“It’s just a trick,” I said quietly.
“For someone who has actually met the Devil of Arden and lived to tell about it, you seem awfully unconvinced of his existence,” Will replied with a frown, hefting the basket of squash in his arm. My eyes widened and my heart set off at a wild, erratic pace as I glanced around. For all their virtues, the Sisters did love to eavesdrop, especially on Will Scarlett.
“Hush!” I whispered, then ducked through a low doorway into a cool stone corridor and allowed my body to sag with relief, even if my heart was still hammering.
Will followed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s alright,” I assure him, mustering up a smile. “I’m just worn out, and those squash need to be delivered to the kitchen quickly…if I’m going to have time to wash.”
“Oh, you know I don’t mind,” he said in a low voice, his free hand grasping my arm so he could gently push me against the wall.
“Will…” I pressed my hand to his chest and met his hazel eyes. They stared down at me, wide and hungry, sending ripples of desire through my stomach. “Not here. You know better.”
“I mightknowbetter,” he replied, snaking his hand around to give my backside a quick squeeze, “but it doesn’t mean Icare.”
I loosed a weak giggle and pulled away from him, quickening my pace down the corridor.
“I’d give all the gold crowns in Nottingham to have seen your father’s face when he found that drawing,” I said, hoping a change of subject would tame the roaring heat in my body.
“They’ll write it in the history books, I’m sure,” Will chuckled. “I’ve never seen him so furiously purple.” He followed me into the Abbey kitchens at a more respectful distance, and we found Sister Teodora already blustering up a storm at her young assistants. Thankfully, I was long-since banned from helping in the kitchens, due to my affinity for insects and inability to follow directions.
“Ah, there she is, our wayward gardener!” the old Sister huffed when she spotted me. “And the boy too, naturally.Tsk tsk. How fortunate you are, MisterScarlett. When I was May’s age, menfolk weren’t permitted to enter the Abbey groundsat all.”
“Your Sister Superior has a weak spot for me,” said Will with a cheeky grin.
Teodora just scowled at him and took the basket of squash.
“Saffron?” I asked quickly before the cook became distracted again.
“Enough to choke an ox, child,” Teodora said with a gap-toothed smile. “I know you could eat a pound of it.”
“You sweet, wonderful thing,” I cooed, kissing her on the cheek.
“Is a pound of saffron all it takes to get a kiss from you?” Will asked. “And I thought honeyed almonds were the key.”
“Sister Jazmina, would you escort Mister Scarlett to the front door, please?” Teodora said brusquely, raising an eyebrow. “I believe May has evening prayers and supper to prepare for.” One of the younger Sisters gave a shallow curtsey and led us out of the kitchens.
“Any other news from town besides the great hog escape?” I asked as we followed Jazmina, her cloud-gray wimple flowing out behind her.
“Yes, there is something,” Will said, “but I shouldn’t say here…”
One look at his apprehensive face told me I wasn’t going to like it, but all I could do was squeeze his hand as we came into the Abbey’s cavernous entrance hall. While Jazmina went to unlock one of the small side doors, Will leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.
Before pulling away, he whispered, “See you upstairs?”
I gave a terse nod and stepped back, heart still thumping wildly. Will left through the front door, offering Jazmina a polite smile on his way out. The young Sister blushed a deep crimson.
“How ever did you get that lucky, May?” she sighed as she closed the door behind him. “Will is so handsome and sweet. I don’t understand why you stay here when you could have him.” I frowned and put an arm around her shoulders. Jazmina was several years my junior, but had been sent to the Abbey by her impoverished family in order to spare her from a life in the brothels. For my part, I had never taken vows to officially join the Holy Sisterhood. I hadn’t seen the necessity in it, since my life was already dedicated to serving the people of Nottingham, and to the Holy Family. Besides, I still occasionally entertained the idea of marriage and children, especially when I was with Will. This made Jazmina and I kindred spirits, since she was also inclined to ignore the Abbey’s rules when it suited her.
“If I left, the garden would wither and you would all starve, Jaz. Besides, young men are always handsome and sweet when you only see them once a week. If you have to live with one, I’m sure they’re far less appealing.”
“You’re right,” Jazmina giggled. “My brothers were completely odious, but Will’s familyissomewhat highborn, so…maybe he wouldn’t be as bad. When you do get out, you must promise to come back and tell me if I’m right.” She winked and headed back toward the kitchens, while I continued through the Abbey toward the dormitories. I was waylaid, however, by a gaggle of schoolgirls in gray linen dresses and crisp, white aprons, who were poking their heads out of a classroom door.
“Miss May! Miss May!” they cried when they spotted me. “Come! Come here!”
I couldn’t help but obey with a smile. Sister Tatyana was instructing today and gently begged her students to retake their seats, which they did.
“We are having our final history lesson of the season today,” she informed me, “and they have been searching for a willing victim to hear their recitation. Would you humor them, May, before they drive me to tears?”
