Matilda felt every eye on her as she walked between the two large groups of people toward the front of the church and her future husband. Robert stood at the front of the church, smiling at her proudly.

As soon as they were inside, Mary stopped walking beside her and blended in with the others around her. As she walked, she thought of all the reasons marrying Robert was not the best idea in the world, and then she passed her parents. Her mother was watching her with wide eyes, a tear on her face.

Her parents’ lives would forever be changed by what she was about to do. How could she not marry the man who stood beside the priest? She lifted her chin a little bit more, and she finished the long walk, stopping beside Robert.

He held his hand out for hers, and she slipped her hand into it. After that, the service was held in Latin, and she stood and knelt as she was instructed to do. When the priest told them they were married, Robert grabbed her and kissed her. He looked down into her eyes, obviously pleased that they had made it that far.

“Let us go and feast with the serfs, my lady.”

She smiled. “My parents are going to live in the cottage.”

“I heard, and it thrills me beyond belief. And do you know why I will be so happy to live with your parents so very close to us? Most men would not be thrilled, you know.”

“Why are you happy about it then?”

“Because it makes my new wife happy. Anything that brings a smile to your face pleases me.” He hoped she realized just how strong his feelings for her were. He knew she was the woman put on the earth just to be his bride.

Matilda took his arm, and the two of them walked through the large crowd of people, all there to wish them well. Well, that was not fair. Matilda knew as well as everyone else that most of them were not there to wish her well. Instead they were there to get free food and not have to toil in the fields. It sounded like a good reason to be there to her!

Many people stopped her and Robert as they walked through the crowds. Some were peasants simply wanting to tell their lord how their crops were. One man stopped them to tell him that the wedding would be the highlight of his entire life. “I never dreamed I would be invited to a wedding for my lord. Thank you!” He bowed his head, and his toothless wife smiled beside him.

When they had finally reached the back of the church, his parents were waiting for them. Robert smiled at his mother. “Now you get to take over everything, and we are nothing but simple party-goers for the rest of the day, correct?”

“Oh, absolutely! You two need to mingle and talk to people if you would like, but mostly you need to be together.” His mother pulled his head down and kissed his cheek. “My seventh son has finally found his bride, and I could not be happier.”

“I am sorry I did not give you time to get your other sons and your daughter here as well.”

“I am not. You did a good job, and I am so pleased with your bride.” Lady Lina hugged Matilda, kissing her cheek as well. “Welcome to the family.”

Matilda smiled in return. “I believe that is the third time you have welcomed me to the family, Lady Lina. I thank you.”

“Please, call me Mother, as Robert does.”

Matilda nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”

Robert’s arm stayed locked around Matilda’s waist as the day progressed. After just picking at her meal, Matilda found she was truly hungry. She and Robert shared a trencher at the head of the table at lunch. There were people all around the table, and more tables and benches had been put out in the courtyard. The peasants would eat in shifts, but they would all be able to partake of the feast offered to them there.

At one point, Matilda saw a spoon float off the table, but she quickly caught it and lowered it before anyone noticed. “Your happiness is showing, milord,” she whispered into his ear.

“How could it not?” He smiled at her, obviously thrilled that she was finally his. “I have waited for the day I would marry the woman who was created just for me for my entire life. Now that day is here, and I cannot stop smiling.”

When the feast was over, there was dancing. Matilda was surprised to see that there were several servants who were still roasting meat, until she remembered that the party would go on through supper time. They would all need to be fed again.

A man held a lute and sang while standing atop a platform. As soon as the music started, Robert took Matilda’s hand and led her in a simple dance. She hissed at him that she had never danced before, but he made sure to move slowly so she could easily follow his footsteps. It was his wedding day, and Robert was going to dance with his bride. It was as simple as that.

At the end of the dance, they were both laughing, and many others joined for the next song.

Through the whole long day of feasting, Matilda stayed close to Robert, and he kept a hand on her arm or an arm around her. Never did they lose contact even once.

They both took time to walk among the peasants and talk to them of whatever was on their minds. Matilda felt her feelings for Robert grow stronger as she watched him give his full attention to each of the people he talked to throughout the long day. She knew he wanted nothing more than to carry her up the stairs to their chamber and spend the day there with her, but he never let on to other people. They all truly believed that he wanted nothing more than to stand there and talk to them. It was a great skill to have for a man in his position.

Matilda stayed quiet and listened as he talked about everything anyone wanted to discuss. There was no nobility there other than his family. It was all peasants, so her parents would feel comfortable there. She was amazed at the sacrifices his family had made for her comfort.

