‘Does the King?’
Always back to the King, and that explained his blackened expression—not jealousy.
‘Why would the King care?’
‘You will increase productivity here.’
‘I hope so.’
‘You’ll increase income for him as well. There is some secret here, Alice.’
At the word ‘secret’ she turned her gaze away. Perhaps if all was as it should be, thiswouldbe a secret. She hadn’t even thought to tell the King. Would it soften him towards her if she brought him more taxes? She doubted it.
‘You’ve been all over this camp; I can hardly hide secrets here.’
He raised a brow. ‘But elsewhere...?’
Was this just his cynicism or something else? There had been times today, as he’d heaved cut wood over his shoulders, as he’d conversed with others, when she’d glimpsed the Hugh of old—the one she’d fallen in love with.
And, try as she might, even with his past rejection and his current mockery, she found parts of her wanting to know... If he hadn’t left, if he had stayed, would it have been like this? Would they be side by side, working together?
Madness to think that. Foolishness. But he had helped today as he had said he would. Despite his cutting words, despite his watching her too closely.
And she couldn’t even ask why—couldn’t answer his questions regarding secrets. Because she’d have to lie...and right now she wasn’t sure what her lies would be.
He stepped forward. ‘Are there other secrets, Alice? Because—’ He shook his head, looked away and exhaled.
‘Because what?’
‘Have you been doing this since I left?’ he said. ‘Have you been helping people?’
He wasn’t entitled toanyof her secrets—and yet she’d seen him carry the extra sacks when a child had stumbled.
She didn’t owe him anything, but his expression seemed troubled. And she needed to answer him with some truths, or else continue her lies.
‘Not like this. But there’s a boy, William, who thrives with numbers... And Bertrice’s ankle is still healing, so I’ve been ensuring she doesn’t overwork it. And, of course, there’s always—’
A curve of his lips stopped her. She remembered her family’s disapproval of her projects; how the townspeople accepted her help but didn’t understand it.
‘Don’t stop,’ he said. ‘It’s good to hear this. It’s good to know that you’ve been here doing this.’
‘Now that you know, you can stop following me.’
He didn’t blink. ‘Iwasn’tfollowing you, remember? But I am curious why you were at Court.’
‘I was invited there...just as my father has been for years.’
Another step.
Alice was aware of the children settling down, and the families eating. Aware, too, that Mitchell had left and it was time for them to go.
And yet she didn’t want to leave. This moment was somehow different from all the others with Hugh. There was tension, but not so much confrontation. She didn’t know why, but something had changed over the last few hours. A few moments spent together...a few stolen looks. His frequent gaze...
He was looking at her differently now too. Standing closer.
Too close.
Was it her words to him about commanding the King? Was it because there was a delicate truce after the day’s labours?
