The Good Sinner's Naughty Nun (13 page)

"I would end your search. That man who was lost is surely not to be found."

The soldier managed a smile. "Well, I would want him to know that he is much missed since the boat broke apart in the storm and he was washed away."

Thierry rested his hands on his hips. "Did many others survive?'

"All."

He was amazed. "Even the nuns?"

Now Dominic laughed. "Even the nuns. They call it a miracle that only Bonnenfant and the woman Vivienne were lost."

"A miracle indeed." Thierry glanced back at his wife, who stood by the gate, looking uncertainly in their direction. When he returned his attention to Dominic the other soldier was mounting his horse again. "Still have that key, Dom?"

The soldier nodded, pointing to his right boot. "Safe and sound. We never found the casket though."

"Mayhap it will wash ashore."

"Aye. Mayhap." Dominic turned his mount. "I will leave you in peace then, good, humble fisherman, whom I do not know."

Thierry bowed his head. "Thank you," he replied with feeling.

"I shall inform the great warrior's wife, the Lady Sybilia, that he will, sadly, not return to her."

"She'll be broken-hearted, I'm sure," he muttered wryly. He had no doubt that Sybilia was already getting on with her life without him in it. She would enjoy playing the part of grieving widow for a while though. It would earn her attention and sympathy. Then it would get her a new husband eventually. Perhaps, one day, she might even know the happiness and contentedness that Thierry had now. Perhaps. These days Thierry was in a benevolent mood and held no grudges. How could he, when his own life had changed so much for the better?

"I wonder what I should do about Bonnenfant's horse," said Dominic.

Ah, Thor. Thierry missed the beast, but he could not afford to keep another animal now.

"I suppose he would not mind you taking the horse. If you treat him well."

"That would be most generous and I would be honored by such a gift. Perhaps, since the man I seek is not to be found, I will take his horse."

Thierry put up his hand. "Goodbye, Dominic Coeur-du-Loup, good fortune and God speed."

* * * *

She was arranging a bouquet of late wildflowers and bulrushes when he came in, making a pretty display for the one window of their cottage. "Who was that down in the bay just now?" Her pulse was uneven, for she knew who it was on that fine horse. Of course she knew that scarred, weathered face. She'd been foolish to think they could keep the real world away forever.

"A soldier seeking someone." Thierry came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, his cool lips pressed to her cheek. "What are you doing?"

"I picked some flowers for this old vase." She held it up to show him.

"Where did you find that ugly thing?"

"Down in the reeds." She set the vase on the table. The precious rock crystal and filigree gold, fought over by greedy, ambitious men, was now put to use holding that simple bounty of nature. She'd found the king's vase a few days ago, washed up along the shore with more wreckage from the sea. Her first thought had been to throw it back again or bury it somewhere in the sand—leave it with the past they'd abandoned. But then she decided to keep it. After all, because of this vase, she'd found Thierry Bonnenfant.

He slid his hands down over her belly, feeling again for the swell that would soon show. He was excited about the babe and didn't even mind if it was a girl, so he said. They'd see about that, she thought with a dry smile, once that little girl began arguing with him. As, undoubtedly, she would.

"That soldier—in the bay..." she hesitated.

He hugged her tighter, his lips still pressed to her cheek. "Hmmm?"

"Will he find the man he seeks, do you think?"

"No. He's too late. The sea has long since swallowed him up, Sister Vivienne, my naughty nun."

"Oh." She breathed again, a grateful swallow of that good air.

"And you rescued him." He nuzzled and kissed her hair.

Vivienne looked out through the window at their new little world and felt her heart unfurl at last from that clenched, fearful bud. "Love rescued us both."

A gull flew by, wings spread wide to float leisurely on the breeze. She watched his spiral lift him higher and higher until he was a mere speck among the clouds. Free.

The End

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Other Books by Georgia Fox:

The Ever Knight

The Virgin Proxy

The Craftsman

Lumina