“A figure of speech,” he said. “The man was preparing to open his shop for the day and I purchased these items for you. There are four surcoats, two shifts, various belts and scarves and hose, and a sack that contains a variety of soaps and oils and combs. You said you had nothing and I wanted to ensure that you had something until you could purchase items more suited to your taste.”
Ellowyn looked at him, surprised and pleased. “You did this for me?”
He looked at her as if puzzled by the response. “Of course,” he said. “You are my wife. It is my duty to provide for you.”
Her gaze lingered on him, hearing his words,you are my wife. She felt such giddy joy at the reminder, chasing off the damp thoughts from just moments before. Aye, she’d run off to marry him, leaving her family to start a new life with a man shehad quickly come to adore. She missed her family very much. But she realized it could not dampen the joy she felt at becoming Brandt’s wife. Gazing up at him, she was very glad to be with him, no matter what the circumstances.
“I would thank you for your thoughtfulness, then,” she said. “You are very generous, my lord.”
He gave her a half-grin. “Not under usual circumstances, but you seem to bring it out in me,” he said, his gaze moving over her appreciatively as his manner softened. “Did you sleep well?”
She nodded, a smile coming over her face. “Very well, thank you,” she said. “Did you?”
He nodded, his dark eyes twinkling. “Surprising well considering my new wife thrashes about in bed. Twice I was smacked in the face by flailing arms.”
Ellowyn’s mouth popped open in outrage. “I donotthrash!”
He laughed, bending over to kiss her on the forehead. “Aye, you do, but I find it quite charming,” he said. “In fact, I find everything about you quite charming. You are a true and rare treasure, my lady. I feel like the most fortunate man alive.”
He insulted her and soothed her at the same time, leaving Ellowyn with a furrowed brow and a smile on her face. “Compliments and slander well played, Lord Husband,” she said. When he snorted and shifted on his big legs, she noted that he was dressed in a full complement of armor. “I would assume that I have little time to dress?”
He nodded. “That is a fair statement.”
“Then I will need something to pack these garments in.”
“My men are searching out such a trunk as we speak,” he said, “and I would appreciate it if we could be on the road within the hour. We have much traveling to do before we reach Guildford.”
She was aware of that. As she looked at him, something else occurred to her. “Is my father chasing us?”
His humor faded. “My scouts indicate he has amassed his army,” he replied. “He will not be far behind us so the sooner we depart, the better.”
Ellowyn thought seriously on that. “Perhaps we should send him a missive and tell him we have married,” she said. “Even if he did catch us and, for some reason, wrest me from you, the fact remains that I am your wife. My father cannot dissolve our marriage. Perhaps if we tell him that, he will give up trying to reclaim me. There is no point if we are married.”
Brandt lifted his eyebrows. “If your father has any brains, then he knows I have married you already and he will come after us regardless. We are speaking of honor, Wynny– I defied your father and slandered his honor by taking you. He wants you back. He will try to kill me to achieve this.”
She frowned. “I will not allow it,” she said firmly. “Moreover, he cannot kill you. Frenchmen have been trying to do it for years and have not succeeded. What makes you think a crippled Englishman can?”
Brandt chuckled, shaking his head. “An angry crippled father is worth a thousand whole-bodied Frenchmen,” he said. “Do not underestimate him.”
He was half-joking but Ellowyn was still serious. “So what do we do? Retreat to Guildford and hope he gives up at some point? Perhaps he will come to Guildford and lay siege.”
Brandt nodded. “It is a distinct possibility,” he replied. “But my castle is well-fortified. He will not succeed if he tries to bring me down.”
“Do we just sit and wait him out?”
“Nay,” Brandt said, rather firmly. “I will go about my business seeking fresh men and supplies for the Prince of Wales, and eventually return to France.”
Her spirit dampened. “And leave me behind at Guildford with my father trying to beat down the walls?”
He sobered. Then he put his hand beneath her chin, tipping her head up to receive a sweet kiss to the mouth.
“We are not going to play out that scenario at this moment,” he said softly but firmly. “You will get dressed and I will return for you within the hour. Agreed?”
She made a face but nodded. “Agreed.”
He smiled, kissing her again. “I will station a soldier outside in case you need something.”
She watched him head to the door. “Where are you going?”
