Eldric’s smile returned. ‘Andthat’swhy you had me ride outside the town’s border to bring sacks of bread to those families?’
‘It was the only way to get you away from me.’ She pointed her finger. ‘Why are you everywhere I am? You’re even here. I believe you are following me.’
Hugh’s studying eyes were on her now. For some reason it made her feel reckless. Being around him made her feel reckless. Feeling his gaze, being reminded of his words in the garden, made her angry all over again.
‘It’s dangerous to follow you,’ Eldric said. ‘Why, the next day you had me cleaning the church.’
Elizabeth laughed. ‘The church? You didn’t!’
‘He’s making that one up,’ Alice said.
‘Am I? And for what purpose?’
‘What reason doesanyman have for displaying his good deeds? So he can be doted on.’
‘Ah, I’m caught out.Wouldyou dote on me?’
Eldric was definitely flirting with her. While he might not live in Swaffham, he did have a residence here. Therefore he was as much a target for her spying as any other in the town.
Tapping her chin, she answered, ‘No...’
‘You wound me.’ Eldric put his hand on his heart. ‘If you did, I would probably carry on with more of your good deeds.’
Alice gave a true smile then. The more they talked, the more Hugh’s inscrutable mien turned to a scowl. She was provoking him, yes, but he’d come to Swaffham, to her family’s house. If he didn’t like what he saw it washisissue, not hers. She had a traitor to catch. Eldric was a target—as was everyone else in this town.
Elizabeth laid a hand on Eldric’s elbow. ‘My sister will be busy with other projects. Soon she’ll be inspecting Mitchell’s new thread-making methods.’
‘That gives me all the more reason,’ Eldric replied. ‘If only to warn Mitchell about getting too close to you. What evil good deeds will you demand ofthatpoor man?’
‘I’m retiring for the evening,’ Hugh interjected. The cold tone of his voice was a marked contrast to Eldric’s warm one. ‘I’ll be in the carriage, Eldric.’
With a curt nod to Elizabeth, Hugh turned on his heal.
Eldric’s warm eyes dimmed. When he turned to smile, it didn’t reach his eyes as it had before. ‘I suppose that’s a signal for me to retire as well. Thank you, Elizabeth, for allowing him to come.’
‘Of course,’ Elizabeth replied. ‘He was welcome. Yet perhaps not so very welcome over the next month.’
Alice hadn’t expected her sister to announce her intention of marrying, but her statement couldn’t be taken for anything differently.
‘I don’t follow,’ Eldric replied.
‘She means,’ Alice said, taking charge of this conversation, ‘that I have agreed to accept a wedding suit. She believes Hugh might disrupt that plan.’
‘Ah, yes, I did notice the seating arrangement.’
‘St Martin’s Day seating is always planned,’ Elizabeth said.
Eldric’s eyes narrowed. ‘Does Hugh know?’
Alice felt like throwing her hands in the air or hurting someone. Preferably Hugh. ‘It is none of his concern. And if his knowledge is a concern to you, your conversation has certainly proved otherwise.’
‘Yes, but had I known...’ Eldric glanced behind him, and then gave a formal nod. ‘This will be an interesting time that I look forward to very much. Now I should see to the carriage.’
‘The night seems milder, so I hope the roads fare you well tonight,’ Elizabeth said.
When Eldric was out of earshot, Elizabeth raised one imperial brow.
‘Thatdidn’t look like anything was over.’
