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“Shall I leave on the chainmail, milord?” Jakeman asked, stacking the smaller pieces atop the breastplate.

Konrad considered a moment. The next battle would last little under three hours by his estimation. “No, take it off. I’ll go about in my gambeson between times.”

“Aye, milord.” He passed a cloth to Konrad who mopped his brow, glancing back toward the benches.

“I can tell you whereabouts my lady sits in, if that would be useful?” Jakeman murmured. Konrad waved the offer away.

“I already know,” he said shortly. “Here.” Jakeman took the proffered cloth, and Konrad narrowed his eyes. For a moment, he had definitely seen a glimmer of a smile. “Something to say?” Just as quickly it was gone.

“Nay, milord,” Jakeman’s face bore only an expression of obliging helpfulness.

Konrad grunted suspiciously but left it at that, moving off toward where the Howard family were congregated.

Aimee looked up as he approached and came eagerly to her feet. “Well played, my lord,” she said loudly, for all the world as though he had just completed a game of hammer-throw. “I daresay you are far too tired now to take me for a turn about the field?”

Noting her anxious tone and the faint look of desperation in her eye, Konrad cast a quick glance about the company. Lady Howard was looking rather flinty faced as she spoke to the comely mother of two, with the babes in a state of undress playing at their feet. The princess seemed to have disappeared, and Sir Chaucey was having a heated discussion with his steward about timings for the afternoon events.

“I could probably manage the exertion,” he replied and offered his arm. She seized it at once and bestowed a relieved smile on him.

“You are sure you are not too tired?” she asked quietly as he nodded to the Howards and bore her away.

“I’d likely get stiff and sore if I sat about too long now,” he admitted truthfully.

Her shoulders relaxed. “Oh, that makes me feel better about not letting you rest.”

“You did not find your company congenial?” he asked with a frown.

“Oh, it was! The princess – I mean, Lady Una de Bussell is vastly pleasant company. So very down-to-earth and agreeable. I quite see why – that is – I do not see how anyone could fail to be charmed by her.” Her tone was strangely wistful.

Konrad hesitated before he spoke. He did not think charming was a word that had been used for any Blechmarsh in living memory.

“You do not agree?” she asked, giving him a sidelong look.

He shrugged his shoulders. “I never really gave much thought to her personality,” he answered without thinking. “She was more a figurehead for the northern cause than a person,” he admitted gruffly.

Aimee’s brow cleared. “So then, you do not – ? That is …” She corrected herself carefully. “Your admiration of her was not of a personal nature?”

Steering her around an arguing couple, he shook his head. “No,” he said bluntly.

“Oh.” Feeling her gaze on his face, he turned to look at her, but she looked quickly away.

“Are you going to tell me why you were so keen to part company with the Howards?” he asked pointedly, hoping this subject was an easier one.

“Oh that,” she said, flashing him an apologetic smile. “Well, Sir Darby has thrown a cat among the pigeons this morning, and I am afraid that Lady Howard holds me at least partly responsible.”

Konrad’s steps halted abruptly. “She holds you responsible?” he echoed.

Aimee, still hanging off his arm, pulled up short. “Indirectly, yes.”

“How?” he demanded, a heavy frown at his brow.

“I will tell you, if you will only stir your step.” She tugged on his arm until he commenced walking again, albeit with some reluctance. He had half a mind to turn back and ask their hostess what the hells she was playing at!

“It seems my song at the banquet last night inspired Sir Darby to ride into Aldenbrook this morning at crack of dawn and find a priest to bind him to the mother of his two children.”

Konrad halted again. “Darby has children?”

Aimee nodded her head. “Apparently, the family knew all about it, but as she was the daughter of a mere farmer, they did not expect him to marry her.”