Emeline: A Gisborne Tale

Chapter Seven

After Emeline ensured everything was running smoothly in the kitchen she personally escorted Rose back to her room.

"Now listen to me, dear Rose. You must keep to your bed. Remember what the physician said? Bed rest for one month!" She made Rose sit on the bed, propping the pillows up behind her. She then bade Rose lie down and, pulling up the blankets, she sat at the bedside. All this time Rose was protesting, but Emeline had been so adamant that Rose complied.

"Oh, aye, but ye are persistent, Emeline. Aye. I'll stay in bed.......for now." She grasped the covers and looked into Emeline's eyes. "But I will be at the feast." Upon receiving Emeline's stern gaze Rose continued, "If only to watch the preparations." Then she grinned and stroked Emeline's cheek, smiling. "And to see you in your gown. Sir Guy will not be able to ignore you."

Pretending not to hear Rose's remark, Emeline seized upon the question of Rose attending the feast.

"If you come to the feast, Rose, you will only be there as an observer. No work.", Emeline admonished. "You may sit and watch but nothing else, and if you tire you will immediately go back to bed." Rose meant so much to her that Emeline could not bear to go through something like the first attack again, and who knew if the next one could kill her.

"Now, my lass, don't you fash. I want to at least be allowed to serve the cakes so I can watch how Sir Guy attends to you. When I see his face I'll know exactly how he feels about you."

Emeline's cheeks flushed pink. "Stop that, Rose. The lord is betrothed to Lady Marian and it may be that I will be wed to my cousin, Conrad Emery."

Rose harrumphed. "Why do you two keep insisting on marrying other people? He loves you and you love him. Admit it, my wee darlin." Rose's gaze had become very serious, but Emeline couldn't say the words her friend wanted to hear. Her heart was suddenly beating wildly in her chest as her head had started to spin. She hadn't realized it until now but Rose was right. She loved Guy and denying it wouldn't change what she could feel in her heart. But she knew she had to suppress her feelings. Sighing heavily, Emeline laid her head on Rose's shoulder where, instinctively, Rose stroked Emeline's hair, as the comforter became the comforted.

It was late when Guy finished training the men. He was pleased that some of the village boys wanted to learn the longbow. Longbow archery took many years to accomplish and training had to begin at an early age. Unfortunately, Guy had never learned it himself, but Edwin of Nettlestone was skilled in the craft. Not only that, he was pleased to train the boys.

Guy and Edwin stopped off at the tavern near Locksley on the way home. "Let me buy you an ale, my friend.", said Guy, as they took seats at a table. "You are faring quite well with the boys. I can see improvement in many of them already." He smirked up at Prudence as she brought them a pitcher and two tankards.

Prudence grinned back. She was hoping that Sir Guy would visit her later. He hadn't been in since the other night and, on seeing him now, she felt her body ache for him. God, he was good. So good that she was teaching Owen, her man, how to please her the way Sir Guy had been pleasing her.

Guy turned back to Edwin who was explaining that a few of the potential archers might be ready soon to join the guard.

Guy clapped Edwin's shoulder. "That's great news, Edwin.", said Guy. "We will be needing an archery line when King Richard returns.", he added quietly.

Edwin was surprised. "Is the king returning? He has been ransomed?"
Earlier that day, Guy had reported for duty to the sheriff. It was then he'd been informed that Queen Eleanor had finally raised all the money needed to pay Leopold of Austria for the king's release.

Sheriff Robert was not pleased, but Guy ignored his sour face. It didn't matter to Guy that the king was returning. Either way, he and Marian would be married and Guy would have wealth and status regardless of who was king. Anyway, Guy would be pleased not to have to be a slave to Prince John or his lackey, the sheriff, anymore. He knew Richard would send the sheriff packing once he found out about the unfair taxation he had placed on the king's subjects. And Guy was sure John would be chastised, maybe even punished, for his actions whilst Richard had been away fighting the Crusades then languishing in a prison cell. Guy himself might even have to suffer punishment as he was tasked with enforcing the sheriff's will on the people. But that didn't worry him. He believed the king would understand that Guy was only following the orders of his liege lord Prince John and the sheriff, the peacekeeper of Nottingham and all its shires.
"So it would seem, Edwin. The sheriff has so informed me just this morning." Guy half-smiled at the look on Edwin's face. He knew everyone loved King Richard, though he personally was not all exactly enamored with him.