A Flower for Guy #Wattys2021

Chapter XVI

[My heartfelt thanks to @JeannieGisborne for her invaluable help in correcting this story; pls check her lovely stories about Guy and the Robin Hood BBC fandom, I highly recommend them]

Chapter XVI

Chetwood, July 4th, 1194

Violet entered the hall where Guy was waiting for her, his gaze lost into the distance out of the window. He had arrived a few minutes earlier, asking to see her alone.

The black-clad knight turned, straightening all his considerable height. Violet caught herself – not for the first time – thinking he was truly very attractive.

"Good afternoon, Sir Guy", she greeted him, approaching him.

"To you too, Lady Violet", he answered, meeting her halfway. "Thank you for receiving me so readily."

"No need to thank me. You know you're always welcome, here."

They halted two steps apart from one another.

"Thank you, my lady", Guy said, feeling a gratitude that warmed his heart. "I came to give you my answer to your proposal", he went on, going straight to the point and speaking with a confidence that he didn't actually feel. "If you haven't changed your mind... I'd be honoured to accept."

For a moment, Violet held her breath, feeling incredulous. When she breathed again, she was enormously relieved.

"Thank you, Sir Guy", she whispered. "I'm very grateful."

"No, Lady Violet, I am the one who's grateful", he said softly. "Though I confessed you my past iniquities, you still think well of me. I promise you I'll do all I can to prove worthy of your trust."

Violet felt a lump in her throat and had to swallow twice before she could breathe.

"You have no idea how important 'tis for me knowing I can trust my husband..." she whispered.

Guy wrinkled his brow. There again came another hint to Violet's previous marriage. As they were now practically betrothed, he decided the moment had come to ask for more information.

"You mean you couldn't trust your first husband?" he asked in the most delicate way he was capable.

Violet realised she had said too much, but now she couldn't take back the sentence she had just voiced.

"That's right", she confirmed quietly. "But I'm not ready to tell you everything just yet. I ask you therefore not to make me add more, for the moment."

From something in her attitude, Guy guessed she was suffering because of what she was so reluctant to reveal, but he realised that speaking about it right now would make her suffer even more, and this was the last thing on earth he wanted.

"I respect your reticence, Lady Violet", he said. "But there should be no secrets between two spouses."

She nodded, though with reluctance. Guy was right and, sooner or later, she had to tell him. It would be better to do it before the wedding night, as to ask him to be gentle with her, unlike Charles had been. However, would she be able to do it? She had talked about it with Rebelle, but even if they were sisterly friends, she had barely managed it...

Momentarily satisfied with her mute answer, Guy moved on.

"Did you already think about a date?" he asked.

When hell freezes over, flashed through Violet's mind. Even if the bridegroom pleased her and she didn't mind the thought to share her days with him, the nights still frightened her.