Free Honor Reclaimed (All About Honor) by Kathleen Reagan

but many lives would be forfeited in the process.   Thomas and John both agreed that they
wanted to avoid war at all cost, but if it came to it, they were obligated to
support the King.   It was also
agreed that there was no point in distressing the ladies with talk of war this
early however.
    The men rejoined the ladies and
visited over glasses of sherry.   They caught up on family gossip, and John somewhat reluctantly agreed to
bring Eirian to the Vann in a few months to introduce her as his new wife.   They agreed that it might be a bit soon
to expect the family to fully welcome her under the circumstances, but they
were sure that in time she would be as well received as Johane had been so long
as Sir Edward gave it his blessings.   He wondered just what the old man would say if he figured out just how
far along Eirian’s so far undisclosed pregnancy would be at the time.  
    The months passed quickly and late
September found them at the Vann.   Much to John’s relief, they were welcome with open arms.   Thomas and Gwendolyn had done a good job
of preparing the family to receive them.   They had loved Johane well and they were inclined to accept her sister
on her merits.
    Eirian did not disappoint them.   She was respectful, but open and
kind.   They saw many of the same
virtues in her that they had seen in her sister.   They were pleased to see that John seemed content in his new
marriage.   It was a different sort
of relationship, but it was obvious that he cared deeply for his young
wife.   The new fashions with the
higher waistlines were a bit more forgiving than the older fashions, but it was
still becoming fairly obvious that Eirian was with child.   None seemed too surprised at her
condition as it was early yet to calculate the time of conception.   Sir Edward was delighted with his new
young niece, as she seemed to bring a new joy into his nephew’s life.   He had been very worried about John
when he heard of Johane’s sudden death.   He had never seen a couple that appeared to be more devoted to one
another than John and Johane.   He
had worried that John would end up a bitter old man, not unlike the man he very
nearly became.   This young woman
may have been his nephew’s salvation.
    The children were happy being
entertained by their cousins.   Gwendolyn and Thomas had three children.   The oldest, Elizabeth, was not quite two years younger than
William.   They seemed to enjoy each
other’s company above all else.   They were never as happy as when they were with each other.
    With the children happily
entertained, the adults were free to pursue their own interest.   The adults truly enjoyed each other’s
company.   The men went hunting and
the ladies sewed together.   The
four went riding together, visited with friends and relatives in the
neighborhood together, and played whist in the evenings.   It was a happy, peaceful interlude.
    One afternoon John was walking in
the garden that Johane had loved so much, thinking of the times they slipped
off to these gardens together to steal a few kisses away from the crowds.   As he wandered down the paths he
happened upon Gwendolyn sitting on a bench enjoying the sun.   “John please come sit with me.   I was hoping that I would have a chance
to speak with you in private.”
    “What can I do for you my
dear?”   John still had just a
slight hesitation about being alone with Gwendolyn, even though he tried not
to.
    “I have been wondering if Eirian
knows about our past relationship.”   Gwendolyn appeared concerned.
    “I do not think so.   I know I have not told her, and I
seriously doubt if Johane would have shared that information with her baby
sister.”   John replied.
    “I would have thought by now that
you would have stopped thinking of your bride as a baby, especially as she is
going to have one herself”, Gwen chided him gently.
      “If you have not already told her, I would greatly
appreciate it if you did not.