Chapter Twenty- Gilbert

Gilbert stepped out of the ruined church with every intention of finding Beatrice and the children. He was filthy and exhausted but there was a warm sense of accomplishment bubbling inside his chest. He had faced down his fear and saved a life. The fact that it was the unpleasant Narwhal he rescued, well that was even better. The pompous old windbag would be feasting on crow for a long time to come.

After that scream, he hadn't even paused to consider what he was doing. There was no time for fear, no time to think. A life hung in the balance. Before he realized it, he had simply raced right into that smoldering rubble. It had taken several long moments of searching but, with Sumter's help, he located the victim. A man trapped underneath a pile of smoldering debris. They hadn't even realized who at first. Just another human being in a desperate situation.

They had set right to work, shifting endless charred beams and blackened boards until they finally found him. Both of them were surprised to discover it was Narwhal. The portly merchant was unconscious but alive. He had several burns, cuts and scrapes but, other than the egg-sized lump on his forehead, the man seemed unharmed.   What exactly he was doing in that burned-out building when the rest of the villagers had evacuated the town, Gilbert didn't know and couldn't care less. He had no interest in the shopkeepers' motives.

Working together, they managed to dig him out from under the wreckage of that collapsed building. It was decided that Gilbert would carry the wretch. He was far to bloated for two men to safely ferry through all the scattered debris, and Gilbert was the only man capable of supporting the portly merchant's mass. After carting his fat carcass through the mass of smoke and debris and depositing Narwhal into the care of the priest, he put the blustery merchant out of his mind.

Gilbert was more than ready to return to Beatrice and the children. He was looking forward to embracing them all, hearing their happy voices and seeing their smiling faces. A huge yawn caught him unawares. He really needed to lay down somewhere and rest, but he was determined to find them all first, just to reassure himself of their well-being. No sooner had he emerged from the shadows, than he caught sight of Beatrice surrounded by all three children. He almost sighed in relief. They were safe and unharmed.

Beatrice looked as exhausted as he was. He didn't see any new injuries although she was coated in soot and grime. Her pretty bonnet was missing and so was her skirt. She wasn't even wearing any petticoats. She stood there in just her blue-gray blouse top and linen bloomers.  He thought of the soaked cloth that had been passed through the line of men. More than one fellow had been grateful to have such an effective weapon to beat back the flames. He hadn't even thought to ask where the cloth came from. He glanced around and noticed a few other women without skirts. So that was how the women had managed it. How brave and resourceful they were to think of such an ingenious solution.

As he hurried toward the little group, he met Beatrice's gaze with a smile which she seemed to return. But then her eyes rolled back in her head and she sagged into unconsciousness. Gilbert raced forward, the smile on his lips dying as he attempted to catch Beatrice before she landed on her face. But he needn't have worried.

Teddy, who still had his arms around his aunt, managed to support her slight weight as she slumped against his chest. The boy was surprisingly strong for his size but it was obvious he was straining under the unexpected burden. Gilbert arrived in time to relieve the lad of her weight and hastily scooped Beatrice up into his arms.

"What's wrong with Aunt Bea?" Felicia asked, frowning in concern.

"Is she sick?" Martine piped.

Gilbert shook his head negatively hoping he was being truthful. He prayed Beatrice wasn't having a relapse. She wasn't that long out of the sick bed herself. If he was tired, she must be doubly so. He laid a hand against her forehead and felt some relief. At least she didn't feel excessively warm, although her clothes were soaked.

"She's probably just exhausted." A deep, gravelly voice assured them.

They all turned to see the elderly gentlemen, who had watched over the children through the night, standing there. He motioned for Gilbert to follow and then led the way to the same makeshift bed.

"Lay her down here where she can rest and she should recover in a few hours."

Gilbert quickly complied. He gingerly settled her on the same wool cloak he had placed the girls only last night. The material still retained the warmth from their little bodies. Felicia wordlessly handed him their mother's cloak and Gilbert carefully spread it over Beatrice's still form.

"You look about done-in yourself, young man." The old fellow observed. "Lay yourself down there beside your lady and have yourself a little snooze."

Gilbert raised his head to protest, but the older man just waved him off, misinterpreting his objection.

"Don't you worry about these young people." He clapped a gnarled hand on Teddy's shoulder. "The women are putting a meal together to fill empty bellies and there are more than enough of us to keep watch over them."

Gilbert caught Teddy's eye and for a moment the boy stared back, mouth hanging open in shock and surprise. Then he turned to the elderly fellow, wide-eyed and protested.

"But Mr. Lourson and Aunt Bea aren't married. They can't sleep together."

The girls both nodded in complete agreement, but the old man waved off their worries.

"Nothing they can't remedy in due course, now run along and fetch yourselves some breakfast. Let the adults rest. Off with you now." He hobbled forward, shooing the three children before him.

