"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3) by Gratiana Lovelace, 2015 (a Wattys2015 Nominee)

Ch. 27 (PG): More Valuable than a Ruby

The first meeting when Sir Roderick and his new little family with Lady Rebecca arrived at Staffordshire Castle [(3) right] and were given refreshments went well-or as well as could be expected, with all of the adults mindful of the children and their tender hearts, such that everyone was civil and courteous to the newlyweds. Sir Roderick's mother Lady Sharon Merton finds Lady Rebecca as charming as ever and she is particularly delighted to see the children-her only living grandchildren, even if they are not by blood-her having a soft spot in her heart for her son and his childhood sweetheart.

But then, Sir Roderick's father Sir Gilead Merton shares his concerns privately with his son in his study. The Merton coat of arms [(4) right] on a massive shield above the stone fireplace, proclaiming this a serious space for serious discussions. The two men-father and son-gaze at each other without speaking for several moments. The young man tall and physically imposing whilst the gray haired and bearded older man is slightly hunched over with age and infirmity. Finally, Sir Roderick decides to state the obvious.

Sir Roderick: "Father, I appreciate your courteous greeting of my wife Lady Rebecca and her children. And I hope that you will grow to love her and the children as I do."

Sir Gilead: His face implacable, Sir Gilead nods curtly. "I will grant that Lady Rebecca is as lovely as ever."

Sir Roderick: His throat constricting, Sir Roderick asks. "But?"

Sir Gilead: "But, you should have looked for a lady who had a sizeable dowry-as did your first wife. Not a wife that required you to purchase her like a common trollop!" Sir Gilead sneers [(5) right].

Sir Roderick: Advancing angrily upon his father, Sir Roderick fumes loudly as he spits. "You take that back, old man! My Becca is the sweetest and gentlest of noble ladies! None can besmirch her honor-least of all, you!"

Sir Gilead wonders about his son's phrasing-and what his son might know about his secret past as a Black Knight, Sherriff Vasey of Nottingham's organization to unseat King Richard. So when Sir Roderick began his service to the crown for King Richard, Sir Gilead was on the opposite side-secretly plotting to put the then Prince John on the throne in his brother's place. Sir Roderick and his father have never seen eye to eye on matters of family duty-even as they stand toe to toe, their fists clenched as if coiled to fight each other.

Sir Gilead: "But our family's prized heirloom for generations! The Staffordshire Ruby! How could you barter away our family legacy like that!?! For a woman!?!"

Sir Roderick: "Father, legacies are built by people-not by objects that have long since lost their luster. And I would have given King John this castle if he wanted it to allow Becca and I to finally marry. She is my treasure-more valuable to me than that blasted ruby! And our children that we make together will be our legacy for generations to come." Sir Roderick's [(6) right] impassioned plea is not without merit-except for his father.

Sir Gilead: "Then praise God that our newly anointed King John is not in need of drafty and crumbling wreck of a castle or we would have been without a roof over our heads even sooner."