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Chapter 3

"Where have you been, and looking like that?" the middle-aged Chloe cried, bustling toward her mistress as Elizabeth crept quietly into the bedchamber. "Really, now, my lady, aren't you a little old for dressing like a peasant and making merry in the village? And you getting married in a se'ennight, too."

"I just wanted a little amusement before I wed," Liz replied as she gave her maidservant a contrite smile. "When I'm the wife of Sir Lucas de Spencer and chatelaine of his castle, I won't be able to go out among the villagers and enjoy their simple pleasures anymore. I'll have to act the lady then."

"Aye, that's so — thank God," Chloe said briskly as she poured water into the bronze ewer on the table near the curtained bed. "No more scampering off to climb trees and catch fish and generally get into mischief."

As she went to wash, Liz doubted Chloe would call that kiss she'd given the darkly handsome, well built and chivalrous Sir Jason Morgan mischief. A shameful, lustful impulse, she'd say it was, and she'd be right. Liz also knew she should be sorry and ashamed, but she couldn't forget the incredible sensation of Sir Jason's lips moving over hers, arousing such —

"Nobody recognized you?" Chloe asked as Liz reached for her ivory comb beside the bronze basin and ewer.

"I was careful to keep to the shadows."

Chloe shook her head.

"Maybe I ought to be glad you'll be your husband's responsibility soon. I'm not surprised I don't have a blonde hair left on my head, the merry chase you've led me all these years."

Liz hurried to embrace the woman who'd been a mother to her, her own having died giving her life.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused, Chloe."

"Well, you could have been a lot worse, I suppose," Chloe said, wiping away a tear before continuing to tidy up the large and luxuriously appointed chamber. "But that's because you've been lucky. I hate to think what Sir Lucas might say if he saw you dressed in that peasant's gown and wandering about the village in the middle of the night."

"It wasn't the middle of the night," Liz protested.

As for what her betrothed might think about her visit to the village…it didn't matter, since he hadn't seen her.

She was more worried about what Sir Jason might say or do when he realized the woman he'd rescued from three drunken squires was the daughter of his host, as well as the bride — provided Sir Jason even recognized her when she was dressed in fine silks and satins. She was sure those foolish squires wouldn't…but Sir Jason was older, and his intelligence had fairly gleamed in his clear blue eyes.

Yet he'd given his solemn oath that he'd keep her secret, and she hoped he wouldn't break his word, even if she hadn't been completely honest with him.

As she combed her thick hair, she wondered what Lucas would have done if he'd been in Sir Jason's place.

Of course he'd have been just as chivalrous, she told herself. Lucas was as handsome too . Sir Jason's voice seemed harsher — but so would most men's, compared toLucas' musical lilt. And Sir Jason's blonde hair had been shockingly long, all the way to his shoulders, like some sort of Viking's. His clothes had been plain, too.

Yet Sir Jason Morgan looked at you with more respect and admiration than Lucas ever has.

Liz swiftly silenced that critical inner voice.

"What did Sir Lucas say when you told him I'd decided to retire early?" she asked, glancing at Chloe.

Chloe grinned, revealing the gap between her front teeth as she put the silk damask gown Liz had worn to the evening meal in the chest lined with cedar and closed the lid.

"He was worried you were ill, like the good man he is. I told him you were fine, just tired."

She gave Liz a wink. "I'm sure he won't want you exhausted on your wedding night."

Liz blushed and said nothing as she tried to get the comb through a knot in her hair.

Chloe set a stool behind her mistress and took the comb from her.

"Sit down, my lady, and let me do that before you pull your hair out by the roots."

Liz dutifully submitted, folding her hands in her lap.

"So what did you see in the village?" Chloe asked.

"There were jugglers who were very good," Liz replied. "I think they were Italian. There were tumblers, too, and a magician, but I couldn't see him very well. Has my father retired?"

"Aye, a while ago, after the minstrel finished a long song about two lovers that got turned into birds."

Liz wondered what Sir Jason was doing at the moment.

"There, that's better," Chloe said as she set down the comb beside the ewer. "Now get into a clean shift and into bed."

As Liz changed, Chloe sighed and said, "I'm so happy to think you'll be wed to such a fine man as Sir Lucas."

Liz didn't answer.

To be continued...

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