Alas My Love by Tracie Peterson Page B

have taken my Lord,” the man playing Mary stated in a sobbing voice.
    The miracle unfolded, and the man playing Jesus revealed himself to Mary, much as God was revealing Himself to Helena as she stood and beheld the story.
    “Rabboni,” Mary said, falling to the ground. “My master.”
    “Rabboni,” Helena whispered, knowing in her heart that God had truly taken control of her life.
    The performance ended with a glorious hymn sung by the choir. “ Te Deum Laudamus— We praise Thee, God.” Overhead, the bell pealed in celebratory announcement. “He is risen. He is not here.”
    Helena left the church a converted woman much, she imagined, as Mary must have left the garden. Just the knowledge that she was no longer bound to her fears gave Helena the first real happiness she’d known since her beloved had gone away.
    All around the revelry was evident. There was dancing and singing, feasting and gifting. The tenants of the land brought eggs in payment to the castle, while in return Arianne had planned a great feast for all the people.
    Arianne acted as hostess with Helena never leaving her side except to take baby Timothy upstairs in order to remove him from the noise of the castle bailey. Helena knew that Arianne scanned the horizon constantly for some sign of her husband, and when evening was approaching, the call that she had waited for final ly came.
    “The duke approaches!” one of the battlement guards called out.
    “The duke!” Murmurs ran through the crowd, and people stopped their feasting to line the entryway into the castle.
    Arianne glanced around for Helena and then remembered that she’d gone to take Timothy for his changing. “Matilda!” she said, beckoning the woman from the crowd. “Run, get Helena and Timothy. I would present him to his father and show Richard how much he has grown.” Matilda quickly went in search of Helena, while Arianne rushed forward to greet her husband.
    Three horsemen appeared in front of the procession, and Arianne instantly recognized each rider. Richard rode slightly to the front, with Devon and Tancred bringing up the rear.
    “Richard!” she shouted and hurried to his side.
    Richard dismounted in a leap and pulled her into his arms. “I have missed you sorely, sweet wife,” he whispered and kissed her boldly in front of everyone.
    Cheers below went up from the crowd, and Helena could only wonder at what matter had stirred them this time. There had been such cheering and shouting all day, and at times, Helena had worried that the babe’s ears would be harmed from such noise. Nestling Timothy against her tightly, Helena moved through the happy people.
    She knew from Matilda that the duke had returned, and no doubt his people were simply celebrating that fact. As the crowd parted for her, however, she found herself only a few feet away from the embracing couple and instantly flushed at the scene.
    Arianne pulled back and saw her. “Richard, come see your son. He has grown wondrously since you last saw him.”
    Richard smiled at Helena, who was now trembling. “Your Grace,” she said, as Richard reached out and took the baby.
    “You are looking much better than the last time I saw you,” Richard said with a smile.
    Helena nodded but refused to meet his eyes. Would he send her away? Again, peace washed over her, and Helena realized it didn’t matter. Lifting her gaze, she smiled.
    “Much better,” Richard said, then smiled down at his son. “And you truly have grown.”
    Helena noted the two men who were dismounting but gave them little thought until Arianne went to embrace each one of them. They had their backs to her, but Helena could see the smile of pleasure and something akin to relief in Arianne’s eyes.
    Richard handed Timothy back to Helena and pulled her forward. “You must meet my brother,” he said firmly.
    “It has been a long time,” Arianne was telling one of the men. “I am glad you have returned.”
    Helena thought little of the