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Part 5
The wedding day arrived.
How different this was from Guy's humiliating failed wedding to Marian.
Today Guy had no doubts or fears about his bride. Meg almost skipped down the aisle to be with him.
She wore a new, simple gown in a soft green; with a wreath of flowers woven by herself in her loose hair. The only witnesses were Matilda and Thornton.
Guy took Meg's hand from her father and he had to remind himself to breathe. He was so happy and in awe of this lady's love for him.
They knelt at the altar for the priest to intone the time honoured words over them; until at last he pronounced them man and wife.
When Guy could finally bring himself to end a kiss that had the priest bristling
at it's shameless sensuality; he suggested that the three guests head back to The Manor.
“ I think it's time I took Lady Gisborne to be presented at the castle, “ he said tipping Meg a mischievous wink that made her giggle.
Vasey and Davina were sitting at table for their midday meal. A guard stepped up and nervously told them that ' begging their pardons ' but Sir Guy and Lady Gisborne wished to pay their respects.
Not waiting for a reply from his soon to be ex master; Guy strolled confidently in with Meg on his arm; both looking most splendid in their wedding finery.
He bowed and Meg dropped a graceful curtsey. “ My apologies for disturbing your meal My Lord, “ Guy said in a tone that suggested he was not at all sorry; “ we won't stop. I just wanted to present my new wife Lady Margaret of Gisborne to yourself and Lady Davina.
Davina's knife clattered to the floor and she clutched her throat as though she'd swallowed a bone.
This was not what ailed her though. Before the horrified eyes of guards and servants;
this feared and mistrusted woman was transforming. She became a swan just like Meg had; but instead of flying out of the window she collapsed onto the floor dead.
Vasey fell to his knees beside her. He was actually sobbing partly with grief for the only person he'd ever loved; partly with fear because the doom that Davina had foreseen was upon them.
It had occurred to neither of them that this had been only one of a range of possible futures; and it was their own actions that had brought it to pass.
Shock and terror combined proved to be too much for what passed as Vasey's heart.
He clutched his chest as pain shot through him. By the time anyone got to him he was dead too.
******
Guy and Meg returned to Locksley Manor where Thornton's wife had provided a wedding feast to which Meg insisted all the staff should be invited.
Guy baulked at this inwardly; but he wasn't about to ruin the happiest day of his life for a triviality; so he gritted his teeth and shared his wedding celebration with the peasantry.
There had been general rejoicing when Thornton had revealed that Sir Guy would be leaving Locksley; now they were almost sorry that Meg would not get a chance to
improve matters here.
No one was surprised when the bridal couple opted to retire early.
Guy had never thought he could desire a woman more than he had Marian. Then he had desired a dream; what he hoped and wanted Marian to be.
With Meg he desired what he saw before his eyes. It was an immeasurable delight to
want someone exactly as she was.
They fell into bed skin against skin, heart against heart.
Guy had no worries about laying himself bare and wide open to Meg.
She knew he was no saint and never would be. She knew that no matter how good he tried to become there would always be a little of the ' dark angel ' inside him.
Regardless of this she loved and had accepted him warts and all.
As they joined as husband and wife for the fist time; he whispered
“ mine all mine at last darling Meg,“ into her ear; and it felt oh so right and proper to add “ and I'm all yours my love.“
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Guy had found it fascinating learning about the wine trade from his father in law.
So much so that he was keen to keep it as a second string to his bow; even when after
six months of living at Worksop he took up a post in the household of the de Lovetot family at the castle there; and which included married quarters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_de_Lovetot
Meg was very proud of her husband; who under her profoundly loving but no nonsense influence was blooming into a knight worthy of the name.
After three months at the castle; he was showing a promise that he had been told bade fair to lead to promotion if it continued.
“ Well done darling, “ Meg said; reaching up to kiss him deeply. He had told her about it as they took a stroll around the castle grounds in the early evening.
Still remaining in his arms; she took his hand and pointedly held it against her belly.
“ A promotion really would come in very handy since we'll soon have another Gisborne mouth to feed. “
Guy lifted her off her feet as he hugged her close; smiling fit to crack his face in two
at these wonderful tidings. Then he set her back down with exaggerated care.
“ I won't break you know, “ Meg teased him. “ I haven't suddenly turned fragile because I'm carrying your heir. “
Guy chuckled in a way that curled Meg's toes. “ I'm very glad to hear that my lady, “ he whispered into her ear. “ I think then that we ought to head back home right now.
I feel like celebrating in a way that would not be at all appropriate out here in the yard. “
THE END
