William flungthe door to Lucy’s tower room open with a bang as he jogged up the stairs.
“Lucy. ’Tis a lovely morn. Let us go for a ride.”
The dark green tunic and hose brought out the darker green flecks in his eyes. “Come now, before any come looking for us.”
In anticipation of organizing her yarn today, Lucy had dressed in a blue tunic and hose. His enthusiasm made her grin as she studied him.
“Who is looking for us?” she teased. “Why are you in such a hurry?”
“I thought we might go for a morning ride, just the two of us. All alone.” He tried to wink at her but only managed to blink at her like an owl.
Lucy arched a brow, tapping her finger to her lip. “Did you now? Don’t you have training and other lordly duties to attend to?”
She visited the boys when she woke this morn, inhaling the sweet scent of the baby and the smell of dirt and hay on Jason,who hid whenever it was time to wash, shaking his head and saying, no water. Me like dirt.
“Not today.” William leaned against the wall, one booted foot crossed in front of the other. When she’d gone to see the boys, Mabel told her William had already been to visit and had broken his fast with them.
“Sometimes even a lord may do as he pleases. We’ve had little time alone of late and I would spend the day with you before I depart for York.”
His green-eyed gaze held a hint of mischief.
“Well, when you put it that way...” She had noticed they’d both been busy lately, hadn’t spent as much time together as they normally did, him with estate matters, her with tending to the estate and boys.
“All right,” she agreed with a smile. “A ride sounds perfect.”
William grinned. “Good. I’ll have the horses readied.” He pulled her to her feet, stealing a quick kiss. “Bring your fur-lined cloak. I’ll meet you in the stables.”
After bundling up in her cloak and scarf, Lucy made her way outside into the brisk morning air. She took a deep breath, savoring the salty air.
William was already in the stables with their horses, his black palfrey and her sweet-tempered Buttercup.
He lifted her up, then swung up on his horse, and together they rode through the portcullis, out across the castle drawbridge, and down the winding path beyond the gates.
They continued at an easy pace as Lucy drank in the muted colors and fresh air. She had missed this, just the two of them, alone, with no demands upon their time. She would miss him terribly when he was gone.
“Shall we see who can ride faster?” William asked with a roguish wink.
Lucy shot him a look of mock affront. “You know Buttercup isn’t fast.”
William chuckled. “Are you sure you’re not just afraid of losing?” He spurred his horse on.
“Oh, it’s on now,” Lucy called after him, urging Buttercup into a gallop. She bent low over the mare’s neck as they raced after William over the open fields.
Lucy’s braid came undone, hair streaming behind her like a banner as they flew over the ground. Buttercup was swift, but not fast enough as William’s horse thundered across the field.
At the last instant, Lucy cut through the trees, flying past her husband, Buttercup’s hooves kicking up tufts of grass and mud.
Lucy glanced back with a playful grin as she halted atop a hill. “You were saying something about losing?”
William shook his head. “Never underestimate a lady,” he conceded with mock solemnity.
Lucy laughed, her face flushed with exertion.
They leisurely walked the horses along the cliffs overlooking the sea. Lucy closed her eyes as a strong gust of wind buffeted them, tangling her loose hair.
William reached across the space between them to grasp her hand. “I do not wish you to be melancholy while I am gone.”
Lucy met his gaze. “I’ll be fine. This time together, just you and I, helps.”
