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Overview
Ravenswood...the castle estate that Gabrielle had called home since she had wed Lord William at age 16. But with William now dead, and the arrival of Sir Talbot, a secret heir, what does life now hold for her?
When the mysterious Lord Barrett appears, the true heir of Ravenswood, things become even more complicated for Gabrielle. Although loved by both men, Gabrielle must ask the question: What is God's will for her?
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780595206865 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | iUniverse, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 11/01/2001 |
| Pages: | 188 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.04(w) x 9.04(h) x 0.51(d) |
Read an Excerpt
As Gabrielle stood in the doorway of William's chamber, her cheek pressed against the cold stone, she felt as if her heart would break. Gazing upon William, once strong and vital, his handsome face now creased, his graying hair splayed across the pillow, her throat began to constrict at the guilt and remorse that had weighed so heavily upon her these past few days.
As if sensing her presence, William slowly opened his eyes and lifted his hand toward her, bidding her to come to him. "I can see that you are troubled child, come," his hand gently patted a spot on the edge of the bed. "Yea my Lord," it was barely a whisper, but Gabrielle knew she must muster the courage to speak of the thing that had caused so much anguish in her heart. "Please forgive me William," as her eyes threatened to spill their pools she continued, "I have not been a good wife to you." Unable to hold within their banks, one stream began to run down her cheek, and then another.
At the gentle pressure of William's hand upon her arm, Gabrielle turned to look into his kind, compassionate, brown eyes. "You have been a faithful companion to me, and a friend, my girl. What is this matter that troubles you so?"
Averting her eyes to the floor, a blush rising in her cheeks, Gabrielle spoke, "But my lord, I have left you no heir." The moment's silence hung deafening in the air, until once again broken by William's soft, kind voice, "Tis not the need for these tears my dear, for Ravenswood already has an heir." Gabrielle snapped her head up in astonishment. Whatever could William be speaking of? She finally found voice to her thoughts, "But William, I know not of this matter. Pray tell, if it please thee, of this thing."
"I shall, but first I must humbly apologize to you, Milady. It was not fair to you, a young girl, to become bride of a man even older than your own father." At this he paused, as if to take another breath, then continued, "I was lonely. I sought a companion for my old age, but I cheated you out of your chance for love."
"But William," Gabrielle protested, "I have been happy here with you, and quite content at Ravenswood. I have no regrets." "Ah sweet Gabrielle," William sighed, "but you have never known passion." Passion? Gabrielle's confused look reflected the questions in her mind. Since birth Gabrielle had been raised to one day wed and become the lady of an estate. The purpose of an alliance, or the size of a dowry, determined your marriage partner. Gabrielle had never planned, or expected, to find passion or even love in her marriage.
As Gabrielle studied her hands folded in her lap, William once again began to speak, "I have told you of my return from the Crusades many years ago, and upon my return coming home to Ravenswood and choosing Elizabeth to wed. When I first laid eyes upon her I was completely captivated by her. I had never met any woman so beautiful or graceful."
Pausing for a moment, he now continued, "It seemed as if she was also taken with me." He let out a deep sigh as if thinking of time gone by, then spoke once more, "We were blissfully happy. Two years passed, and then Elizabeth found she was with child. I thought I would burst. Those days held so much promise, so much joy." Gathering strength he added, "When I lost Elizabeth and the child during the birthing, I could not bear it. I was overcome with grief. I went for days at a time without grooming, or eating. Even the servants began to worry about me. One in particular reached out to try to bring me comfort, a kindhearted kitchen maid. She was a comely lass. She opened her bosom to me, and I cried my loneliness and pain to her." Pausing to catch Gabrielle's eyes for a moment, he then plunged ahead, "One day she came to me and told me she was with child. I gave her money and sent her home to her village for the remainder of her term and she bore a son."
This news did not shock Gabrielle, for she knew that this was sometimes a common practice among the male nobility. However, William's next words did. "From the time of my son's birth until now, I have watched him from afar. I felt wretched for the state at which I brought his mother to, and that very thing is what caused me to examine myself and give heed to the God Elizabeth so fondly spoke of."
With firmness in his voice borne of conviction William continued, "His mother did not give birth to a bastard, but to the heir of Ravenswood."