Chapter Ten 
Left to her own devices over the next week, Melinda explored the grounds. She didn’t have a guard, but no matter where she went, there was always someone watching. So she was a guest but not someone trusted. If a stranger showed up in her backyard looking for help, Melinda would probably call the cops. It wasn’t safe anymore to take in strangers. Maybe things hadn’t changed as much as she thought. She waved at her pretend guard and went on her way.
“Lady?”
She turned and looked into green eyes with impossibly long and thick lashes.
“Lord Falconburg. It’s a pretty day.”
He looked to the sky. “Aye.” James shifted from foot to foot. “Here. Buy yourself a ribbon for your hair.” He handed her a few coins. “If it pleases you.”
“Thank you. I lost my money…during my travels.”
The man in front of her looked unconvinced but didn’t say anything. It was true. Her money was in her coat pocket somewhere in the castle…over seven hundred years from now.
“The dress looks lovely.”
She touched the soft wool. It was a heather gray and made her feel like she didn’t stick out so much. There was a belt with a small pouch hanging from it. Melinda put the coins inside, once again wishing for pockets.
She thanked him.
“Walk with me?”
He took her hand, drawing it through the crook of his elbow, then stiffened, as if she wouldn’t want to take his arm. And that was when she thought he must have been sexy and charming before the accident. Sure of himself. He was still sexy, and she could see charm buried underneath his frown. Now he seemed to hide behind the scars and a grumpy demeanor.
James started to pull away, but she pulled on his elbow. “I saw the blacksmith making something. Would you explain its purpose?”
He looked relieved and pulled her along. Aunt Pittypat was right. When in doubt, ask a man to talk about himself or explain something. Worked every time. Melinda trotted to keep up. It was weekly market day. It was fun to see so many people and explore the vendors and goods.
James didn’t say much. She felt awful when they passed a couple of pretty teenage girls and they shrank back. He stiffened, and Melinda could almost see the black mood hovering above his head.
He bought her a few ribbons to tie back her hair. She exclaimed over the dried and candied fruit, and he bought her candied cherries.
“These are so good. Sure you don’t want one?”
He didn’t smile, but didn’t look as cranky. “It pleases me to see you smile.”
“Lord Falconburg?”
James turned to one of his knights. Melinda nibbled the cherries and eyed a merchant selling fabrics.
“I take my leave of you.”
She watched him go. They hadn’t discussed why she was here yet. From the looks of things, he was in constant demand. He’d get to her eventually. In the meantime, she hadn’t found anyone that knew Lucy. The plan to go to Blackford was the best idea she had. Now to get up the courage to ask James for a horse and help getting there.
Melinda went inside to the kitchens to find the two girls who’d been assigned to help her. She wanted to give them the rest of the candied cherries. While she still didn’t have a good feel for the cost of things, she gathered they were expensive because of the sugar. The girls would love them.
“Mistress Merriweather.” The cook handed her a roll, hot from the oven. Melinda put a bit of butter on it and sat at the table to eat, enjoying the warmth after being outside.
She was almost finished when a man ambled in. Melinda knocked a bowl off the table, the pottage splattering across the floor. A dog darted in, licking up the mess. With a shaking finger, she pointed at the man’s neck.
“Where did you get that?”