“Why would we be invited to dine at the castle? We’re just farmers.”
“I don’t question Lord Damien. He said for me to find you and invite you to dine at the castle.” At least the first part was true, he did want him to find her.
“Lord Damien?” She scowled. “He doesn’t even know who we are. I want you off my lands.”
“It’s very disrespectful to deny an invitation from your lord.”
“Mylord?” she repeated, straightening.
Gawyn slowly climbed to his feet. “You are a tenant on Acquitaine lands. You pay a yearly tithe.”
She harrumphed and lowered the blade. “Unfortunately,mylord doesn’t know we exist. We are so far removed from the city that we mean nothing to him. Where was he when the Hungars raided the farm next to us? Where was he when disease ravaged our livestock and we went hungry for most of the year?”
Gawyn dusted the dirt and debris from his leggings. “Did you present these issues to Lady Aurora?”
She chuckled without humor. “It’s a day’s walk to get to the city. One way. I can’t afford to be away from the farm for two days.”
“Yet, you were there today.”
Those expressive eyes narrowed again. Her gaze moved quickly over him, and she took a step away. “And I have to make up the chores I missed by being there. So, I must decline the invitation to dine at the castle. With all due respect.”
“I shall give Lord Damien your regrets.” He judged her with an appreciative summative glance. She was just a young woman. Surely, she was no threat to Damien. “May I have your name?”
She placed her free hand on her hip. “Lord Damien requested my presence to dine at the castle without knowing my name?” she asked in disbelief.
Gawyn shrugged. “He can’t possibly know every person who resides on his lands.”
“Obviously.” She leaned back against a tree, watching him. She twirled the dagger handle in her fingers. “If he wants to know my name, he can ask me himself.”
Gawyn smiled outright. She was feisty. He really liked her. He bowed slightly. “I shall relay your message.”
“When you leave, stay to the left of the road. There have been reports of bandits to the east.”
Oh, she was intriguing! It had been a long time since he found a woman who could match wits with him. He nodded and turned to go but paused. He reached deep into his jupon and turned back to her, holding out a fresh loaf of bread wrapped in a clean cloth. It was slightly smashed from their scuffle, but it still looked presentable.
Her gaze shifted to the bread.
“You dropped a loaf in the street. I’d hate for you to return from Acquitaine empty handed.”
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously but snatched the bread from his hand. A grin started on his lips, but he hid it by turning away.
