The Winter Promise (20 page)

“No doubt,” Imma agreed, her grin even broader now.

“Robert is probably stomping impatiently around the great hall.”

But he was not. He looked utterly satisfied when Imma appeared at the door and he turned to face her. Smiling shyly, suddenly feeling in no wise bold, she walked down the aisle between the benches, full of well wishers, and when she reached Robert, he took her hand in his.

“My lady,” he said.

“My lord,” she responded, and she knew her eyes must shine with happiness. Then the abbot, who had come from Glastonbury to bless their marriage, began to speak.

Later, during the wedding feast, Imma’s uncle took a turn with her dancing.

“I am glad you could attend,” she told him, as he scowled ferociously at her. She was accustomed to his ferocious scowls.

“You are the daughter of my heart. It is good to see you happy.”

“Thank you for agreeing to Robert’s offer,” she said.

He sighed. “I knew you would be vexed with me if I killed him. It went against all my warrior blood to let him ride away.” Another sigh. “But I am old. And I would see peace.”

“Robert vows to stop the Mercian slavers,” Imma said.

“If a man can do it, ’twill be Robert,” her uncle said grudgingly. “I will give him time to try.”

Imma laid her head against his chest. “I will miss you. I have missed you.”

He dropped a surreptitious kiss on her head, then tilted her chin up. “You will be a good wife to Robert and he will give you a home,” he said. “I think you are more English now than even Robert himself. But I — or my kin — will always welcome you if the day ever comes you return to your native land.”

“Thank you, uncle.”

Then he released her to Robert, who took her in his arms and said, “You truly are a peace-weaver. You have tamed your uncle — not to mention me. You have convinced John that he was fortunate to be rejected by you since now he has the lovely Tilly to cherish, and you have even earned Elizabeth’s approval.”

Imma laughed. “Well, if Elizabeth approves, that is the main thing.”

And then Robert kissed her, with all the promise of spring.

Jenny Jacobs, a writer living in the Midwest, is still kissing frogs, but likes to write about people finding their happily ever after — even if they have to go through some difficulties to get there. Find out more about her at
www.jennyjacobsbooks.com
.

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