Sarah smiled. The boys had been somewhat reluctant at the prospect of participating in a wedding, which to Emanuel’s way of thinking was poor sport. Robert had just made the prospective trip exciting for them. She was grateful and reached surreptitiously for his hand to squeeze in thanks. He glanced at her and smiled, squeezing her hand back.
“The battle was thick and fast, for King Harold’s troops were not giving up without a fight, even though they were composed mostly of infantry and archers, whereas William’s had much more mounted cavalry. The French cause seemed to be hopeless until William gave the order to retreat. It was a feint, for once the French had the English broken up, chasing them from the field, they turned and annihilated them, the advantage of the cavalry being able to run down and trample the foot soldiers beneath the hooves of the French horses.
“It was during the mock flight that my ancestor proved his mettle. The English targeted William’s bodyguard, and in particular the standard-bearer. Alain fought off three Englishmen who tried to bring down the standard-bearer and saved William’s colors when the man was stabbed in the arm. He not only raised the wavering flag above the throng, but kept it up while he got the injured man to safety. And he was able to hand the flag to another man and continue his fight to protect the colors of the Duke of Normandy, who would be crowned King of England at Christmas that year.”
The boy’s noises of approval at this stirring tale of valor make the duke grin.
“Alain was knighted for his deeds that day and given the hand of an English duke’s daughter. Her name, alas, is lost to history, but by all accounts, she bore him six children who lived, so it is to be hoped they were happy.”
The boys had many questions, which the duke did his best to answer, then the children were sent off to bed and the adults settled to a game of speculation followed by a tea tray.
When the duke rose to take his leave, Sarah accompanied him outside for a farewell and was unsurprised to be kissed again under the moonlight on the front porch. It seemed Robert would take every opportunity he could to kiss her. She wasn’t inclined to deny him after such a spectacularly successful day. Her heart was full.
“Thank you for that story. How much of it was true?”
“The bare bones are true as far as we know. It’s folklore in the family, a story handed down from generation to generation. No doubt it’s been embellished over the years and perhaps his feats of bravery have been exaggerated, but I like to think there is a grain of truth in it somewhere. He must have done something to earn his knighthood and the hand of the duke’s daughter—that part at least is true.”
“A pity we don’t know her name. So many of the women are lost to history.”
“Yes, that is a shame. Perhaps her name was Sarah, too?” he said whimsically. He kissed her again. “Thank you for a wonderful day, I have enjoyed myself immensely.”
She tightened her arms round his neck. “I have, too,” she admitted a little shyly. “I didn’t expect to enjoy sharing my family with you. I thought you would consider us country bumpkins,” she confessed.
“I may have done if they weren’t your family. But I hope I’d be too polite to show it. Given they are your family, I was determined to like them, though I found no determination wasrequired. They are like you, refreshing and delightful. I look forward to sharing The Castle with them.”
She flushed with pleasure at this compliment. Even twenty-four hours ago she would not have believed they could be so in harmony as they were now.Would it last? Or would they slip back to bickering and awkwardness?
“You may regret that promise to show the boys your armory. They will plague you to death, you realize.”
“Aye, but I was a boy once, too, you know. My brothers and I played with that armor and those swords, just as generations of Layne boys have before us.”
“You had a happy childhood?”
“By and large, yes. I told you once that I was a privileged person, and I meant that in more ways than just my wealth and social standing. I have had precious little to complain of in my life. I have been very fortunate indeed.”
“Yet you’ve borne the brunt of responsibility for your family for years.”
“Who told you that?”
“Kenrick.”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Well, I’m gratified he’s noticed.”
“He said you were irritatingly good or something to that effect!” she said with a smile.
“Yes, part of the burden of being the oldest, but you would understand that.”
“Yes, I do. We are surprisingly similar in that regard. I didn’t realize that at first.”
“Neither did I.” He nuzzled her hair with his nose and kissed it.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Kenrick is like your father?”
“Yes, unfortunately. I loved my father, but he wasn’t the best with money. He’s the reason I was forced to seek a wealthy wife. And Kenrick is carrying on the family tradition of feckless behavior.”
“Perhaps a good woman will save him?”
“Maybe, but he can’t have you—you’re taken,” he said, his arms tightening round her. The slightly possessive note in his voice, coupled with the gesture, gave her a warm feeling in her belly.
