Free Sword for His Lady by Mary Wine

face his flock.
    His eyes widened, but he smiled too. Isabel sighed. At least someone was glad to have the baron on her land.
    She was certainly not.
    * * *
    â€œThe lady sits at the common table,” Ambrose muttered.
    â€œMy eyes work well,” Ramon said.
    His fellow knight offered him a mocking look. “Even if your sense of humor does not.”
    Ramon grunted but grinned at Ambrose. “Am I too serious a companion for you tonight?” He stared at Isabel while his hands tore a round of bread in half. The lady had presented him with her back. It was not exactly a slight, even if he had expected her to sit beside him at the high table. Isabel broke bread with her nurse at the same tables her people ate at.
    â€œYou are serious, my lord, yet I can agree you have reason to be so absorbed in your thoughts.” Ambrose plucked a section of sausage off a large serving plate with the aid of his dagger. “Considering marriage with yon prickly blossom would consume my good humor as well.”
    â€œYou mistake spirit for ill temper. Isabel of Camoys is no girl, but a woman. I do not expect to find her meekly obedient. This keep would be in poor condition if she didn’t have the spine to run it.” Ramon lifted his goblet toward his friend in a silent toast. “I prefer her spirit to half-starved villagers who lack the strength to plow the fields for planting.”
    His friend leaned toward him. “Exactly my point. She is set in her ways.”
    Ramon found himself amused by his friend’s somberness. “She is not so old. In fact, I believe her father wed her too young.”
    â€œPossibly, but that does not change the fact that she sits there, content with shunning the position of honor you have saved for her. She is discontented with the will of her betters.”
    Ramon winked at Ambrose. “Where has your sense of adventure gone, Ambrose? I recall many a time you enjoyed chasing a fair girl in spite of her words dismissing you.”
    His friend’s expression lightened and he placed an open hand in the middle of his chest as he bowed mockingly. “Your praise is appreciated, even if I must warn you against the sin of envying me my skill.”
    â€œYou mistake envy for judgment.”
    Ambrose chuckled. “Since you consider yourself so skilled at the art of seduction, I cannot wait to hear of your plans to win the fair Lady of Camoys who offers you such a fine view of her back.”
    â€œSuccess will require a sound strategy and unfailing persistence.” He drew a long swallow from his drinking bowl before finishing his thought. “Two items I have in abundance.”
    Ambrose laughed loud enough to draw the attention of several people sitting at the lower tables. They considered the knights while leaning closer together to whisper their thoughts in tones that would not travel far.
    Ambrose lifted his own drinking bowl. “To your quest, my lord, and may you survive to tell the tale.” His eyes twinkled with merriment. “I cannot wait to be amazed.”
    Ramon didn’t answer. His thoughts were concentrated on Isabel. She looked his way, their gazes connecting for a brief moment, but that was long enough. Her eyelashes fluttered, betraying the fact that she was not as unmoved by his presence as her back to him declared. A union between them was a sound idea, even if he hadn’t been set on taking a wife. She wore another full wimple, as befitted a widow, and he decided that it did not complement her at all. She hid behind the rules of society when it suited her. More importantly, she hid from life.
    She was too young for widowhood.
    Ramon smiled slowly as an idea formed in his mind. With it came a rush of anticipation that warmed him. It seemed she was able to raise more than just his passions.
    It had been a long time since a woman had done that.
    For a moment, he pondered the wisdom of leaving. The last time he’d allowed himself