne Story Read online

  “I can scarcely believe it. Two children.” He smiled softly at her. “I shall never cease to be moved by the miracle of you…and the miracles you are capable of bringing.”

  She smiled lovingly at him, her eyes shining with tears. She was about to speak when the midwife came to her side.

  “Madam, we must take the children to the wet-nurse now. And then to the church immediately after.”

  The look on Cassia’s face was one of horror. Guy knew of the ritual regarding newborns…that they were to be taken to church and baptized immediately. Infants were so very fragile, so easily lost…and they were expected to be baptized as soon as possible to purify their souls, should they be called back to heaven too soon.

  But Guy refused to follow that tradition to its full extent. He narrowed his eyes coldly at the midwife. His words were stern…quite forceful.

  “You will not take my children from this house.”

  She stared at him, dumbstruck. “But my lord, they must be baptized at once.”

  “You will not take my newborn children out. They have just breathed life, and I will not have them exposed to the world and its dangers. If they must be baptized, then fetch a priest here. But they will not be removed from this house until their mother deems it appropriate. Now, take them to the wet-nurse so they may be fed.”

  She gave a stiff curtsey, clearly not happy, but unable to do anything about it. “As you wish, my lord.”

  Handing the children to two of her servants, she directed them out of the room, and Guy glared at her until she was gone.

  Then he turned to Cassia, who gave him a grateful smile.

  “Thank you, husband. If you were not here beside me, I fear my word would not mean much.”

  He held her hand to his cheek. “They may not heed your word, but they shall heed mine or suffer the consequences. All that I am able to do for you, I shall. Is there anything at all that you require?”

  She took his hands in hers, pressing her lips to his knuckles.

  “I only beseech you to care for yourself, and not just for me. I can see that you are weary. You must sleep.”

  “I shall not go from your side. I will sleep later.”

  She shook her head. “No, my love. You should sleep now. I will not have you fall ill from lack of rest.”

  He knew that for the sake of her condition, he was expected to sleep in a separate bed until she was recovered. But he could not imagine being in another room, so far away.

  “I shall lie on the couch,” he insisted. “But I will not sleep in a strange bed, alone. I would have no peace without you beside me.”

  She just smiled, her eyes growing heavy. She opened them one more time to look up at him.

  “I love you.”

  His heart swelled, the way it did each time she said those words, and he cherished each opportunity to repeat them back to her, as he did now.

  “I love you, too.”

  Her eyes had closed, but he saw the corner of her mouth turn up. Her fingers went slack in his hand as sleep overtook her. Reaching out, he brushed her hair back from her face. Pulling the blanket over her, adjusting the pillow under her head, he wanted to be certain that she was in need of nothing, even in sleep. He would be beside her all night, and his would be the first face she saw when she woke up in the morning.

  *****

  Sitting beside her in the early morning, Guy watched his wife as she slept. It had been three days since the birth, and there was a nagging trouble in his heart that something was not right. He understood that she was recovering from labor. That was expected. But just last night he had heard an exchange between the wet-nurse and the midwife, who had come to look in on the new mother. The two women had spoken in low tones…ones that weren’t meant for his ears…saying how the birth had been more difficult than they’d expected. They had talked of excessive bleeding and tearing…of how it was a miracle that Cassia had survived the ordeal. Now, as he looked down at her, he felt himself growing tense with fear.

  These few days past, she had spent most of her time sleeping. But when awake, she was so sedate. To see her so frail and weak was deeply troubling. He had a sudden and fearful thought that she might succumb to childbed fever. So many women were lost in that way, usually within days of bearing children…and when he recalled what the midwife had said, it filled his heart with great pain and dread. Leaning forward, he kissed the softness of her forehead. Just the thought of her falling prey to illness…or worse, not recovering…was enough to make him half-mad.

  When he pressed his lips to her cheek, her lashes fluttered and her eyes opened. Seeing him, she gave him a sleepy smile. He tried to smile back. His wish was to hide his worry from her, so she would not be burdened by his troubles. But she seemed to sense that something was not right. She looked at him with a curious, concerned expression.

  “Guy, what troubles you?”

  He shook his head, trying to smile. But no amount of will could hide the sadness in his eyes…the fear that was barely held in check.

  “Tell me, dear husband. It pains me to see you with such a look.”

  For a moment he held back. Then, in a gradual fall of his defenses, he lowered his head until it rested in her lap. He sighed as she ran her fingers through his hair.

  “You are unwell, Cassia. And I cannot bear the thought of it.”

  She swept the hair back from his forehead. Her tone was soft and gentle.

  “My love, do not fear for me. I shall recover soon.” She reached up to remove the cross from around her neck, showing it to him. “Do you recall when you returned this cross to me, newly embedded with an amethyst jewel?”

  He nodded, remembering how that simple pendent had always been in his possession, even during the days of his imprisonment and the long months of their separation. He’d had an amethyst…the gem of health and protection…placed in its center, and he’d given her the re-christened necklace as a wedding present.

