Dark Deceptions: A Regency and Medieval Collection of Dark Romances(213)

“The boys have not forgotten how you punished them for stealing your coin,” Keller commented as George rubbed the back of his head. “Even at their young age, they have a sense of vengeance.”

George eyed the naughty twins. “They are going to have a sense of my hand to their backside if they are not careful,” he grumbled, then looked quickly at Keller. “With your permission, of course.”

Keller fought off a grin. “Of course,” he agreed. “But I seem to remember two brothers in my service a few years ago, twins of course, who fought and threw punches at the slightest provocation. Do you remember those two?”

George sighed heavily, grinning reluctantly. “I believe I do,” he said, trying not to laugh because Keller was. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Izlyn standing at the keep entry and suddenly, his attention was diverted. The young woman filled his field of vision and his smile turned appreciative. “She has grown more beautiful since the last time I saw her.”

Keller turned to see what had the young man’s attention. In fact, he didn’t even have to guess. He knew. Izlyn was standing several feet away, holding little Genevieve, and she was gazing at George with the same expression that George had. It was the same expression Keller had when he looked at Chrystobel. It was love. Clearing his throat softly, Keller headed for the castle.

“Let us go inside and share some wine as we discuss marriage details,” he said to George. “But I suppose you would like to speak with your intended first.”

George’s eyes were riveted to Izlyn as he followed Keller. “May I even take her hand?”

Keller cast him a long look over his shoulder. “Nay,” he said flatly. “You may not touch her until the wedding.”

George was disappointed but not deterred. Ultimately, he would get what he wanted and that was all that mattered in the end. As he followed Keller, he felt the resumption of little stings on his back and legs as Cal and Staff commenced throwing pebbles at him again. When Keller was well enough ahead of him, George stopped, whirled around and picked up a handful of dirt and rocks from the bailey in the same motion, and fired off several pebbles of his own that sent the naughty twins running for cover. Then, he dropped the dirt, brushed off his hand, and trotted after Keller, catching up with the man just as he was ascending the steps into the keep. The twins remained in hiding.

Chrystobel greeted George warmly and stood aside when George greeted Izlyn. The two lovers stood there, staring at one another dreamily, until Chrystobel shoved Keller into the keep and followed the man so her sister could be alone with her intended. Izlyn and George could hear Keller voicing his strong objections and then Chrystobel telling him that if she had no objections to leaving them alone, then he should have no objections. Keller grumbled and they could hear a door slam. Izlyn giggled at the fading sounds.

“He is very protective,” she said. “But, certainly, he has nothing to worry about. You are always perfectly behaved.”

George didn’t want to disillusion her, not just yet. That would come later when he was legally and morally allowed to do whatever he damn well pleased to her. He smiled saucily as he began to dig into his blue Pembroke tunic.

“For now, anyway,” he said, adding a bold wink. “You look well and beautiful, as always.”

Izlyn blushed prettily. “Thank you,” she said. “Have you been well?”

“I have,” he said quietly. “I have missed you very much.”

“And I have missed you. The longing has been dreadful.”

“For me as well,” he said. He continued to rummage around in his tunic, finally pulling forth what he was searching for. He held something up between them, pinched between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand. “I was packing my belongings the other day and came across this, wrapped in a small piece of linen I had tucked into my saddle bags. I thought you might like to see what I have been carrying for luck ever since you gave it to me.”

Izlyn peered at the object. It looked like a dried weed, flattened by time and age, but when he turned it more in her direction, she realized that she was looking at the thistle she had given him the day before Gryffyn had been killed. She gasped as realization swept her.

“You gave this to me years ago,” he said softly, watching her astonished expression. “Do you recall?”

She nodded vigorously. “I do,” she replied. “I gave it to you back during the time when Gryffyn was killed. And Gart…. do you remember Gart Forbes? He was very upset that I had given you a flower and had not meant one for him.”

George grinned as he pressed the flower into her open palm, watching her inspect it. “I remember Gart,” he said. “I have not seen him in years, though. He was in France fighting for de Lohr for a while but I have heard he is back in England. If he comes to visit you, I will have to kill him.”

Izlyn laughed softly. “Gart moved on from me long ago,” she said. Then, she sobered, holding up the flower. “But I am very glad you did not.”

George met her gaze, his eyes glimmering warmly at her. Then, he did what Keller told him he could not do. He took the flower from her, took her hand, and kissed it gently.

“Never,” he whispered. “Now, let us retreat inside before Keller has a tantrum. Your brother-in-law and I must discuss your dowry.”

Izlyn held his arm tightly as they disappeared into the cool innards of Nether’s keep, heading for the small hall where Keller was in the process of brooding. He and George spent two days negotiating Izlyn’s dowry which, in the end, had been quite generous of Keller and even included a plot of land from the Carnedd Barony to provide them with income. When all was said and done, the only matter left was the wedding itself, and on a warm August day in the year of our Lord twelve hundred and four, Lady Izlyn d’Einen because Lady Ashby-Kidd. Three out of Keller and Chrystobel’s five children cried through the entire ceremony, and the naughty twins had brought hollowed straw from the stable and tiny little pebbles, using them like blow guns and shooting the groom through most of the ceremony until their mother realized what they were doing and took them both outside to a sound spanking. Then, Keller and Chrystobel had five children who cried through the ceremony.