Cathlina giggled. “Mayhap next time.”
He shrugged. “Mayhap,” he said, looking around. “Have you eaten yet?”
Cathlina shook her head. “Not yet. I have been busy watching men joust.”
He looked at her, then. “Would you be willing to sneak away from your father yet again and join me for a meal?”
Cathlina knew her mother and sisters were behind her, but they were mostly occupied watching Tate and Toby’s children because Lady de Lara was with her injured husband.
“My father has gone to see how Cousin Tate fares,” she said quietly. “I believe I could steal a few moments away from my mother. Where shall I meet you?”
“At the entrance to the lists.”
“I shall be there.”
Winking at her, Mathias shut his visor and cantered back across the field, exiting it to the north. Cathlina returned to herseat, watching her sisters play with the twins and the two year old baby girl, Sophie. Abechail seemed particularly enthralled by the baby, which was good to see. Abechail was in bed so much of the time that it was good to see her excited about something.
Cathlina sat next to her mother a nominal amount of time before making her move to leave. She didn’t want to seem suspicious, as if she was running off with a clandestine purpose, so she sat tight, making small talk, until very casually, she yawned.
“Mam, I must find the privy,” she said, rising to her feet. “I want to be back before Dunstan’s round.”
Rosalund had the baby in her arms. “Take Abbie with you.”
Cathlina struggled not to throw a tantrum. “Abbie does not need to go,” she said, looking to her little sister on the floor. “Do you, Abbie?”
Abechail couldn’t figure out why her sister was giving her such a strange, nearly intimidating, expression. She looked between her mother and sister. “Aye, I will go,” she said, struggling to her feet. “I need to use the privy also.”
Cathlina rolled her eyes and looked at her mother. “I do not want to take her,” she said flatly. “The last time I was left in charge of Abbie, something terrible happened and I could not bear to go through that again. Please do not make me take her. I am afraid.”
Rosalund understood somewhat but she thought that Cathlina was being ridiculous. “Do not be so silly,” she scolded. “Take your sister with you and return shortly.”
Cathlina shook her head. She was already scooting down the stairs. “I will not,” she declared. “I will go alone and be back shortly. If Abbie needs to go, then Roxane can take her. I do not want to!”
With that, she was gone before her mother could argue with her. She knew that she would be in for a scolding when shereturned but she didn’t care. She wanted to see Mathias and couldn’t do it with her baby sister hanging about. There was romance in the air, her very first beau, and she was giddy and reckless.
Fortunately, she didn’t have far to go. As soon as she bolted out of the entrance, an enormous hand reached out to grab her. She gasped with fright until she saw who it was. Deep green eyes twinkled back at her.
“What took you so long?” he asked. “I nearly died of anticipation.”
Cathlina giggled. “You look healthy enough,” she said. “Besides, I had to escape my mother. I cannot be too long or she will start to worry.”
“Ah,” he said, taking her hand and tucking it into the crook of his elbow. “Since we have so little time, what would you like to eat? Something sweet and fattening?”
Cathlina relished the feel of him. His enormous body was warm against her, his fingers clutching hers as they headed down the avenue. She was walking on clouds, thrilled and happy to be with him. “You choose.”
“Do you trust me to?”
“I do.”
He grinned as he led her down the avenue, feeling as prideful as a peacock with her on his arm. She was radiant and beautiful, and he felt extremely fortunate. The streets were crowded with people who had come to town to see the tournament and they dodged groups of women and children as they headed to the food vendors. Already, the smells of roasted meat and baking breads assaulted their nostrils as they entered the area with vendors shouting the culinary virtues of their dishes.
There was a man selling mutton in a honey and cinnamon sauce, all served up on great slabs of toasted brown bread. Mathias purchased a slab for Cathlina and a slab for himself,taking her to the steps of a nearby cottage where they sat down on the stone steps and delved into their meal. Cathlina picked at the meal while Mathias shoveled, but all the while, their focus was on each other.
“Are you staying in town tonight?” he asked her as he slurped up the sauce.
She nodded, nibbling on the big hunk of bread. “We brought our travel bedding and our shelters,” she said. “We set them up on the edge of town next to Cousin Tate’s encampment.”
He nodded as he shoved a big bite in his mouth. “Then this is quite an adventure for you.”
