She shook with soft, silent laughter and gave him a playful jab.
He loved when she laughed. Sometimes he would imagine what it would sound like if he could hear her. Lately, it was as if he heard her voice in his head and he liked the sound, gentle yet determined.
Dawn rubbed her stomach and pointed to her mouth.
“You are hungry and so am I. Let us feast and celebrate that things have finally settled down and life should be quiet now—hopefully.”
Cree ordered extra food to be brought to the table and called out to Torr and Wintra to join them, and did the same to Henry when he entered. He sent Flanna to find Kellmara, so that he could join with everyone as well.
“I was going to talk with Wintra, but that can wait until later,” Henry said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of the delicious meal.
“I would prefer to speak with you now,” Wintra said, approaching the man, after her husband gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Henry looked stricken, as if robbed of a great gift.
“I assure you it will not take long,” she said and walked across the hall to sit at an empty table far enough away that their conversation would not be heard. She had taken advantage of his enthusiasm for food, knowing he would not want to linger in talk, but then she had no intentions of them lingering.
Henry sat across from her, though his glance drifted to the dais where platters steeped with food were being placed on the table. He hurried to speak, his mouth already watering from the delicious scent.
Wintra spoke before he could. “What point is there in discussing this matter any further when your decision had been made or, I should say, the King’s decision had been final the moment he had made it. He left my brother to deal with the consequences of those decisions.”
Henry grinned. “You are as observant as your brother.”
“Not until after I spoke with Cree did things seem to fall into place,” she said. “Kellmara thinks that since Cree saved your life that you would rule in his favor and allow me to remain married to Torr. But after speaking with my brother and realizing his importance to the King it became clear why you were sent here. You were to determine if my brother had any objections to my union to Torr. If for some reason he did not favor it, the King would annul it. So the true reason you were sent here was to see if my brother approved of my marriage.”
“Your wit is sharp. The King was concerned with his decision to wed you to Torr. He intended to annul your marriage if it did not please Cree. Unfortunately, the King did not count on Kellmara, which is why I was sent here to make certain Cree was satisfied.”
“My brother must have served the King well, I imagine few if any know exactly how well, to allow him such choices.”
“You have no idea the extent of Cree’s service to the King,” —Henry leaned closer—“or the respect and fear many have for your brother.”
Guilt jabbed at Wintra. Here she had complained about being stuck in the abbey for all those years while her brother was off fighting endless battles and who knew what else to secure a good and safe home for them. He had sacrificed so much, and she had not appreciated it.
“My brother is a good and honorable man,” she said with pride, “just as my husband is.”
Henry nodded. “Torr impressed me. He is an honest man and his family means much to him. He will make you a good husband.”
Wintra smiled. “I know. I am lucky to have him.”
“Now that that is settled and everyone believes I have spoken with you to determine if you can remain wed to Torr, can we please go partake of that scrumptious food that awaits us?” Henry asked with a smile and a lick of his lips.
“My rumbling stomach agrees with you.”
Henry chuckled as he stood and offered Wintra his arm. “And I thought that was my stomach.”
Talk and laughter abounded around the dais as everyone enjoyed the bounty of food that was continually served.
Torr leaned close to his wife, resting his cheek near hers to whisper, “I will keep my promise and take us off to the cottage if that is what you still wish.”
His remark brought a wider grin to her already smiling face. “I am enjoying the time with my family. Later we can enjoy each other, if you do not mind.”
“Not at all. It brings me pleasure to see you happy, though I can promise you that I will make you even happier later tonight.”
“That will be quite a feat since I am very happy right now,” she teased.