Page 41 of Christmas Magic

Chapter Seven

“Are you certain this establishment is safe, Fair Maiden?” Lucian scanned the exterior of Devon Rex Desserts. Gut instinct told him he’d been to the premises countless times before, but when he tried to draw up memories of past visits, his mind seemed as dense as boiled oats and unwilling to enlighten him.

He could only see part of the interior due to the wreaths on the doors, folk crowded within, and the tree inside that bore small lights strung together and baubles in the shapes of, of all astounding things, cats.

Cora smiled. “Of course, the bakery’s safe. You know it is. You’ve been here lots of times before.”

Bollocks. Why can’t I remember?

Mayhap he’d fallen off his steed a short while ago and knocked his head? That would explain why he was having trouble thinking and why he couldn’t, for the life of him, remember what he’d done with his destrier.

Indeed, where was it? He didn’t see the stable where patrons of Devon Rex Desserts would keep their horses while they were in the bakery, but since he usually traveled by horseback, the animal had to be nearby.

As Cora chatted to a woman heading inside, a waft of pine from the wreaths reached him. Sniffing, he fought the tingling sensation in his nose that warned of a sneeze. ’Twould not be dignified for him to be struck by a sneezing fit whilst guarding his lady love.

He needed to be on alert. The street seemed peaceful enough, but thieves and ruffians could be lurking amongst the folk walking by. They might be waiting for a chance to kidnap Cora and ransom her for a castle or a chest filled with silver coins.

“Oh, good. Here’s Roberta,” Cora said.

“Roberta?” He knew that name, but again, his mind refused to give up any more information. Why not? A knight of the realm should remember such things.

“Hello Cora. Lucian.”

He smiled, not wanting to offend, even though he couldn’t remember from whence he knew her. Still, the plump, gray-haired woman must be a lady of importance to mix in the same noble circles as Cora. He bowed at the waist, the respectful greeting he’d been taught when a child.

Roberta’s hand fluttered to the collar of her coat. “Well. I usually only get greeted like that at historical society events.”

“He is being very chivalrous today.”

Lucian straightened. “Today and always, Fair Maiden.”

Cora’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Later, when not so many folk were about, he would tell her what a beautiful green color her eyes were; how pleasing he found her countenance. He was a lucky man, indeed, to have won the affections of a lady of such loveliness and renown.

“Will you join us inside, Lucian?” Roberta asked.

“Thank you, but nay.” The thought of making his way through the noisy throng sent a shudder crawling through him. ’Twould be far too easy for ruffians mingled with the crowd to hinder his efforts to protect Cora. They might also steal his coins or even his weapon.

His hands drifted to his waist. Weapon. Why did he not have his broadsword? Surely, if he hadn’t brought his blade, he’d have tucked a dagger into his belt? But…he didn’t even have a weapons belt.

Bollocks and more bollocks!How could he carry out proper guard duty when he had no means of defense?

What had happened to his weapons? Had they been confiscated for some reason? Mayhap he’d been robbed of them at knifepoint.

His mind refused to provide an answer.

Oh, hell. Oh, hell. Oh, hell—

At a squeeze of his arm, his attention snapped back to the two women. “The meeting shouldn’t take more than an hour,” Cora said. “Can I see you after that?”

He nodded once. “I will be here.” With luck, by the time she’d finished, he’d have gathered his wits and his memories would have returned.

Roberta frowned at him. “Do you mean you’ll wait here on the sidewalk?”

Of course, he did. Where else would he wait?

Lucian pressed his shoulders back. While he wasn’t wearing his chain mail armor—how the devil had he been caught so woefully unprepared?—he could still convey an imposing enough presence to deter any miscreants. He could also fight well with his fists if need be. “I will keep watch until you two leave the building. I will eagerly await your return, Fair Maiden.”

“Fair Maiden? You’re talking about Cora?” The gray-haired woman shook her head. “Wait just a minute—”