Chapter Four #4
Trenton’s gaze moved to the little girl, still in the grip of her older sister.
“There is nothing wrong with loving horses,” he said.
“I love them myself and, in fact, they seem to love her. My warhorse took her treat quite calmly, which means he understands she loves him. Horses know these things.”
As Lysabel looked doubtful, Brencis’ face lit up. “They do?” she said. “Does he really know I love him? I do, you know.”
Trenton’s grin broadened. “Of course he knows,” he said. “But I will still tell you not to go near him unless I am around. He is not a pet, my lady. You must be careful around him.”
Brencis nodded eagerly, but he could see that she probably didn’t mean it. As he tried to think of a way to convince her again to never go near the animal without him around, Lysabel gestured towards the manse.
“Take her inside, Cinny,” she said. “Wash her face and hands.”
Cynethryn didn’t move right away; she glanced at Trenton first. “Aren’t you coming, Mama?”
Lysabel nodded. “Of course I am,” she said. “Go, now. I will come in a moment.”
Now, Cynethryn’s gaze moved to Trenton full-on, her blue eyes cold and appraising. Trenton simply looked back at the child, neutrally, until she finally turned away and pulled her younger sister with her. The adults watched the pair walk away before Lysabel turned to Trenton.
“I am sorry if Cissy was a nuisance this morning,” she said. “She loves horses so that I fear she will make a nuisance of herself in any case.”
Trenton wasn’t thinking so much about Brencis as he was about Cynethryn and the threatening way she’d been looking at him.
“She did not make a nuisance of herself,” he said.
Then, he scratched his neck in a reluctant gesture.
“But she did feed my warhorse pears whilst I was not around, and that horse is violent. He has been known to stomp men to death, so you must stress to her not to go near the horse for her own safety.”
Lysabel’s eyes widened. “God’s Bones,” she breathed. “Of course I will tell her. Thank you for warning me.”
He simply nodded, his gaze moving over her in the early morning light. He still couldn’t believe that in all the years he’d known the woman, he’d never realized how beautiful she was.
He’d been a fool.
“No harm done,” he said, pretending to turn back for the stable when what he was really doing was working up the courage to continue the conversation while not seeming too eager about it.
“In truth, Brencis reminded me of something. There is a village to the north. I passed through it on my way here.”
Lysabel nodded. “Ilchester.”
“Ilchester,” he repeated. “I was planning on visiting the village and I wondered if you and your daughters would like to come along.”
Lysabel smiled. “That would be lovely,” she said. “Why do you need to visit the village? Mayhap, I can direct you to the proper merchant.”
“I am not quite sure yet.”
It was a cryptic answer, but a truthful one.
He had no idea; he simply wanted to do something with Lysabel, and he didn’t want to leave her daughters behind, so he thought a trip into the village would give them a chance to spend time together.
Perhaps the older one might look less like she wanted to slit his throat if she came to know him.
But Lysabel didn’t have to know that; he watched as she laughed softly at his vague reply.
“In that case, how can I refuse?” she said. Then, she sobered somewhat. “In fact, I was hoping to ask a favor of you today, Trenton.”
“Anything. What is it?”
Now it was her turn to appear reluctant.
“In speaking of my father last night, it occurred to me that I have not seen him in some time,” she said.
“I have a great urge to visit my parents and I was wondering – if you do not have other plans to attend to – if you could escort us to Wellesbourne Castle for a visit.”
He dipped his head gallantly. “It would be my pleasure, Lady de Wilde,” he said. “When would you like to go?”
“Is tomorrow too soon?”
He shook his head. “It is not,” he said. “But I should like to form a proper escort. Who is your man in charge of the soldiers at Stretford?”
“His name is Markus de Aston,” she said. “From the Oakhampton de Astons. He has served my husband for several years and, to be truthful, he has no great love for Benoit. However, as I told you, Markus only knows that Benoit has left and nothing more.”
Trenton took that into consideration. “And I will make sure that is all he knows,” he said. “It might be good if you could introduce me to the man and tell him what we are planning so he does not have to take orders from a complete stranger.”
Lysabel agreed. “He surely saw you last night in the feasting hall, as he was present,” she said. “But I will make sure he knows that he is expected to take orders from you.”
With that, she smiled at Trenton and turned to leave the stable yard. He was on her heels, following her, looking forward to the trip to Wellesbourne perhaps more than he should have. It would take at least two or three days to reach Wellesbourne Castle.
Two or three days of being with Lysabel.
He could think of nothing else he’d rather do.