With confused glances tossed back over their shoulders, the children allowed themselves to be herded away without further protest. Gilbert watched them for a few moments longer, then turned to gaze down at Beatrice's slumbering form. Propriety dictated he find somewhere else to lay down. He really shouldn't sleep beside her. This wasn't like before. They were no longer alone together in his castle. She was no longer ill with fever and in desperate need of his body warmth. This would be right out in the open, where anyone could walk by and see them both laying here. Her reputation would be torn to shreds.

Unless she agreed to marry him. That brought a smile to his lips. The notion of taking Beatrice to wife sounded even more appealing now than when he'd first considered it. But he would rather, if they were to wed, it be of their own free will. He didn't want Beatrice to accept him because they were forced into it. Still, it was an interesting idea. If he married her, they would both be responsible for raising those three adorable children. An instant family.

At first the idea caught him off guard. A family to love and care for had not been in his plans before this. He had intended to live alone in hermit-like isolation in his castle for the rest of his days. And now he was contemplating taking on the responsibilities of not only a wife but three young orphans as well. Was he ready for such a commitment? He really didn't know but the idea appealed.

But would the children object? After all, they would have to adjust to a whole new way of living. Sharing their aunt with him. Of course, they would need to adjust to a whole new situation anyway. They were all homeless now. And children usually loved animals, didn't they? He certainly had as a youngster. But that had been mostly because he was searching for a place to hide from his two older brothers.

He really needed to get home as soon as possible and tend the animals. The milk cow would be fine for food as she would graze happily in the pen but her bag would be heavy with milk. Not only had he missed last night's milking but this morning as well. She would soon dry up if she wasn't tended. The hens were shut inside their coop but they would need grain and water soon else they would be feasting on their own eggs for sustenance.

The jumble of thoughts tossed and rolled around in his mind in an endless loop. He was so tired. He couldn't focus on anything. The prospect of stretching out on the soft earth was becoming more tempting by the minute. Fatigue was fast catching up to him. He'd gone the whole day and night before without sleep and it was beginning to weigh him down. Perhaps he could just rest here for a little while. But only a little while.

Even as these thoughts rolled through his mind he yawned widely. There was no way he could make that long trek home in this condition, let alone tend to his animals once he arrived. He was exhausted. Maybe if he lay atop the edge of the cloaks, it would be acceptable. After all, they would be right out in the open where everyone could see and attest to the fact that there was nothing illicit or untoward going on between them. With the decision made, Gilbert settled down on the soft grass in front of a large headstone and promptly nodded off.

It was soft, childish giggles which woke him some time later. He kept his eyes closed, trying to identify where the sound was coming from.

"He snores like a bear." The little voice sounded very close. He was almost certain it was precocious little Martine who spoke.

"He's very big." Another tiny voice whispered in agreement.

"He's hairy enough to be a bear." Suggested another child.

Gilbert frowned at that. Perhaps it was time to rid himself of the beard and trim his hair. After all, if he was to marry, he would need to look respectable. No more of this hairy hermit existence for him.

"Is he going to be your uncle now?" That nearly brought a smile to his lips.

"I suppose, if he marries Aunt Bea, that would make him our uncle." This came from Felicia, Gilbert was certain.

"He looks scary to me." The frightened whisper was slightly muffled.

He guessed the child had hidden her face. Saddened, Gilbert wished he could reassure them that he would never knowingly harm any child.

"Oh, no. He's very nice." Felicia rushed to reassure them all.

"I like him." Martine asserted, bringing a pleased smile to his lips.

It seems he had won over the affections of the two girls. Now if only he could convince their aunt he was worthy of her affection. He was contemplating whether to open his eyes in order to view the little faces of the children surrounding him, or to continue with this pretense of slumber. Then another familiar voice sounded and Gilbert's smile grew even larger.

"Children, come away from there. You will awaken Mr. Lourson with your noise." Beatrice sounded as if she were some distance away.

"But he's making more noise than we are Aunt Bea." Martine pointed out logically.

Gilbert couldn't resist. He opened his mouth and snored as loud as he was able. The reaction was instant. The children all screeched in feigned terror and delighted giggles. There was a mad scrambling noise and he opened his eyes to the sight of a half-dozen children scattering. Grinning unabashedly, he glanced up at Beatrice who now stood over him with her arms crossed, scowling. But her eyes were twinkling merrily and her lips twitched. She was obviously struggling to maintain her disapproving demeanor. It looked suspiciously like she was holding back laughter. Gilbert grinned back up at her, unrepentant.

"You shouldn't encourage them." She scolded as Gilbert sat up.

He looked around at the various little groups gathered here and there about the churchyard. Giggling children were playing amoung the gravestones. The sun was high in the sky, the day growing warmer by the moment and most people seemed to be sitting in whatever shade they could find to escape the heat. He wondered exactly how long he had slept. He glanced up at Beatrice, raising an eyebrow in question.

"Its gone past noon. You must be hungry. I'll go fetch you something to eat." She swung around but Gilbert caught her hand and halted her retreat.

Beatrice turned back, confusion furrowing her brow and pursed her lips as if to say something more. Unable to resist, he tugged her forward with just enough force to topple her into his arms. She gasped in surprise, opening her mouth to protest. Gilbert took advantage of her confusion and captured her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.