Page 26 of The Noble Servant

He closed his eyes while raising his brows in that imperious way of his. “Very well. If you will watch my sheep for me, I shall retrieve the items for you.”

“Where are you going?”

“Into town to purchase some paper and ink.”

“Do you want to know my name that badly?”

“Nearly. I also want to know why you want paper and ink.”

“How do you know I will tell you?”

“Because if you do, I shall buy you something to eat besides that burned porridge I heard about.”

The thought of edible food—some roast pheasant or wheat bread with a thick slice of butter—made her mouth water. She had been hungry since arriving in Wolfberg. But did she dare tell him why she needed the paper and ink? Perhaps she could get away with being vague.

“Decide quickly, for I am going to buy myself something, regardless.”

“Are you always so curious about your fellow servants?”

He looked up at the sky as if he was thinking. Finally, he looked back at her.“Nein.”

“Very well. I am so hungry I could eat three breakfasts.”

He stood and bowed to her. “I shall return as soon as I can.”

“I cannot pay you for the food.”

He gave her a tiny smile. “I may not be a knight, but I am too chivalrous to allow you to pay me for food.” And with that he loped away on his long legs.

Magdalen had a strange feeling in her stomach, which she was vaguely aware that she had felt before. Where had she felt this? Ohyes. At the ball at Thornbeck when she danced with the Duke of Wolfberg. If this shepherd was not the duke ... he made her feel the same way he had.

How strange.

She must have waited at least an hour before Steffan appeared at the end of the path at a fast walk. He carried a large pouch under his arm. Her blood seemed to quicken as she sat on the grass with the peaceful sheep on one side and the noisy geese on the other side, grazing and barely noticing the tall shepherd approaching. But she was only excited about writing a letter to Avelina.

He strode toward her and pulled out a cloth bundle from the leather bag. He squatted beside her and unwrapped the cloth, then held it out to her. Inside were four bread rolls.

She accepted one. It was still warm. “What is it?”

“A stuffed roll.” He picked one up and took a bite.

She did not want to be rude, so she didn’t ask what was inside. She was too hungry to care much anyway and bit into the soft bread.

Inside was some kind of meat, minced potato, and something sour. She closed her eyes, savoring the wonderful taste and smell. When she opened her eyes, she said, “Is that bacon?”

He smiled. “I think so. Bacon, potato, and sauerkraut. Do you like it?”

“Very much. But what is sauerkraut?”

“You’ve never had sauerkraut?”

She shook her head.

“Fermented cabbage.”

That didn’t sound very appetizing, but the flavors mixed together pleasantly in her mouth. Soon she had eaten the entire roll. “Thank you. That was delicious.”

“Have another one.”