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The Yuletide festivities were concluding at long last. Estelle watched as guests gaily took their leave, burdened with bright packages. She was permitted to roam the cold and desolate gardens, accompanied by William as her guard. They walked calmly side by side, his gait fluid even as a gust of wind tossed up a haze of snow. In her mind, she prepared to bid farewell to the castle that had briefly been her home. How she longed to be in the warm company of the abbess and the sisters again. She recalled the lighting of the Advent candles, how they gathered by the Yule log to sing carvals and perform the tropes. She remembered the modest gifts tied in small bundles adorned with colorful ribbon. She could almost smell the delicious treats, taste the spicy wassail, mincemeat and umble pies. With a heavy heart, she doubted she would ever see them all again.

“Are you not at all content to leave this place?” William asked quietly. “I watched you waste away in such misery here. Now you will begin life anew.”

“What sort of husband is this that would imprison me?” She sighed looking away in anguish.

“His intention is not to imprison you. He certainly desires only to ensure your safety for it is a long perilous road to England.”

She confessed in a low voice, “I will miss Alban so. I know I must somehow banish this love for him from my heart. I am forsaken.”

William stopped. “Love that is true and endures all comes only with time. There are many lords and ladies, princes and queens that have all the power in the world but to be with the one they love…or think they love.”

“’Tis better, then, to be common and spend your days with the one you love and who will love you in return,” she said.

“My dear, you are deceived if you believe love is ever a simple matter, even amongst the common folk,” William said. “They are just as adept as the mighty in allowing matters of the heart to wreak havoc in their lives.”

“What of you? You speak as if you were a true authority on the matter. Have you ever loved anyone truly?” Estelle asked with a curious smile and doubtful look.

William broke into a happy yet mysterious grin. “Oh, indeed, there is one that I love very dearly.”

Surprised that he would confide his heart she pressed him further. “Who is she, one you will hopefully be able to enter a happy contract with?”

“I am fortunate for I am wed to the one that I love.”

“How rare that seems to be,” Estelle said with a surprised smile of delight. “Is it forbidden to ask your beloved one’s name?”

“You will meet Lady Baroness Percy―the most lovely woman to walk the earth―when you arrive to England.”

She turned to William and gathered the fortitude to ask him plainly all that he knew of the marriage arrangement Alban had devised on her behalf.

“I must confess, he did seek my counsel on this matter and I was content to assist him,” William admitted with hesitation. “If it is any consolation to you at all, know this―’twas no easy sacrifice for him to make. You must believe me, I have never seen a man so very heartbroken.”

“Is it known to this husband that there is to be a child?” Estelle asked. “One he is so willing to forsake into the care of another?”

William fell silent at her words and looked intently on her face. “’Twas implied in counsel.”

“Can you tell me anything of this husband to whom I am wed―his home, his temperament?”

A smile suddenly crossed William‘s face as he considered her request. “He is a generous man, truthfully. He is also quite handsome, in the opinion of some. He is a noble warrior, unbeaten in the field. He has expressed great affection for you, declaring you to be divine beauty incarnate.” He winked and added, “To which I must wholeheartedly concur. Undoubtedly, any man who ever lays eyes upon you is doomed to lose his heart. Alas, I can say no more about him at this time. I am sworn to secrecy.”

“You must know him quite well,” Estelle murmured, overwhelmed by his words, which she naively interpreted as mere poetic kindness.

“Almost as well as I know myself,” he added with his glinting eyes holding her gaze.

“I wish to thank you, William, for your protection and companionship during this difficult time. Thanks also for offering to lead the escort to England.”

“I swore to Alban I would assure your safe passage to England. I would take you myself to your…husband who eagerly awaits your arrival.”

“Will you not even tell me his name?” Estelle persisted anxiously.

“My eloquent description of him must suffice for now. Do not despair, Estelle, for certainly your fate will not be as terrible as you envision.”

His smile was so engaging, she could not help but laugh. “Sometimes I wonder why I should not love you, William. When you smile, the world seems a better, happier place.” After a long silence, Estelle spoke in a low, timid voice, “Your wife is fortunate to have you for a husband.”

“The same fortune will also smile upon you, dearest Estelle,” William said gazing adoringly upon her. “Let us speak no further of this for it will surely lead to a confession I am not at liberty to make at present.” Bowing before her, he entrusted Estelle into the care of his knights. “Esperance en Dieu.” Hope in God.