Sarah tugged at Ellie’s arm. “We’d best go.”
Julian captured her hand. “Please don’t go yet. We have ale if you are thirsty. Baldwin can regale you with stories of his past.”
Baldwin grunted. “You should practice.”
She leaned in. “I’d rather hear your stories.”
Julian couldn’t help but smile. He offered her his arm. “I don’t have as many stories as Baldwin does, but I will tell you everything. However, in return, I expect to know more about you.”
Ellie swept the hood from her head as they walked through the trodden clearing to the firepit near his tent.
A gasp lodged in his throat. She was beautiful. Like the sun on a bright day. Her blue eyes were dazzling, her nose pert, her lips full and bowed. He opened his mouth but suddenly couldn’t think of any questions.
“I’m afraid there is not much to know about me,” she said.
Displeased, Baldwin passed them to enter the tent. “Guests! You should be practicing. You have two more jousts today. You don’t have time.”
“Ellie and Sarah would like to hear your renowned stories,” Julian called.
“Please,” Ellie requested.
After a moment, Baldwin emerged from the tent, his lips tight.
Ellie placed a comforting hand on his arm. “Surely, there is time for one story. I’d like to know how you met and came to travel with Sir Julian.”
Baldwin grumbled but relented with a nod. “Only one story.” He pointed to Julian. “And then you practice!”
“Of course, of course,” Julian agreed and quickly retrieved a blanket from the tent. He spread it on the ground.
Ellie sat and curled her knees beneath her. There was something about her. Perhaps the way she sat. It wasn’t the way a commoner would sit. And how she had presented her knuckles to him. Something wasn’t quite… As his instincts buzzed, he stared at her and grinned. It didn’t matter. She was perfect. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
When she smiled at Baldwin, the old man’s shoulders sagged, and he sat beside her on the blanket.
Lost. Just as lost as Julian. Or found. He wasn’t quite sure which.
Chapter Nine
Baldwin didn’t elaborate on the storyand finished quickly. Julian wished he had gone on one of his digressions where he invented things to make the tale interesting. But Baldwin was in no mood for embellishment.
Sarah once again rose, looking back across the fields. “We shouldgo,” she stressed to Ellie.
Ellie nodded in agreement.
Baldwin crossed his arms, nodding, and glowered at Julian. “At least someone here has sense.”
With a sigh, Julian stood and offered Ellie his hand. She grasped it, and he helped her to her feet.
Sarah and Gilbert took the lead, heading back to the citadel.
Elora lifted the hood over her head again. They walked in silence for a moment as Sarah and Gilbert moved farther ahead of them. Julian’s tent was on the outskirts of the camp, near the river. It was close to the entrance to Gracious Hill, but far enough away from the fields that no one would see them.
“You didn’t break your fast at the morning meal,” she said.
“Were you were looking for me?” he asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.
“I wanted to thank you. For saving Sarah and me in the city.”
Julian nodded in understanding. “I was practicing.”