  “Your gift has brought me good fortune thus far,” she said. “I see no reason why it should cease to do so now.”

  “But how can you be sure?”

  Her fingers caressed his cheek. “I feel it in my bones. Just this morning I took a turn about the room without assistance. Could that be the way of an unhealthy woman?”

  Hearing that, he rose up to look at her, appalled to hear what she’d done.

  “It is the way of a stubborn woman. You might rush your own doom by being so foolish.”

  She laughed softly…to which he scowled at her, angry that she did not take her illness seriously.

  “My distress amuses you, does it?”

  She said nothing, only smiling all the more as she put the cross back around her neck…and it distressed him to no end. He found her lightheartedness very difficult to understand.

  “How can you be this way? Are you not concerned for yourself?”

  Her answer was a wag of her head.

  “What will be, will be. One cannot alter it. But I feel no need to pursue that course of thinking. I know in my heart that I will soon recover, so please do not burden your mind.”

  Lowering his head, he frowned…utterly unconvinced. “You make light of your situation.”

  She reached out to take his hand, and he gripped her slight fingers as she spoke in her soothing way.

  “My love, there must be one of us who is an optimist. And since your thoughts are ever dark, I shall take it upon myself to be of good cheer.”

  The cynic within him doubted her pretty outlook on the matter. And his stubborn nature tried to repres any hope that might dare to rise in his heart. But then she forced him to raise his head. Gently she pressed her lips to his, her hands soft on his cheeks. She was trying to weave one of her spells on him, attempting to use her loving nature to distract him. He tried his hardest to keep the scowl on his face.

  But the sweetness of her kisses, placed so gently but firmly on his face and lips, were too much to fight off. Gently twining his arms around her, still aw
are of her frailty, he allowed himself to bask in her love…though he could not help adding a dash of cynicism.

  “Stubborn wench, forcing hope upon me. What sort of man am I to be so easily defeated?”

  She only laughed softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

  *****

  With the passing of several days, Guy gradually allowed himself to be a bit more optimistic…though cautiously so. Cassia seemed determined to prove him wrong, rising from bed not only to take turns about the room, but to wander across the hall to the nursery. Though he was glad to see her so determined, he still feared that she might be doing too much, and he often scolded her, though in a gentle way.

  “Beloved, it pleases me to see you up and about, but do not rush your recovery. You must rest.”

  She would smile, almost convincing him that she intended to listen. But he knew her better than that. He would see the little gleam in her eye, and each time he would smile to himself and think…

  Obstinate little minx. You are the picture of a bullheaded woman. But oh, how I do adore you.

  Chapter 25

  The familiar cries could be heard in the room across the hall. Guy stirred, the sounds of his children being something he’d grown used to in the last several weeks. But what he could not adjust to was the knowledge that his wife would attempt to rise instantly, going to them on her own instead of allowing the children’s nurse to see to them.

  He and Cassia were allowed to share their bed again, though they merely slept in it and nothing more. Intimacy was not permitted so soon after the birth, a fact which Guy understood and accepted. He was just glad to have her at his side.

  But some time during the night, he would feel the weight of the bed shift. She tried to slip away quietly, perhaps hoping that he would not notice. But he did notice. Occasionally he would just let her go, pretending to sleep so she could have her way.

  He understood why she did it. She was fearful of losing the bond with her children, for she’d confessed as much to him on many occasions. The young nurse, Rebecca, was a kind and gentle caretaker, and they both liked her well enough. But Cassia was mournful at the idea of someone else looking after her son and daughter. At times she broke into tears over the idea of it, and despite everyone’s urgings that she should allow Rebecca to see to her duty, she often rose during the night to see to their nursing herself.

  She was going now. He saw her slipping from the bed, slipping into her robe. He reached out to grasp her hand.

  “You must rest,” he insisted. “Rebecca is capable of seeing to them during the night.”

  “I know, but I must go to them. I cannot help my feelings.”

  She would go, no matter how he tried to convince her otherwise. And as he had done so many times in recent weeks, he rose and put on his own robe, following her into the room across the hall.

  Rebecca was there at the cradle, picking up Thea…the shortened name they now called her by. While Cassia took William in her arms, Guy came to gently take his daughter to himself. Knowing it was what his wife desired…and in truth, it was his desire as well...he quietly instructed Rebecca to return to her bed.

  “We shall take them in with us,” he said to her. “Go back to sleep.”

  She curtseyed, doing as he bid her to. Then he followed Cassia back to the bedroom.

  He sat beside her on the bed, watching as she put William to her breast. They’d done this ritual many times before, and it never ceased to amaze him. It was quite moving to behold her with their children, loving and nursing them. He wondered how anyone would look at something so beautiful and find it repulsive. It was incredible, too, how just the sound of her voice seemed to sooth their cries. It seemed they knew her instantly, and he wondered if they would ever have that connection with him. He looked down at his daughter, who was staring up at him with shining eyes.

  “Do you suppose they know who I am?”

