Greylen came forward, taking his wife from his man’s arms, exchanging a look with Connell he wished never to need again. They were all in agony. Her plight tore at their hearts.

“Why are you out of bed, sweet?” Greylen smiled, pretending as though he’d not a care in the world.

“Not…buying it…husband,” Gwen whispered. She reached for his face, tears in her eyes. “The tea, Greylen…the tea.”

They had just been about to open the canister when Connell arrived with Gwen. Cook was sure ’twas the one thing Lady Gwendolyn had daily. And hoping to keep the wedding gift only for her mistress, she’d not allowed another to sample it.

Greylen watched Gavin lift the lid and spill the contents. They gathered around the island searching through the crushed leaves. The sight and smell confirmed ’twas a mixture of herbs used as an abortifacient. But Gwen had taken so much, it not only killed their babe, but possibly her as well.

“Find where it came from,” Greylen ordered. “I’ll be above stairs.”

Greylen knew not to ask for guards, his men would likely sleep with them if they deemed it necessary. He carried Gwen to their chamber and cleaned her again. He could hear her try to speak, but she was so weak. “Shh, don’t talk, love. Save your strength.”

He wrapped her in his arms, her face pressed to his chest. He heard her whisper and it all but killed him. He bit the inside of his cheek, holding her as she cried. He cried, too, his tears falling silently to the pillow.

He kept his hand pressed firmly over her heart, willing the steady, though weakened beat to continue. He listened to each of her breaths, his body clenching in fear when she gasped with her efforts. Her words kept repeating in his mind, words she thought may be her last. “No regrets. The happiest days of my life.”

They were but five weeks!

He remained motionless when his men entered his chamber, positioning themselves on the floor around his bed. They, too, felt shame and found comfort only now by guarding their mistress with their lives. He knew without looking that Gavin stood sentinel at the door. “Take the other side, Gavin,” Greylen commanded quietly.

Lady Madelyn came in throughout the night, giving Gwen more of the elixir as he and Gavin held her head. He could see her sorrow increase each time she stepped over the men as they lay awake on the floor. He knew ’twas a sight she would always remember—her son and his best friend taking comfort from each other as they held Gwen between them. And their men who sought comfort, too, guarding their mistress’s soul with the silent prayers that moved from their lips. He imagined she, too, prayed that night, with Anna, in the privacy of her chamber.

Chapter 22