Page 7 of Halloween Knight (A Knights Through Time Romance #17)
William flung the door to Lucy’s tower room open with a bang as he jogged up the stairs.
“Lucy. ’Tis a lovely morn. Let us go for a ride.”
The dark green tunic and hose brought out the darker green flecks in his eyes. “Come now, before any come looking for us.”
In anticipation of organizing her yarn today, Lucy had dressed in a blue tunic and hose. His enthusiasm made her grin as she studied him.
“Who is looking for us?” she teased. “Why are you in such a hurry?”
“I thought we might go for a morning ride, just the two of us. All alone.” He tried to wink at her but only managed to blink at her like an owl.
Lucy arched a brow, tapping her finger to her lip. “Did you now? Don’t you have training and other lordly duties to attend to?”
She visited the boys when she woke this morn, inhaling the sweet scent of the baby and the smell of dirt and hay on Jason, who hid whenever it was time to wash, shaking his head and saying, no water. Me like dirt.
“Not today.” William leaned against the wall, one booted foot crossed in front of the other. When she’d gone to see the boys, Mabel told her William had already been to visit and had broken his fast with them.
“Sometimes even a lord may do as he pleases. We’ve had little time alone of late and I would spend the day with you before I depart for York.”
His green-eyed gaze held a hint of mischief.
“Well, when you put it that way...” She had noticed they’d both been busy lately, hadn’t spent as much time together as they normally did, him with estate matters, her with tending to the estate and boys.
“All right,” she agreed with a smile. “A ride sounds perfect.”
William grinned. “Good. I’ll have the horses readied.” He pulled her to her feet, stealing a quick kiss. “Bring your fur-lined cloak. I’ll meet you in the stables.”
After bundling up in her cloak and scarf, Lucy made her way outside into the brisk morning air. She took a deep breath, savoring the salty air.
William was already in the stables with their horses, his black palfrey and her sweet-tempered Buttercup.
He lifted her up, then swung up on his horse, and together they rode through the portcullis, out across the castle drawbridge, and down the winding path beyond the gates.
They continued at an easy pace as Lucy drank in the muted colors and fresh air. She had missed this, just the two of them, alone, with no demands upon their time. She would miss him terribly when he was gone.
“Shall we see who can ride faster?” William asked with a roguish wink.
Lucy shot him a look of mock affront. “You know Buttercup isn’t fast.”
William chuckled. “Are you sure you’re not just afraid of losing?” He spurred his horse on.
“Oh, it’s on now,” Lucy called after him, urging Buttercup into a gallop. She bent low over the mare’s neck as they raced after William over the open fields.
Lucy’s braid came undone, hair streaming behind her like a banner as they flew over the ground. Buttercup was swift, but not fast enough as William’s horse thundered across the field.
At the last instant, Lucy cut through the trees, flying past her husband, Buttercup’s hooves kicking up tufts of grass and mud.
Lucy glanced back with a playful grin as she halted atop a hill. “You were saying something about losing?”
William shook his head. “Never underestimate a lady,” he conceded with mock solemnity.
Lucy laughed, her face flushed with exertion.
They leisurely walked the horses along the cliffs overlooking the sea. Lucy closed her eyes as a strong gust of wind buffeted them, tangling her loose hair.
William reached across the space between them to grasp her hand. “I do not wish you to be melancholy while I am gone.”
Lucy met his gaze. “I’ll be fine. This time together, just you and I, helps.”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “This...” She gestured around them. “Riding with you, our children, our home… this is real. This is where I belong.”
William lifted her hand to his lips. They continued on companionably, the only sound the crash of the waves on the rocks far below.
When the sun grew higher in the sky, they turned back toward Blackford. As the castle towers came into view, Lucy thought about how William could lift her spirits with a smile. How they brought out the best in each other. Having William by her side made all the difference.
They returned the horses to the stables and made their way down a garden path, strolling aimlessly. Lucy paused by a bare rosebush, its thorny branches promising flowers to come.
William turned her toward him. “You are more beautiful than any rose,” he murmured before claiming her lips in a kiss.
Lucy melted against him, the chill of the air forgotten. She twined her arms around his neck, returning the kiss. Like the sea and sky, their love would remain unchanged by the shifting seasons.
They walked on, fingers entwined, not yet ready to end their time together.
Soon enough they came to the courtyard, her husband pausing to speak with the blacksmith while Lucy went inside, turning towards the kitchens when she heard the raised voices.
“You were to mind the child, not sleep the day away like a sloth.” Cook’s annoyed tone was unmistakable, even from a distance.
Lucy froze in the entryway, a grin spreading across her face at the sight before her.
Jason sat happily on the floor, chubby legs stretched wide, grinning up at her. His round cheeks smeared with sticky purple jam. More of the plum jam covered his hands, shirt, and even his wispy blond hair. An upturned crock lay on its side next to the larder door, which hung open.
Cook stood with her hands on her hips, brow furrowed as she scolded Mary, the kitchen maid tasked with watching Jason. The girl stared at her shoes, face red as a radish.
“And how did this happen, then?” Lucy asked, unable to keep the amused tone from her voice .
Mary jerked her head up, mortified. “My lady, I swear I only took my eyes off him for a moment to stoke the fire...”
“You were asleep, that’s what,” Cook interjected with a huff. She noticed Lucy and straightened.
Lucy crossed to Jason, scooping him up. “No harm done. It’s only jam.” She tickled his round belly, making him erupt in giggles. “Looks like someone had themselves a morning treat.”
Footsteps sounded on the stone as William arrived, no doubt following the sounds to the commotion. He took in the scene, his gaze moving from the upset cook and Mary to his jam-coated son.
“What happened here?”
“It seems your darling boy couldn’t wait for dinner,” Lucy said with a chuckle. “He decided to sample some of Cook’s plum jam.”
William rubbed his stubbled jaw, looking unsure whether to be stern or amused. Lucy bounced Jason in her arms as he kept saying, no bath, no bath.
“It’s my fault for not warning Mary. He’s at that age where he gets into everything.”
She met William’s gaze. “No harm done, truly. Although...” She set Jason down and grabbed a cloth to wipe his sticky hands and face. “I think you owe Cook an apology for stealing the jam.”
Jason glanced shyly up at the imposing woman, then buried his face in Lucy’s shoulder. She rubbed his back.
“Can you say you’re sorry?”
After a moment, Jason peered back at the cook.
“Pardonnez-moi,” he mumbled, then stuck two jam-stained fingers in his mouth.
Cook shook her head, but Lucy saw the corners of her mouth twitch.
“Just see that it doesn’t happen again, laddie.” She handed Lucy a damp rag. “Now, off with you. I’ve got dinner to finish.”
Lucy lifted Jason and carried him from the kitchen. William followed, chuckling once they were out of earshot.
“He is faster than I was at his age.” He tried not to laugh, shoulders shaking, but by the time they’d made it to the nursery, William threw back his head, the laughter escaping.
Lucy laughed as she set about cleaning Jason’s face and hands while the water heated for his bath.
“We’ll have to keep a close watch on this one.” She tickled his belly again, making him squeal.
She smoothed the hair back from Jason’s face. “There, all clean now.”
Jason yawned, nuzzling into her shoulder as she rocked him. The excitement had worn him out.
William rested a hand on her back. “Were you able to salvage any of the jam?”
“About half of it. Probably best to keep it up high from now on.”
Lucy smiled as she looked down at her sleeping son, his round cheek still stained a faint purple. Looked like he was getting out of taking a bath until tonight.