Warrior's Surrender by Elizabeth Ellen Carter

Author:Elizabeth Ellen Carter [Carter, Elizabeth Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: historical romance
Publisher: Etopia Press
Published: 2014-11-04T18:00:00+00:00

* * *

Heloise drifted toward the back of the group, her chaperones too engaged by the performance of nearby jugglers and acrobats to notice her detachment from the assembly.

She idly browsed through the stalls of beads, ribbons, and trinkets, staying within sight of the party, which, to her mind, did not break the promise she made to her brother to not wander off on her own.

Following the end of a performance of mummers, a crowd of villagers surged past, threatening to push her out of sight of her brother’s men-at-arms, but a firm yet gentle hand at her elbow was there to steady her.

“Forgive me, my lady Heloise, permit me this service to you.”

Heloise looked up into the bright blue eyes of the young man only a few years older than herself. “I think I know you.”

“I would be honored if you did,” he said, offering her a courtly bow. “My name is Baldwin; I used to be a knight in Baron Tyrswick’s service.”

The face and the name instantly rang true.

“I remember now!” she said, taking in his clean, well-made clothes. “You were at the Keep when I arrived, but then you were gone. Tell me, what do you do now?”

“Leaving Tyswick was the best decision I ever made. I’m employed by a wealthy baron as his man-at-arms. He is on his way back from a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.”

Heloise nodded absently, wandering a step or two away and looking across to where Alfreya and Rosalind were exchanging confidences as they watched the jugglers. She scanned the sea of faces, failing to find her brother or Sebastian. When she returned to Baldwin, he held two small paper cones filled with comfits purchased from a nearby stall.

“Is that Lady Alfreya?” he asked, feigning innocent curiosity. “The one betrothed to Sebastian de la Croix?”

“It is. But I don’t want to talk about her, although everyone else does.” Heloise pouted. She started to move away more decisively this time, and Baldwin fell into step with her.

“Why is that?” he asked. “You’ll have to forgive me, I’ve been away for so many months.”

He pressed the second cone into her hand.

She halted her stride and considered him. Her judgment was swayed by the fact she stood in a crowded fair no farther than thirty feet from her brother’s men-at-arms.

“I shouldn’t accept these,” she said, attempting to hand the candied nuts back.

“Nonsense! I can easily afford these and, besides, I think you need someone to talk to.”

“I hardly know you, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Baldwin shrugged.

“Suit yourself, but I would have thought I was the perfect confidante.”

Heloise watched his retreating back for a moment.

“Why?”

He turned.

“I’m only here until after All Souls Day. You can tell me all your secrets knowing you’ll never see me again, and I’ll never let on.”

Heloise hesitated.

“Your loss,” Baldwin said carelessly, turning and striding away again.

“Wait!” Heloise cried out.

Baldwin walked back to her. Heloise fought to contain a blush.

“I don’t want to be disloyal to my brother or to Sebastian…,” she began.

“But you love the both of them very much.

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