Lily washed and changed into her long-sleeved, indigo kirtle. The skirts were one layer and straight and the belted overcoat reached her hips.
She looked at him sleeping and felt the threat of a whole new army of tears gathering with the rest. She loved him and was thankful she could comfort him in the most intimate way.
She still hadn’t told him about Bertram and the bishop wanting little Eddie dead. To keep the bishop’s name unaffected by scandal, no doubt. She was still afraid that the bishop’s men would find her once they figured out she had the babe and she had been the one who stabbed Bertram. She would have to tell Elias soon.
She heard a sound at her door and braided her hair behind her head, but when she hurried down the stairs to greet Estrid, entering the house, most of it had come loose. She wished she had thick hair like Clare—
She stopped as the memory of her pretty friend’s smile swept across her thoughts.
She greeted Estrid and the two women embraced and held each other for a long time. They greeted Father Benedict and Norman and his wife, Hild, along with Emma and Ava, their daughters. Alan returned with his wife, Helen. Everyone, including Estrid, brought a pot of some dish or another and some brought fresh bread or dessert. Even Eleanor managed to prepare two of her delicious chicken pies with four children running around her skirts. When everyone arrived, they sat outside and ate together and spoke quietly about their lives and the loved ones they’d lost.
Lily wasn’t surprised to look through her window and see her beloved descending the stairs inside. She barely heard what Father Benedict was saying to her and Eleanor about the children running around in the church earlier. She nodded. Aye, she would scold them, of course. “Pardon me, Father. I see Elias coming. I will go aid him.”
Father Benedict bent to look inside and shook his head. “He does not look like he needs any help.”
But Lily was already gone.
“My love, are you well enough?” she asked, rushing to him.
“To eat? Aye, I’m starvin’.” He threw his heavy arm around her shoulders and kissed her then let her help him out.
Father Benedict intercepted them before they had a chance to get Elias any food.
“Young man, did I just see you both kiss? You understand she is—”
“My wife,” Elias interrupted. “Brother Simon married us.”
The priest looked taken aback. “He did not tell me.”
Elias smiled at him, looking far too handsome for a man who’d had the plague. “He probably thought ‘twas our decision when to tell everyone.”
Father Benedict smiled. “Aye, of course. ‘Tis good to see you up, Eli. Of course, we will have a ceremony in the church.”
“Aye,” Elias agreed then waited patiently while Father Benedict complained to him about Charlie, Annabelle, and little Eddie—and of course, Terrick the Terrible.
Finally, they were able to escape him, only to run into Norman, and then Eleanor and Estrid. Lily smiled, looking up at her husband while he reassured everyone who was concerned about him, loving him more than the last time she thought about how much she loved him. Especially after she heard his belly grumbling.
“You will excuse us while I show Elias to all your special dishes. He is quite hungry.”
Everyone made way, eager to get him fed.
“You are part of the family,” she told him, fixing him a bowl of Estrid’s rabbit stew. “We must tell them about our marriage before my good name is ruined.”
He chuckled softly, the sound coming from someplace low in his throat and traveling down her spine.
“Everyone!” he called out, taking the bowl she offered. “Brother Simon married me and Lily before we left. The children were present.”
Charlie and Annabelle nodded. Elias smiled and winked at them and spooned some stew into his mouth.
He ate while everyone cheered. In fact, he ate three times while everyone came over to wish them well and ask them questions. When they had answered every one, Elias took little Eddie in his arms and walked him to Brother Simon’s grave. He exchanged smiles with the boy and spoke to the mound before him.
A little while later, he called his two older children and Terrick to where he was.
Lily…and Father Benedict watched him speaking to them, listening to them, and then speaking again. They all nodded, including little Eddie and ran off once again to play.
He returned to the priest. “They will be a trouble to ye no longer.” He reached for Lily and took her hand passing Father Benedict.
“What did you say to them?” Lily asked, a bit breathless at the way he had just whisked her away.