"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3) by Gratiana Lovelace, 2015 (a Wattys2015 Nominee)

Ch. 18: Sir Guy's Baronial Investiture

"Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 18:  Sir Guy’s Baronial Investiture,   March 23, 2015 Gratiana Lovelace

[An Original Fan Fiction adaptation of the characters from the BBC’s Robin Hood; 

& a Sequel to “Sir Guy’s Dilemma” (Book 2) by Gratiana Lovelace] (All Rights Reserved; No copyright infringement intended)  [(1) story logo, top right]

[From time to time, I will illustrate my story with my dream cast of:  Richard Armitage as Sir Guy of Gisborne, Clive Standen as Lord Archer of Locksley, Emma Watson as Lady Roseanna Gisborne, Tommy Bastow as the young Seth Gisborne, Lucy Griffiths as the spectre of Lady Marian, James McAvoy as Lord George Middleton, Toby Stephens as Prince John, Dakota Fanning as Lady Caroline Havorford,  Chris Hemsworth as Sir Roderick Merton, Tamsin Egerton as Lady Rebecca Oxbridge, Lee Ross as Sir Jasper, and Sir Derek Jacobi as Fr. Bale, etc.]

Author’s Mature Content Note:  “Sir Guy’s Atonement” is a story of romance and intrigue set amidst Medieval times.  As such there will be some passages in this story involving heartfelt love scenes (S) and some passages involving highly dramatic moments (D), or foul language (L).  I will label the maturity rating of those chapters accordingly.  Otherwise, the general rating for this story is PG or PG-13 due to some mature situations and topics.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read the chapters with those labels.  This is my disclaimer. 

Nota Bene:  And though I refer to some historical timelines, events, and personages, I reconfigure them somewhat for this storyline--and they should not be taken as literal historical fact.    The citation links are provided for you to find out what really happened historically. 

Author’s Recap from the previous installment:  After informing the quite shocked Prince John of his toady courtier Sir Jasper’s death, Sir Guy of Gisborne sought and found comfort in his wife Lady Roseanna’s loving arms the night before his investiture to a barony.  The morrow will bring an elevation in rank for Sir Guy and his family--but not without some consternation.

 

“Sir Guys’ Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 18:  Sir Guy’s Baronial Investiture

The bright Spring Tuesday morning of April 2, 1199, finds both Gordon Castle and Leicester Cathedral  abuzz with activity regarding the last minute preparations for the midday baronial investiture of Sir Guy of Gisborne.  And since the Prince Regent, Prince John had literally lost his aide de camp yesterday--the now deceased Sir Jasper--Prince John’s cousin George Lord Middleton somewhat fills that role for Prince John regarding the preparations for today’s ceremony.  And today’s investiture will prove more trying for everyone.

Being admitted into his sister Lady Roseanna’s and brother-in-law Sir Guy’s guest suite in Gordon Castle, Lord George finds the parenting pair surrounded by their children who are showing off their new ceremonial finery to their parents.  Lady Roseanna is even wearing a tiara--the Oxbridge-Middleton tiara that had been her mother’s.  Were Lord George’s wife Lady Mary not still confined to her bed after just giving birth to their third child Lady Juliana yesterday, she would be wearing the larger Middleton tiara that always pinches at her ears--so she is glad to be excused this day as a new mother still lying in bed resting.

The Gisborne children--10 year old Seth, 6 year old Lady Helen, 4 year old Louis, and even 2 year old Lady Sarah--are all bejeweled and attired in elegant ceremonial clothes for attending their father Sir Guy’s baronial investiture.  Their 6 month old baby Lady Diana will remain in her nursery with her nurse and a guard--for Sir Guy still does not trust Prince John as far as he can throw him.  Lady Roseanna will see to her baby’s needs again between the investiture ceremony and the feast to celebrate it.