Therefore, Lista managed a smile, but it was more like a grimace. As Kellington and Addington moved away, they also removed the only barrier between her and the big knight she’d almost fought with. The one she’d insulted. For a moment, they simply looked at each other until Lista finally turned away,heading back towards the spot where she’d last seen the de la Mere escort.
Julian followed.
Lista had been hoping that the escort was only out of her line of sight, but when she reached the spot where she had last seen them, they were nowhere to be found. There was a crowd in Berwick on this day, as was usual during market days, so there were people everywhere, blocking her view in all directions.
“I am certain that I can find my escort from here, Sir Julian,” Lista said. “You do not need to be troubled with me, truly. I can take care of myself.”
He acted as if he hadn’t heard her. “I saw them head east,” he said. “Mayhap if we go that way, we shall locate them.”
Lista eyed him. “I can find them on my own,” she said, more firmly. “I have already troubled you too much today. You may return to your group. I insist.”
He just started walking towards the east, leading his massive warhorse behind him. Lista watched him go and, frustrated that he had ignored her, she went in the opposite direction. In fact, she moved very quickly because she wanted to lose him. She was almost to the street that ran along the river when she suddenly heard the thunder of hooves come up behind her and a big horse abruptly blocked her path. Startled, she looked up to see Julian astride his big war beast.
He extended his hand to her.
“Come, my lady,” he said. “Let me take you to your mother.”
He was meaning to pull her onto his horse, but Lista didn’t take his hand. Unfortunately, she had a stubborn streak in her and she didn’t like the way he was ignoring her wishes.
“You do not seem to understand,” she said. “I do not want your assistance. I did not ask for it. You may return to your party because I do not want your help. Is that clear?”
He didn’t move his hand. “My mother has asked me to assist you and as far as I am concerned, that is as good as a command from God himself,” he said. “We can do this the easy way or the difficult way, but either path you choose, I shall escort you back to your mother, so choose wisely.”
So he was as stubborn as she was. She was digging in, he was digging in, but he was only succeeding in making her angry.
“Sir Julian,” she said, her tone heavy with hazard. “If you truly saw what happened today between my mother and your soldier, then you know what I must deal with when it comes to my mother and my aunt. They are as skittish as colts, as unruly as foxes, and as difficult as wild boars. I do battle with them nearly every day and the truth is that I am sure they did provoke your soldier. I apologize for insulting you about it, but you understand that I must defend my mother. However, given what I have just told you, every moment they are out of my sight is a moment they could possibly be doing something outrageous and shameful, so I do not need to stand here and argue with the likes of you. I understand that you are an elite knight and I respect that greatly, but when I tell you that I do not need your help, I would appreciate the courtesy of having my wishes respected. You are the last person I need to do battle with.”
She was nearly in tears by the time she finished although she had no idea why. It had something to do with embarrassing herself in front of a de Velt knight. A handsome knight who had probably never known a day of embarrassment or shame in his life. Quickly, she turned away and headed in the opposite direction, trying to get away from him and hoping he would simply leave her alone. She hadn’t gotten very far when she heard a voice behind her.
“I do not wish to do battle with you, my lady, I swear it,” Julian said. He was off his horse again, walking about ten paces behind her. “I promise you that I am not being stubborn. ButI would be a callous man indeed if I did not make sure you were safe. There are all sorts of men in this town who would be happy to see you come to harm and if I can prevent that, I will. Besides… if I return to my mother and have not completed my task, she will be very unhappy with me and I do not wish to incur her wrath.”
His response was far less stiff than he had been with her since their introduction. She had to admit that she was rather surprised by it. That deep, raspy voice that could be so hard could also be somewhat… pleasant.
She came to a halt and faced him.
“I appreciate your noble intention,” she said. “And I do understand about your mother, truly. But I do believe it is customary to obey a lady’s wish.Mywish.”
“Not if that wish will see her come to harm.”
“Are you so certain it will?”
“Are you so certain it will not?”
He had her with that logic. Lista cocked an eyebrow. “I see that I will not be able to discourage you,” she said with regret. “Tell me the truth. Are you really concerned for my safety more than you are afraid to return to your mother and tell her that I told you to leave me alone?”
“If I must choose, the latter, my lady.”
Her lips twitched with a smile. “At least you are as honest as you are stubborn,” she said. “Then I suppose if you are so grimly determined to be of service, I should let you.”
“That would be wise, my lady.”
Her smile broke through, as much as she tried to stop it. “Very well,” she said. “And I meant what I said. I am sorry I was sharp with you, but it was my mother, after all.”
“Understandable, my lady.”
“Mayhap when we see each other tonight at the feast you will not view me so unfavorably.”
“I would not view you unfavorably in any case, my lady.”