At supper at the end of the night, there were very few people invited to dine with her and Robert. The table consisted of Matilda, her parents, Robert, and his parents. “it is probably wrong to admit it, but I am pleased that it is just us at supper this evening. The constant crush of people was getting overwhelming,” Matilda said softly.

Robert smiled. “That is why Mother arranged this. She was certain you would need a little time away from the big crowd.”

“The lute player is very good. I have enjoyed his music.”

Lady Lina smiled at her. “He is our horse trainer. He enjoys playing his lute every chance he gets. He has played for all eight of my children’s weddings.”

Matilda’s mother turned to Lady Lina. “Matilda said everyone in your family had seven sons.” She seemed confused about the eight weddings.

“I did have seven sons, but my husband and I took in a girl he found at the side of the road just before we met. Her family had been killed by fever, and she was brought to me to heal because I have knowledge of herbs and potions.” Lady Lina did not tell the rest of the story, not sure if her parents were ready to know just what her family was like.

“I see. So if Matilda and Robert choose to take in a girl child, they are allowed to do so?” Esther seemed quite pleased with the possibility.

“Aye, of course. Matilda will give birth to seven sons, but they may raise any girls they wish.”

Matilda smiled at her mother, covering her hand with hers. “You will have many grandchildren. They will just be boys.” She wished it would be different because she had always had a special relationship with her mother, and she would like to share that relationship with a daughter.

Her mother smiled at her, a smile that looked almost sad. “I will be pleased to have grandchildren, but I must also be allowed to work. I cannot sit idle simply because my daughter has married a wealthy man.”

Matilda frowned. “I wish you could. I would love your help with the children once they begin to come. Perhaps you could be their nurse and help me raise them.”

Her mother grinned at the prospect. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. What shall I do in the meantime?”

Matilda looked at Lina, having no idea what positions needed to be filled in the castle or even what her mother should do. Lina saw the look and stepped in gracefully. “Matilda needs more clothes. Clothes that fit her new station in life. Currently she has the dress she is wearing and a dress my eldest once wore. If you are handy with a needle, Matilda’s maid needs some help getting all the sewing done as quickly as possible.”

Esther nodded, smiling. “I am very handy with a needle. I am not sure I can sew something as fancy as what she is wearing, but I can learn.”

“Matilda’s maid is very good with fancy clothes. Perhaps you could make her nightgowns. Then Mary can show you what needs to be sewn in the gowns.”

“That sounds wonderful. I would love to help my daughter and earn my keep at the same time.” Esther grinned at her husband, who nodded to her. “And my husband? What can he do?”

“Flowers,” Matilda blurted out. “I find the castle grounds sadly lacking in flowers. I believe father can grow anything under any circumstances. He could plant and grow flowers.”

Lady Lina smiled. “He can help the groundskeeper. It sounds like it would be the perfect occupation for him.”

Matilda looked over at her mother. “See, Mama? I knew we would find something to keep you quite busy.”

“As long as your offer still stands to help you take care of grandbabies when they come, I will be happy forever,” Esther said.

“Oh, I would not be able to do it without you!” Matilda knew there were many women she could hire to help her with her future sons, but none she would trust as she trusted her mother. She could not recall even once her mother had raised her voice to her. Why, she was practically a saint with children!

After supper, Robert pulled Matilda out to dance with her one more time. After their dance, he whispered in her ear, “I do believe it is time for people to be able to go home, and that means we must bid them goodnight.” He tried to keep the eagerness from his voice, but he was unsure if he was successful.

“What about my parents? Who will help them find the cottage?”

“My mother will help them. You cannot put this off any longer, Matilda. It is time.”

Matilda nodded, realizing he was right. He and his family had already done a great deal for her to make her happy. She could not begrudge him his wedding night, no matter how nervous the prospect made her. “Aye, milord.”

“You may use my name,” he said in an almost growl in her ear.

She giggled. “I will try to remember . . . milord.” She did not know why she persisted in teasing him, but it amused her a great deal.

He shook his head at her, a grin on his face. As soon as the song was over, he put his hands at Matilda’s waist and lifted her onto the platform with the lute player before climbing up behind her. He put his arm around her waist and raised his hand for attention. When all was quiet, he said loudly, “My wife and I would like to thank you for attending our wedding and making our joy your joy. I hope you will all celebrate with us as we have many children through the years. God bless you all!”

Matilda turned to him and smiled, stepping closer to Robert and pulling his head down for a kiss. She knew the crowd would love to see her as the aggressor in a kiss, and she was right. The cheers that came from the peasants watching had her laughing softly as she pulled away. “I thought that would please them.”

