Lady at Arms by Tamara Leigh

Author:Tamara Leigh [Leigh, Tamara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2014-01-14T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

They left Killian before the first light of dawn spread its tentative fingers across the night sky.

For reasons unknown to Lizanne, Ranulf kept his distance over the next three days’ ride. On the second day out, he even allowed her an old packhorse that, in the end, made her rides with him seem like too much comfort.

More than once, as she urged her horse to a quicker pace, she caught herself dwelling on how Ranulf’s arms had felt on either side of her and the comfort of his broad chest against her back. It was, however, more than just her body’s comfort she missed.

Though Ranulf was generally kind, he seemed to have detached himself emotionally, and she guessed he wearied of her. And tried to feel pleased.

In the late afternoon of the third day, they set up camp on the outskirts of London where peddlers, eager to sell their wares, descended upon them offering sweetmeats, new wine, cloth, buckles—anything and everything. It was a sight to behold.

Perched on a boulder, Lizanne watched the good-natured haggling between a knight and purveyor of small pastries. In the end, it was the purveyor who held out and obtained a price just below that which he had originally asked. Still, he grumbled as he exchanged three of the little pies for the coins the knight dropped in his palm.

A large, aproned woman approached Lizanne, holding up a handful of colorful ribbons, her toothless smile entreating. Lizanne felt a small thrill as she beheld the assortment, but she had no coin with which to purchase one.

With regret, she shook her head and turned her attention to Ranulf who stood with Walter near the horses. Although they were too far off for their conversation to be heard, she surmised they spoke of matters of importance. She had noted Walter’s return from the city earlier and thought it likely he carried word from the king.

“Milady,” the large woman persisted, tugging at Lizanne’s sleeve, “this ‘ere one would look nice with yer pretty black ‘air.”

Lizanne opened her empty hands. “I am sorry, but I have no coin.”

The woman pressed her lips tightly and trundled away.

Laughter drew Lizanne’s gaze to Geoff and Roland, and when she grimaced, they winked.

Deciding the day was done, she scooted down the smooth face of the boulder and went to Ranulf’s tent where she stretched out on her pallet. After the long day of riding, it felt wonderful.

It was fully dark outside when Geoff arrived with the evening meal. In comparative silence, he and she ate a sumptuous variety of foods bought from the purveyors. When they finished, he brought out a small chess set, and they played a game on the floor of the tent. Not surprisingly, she lost again—for the fifth time.

“You are improving,” Geoff said as he scooped the pieces into a pouch.

She shrugged. “It seems such an easy game. I do not understand why I continue to struggle with the moves. There are too many pieces, do you not think?”

Grinning, he stood and reached out a hand.

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