Black Lion’s Bride (Warrior Trilogy #2)

Epilogue

The King's Court at Westminster

April, 1194

“I wish we hadn't come. What if he recognizes me? This may prove to be a terrible mistake.”

Sebastian reached down and took his wife's hand in his as they entered the great reception hall of the royal castle in London. Usually unflappable and composed, Gillianne was trembling. “Don't be worried, my love. It's been nearly two years since those handful of days in Palestine. Much about you has changed, save your stunning beauty.”

Gillianne smiled at his praise, her pale ivory cheeks flushing as pink as the brow of the sleeping babe she cradled in her arms. She had borne Sebastian a son just two months ago, and motherhood suited her well. While her tan had faded along with her accent since she had been living at Montborne, there were certain aspects of her life before that she had maintained.

She was still every bit as fierce and stubborn as the tigress that had so captivated Sebastian, always ready to debate with him about philosophy and faith and the finer points of shatranj . She had fire and wit in equal measure to her beauty, and Sebastian never tired of the pleasure of her company. She charmed and fascinated him, and he was the proudest man in the room to have her on his arm.

“Relax, my love,” he whispered beside her ear. “Now that Richard is returned to England, he will expect to meet the lovely lady I wed while he was indisposed.”

Indisposed was something of an understatement. Richard had been waylaid by his enemies on his return from the Holy Land, abducted and held for ransom in Austria for these past two years. His ransom had been steep, paid in part by taxes and levies, and a rather sizable donation from the Earl of Montborne in exchange for license to marry a beautiful but dowerless orphan he had fallen quite in love with on his return from Crusade.

Sebastian's brother, Griffin, and his wife, Isabel, along with their growing brood, had accompanied Gillianne and him from Montborne to bestow their praises on the king and renew their pledges of support. Together the group of them took their places in queue to await their approach to the dais where Richard and his venerable mother, Queen Eleanor, sat greeting their subjects.

The court was full to bursting with nobles and courtiers, but one gaze reached Sebastian's through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. It belonged to Sir Cabal, the knight Sebastian could no longer think of as Blackheart, his formidable nom de guerre . The two men exchanged glances, and Sebastian gave him a knowing nod.

The dark knight returned the gesture, but then his attention was snagged by a lovely blond lady who stood at his side, her belly big with child. She clung to his arm the way Gillianne clung to Sebastian's, her gaze as loving and warm as that which Sebastian enjoyed each time his wife looked upon him.

Curious, Sebastian leaned over to his brother. “Who is that woman there with Sir Cabal?”

Griff lifted his head and peered discreetly in that direction. “Ah, that is Emmalyn of Fallonmour.”

“Fallonmour?” Sebastian asked, taken aback as he looked again at the love shared between them. “The earl's widow?”

Griffin's lady wife spoke up in answer. “Garrett's widow,” Isabel confirmed, smiling, “but more recently, Sir Cabal's bride.”

Before Sebastian could express his astonishment, he and Gillianne were escorted to stand before the king. He bowed low; beside him, Gillianne dipped into a deep curtsy. “We thank God you are back, sire. Your country has missed you.”

“Rise, rise,” said the king. “Let me have a look at you, and this lovely treasure which I understand you found en route from the Holy Land.”

“My lord,” said Sebastian, helping Gillianne up when she was slow to stand. “It is my honor and my great pleasure to introduce my bride, Lady Gillianne of Montborne.”

The king's grunt of acknowledgment seemed more a leonine purr of appreciation. “Well met, my lady,” he said, his blue eyes glittering with unsuspecting interest. To Sebastian he said, “Your wife pretties up this court like a gem, Montborne. I do hope you will bring her here often.”

Sebastian cleared his throat and pulled Gillianne a little closer to him. “All due respect, my lord, but Gillianne is a treasure I intend to hoard selfishly for all my days.”

He looked at her and she smiled, and the king and queen and the throng of hundreds in the room faded away to nothing, as was always the case whenever Sebastian was looking into his lady love's eyes.

~ * ~