And together, they went over the plan.
* * * * *
And at the same time, in William Godwin’s hall, Royce Morgan’s mother sat next to Beatrice Godwin’s mother.
“I congratulate you, Penelope,” Beatrice’s mother, Mary, stated.
“On what, Mary?” Royce’s mother, Penelope, asked.
“Fine meddling, that.” Mary nodded at the beautiful couple whirling before them, the dark-haired lass smiling so brightly up at her golden-haired warrior, it veritably lit the room.
“I congratulate you in return,” Penelope said generously for she secretly thought it was mostly her doing.
“Thank you,” Mary murmured with humble dignity, even though she wasn’t humble at all, as she thought it was mostly her doing.
“They’ll have fine children,” they said at the very same time, turned to look at each other and then burst out laughing.
Their laughter died when they saw Old Lady Griffin tap her cane none-too-gently on a young lad’s shoulder and said loudly, “I say, I would like to dance.”
Then the two happy mothers burst out laughing again.
* * * * *
It’s not only star-crossed lovers who are reincarnated, you know.
* * * * *
“Food’s ready!” Kyle shouted and the children tore away from Sibyl and rushed down the garden’s terraced steps in such wild abandon, she feared for a moment they’d all end up in a heap of broken bones at the bottom.
Luckily, fate was smiling down on them and this did not happen.
Sibyl followed at a much slower pace and then, as if by magic, she felt Colin’s eyes on her. She actually felt them before she even knew he was there.
And halfway down the steps, she turned and saw him striding out of the backdoor from the kitchen, striding purposefully with all his masculine grace, all the while looking at her.
Without hesitation, she ran down the steps, across the paved slabs and threw herself into his arms. He also didn’t hesitate and those arms closed fiercely around her.
“We’re free!” She smiled as she turned her face up to his. “Rick’s no longer holding us captive in the library, the sun is shining, a bunch of people I love are sitting in the garden and the shish kebabs are ready.”
He was staring down at her, a peculiar look on his face and his hand came up to the side of her neck, his thumb at the soft skin under her chin.
Something in his eyes made her toes curl.
And her stomach pitch.
And, if that wasn’t enough, her heart skipped three beats.
Then it started racing.
“Are you all right?” she whispered.
“I love you,” he said quietly in return.
And then the world fell away and there was only the two of them, alone together, and all time and place faded.
* * * * *
Marian was not the only one to notice the gold shimmer in the air intensify to the point that it seemed as thick as treacle.