Page 24 of Lion and the Lamb: Easter

“Well, hurry back or you’ll miss out on the little food we do have,” he told her.

Rachael left the dais, seeing Willard making his way with the ledgers to Lionel’s solar.

“I’ll take those,” she said, holding out her hands. “I’m going to the solar anyway.”

“Of course, my lady,” said Willard, handing them to her.

“What was the name of that dockworker that dropped these off?” she asked him.

“I believe the boy’s name is Gilroy,” he said.

“Do his friends call him . . . Gilly?”

“I think I’ve heard him mentioned as thus. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. Thank you, Willard, that will be all.”

Rachael hurried to the solar, going inside and heading straight for the window. When she looked out, she saw Winifred along with the dockworker, Gilly, sneaking into the mews together.

“Oh, no,” she said, knowing whatever they were about to do, she had to stop them.

“What are you doing?” came a low voice from the door.

She spun around to see Lionel coming into the room.

“Nothing,” she said, already regretting getting caught.

“I thought you said you were going to the garderobe,” he told her, looking across the room at the window. “What are you looking at out there?”

“I saw Willard and told him I’d bring these to you.” She handed him the ledgers.

“I’ll look at this later.” He threw them on the bed and looked up at the window again. “Is there something going on out there that I should know about?” He took a step toward the window, but she blocked him.

“So you really like my hair?” she asked, stepping in front of him, putting her hands on his chest. Thankfully, his attention changed to her.

“I do,” he said, lifting his hand and running his fingers along her cheek. “I also wanted to thank you for getting Winifred to start acting like a lady.”

“Oh, it was no trouble.” She felt a blush rise to her cheeks. Then he leaned over and gently kissed her upon the lips.

“You have a way with her that her mother used to have. I am glad she’s accepted you as her new mother now.”

“I can’t say that’s true,” she told him. “But mayhap in time.”

“By the way, where is Winifred? I thought when I noticed her missing at the table that she was with you.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. She’ll be back soon.”

“Aye, well, mayhap I’d better go look for her. After all, I can’t have her running off again. Damn, I’m going to miss the whole meal now.”

“I’ll bet she’s in the garderobe. I’ll go check. Now, you just go back to the great hall and finish eating. I’ll meet you there.”

“Are you sure?” he asked, as she took his arm and led him to the door.

“We’ll both be back before they bring out the candied pears, nuts and dates.”

“Oh, that is sounding good about right now.” He put his hand on his stomach. “All right, I’ll see you there.”

As soon as he left, Rachael turned and ran down the corridor in the opposite direction, taking the servants’ stairs leading through the kitchen to the outside.