“Malton,” Nicholas said, stopping him. “I will not speak of your treason to the king. I will wish you Godspeed.”
The earl stared at him for a moment and then smiled and nodded. Nicholas didn’t smile back. He watched Malton leave and then he ordered a drink.
His foul mood had returned with thoughts of the two princes in the Tower. Perhaps he should ask Miss Locksley…that would be admitting that she was telling the truth. She was from the future. She couldn’t be, and he was putting it out of his mind once and for all!
He downed his ale, swiped his sleeve across his mouth and left the tavern.
On his way back, he thought about the missives he had to pen, some to Glastonbury—she had to come from somewhere. Her story of traveling back in time couldn’t be true—and also to their supporters telling them of their victories these last few weeks. He couldn’t wait to get back to it. Then he would be away from all the annoyances of Scarborough Castle, such as the king, Reg and his family, and now, the mad Miss Locksley.
He arrived home and went straight to his solar to begin his writing. He found it difficult to think. It wasn’t due to Reg’s children shouting and screeching. No. The halls were quiet. It was her. Beautiful, saucy-mouthed Kestrel Locksley. What was she doing now? Repinning her hair, mayhap. He smiled thinking of the pins dropping to the floor and tendrils of her hair falling around her face.
She certainly didn’t seem to belong here.
He almost rose from his chair three times to go find her. He held back the urge. But it was there. He enjoyed being with her, thrilling in her boldness. She was the first person he actually wanted to spend time with in as long as he could remember.
But what would ever come of them? The poor woman wasn’t right in the head. But the shimmer…the shimmering air. What did it mean? How could a logical mind accept this as true?
He put down his quill and rubbed his forehead. Her face appeared in his thoughts. Her eyes, as blue as summer skies, as green as verdant fields. Her lips were pink and plump and fashioned to be kissed. She wasn’t one to be taken lightly. She didn’t like it when he shouted or ordered her about, and she let it be known.
He found himself pacing in front of her door. Was she inside? What was he doing here anyway? What was he here to tell her? He knocked after he wore a path on the ground, but she didn’t answer.
It was a sign for him to leave her alone. Maybe she was gone into thin air, the way she came. Would that happen one day while they were out walking, laughing, perhaps kissing?
He went back to his room and agonized over her for another hour. Why couldn’t she just be from a neighboring village? Not from Glastonbury. Mayhap there was no distant aunt. She might simply be someone’s daughter, sister. He believed she was of marriageable age. What if she was someone’s wife? He ignored the knot his last thought tightened in his belly. Perhaps she was from a village or town close by, assuming she walked the entire way here, and lived in her own made up world in her head. He hadn’t even checked with anyone!
He hurried out for his horse and caught her when she plowed into his chest and into his arms.
“Oh, sorry,” she said breathlessly, looking up into his eyes.
Was she breathless over him? Or from running?
“I didn’t see you,” she told him with the slightest of smiles. “You can…um…let me go now.”
She had a swatch of flour on her chin and on her cheek. There was also some in her hair.
“What are you doing?” he asked, releasing her.
“Baking.” She stepped away. “Elia sent me out to Robert, the chicken farmer, for eggs. I’m showing her and Cook how to make cupcakes.”
“Cupcakes?” he repeated. How odd she was.
“I’ll save you one. I don’t know what flavor they’ll be just yet. Cook doesn’t have many ingredients to choose from. He would like supplies from other villages or towns further out. You would benefit from it, too.”
He nodded and looked her over. “I’ll see to what he needs.”
“Thank you.” A slight smile curled her mouth.
“How are you faring, Miss Locksley? You appear,” he paused for an instant, thinking of the correct word, “well.”
“I’m ok. It’s hard not having my phone though. I miss texting Kim and Lilith. Poor Jack must be out of his mind.”
He only understood about half of what she was saying. But he did hear one thing. “Jack?” he asked, feeling his foul mood stirring again.
“My roommate. Are you going out again?”
“Aye. I have some things to see to.” He thought she liked being with him, as well. At least, until she’d heard his temper this morning.
She smiled and he had to look away to keep thinking clearly.
“A pretty girl, no doubt.”
He shook his head and scowled, settling his gaze on her again. “No. No pretty girls.”
He moved to step around her, but she caught his arm. “What has come over you since last night? Last night, you weren’t half-bad. But today you’re an ass.”
His mouth curled into a woeful smile. Just when he thought she was softening again. His lips went stiff. “I have come to my senses.”
Her soft expression grew hard. “About me. Fine. Just don’t throw me out into the str—the road.”
She let him go and stormed away. He wanted to go after her. To assure her she could stay as long as she needed. But first, he had to find her village.
What if he couldn’t find any village that had lost her? He wondered about that on his way to the stable. What if no one had?
He searched every village and town closest to
