“And you have brothers?”
“Three, my lady. I am a middle son.”
“Like Julian,” Lista piped up, wanting to pull Flora’s attention off Louis. The older woman seemed particularly focused on him. “Julian is the middle son of Ajax de Velt.”
Louis looked at Julian and lifted his cup. “Ours is the best of the birth order.”
Julian chuckled, lifting his cup as well. “We are gods.”
Louis laughed as he shoveled more pottage into his mouth, which Flora didn’t see as a deterrent to a conversation. Servants set food and a cup of wine in front of her and all she did was go for the wine. She took a couple of healthy gulps, all the while her focus on Louis.
“Are you married, Sir Louis?” she asked.
Louis choked a little on his food, taking a sip of wine to wash it down. “Nay, my lady,” he said. “Though my older brother is, I’ve not yet had the time.”
“Pity,” Flora said, turning to look at Julian. “And you are not married either, are you?”
“Flora,” Lista hissed, cutting the woman off. “That is not an appropriate question for men you have just met.”
Flora waved her off. “I was simply making conversation,” she said, gulping at her wine again. “Forgive me. I did not mean anything by it.”
She demanded more wine and Lista watched her with growing fury. Meadow, however, was eating pottage, her eyes darting around the table nervously. She was always nervous when Flora got to talking and Lista became irate.
There was no telling what could happen.
Julian sensed it, too, because his attention was moving between Louis and Flora and Lista. He could see that Lista was glaring at her aunt so he sat forward at the table, blocking her view.
“Where is Addie this morning?” he asked.
Lista turned her attention to him, seemingly gratefully so. “She was up most of the night so she is sleeping right now,” she said. “Where is Ashton?”
“Outside supervising the clean-up,” he said, mopping up the last of his bread and gravy. “I will sleep a few hours, too, while I am able. I find that I am wholly exhausted.”
Lista smiled faintly. “Then you must rest,” she said quietly. “I will take the watch.”
He looked at her as if surprised by her words. But he realized it was one of the sweetest things he’d ever heard. He was weary and she was prepared to stay vigilant while he slept. Was that what it meant to have a woman’s genuine concern? Her loyalty? God help him, he’d never had that before. He’d seen it between his parents, between Cole and Corisande, and even his sisters and their husbands, but it was something he never imagined he would have for himself.
Reaching out, he took her hand under the table, fondling her fingers.
“Show my new friend where he should rest,” he said softly. “Then you will escort me to my chamber. I want your face to be the last one I see before I sleep.”
Giving him a wink, Lista stood up from her seat, collecting the pitcher of wine on the table and topping off his cup. Then, she moved to Louis, completely ignoring her aunt and her empty cup.
“When you have had your fill of food and wine, I will be happy to show you to a comfortable chamber,” she told him, pouring a little more wine into his cup. “You have had a busy night.”
Louis grinned at the true statement. “Busier than I had hoped for,” he said, taking a drink of the tart, red wine. “I am very grateful for your hospitality, Lady Lista.”
Lista smiled at him and set the pitcher down, out of the reach of her aunt, who was growing frustrated that she was being denied more wine.
“And we are very grateful for your sword,” she said. “I must check on the wounded on the other side of the hall, but fetch me when you are ready to lie down.”
“I am ready now,” he said, standing up wearily and collecting his things. “I do not wish to be any trouble, so if you point me in the right direction, I shall find a bed.”
“Nonsense,” Lista said. “I shall show you myself. Mayhap Julian would care to join us?”
Julian was already on his feet, moving around the table as he collected his own things. “I am so tired that I am not entirely sure I will be able to make it under my own power,” he said. “You two may need to drag me.”
Lista giggled as Louis answered. “I fear Lady Lista may be dragging us both,” he said. “I could curl up on a rock and sleep like the dead.”
