“Wife. You look especially fetching on this fine day.”
“My dress matches your eyes.” She grinned, inhaling thefamiliar scent of him—leather, wool, horses, and the salty tang of the sea. Dust coated his tunic and hose. There was a scrape along his jaw, and he needed a bath. But she didn’t care. She was so happy he was home.
“I missed you so much. I’m surprised the king gave you leave to return so soon.”
His gaze met hers, and in his eyes she saw the answer as he said, “Only because I must travel to York to Silverwood Manor to procure horses for the king. After he saw how well the black did in the last tournament, he wished to know where I found such fine horseflesh.”
“Of course he did.” She grumbled under her breath.
Sometimes kings were a pain in the royal butt, or as her Aunt Mildred liked to say, more annoying than a boxful of ants at a church picnic supper.
Arm in arm, they walked towards the stables as William recounted his time at court.
Lucy was glad she had remained at Blackford. After being presented to the king and seeing firsthand the backstabbing, intrigues, and listening to endless court gossip, Lucy hoped she never had to attend court again. Let the courtiers bow and scrape and fight for power. She planned to stay in her lane here at Blackford and enjoy the coming holidays.
William handed the horse over to one of the stable boys as they lingered, listening to the sounds of the horses and the boys going about their work.
He paused, brow furrowing. “I have seen firsthand,” he said, voice filled with frustration and resignation, “the depths of the machinations of the lords ordainers. They are determined to limit Edward’s power over finances and courtly appointments.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I’d like to meet the lot of them in the lists.”
“I remember how awful the courtiers were when we went for Lady Jane’s marriage to that earl.”
She shuddered. “For the sake of the children and our home, tread carefully.” Lucy went up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek, the stubble rough against her lips.
Walking the grounds, William greeted the men he hadn’t seen since his departure, catching up on castle doings.
Her husband wasn’t one to mince words, but he had to play the game when he was at court or risk losing Blackford Castle. It had been gifted by Edward I for William’s service, and could just as easily be taken away by Edward II.
“My lady?” Mary, a girl who worked in the kitchens, stopped in front of her.
“You look lovely today.” Lucy tapped a finger to her lips. “Might it have anything to do with the new blacksmith’s apprentice?”
The girl blushed. “He is most handsome.” Then she lifted her chin. “But he has not yet asked for permission to woo me, so I must not think on him.”
Right. Lucy thought the boy was a good kid and with a job as a blacksmith, he’d do well. They would make a good match.
“I made you more paste for your teeth. I added honey and mint this time.”
“Thank you. Did you put it up high so Jason won’t get into it?”
A month ago, Jason had found the toothpaste Lucy liked and had eaten half the pot before the nanny discovered him, so now Lucy kept it out of reach.
“Aye, lady.”
Lucy watched her go, grinning to herself as young Matthew watched Mary, earning himself a cuff on the ear from the big, burly blacksmith. Though when he thought no one was watching,Lucy caught the grin on Osbert’s face as he watched the boy steal glances at Mary.
Finished talking with a few of the men about repairing a section of the wall, William strode over to her.
“The wall will be completed the day after tomorrow.” He hesitated.
“When do you have to leave for York?”
The king and the court were paranoid about illness so when William said she had a cold, a messenger sent word Lucy was to remain at Blackford thus sparing her from the spectacle of court, though in truth she didn’t have a cold, it was an excuse for her to stay behind and not put her foot in her mouth at court or cause gossip if she behaved differently, which she always did when she was nervous.
“Not for a sennight. Edward wishes me to procure half a dozen horses for him, and I thought perhaps two or three for our own household. Jason needs his own steed.”
So she’d been right, after all. Lucy knew it was a bad sign when he’d returned so soon. But there was nothing to be done, so instead she decided to be grateful that they had another week together before he had to leave.
“I wish you didn’t have to go,” she admitted with a sigh, adding, “Jason is only two and a half. I don’t think there’s any rush to buy him a horse.”
