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“I am not free to do anything except host meals and knit, if I were so inclined. Reading is the only activity I actually am allowed and enjoy, but I wish to put my knowledge to use. To do something more with it.”
The two women once again skirted to the side. This time, however, it was for chickens clucking as they ran past, instead of a riding party of knights.
“This is not the ‘more’ you are looking for,” Amalia warned. “’Tis dangerous.”
Indeed, it was very much so. Both for her and Sir Gareth. If her father learned of it . . .
“I wish to see him again,” she said stubbornly.
Amalia frowned. “You will not be dissuaded?”
“Nay, I will not.”
Her friend looked around. “Then we must plan well. It would not do to have you and Sir Gareth meet so publicly. Your father will know of it before you even return to the keep.”
Except, everywhere in the village was public. All knew her, and few would hesitate to mention even the hint of an illicit meeting to her father. Not that their meeting would be an illicit one. She had no intention of doing anything other than speaking to him.
If he did attempt to kiss her, what would Evelina do? She’d never been kissed and had wondered many times what it might feel like.
“You have an idea?” she asked, knowing that look on Amalia’s face.
“Perhaps. Come, let us finish delivering these.” The maid frowned. “I really should not encourage this, but if you are going to do this thing . . .”
If she were going to meet Sir Gareth, none could know of it. Not his instructors. And especially not her father.
Even so, she would not regret her decision.
7
“This is your first time with Lady Elara?” Alden asked as he and Gareth walked toward the East Tower.
“It is.”
“Prepare yourself,” he said, climbing the circular stairs of the tower.
“For?”
“She is as beautiful as Lady Evelina, and like your lady, desired by every recruit in this castle.”
“She is not my lady.”
There was no question who “she” was, but as they emerged from the stairwell, Alden clearly did not believe him.
“Where do you go after strategy?”
“I will not incriminate myself by answering,” Gareth said.
Alden chuckled and answered for him. “The village.”
He said nothing more, thankfully. After yesterday’s training exercise, his friend had plenty to say about Gareth’s proposed meeting with Evelina. From suggesting caution to surprise at her interest since, according to Alden, she famously was immune to the charms of any of the recruits who had fallen for her beauty and charm. Which was, apparently, nearly all of them, Alden included.
“How old is she that all are so enamored with the instructor?”
“You’ve seen twenty-seven summers, aye?”
“Aye.”
“Likely she has seen a few less.”
