Walter looked at it over his spectacles. “You know perfectly well what it is, Child. I suggest you eat it and stop holding it up to me or I can almost assure you that I will be the one who eats it.”
Kes cut Mr. Simeon a side glance. She knew it came from the future and he was the one who’d brought them here.
“What?” Walter asked, seeing her disapproving expression. “What are we changing by eating this delicious pie? ’Tis my favorite treat!”
“Of course.” Kes feigned a smile. “So the people who created this pie in my century don’t matter. If someone makes something similar now, you’ve changed those people’s future.”
Walter frowned at his pie and then at her. “Aw, very well then. Let this be the last time I ever eat one.” He bit into his pie and closed his eyes with delight.
Kes looked at hers, shrugged her shoulders, then took a bite. He was right. It was delicious.
Remaining here would be difficult. Knowing Mr. Simeon would make it a temptation to have possessions from every century, every dynasty. To everything, everywhere. But nothing would be as hard as trying to live without her knight in her life. Why did he have to be such a stubborn, gentle bear?
“Tell me,” Mr. Simeon said while they ate. “Where is the earl this morning?”
“He’s having a hard time with me being a Lancaster.”
“Pig-headed fool,” the time traveler muttered then sipped his tea.
“The Lancasters murdered his family,” Kes defended him. “We don’t understand what it’s like for him.”
“Aye. She’s correct,” Walter muttered and set down his cup. “This is a delicate matter and must be treated so. For now, let us leave matters of their hearts to them.”
Kes smiled at Walter for his thoughtfulness, and then laughed when Mr. Simeon suggested she try on the gown.
It didn’t mean she was keeping it. She was just trying it on.
It was no big deal.
Chapter Twenty
Someone knocked on Walter’s front door. Kes’ heart skipped its beats. It had to be Nicholas. He’d told Walter he would see her today. She’d admit, she hadn’t known him long, but he’d never lied to her—that she knew of. Yet.
Sure she was suspicious of him and his motives. She’d had ten years of experience with boys and men—well, they’d never grown up, so, just boys. They always had ulterior motives and they always lied.
“Miss Locksley,” Walter knocked and spoke through the door. “Lord Scarborough is here to see you.”
She felt a little faint and rushed to the door, blue silk and feathery tulle flowing behind her. She stopped when she reached the wooden barrier in front of her and the man she’d foolishly allowed herself to love.
She shivered in her spot, though the temperature in her room was a warm eighty degrees at least.
She didn’t want to seem overly eager to see him, though in fact, she was. She’d thought of him all night, hearing his deep voice at the door when he’d spoken to Walter about seeing her. She’d refused. She couldn’t accept that he suddenly hated her because of her name. He needed time. He was stubborn and he needed time—
She opened the door to her room and stepped into the corridor. He’d come. She knew he would. That had to earn him something, didn’t it? He was reliable.
She walked to the stairs, feeling herself in her beautiful gown. She lifted her hems and hurried down the stairs in her slippered feet.
When she reached the solar door, she took a deep breath and stepped inside.
He was sitting with Walter and Mr. Simeon. When he saw her, he stood up. She barely noticed anyone else so tall and handsome was he in his—armor. His armor. Was he leaving? Returning to the war?
“My lord?” she asked in a soft voice.
“My lady,” he said just as softly.
“Ehm, come then, Roldan,” Walter said and tossed his arm around Mr. Simeon, “Let us go walk outdoors.”
When they were alone, Kes opened her mouth to speak, to ask him if he was leaving.
He spoke first. “Kestrel, you look…” He stopped and swallowed and started again. “You look perfect. Where did you get the gown?”
“It was Queen Berengaria’s gown. She was—”
“I know who she was.” He looked tired and gaunt. When had he slept last? “So, is this how ’tis to be while I’m away?” he asked angrily.
Away. The bastard was leaving.
“How what is to be?”
“Simeon will be bringing you gifts?”
“He might!” she snapped at him. “What do you care? You’re leaving early!”
“I think it best.”
“Explain that to me, Nicholas. How is it best?” She wouldn’t shout or cry. She wouldn’t let him let know how much she cared.
“’Tis best for more than one reason.”
She nodded mockingly and folded her arms across her chest.
“You deceived me about something very close to my heart.”
“To save my ass. Sorry.” Her hands balled into fists under her boobs.
His jaw clenched and, for a moment, he couldn’t speak. Good. She liked him better this way. Finally, he said in a low tone, “Had I given you reason to believe I would not keep you from harm?”
“I didn’t know what you would do for—”
“Woman, I risked my life and killed every man around you, then rode you away from battle. Before I asked your name. You were the one who wanted nothing to do with me. And even after you reviled me, I came back for you. Telling me the truth would have angered me, but I would not have put you out with nothing. I haven’t done that now. You are the one who left the castle in the cover of darkness, which is dangerous in this century.”
“It’s dangerous in mine, too.”
His expression hardened on her. “Are you that eager to be away?”
“It’s hard to be around you when you hate breathing the same air I breathe because of my name.”
His scowl turned fierce. “I do not hate breathing the same air you breathe!”
“You hide in your solar and
