at this special meeting the day before Samhain. Earlier Yul had told her that there was really no need to bother herself with what promised to be a long and probably tedious day. But she’d been determined not to miss this meeting.
She gazed up at the Green Man motifs carved on the ceiling bosses of the ancient roof, remembering Professor Siskin and all he’d told her about the history of Stonewylde. He’d been convinced that Yul was the Green Man of Stonewylde, returning to take his rightful place at the heart of the community. Yul – her beloved husband. He’d awoken her early that morning with kisses, before the children could disturb them. She recalled the feel of his skin under her fingertips, how she melted when his mouth found hers. She loved the way his eyes darkened with longing and urgency, and how clear and bright they were afterwards when he lay propped on an elbow gazing down at her.
The years had not caused their hunger for each other to abate, although she wished that they still made love up in the hills or amongst the bracken in the woods as they’d done in the early days. He was always so gentle and careful now, and they never indulged their passion outside the comfort of the bedroom. This morning had been perfect and Yul had seemed so happy, much more like his old self. He’d watched her as she lay drowsy and smiling, his hand tenderly stroking the hair back from her face. He’d told her how much he loved her, that she was his whole world, and how lucky he was to have such a beautiful, loving wife. All her recent feelings of neglect vanished in the warmth of his attention. He’d then made tea for them both and sat talking with her until the girls woke up and came bundling in for their morning cuddle.
Sylvie sighed happily, her body still languid and satiated from love-making despite a brisk shower and the walk down to the Village Nursery with her daughters. She was pleased with herself for getting to this meeting and being the first one here as she felt that Stonewylde was slipping away from her. She needed to get back in touch and today would be her first step in doing so. She’d listen very carefully to everyone’s reports and try to find herself a niche in the running of Stonewylde.
Gradually the members of the Council arrived, greeting one another and taking their places in the circle. There were representatives from every field: Miranda, Dawn and Rowan from the three schools, Martin and Cherry from the Hall, Edward, Hart and Robin from the farms, orchards and dairy, Greenbough from the woods, Tom and Maizie from the Village, Harold from Stonewylde. com, Hazel the doctor, and of course, Clip as the owner, with Sylvie as his heir, and Yul as the magus.
They filed in, taking a seat until all were present except Clip. The great carved chair stood empty at the head of the circle and Yul looked impatiently at his watch. Surely Clip wouldn’t forget the most important meeting of the year, where every member presented the report they’d prepared on their area of the community. Clip had insisted on running the estate as a committee, not wanting a return to the autocracy of Magus’ rule, although he’d long-since delegated the organisation of the meetings to his son-in-law.
Stonewylde did need a leader, someone with the vision and ability to hold the whole thing together. Clip knew that but had been openly worried that, given the freedom, Yul would abuse his power and gradually take over altogether until Stonewylde was run just as it had been in Magus’ day. Yul often became exasperated when the discussions went round in circles with people arguing endlessly over a minor point. He made decisions quickly and intuitively and had no patience with debate and woolliness. It was mainly for this reason – his concerns about Yul’s over-confidence – that Clip had held on for so long.
The fifteen people already present sat chatting easily together as they waited, sipping the coffee and herbal teas served by youngsters on work detail that week. Cherry eyed the three teenagers critically, for they were under her jurisdiction.
‘I still don’t like them silly skirts,’ she muttered, glaring at one of the girls.
‘Oh Cherry!’ laughed Miranda. ‘It’s what everyone’s wearing in the Outside World. You need to take a trip yourself and see what’s in fashion,