Free Alas My Love by Tracie Peterson

the hilt of his sword.
    “His Grace, the duke of Gavenshire,” came the call. A look of relief crossed Devon’s face and he released the sword. Tancred, also armed, did likewise and stood with a sobering glance in the direction of the voices.
    “Richard?” Devon called.
    “Aye, ’tis me,” Richard replied, riding into the soft glow of their campfire light. He drew his horse up and dismounted. Throwing the reins to his squire, Richard stepped forward with a determined stare and met his brother’s gaze.
    “Henry told me you had arrived. I found it most gratifying to spend the day in yon saddle in order to reach you by nightfall.”
    “Gratifying is not a word that comes to mind,” Tancred replied in jest, “when thinking of a hard ride to London on a beast such as that.”
    Richard laughed tensely. “ ’Tis good to see you again.”
    “Better circumstances than our last meeting, eh?” Tancred’s dark eyes were lit with amusement, yet there was hesitation in his manner. Would his brother truly forgive him and honor this new peace between them? Everyone seemed to watch and wait for Richard’s reply.
    “Aye, the matter is clearly a more pleasant one.” Then with a smile, Richard stepped forward a pace and opened his arms.
    “I pray it is well with thee.”
    Tancred hesitated for a moment, then embraced his brother. There were tears on his cheeks, and Tancred was grateful the darkness covered his embarrassment. Yet when he pulled away, he noted there were tears in Richard’s eyes as well.
    “We have much to discuss,” Richard said in a voice none too steady.
    “Aye,” Tancred replied. “Eleven years’ worth.”

Chapter 8
    H elena watched Arianne and Matilda, almost as if she were detached from the life around her. The more she kept up her deception and refused to speak of her past, the worse she felt. Now the Easter season was upon them and great preparations were underway for the celebration that would come.
    The castle took on a rumbling of excitement. Servants worked a little harder and faster, while knights, clerics, and clergy anticipated the fine feasts and parties that would follow the unveiling of the cross on Easter Sunday.
    But, Helena reminded herself, Easter Sunday was still several days away and there was much to be done. She tried to keep her hands busy at the tasks Arianne had assigned her, but her heart wasn’t in the work. She watched Timothy, cradled at her side without a care in the world. He stared up at her with dark blue eyes as if to say, “My life and yours be not that different.” Helena thought it true, whether Timothy was actually considering such a weighty matter or not.
    The parish priest had stated that Easter was a matter of faith. Faith that the stone would be rolled away. Faith that the Savior would rise from the dead. Faith that in such an action, death would be defeated and all the wrongs in the world righted. But Helena felt her faith wane. It had been so long since she’d had any reason to believe that her wrongs would be righted.
    There was a commotion in the kitchen, and Helena couldn’t resist smiling at the way Arianne quickly settled the dispute. Arianne was quite competent, and Helena greatly admired her. Admired and was jealous of her, which Helena had sought forgiveness for on more than one occasion. It wasn’t that she would wish any other life for the duchess. Nay, it was that she longed with all her heart to have a joy and happiness similar to that which Arianne called her life.
    Oh, Tanny, she thought. Would that you could take me as wife and dispel my longing and anguish. What would be the price I would pay for your return, for a single day, even an hour, to sit by your side? Tears came unbidden to her eyes, and Helena lowered her head so that no one could see her cry.
    “Oh, Father,” she whispered, “I fear I cannot bear up under this burden any longer. ’Tis more than I am able to conquer.” Timothy seemed to think she was talking to him