Robert shook his head at her, loving the look of mischief in her eyes. “You will always keep me on my toes, will not you, Matilda?”

“I will not let you grow bored in our marriage,” she said by way of answering him. Her impish grin had him wondering if he knew his new bride as well as he thought he did.

Getting down, Robert lifted her down after him, and they walked toward the entrance to the castle. His mother stood there, waiting for them. “All of your things have been moved into the chamber you will now share with Robert,” she told Matilda. “I will send Robert up in a few minutes after you have had some time to get undressed and ready yourself for bed.”

Robert frowned at his mother. “I can help her undress!”

“Her maid will do it.”

Matilda smiled at Lina and rushed toward the stairs, wondering how on earth she was going to find Mary with the big crowd of people outside the castle. When she got to her room, her maid was waiting for her. “Lady Lina sent me up here right after supper. She said Robert was going to do well to wait for just one dance to be over before he dragged you up here.”

Matilda blushed, but she presented her back to Mary to help her undress. “I appreciate you waiting here for me. We must hurry because it was all Lady Lina could do to keep Robert from following me up immediately.”

Mary nodded and helped her push the gown off her shoulders. “You have won the hearts of every nobleman, servant, and peasant at this wedding. Your attention to Robert and your lack of need to have all of his attention on you has not gone unnoticed. All are excited that you will be the new mistress here.”

Matilda frowned. “Really? I just did what I thought was right.”

“You will not have a problem with the servants or peasants here, Matilda. As soon as you realize that your husband loves you beyond belief, you are going to be very happy.”

Matilda smiled, slipping between the sheets with nothing on, as custom demanded. She hoped there would not be a bedding ceremony as she had seen many times, but she had no idea what was planned.

Mary slipped from the room, and the door opened not a minute later. Robert walked to the side of the bed and methodically stripped off his clothing. He had only one thing on his mind, and that was his bride, lying naked under the covers of their bed. The bed where their children would be conceived, and where they would later be born. The bed where he would spend the rest of his nights sleeping with the wife that he already treasured more than he had ever believed was possible. His bride.

He walked over and got into the bed, getting under the covers on the other side of the bed. His hand stroked down her arm, and he smiled at her. “Are you ready to be my wife in more than just name?”

Matilda turned onto her side facing him. “I just realized that my name is Matilda Lain now. It sounds odd, does not it?”

“It sounds wonderful and right.” He leaned over and pressed a kiss against her lips. “I cannot believe we finally made it through this day. I thought it would never end.”

She laughed. “I enjoyed myself. Thank you for teaching me to dance. And thank you for making my parents feel like they are an important part of both of our lives.”

“It is my job to make you happy, and if it makes you happy to have your parents here, then I am pleased to do it.” His hand slid under the cover, and he stroked her from arm to the tips of her fingers, bringing her hand to his lips. “I have always known I would find a woman who would then become the center of my world and who would bear me seven sons. I never dreamed she would be as beautiful as you are.”

“Or that she would be a maid you found dusting the parlor?” Matilda could not resist teasing him about how he had first seen her.

“Is that what you were doing when I found you? I thought you were gossiping about how strange I was.”

“Well, there was that as well, milord.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, loving his kisses. She felt like she was complete and whole when his lips were on hers, and when he was not there she was bereft.

He rolled her to her back, his hand stroking over her belly and cupping her breast. “I plan to spend forever with you, Matilda.”

“Show me how forever feels, milord.”

He growled deep in his throat. “You only call me that to see if you can make me crazed!”

Matilda laughed, and her laughter felt good to her. She had not laughed as much in her entire life as she had since she met him. How had God decided to favor her with a man to spend the rest of her life with? Loving him as she was beginning to love this man. “Can I make you crazed, milord?”

He closed his eyes, and the covers floated off their bodies and onto the floor. “Now you have done it!”

She laughed. “I am worried I will grow cold! You should bring the covers back!”

“Not until I have warmed you through and through.”

It was a long while later that they both lay on their backs, breathing heavily. “I think I liked doing that with you, milord,” Matilda said with her voice full of wonder.

“You think? I will have to try harder next time!” He gathered her to him and cradled her against his body, bringing the blankets back up from the floor to land over them both.

“Good night. Dream of me.” Matilda was surprised at how bold she was being after what they had just done together. It was very unlike her, but this man brought out new things in her all the time.

“I have dreamed of nothing else since the moment we met.” He closed his eyes and inhaled of her fragrance, thrilled that she felt so good against him. He was where he needed to be.