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The next morning, Crispin woke to a commotion. Henry appeared, distraught, at his door bearing the news.
Simon was dead. Found in a pool of his own blood, his throat slit and a muted scream of horror on his scarred face.
Ivy earned her pardon at last.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The kingdom blossomedwith hope when spring arrived in its full glory. Ruby spent the day in the gardens in the outer bailey with Marian and Ivy. While her mother refused to move to the castle permanently, she visited frequently, bringing gifts and visiting those along the way who required her services. The winter had been harsh for most in the kingdom, but Marian showed initiative to help those who needed her herbal knowledge and share it with those willing to learn.
Ivy had been quick to learn the trade. Ruby took pride in knowing her actions led to the salvation of a soul in need. While Crispin still eyed the woman with suspicion, Ruby trusted her implicitly.
Henry kept Ivy close. The two were united in a small ceremony on the coldest winter night in all her years. Ivy fell into a comfortable companionship with Ruby and Vivienne, but it was her bond with Marian which stunned Ruby the most. Another lost soul adopted by the wayward outlaw who sought refuge in the forests of Meradin so many years ago.
“I have finished planting the herbs in the far row.” Ivy approached, wearing a dirt-smeared apron and a fitted cap hiding her dark curls from view. “Shall I fetch some water?”
“Have the young men fetch the water.” Ruby wiped her soiled hands on her own apron and nodded with satisfaction at the sizable garden. Come the fall they would have a place to harvest many of their own herbs without having to rely on the monastery. A wave of sadness washed over her followed by nausea.
Ruby leaned against the fence and pressed her hand to her stomach to quell the sensation.
“Are you well?” Ivy appeared by her side in an instant.
“A momentary lapse. ’Tis gone now.” She straightened and stopped at the smile curving Ivy’s lips. ’Twas so difficult to hide anything from her intuitive nature.
Ivy leaned close and whispered, “Have you told the king?”
So much for secrecy. Curse her body for betraying her. “I have not told a soul. I had hoped to wait a few months before revealing my condition.”
“I am glad to see there was no time wasted in conceiving another heir.” Ivy winked. “Come, let us return to the castle. You should tell him directly lest he discover it unwittingly.”
“’Tis so soon. Should I not wait until the next moon to be certain?” Ruby resisted the urge to trail her hand over her abdomen as they walked toward the gate leading to the inner bailey. Something about this situation seemed vaguely familiar.
“I knew the moment I was with child and told Henry directly,” Ivy murmured, but Ruby heard her clearly.
“Truly?” Joy filled her at the thought of them following this journey together. She took Ivy’s hand in hers. “Why did you not tell me?”
Ivy bit her lip. “I did not want to hurt you by revealing my joy when you were still grieving your loss.”
Ruby squeezed her hand at the thoughtful gesture. “My thanks. ’Tis not an easy thing to overcome. I doubt I ever shall forget the pain of such a devastating blow, but I have hope for what is to come. Surely time will ease the ache.”
“Time does offer healing, but ’tis good to remember the lessons taught to us by our past.” The innocuous statement from any other person would have been dismissed easily, but coming from Ivy, Ruby took it as profound growth of character.
Henry glanced up from the ring where he stood training the knights. He nodded at Ruby, but his gaze lingered on Ivy as they passed. Even from this distance, she saw the hunger in his determined expression as he watched his wife pass. She relished the knowledge Henry found someone who completed him so perfectly. He deserved some happiness after the torment he endured.
Inside the castle, Ivy helped her bathe and dress. Even though she was no longer her maid, Ivy tended her with a willingness to serve and loyalty no other servant could match. Their bond was unbreakable and everlasting. Sisters, not in blood, but in shared sacrifice and understanding.
