"Sir Guy's Dilemma" (Book 2), by Gratiana Lovelace, 2012-2013

"Sir Guy's Dilemma", Ch. 9: Health is welcomed, an uninvited visitor is not

“Sir Guy’s Dilemma”, Ch. 9:  Returning to health is welcomed, an uninvited visitor is not, 12/14/12  Gratiana Lovelace

(An Original Fan Fiction adaptation of the characters from the BBC’s Robin Hood;  & a Sequel to “Guy’s Rose” by Gratiana Lovelace)

(All Rights Reserved; No copyright infringement intended)

[From time to time, I will illustrate my story with my dream cast of:  Richard Armitage as Sir Guy, Clive Standen as Lord Archer, Emma Watson as Lady Rose, etc.]

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Author’s Mature Content Note:  “Sir Guy’s Dilemma” 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 (R rated) and some passages involving highly dramatic moments.  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.

Author’s Recap from the previous installment:  Sir Guy tells his Lady Rose about the Nottingham treasure Lord Archer buried in their stables--to her great consternation.  But she and her husband end up giggling over the mess that his brother has caused and soon forget all about him as they spend a loving afternoon together.  Seth receives steam breathing treatments for his measles.  And it is determined that Lady Saline Talkington does not have the measles.  But it is revealed that she becomes ill with fevers and malaise rather regularly for a young eighteen year old woman.  Lord Archer prays for their recovery, promising to honor god if he will grant his request.  This plea is overheard by Lady Roseanna and Lord Talkington.

“Sir Guy’s Dilemma”, Ch. 9:  Returning to health is welcomed, an uninvited visitor is not

After Lady Roseanna and Lord Talkington over hear Lord Archer’s fervent prayer for his nephew Seth and the Lady Saline’s return to health, Lord Talkington bows and excuses himself to Lady Roseanna to see how his daughter is faring.  Lady Roseanna walks toward the kneeling figure of her brother-in-law, which is an attitude she has rarely seen from him.  As yet, he does not know of her presence in Middleton Manor’s chapel [(2) right].

Lady Roseanna:  Joining Lord Archer abruptly in the front pew, she crosses herself as she kneels and remarks a bit peevishly.  “Archer, I do not usually see you at prayers.”

Lord Archer:  “Oh!”  He jerks his head to his left to look at his sister-in-law, startled by her voice and her having crept up on him.  He was so engrossed in his prayer for Seth and Lady Saline that he had quite blocked everything else out.

Lady Roseanna:  “Now, Archer.  It won’t do to be frightened in this holy place.”  She clasps her hands in front of her and closes her eyes.

Lord Archer:  Smiling sheepishly, he shrugs his shoulders as he gazes upon her serene countenance.  “Perhaps it is because I am so little acquainted with praying, that I fear I will not do it right.  I do not know the words to say.”

Lady Roseanna:  “Prayers of supplication need only your honest sincerity.  Thoughts from your heart, Archer, are what matter more than if you speak pretty words.”

Lord Archer:  “But will god hear me and answer my prayers?”

Lady Roseanna:  “God hears all prayers.  But he does not always answer us in the way that we would like.”

Lord Archer:  “That is what I am afraid of, Milady Rose.”  He shakes his head ruefully.  “That god will wish to extract some promise of sacrifice from me to grant my request.”