  Cassia smiled. “If they do not now, they will in time. But I think they are becoming familiar with you. Thea quiets when you speak to her, and William watches you with curious eyes. I think he studies you.”

  Guy smiled at the thought that he might be a source of interest, and not fear, to his children. He hoped it would always be so, for he was finding that fatherhood was fast becoming a role he enjoyed very much.

  *****

  Of all the surprises he’d had in his life, his absolute delight with his daughter was something he would never have expected. He adored both of his children, but there was a fondness for his little girl that he just could not express. She could be quite tempestuous at times. When she was hungry or in need of a changing, she wailed loud and strong and could not be ignored. She demanded attention, protesting when left alone in her cradle.

  William was quite different, content to entertain himself by chewing his tiny fist or kicking his hands and feet, which were in constant happy motion. He liked to be held, but did not fuss when placed in his bed. Cassia quite often remarked that she saw great intelligence in his eyes, and Guy liked to imagine that such a keen mind would make his boy a very important man someday. He’d always imagined having a son…the pride that would swell in his heart at having an heir, knowing that he’d done his duty as a man. He felt it each time he looked at William. No man could be more delighted with a son than he was.

  But he’d never imagined the incredible feeling of love he would feel when holding a daughter. That precious little thing, with her tuft of black hair and soft blue eyes, framed by long lovely lashes, already had him wrapped around her tiny finger, and he found he wasn’t the least bit ashamed to admit it.

  What he loved most about his daughter…and he knew it was a selfish delight…was that she seemed to prefer him to anyone else. She protested loudly when approached by Rebecca or any other members of the household. With her mother it was less so, reduced to whimpering and fussiness. But when held by her father, she became quiet and gentle. He even took to calling her his “little lamb.” No one seemed to know what power he had that could calm her so easily, and he was never sure of it himself. He only knew that he reveled in it. Other than his wife…and Stuart…he’d never been anyone’s favorite before, and he found he enjoyed it very much.

  At times when he looked at his daughter, he thought of all the women he’d known in his lined havind how badly he had treated most of them. They had all been this innocent once, this delicate and fragile. Suddenly he understood the protectiveness Robert DeWarren had once had for Cassia. Thinking of all the dangers in the world…particularly of men such as he had once been…it was terrifying to imagine his little girl falling prey to such things. And he vowed then and there that he would never let anything of the kind happen to her.

  One afternoon he said so to Cassia as they strolled along the beach, each of them with a babe in their arms, letting their children enjoy the warmth of a fine summer day.

  “I do not think I shall ever allow Thea to marry. No man will ever do for her, of that I am certain.”

  Cassia seemed quite amused by his declaration, laughing softly.

  “I am certain that when she comes of age, she will have much to say to the contrary. She will look to her father to find her a reasonable match, and I am sure you will do your utmost best to make her happy.”

  To that he only grumbled…and Cassia smiled at his protective nature.

  “Whomever she does marry, they will have quite a fearsome father-in-law to contend with. I do not envy them that.”

  Now it was he who smiled. “I shall be fearsome. For the man that takes my daughter from me shall have to prove himself ten times over, and even then I may not be convinced of his worth.”

  Cassia laughed again, stretching up to kiss his cheek, and they walked on.

  *****

  Before retiring for the night, Guy ventured into the nursery to look at his children. William lay in his bed, quite content in his kicking and drooling as he gummed a silver rattle. Guy picked him up, smiling at the tight grip his son kept on the
toy. For one so small, his son was quite strong, and it made his heart swell with pride.

  But Thea was not so happy. She was quite red-faced, crying as Rebecca walked about the room with her. As Rebecca turned, she saw Guy watching.

  “Oh, good evening, Sir Guy.”

  He put William back down in his cradle. Then he stepped forward, examining the distressed face of his daughter. “What has troubled her this time?”

  Rebecca sighed. “She has just been changed, my lord. I am afraid it does not please her.”

  He smiled as he reached for his daughter.

  “My lamb, you are truly your mother’s child. So headstrong.”

  Just as he anticipated, the moment he placed her against his shoulder, she became quite dole. It wasn’t long before she was asleep…he knew it from the sound of her breathing. Handling her with great delicacy, he placed her in her bed…and then, bidding pleasant dreams to both of his children, he crossed the hall to his own bedchamber.

  Cassia was lying in bed, seemingly asleep. He could not blame her for being exhausted. Not only was she a mother, but of late, she had taken up the duty of caring for the sick, both at home and around the estate. He was not pleased with it at first, fearing that she would put herself at risk for catching the illnesses she treated. But she scoffed at his worrying, insisting that she had spent most of her life exposed to all manner of sickness. She had not caught her death yet, she said, and so she was not afraid.

  Her work sometimes left her quite worn out, but she insisted it was a happy exhaustion. It pleased her to do good, and he knew that the tenants thought her to be an angel in disguise. They always spoke so fondly of her, and it made him proud…almost giddy…to know that at the end of every day, he was coming home to be with her. She was his, and his alone, and he wondered if any man had ever been as content in marriage as he was.