“Aye, Orrick is a most wondrous husband. Oh, Em, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean?—”
“Nay, think nothing of it. I know well my status, but you... you look absolutely radiant. I am so grateful marriage agrees with you!”
“Aye, and I heard of Joanne. Is it true she is to marry Niles?”
“She is.”
Trying not to eavesdrop, Draven watched the baron carefully. The king had sent him here to inspect the baron’s accounts. Henry suspected the baron of withholding taxes and the penalty for such was not a pleasant one.
The baron’s awkwardness didn’t lend itself to friendly chit-chat. Not that Draven was adept at friendly chit-chat or even unfriendly chit-chat for that matter.
Basically, Draven wasn’t a chatty person in any shape, form or fashion.
“Nice weather, you’re having,” Simon said at last. “Perfect for the fair.”
“Aye.” Orrick nodded. “Very pleasant. Mild, not too hot or cold.”
And they sat some more in silence, nursing their ales.
“The fair is wonderful this year,” Christina’s voice covered their silence. “There is this one goldsmith you must visit. He is truly talented. Remind me to show you the ear bobs he made.”
“Oh, I envy you that. My father would never allow us to pierce our ears. He was too afraid we’d develop an infection from the piercing and perish.”
“Good for him. My cousin, Cordelia, died that way. We had ours done together by her maid.”
“Truly?”
“Aye, but you know, your father needs learn not to be so frightened of your welfare. Why, I’ll never forget that time he locked you and your sisters in your chambers to keep you from venturing out in the rain. Or the time he whipped you for merely going out the postern gate with me to pick berries in the meadow behind the castle.”
Draven frowned at their words. He had known Hugh was over- protective, but that went beyond the pale of acceptability. Not to even let his daughter pick berries? What else had Emily been deprived of?
And the thought of her father beating her....
‘Twas a good thing Hugh was far from his reach.
“Aye, I remember it well,” Emily said. “You can imagine how excited I was coming here. We actually got to sleep outside in the forest!”
“Weren’t you afraid?”
“With Lord Draven to protect me? Nay, I think he could well slay a bear with his bare hands.”
In spite of himself, he felt a pang of pride at her words and admiration.
“In fact,” Emily continued. “You should see him train. It takes my breath the way he moves. Never have I seen a man more handsome or strong. No wonder Queen Eleanor calls him the Rose of Chivalry. And did you know he reads for pleasure?”
Simon choked on his ale as he struggled not to laugh.
Glaring at his brother, Draven felt heat descend upon his face.
Blushing? he thought with a start. The maid had him blushing?
He’d never done such in his life.
“Do you think Lord Draven is....”
Draven struggled to hear the rest of Emily’s sentence, but for once they dropped their voices to a level that prevented it.
What the devil could they be saying now?
