Free Thwarted Queen by Cynthia Sally Haggard Page B

at my arm, but as soon as the light fell on the figure she relaxed into a smile.
    “Ladies,” Blaybourne called, bowing low. “What brings you out so early?”
    “Lisette is not well,” replied Bess going up to him. “She continues feverish, and we are riding off to the Abbey of Saint-Ouen to get fresh medicines.”
    “Allow me to escort you,” said Blaybourne. He looked at me.
    I opened my mouth to decline, but Bess assented.
    Blaybourne helped us onto our horses, vaulted onto his white gelding, and we set off.
    It was a glorious morning, the air was fresh and cool, the meadows a riot of flowers, with blue cornflowers, pink heather, and yellow meadow-rue. The trees were thickly leaved, and their leaves rustled as we rode past. I held back so that I rode behind Blaybourne and Bess. They spent the entire journey riding side by side, chattering amiably.
    I remained silent. I spent ten days devoting myself to Lisette, amusing the children, and playing the gracious hostess to the merchants and aristocrats passing through Rouen, wanting to visit with the governor of Normandy’s wife. I expended an enormous effort on keeping my mind off the one thing that kept powerfully drawing me towards it, like a lodestone: my feelings for Blaybourne.
    Blaybourne meant many things to me. For one, he was a pleasure to look at. Now he sat gracefully on his gelding, using subtle motions of his long fingers to guide it. Everything he did had a kind of ease and charm, so different from Richard. Richard rarely vaulted onto his horse, for he was becoming stout and often needed his groom to help him up.
    Then he was so well tuned to me, he seemed able to read my thoughts before I was aware of having them. I remembered his kindness and sensitivity at the archery tournament, when my fiery blushes had given me away. Every time we talked, our interactions were like a duet, alternating effortlessly with perfect timing, without one having to wait for the other to catch up. With Richard, I had always to remember to be patient, for he ran at a slower speed.
    Most alarming of all, I felt the stirrings of something I didn’t even know I could feel. It made my affection for Richard seem pallid by comparison. I didn’t understand it. How could I feel so passionate about someone I scarcely knew?
    And there he was, riding a few feet in front of me, being courteously gallant to Bess. Yet Bess did not seem to be making much progress. She was trying hard enough, telling amusing stories, and little morsels of gossip, but Blaybourne seemed distracted, sometimes asking her to repeat things, sometimes not getting her jests.
    I sighed. How was I going to make him go away? And what had he been doing in the courtyard at that hour? Had he been waiting for someone? Had he been waiting for me ? At that thought, my heart leapt in my throat and started thudding. What was wrong? I never felt this disquieted. I was noted for being serene, yet every time I thought about Blaybourne, my heart interrupted.
    I was in such a brown study I didn’t notice how far we’d come until Bess pulled on my bridle.
    “Cecylee!” she exclaimed. “We’re here. Do you not see that?”
    I pulled myself out of my thoughts with an effort and attempted to smile, although I felt more like weeping.
    Blaybourne walked up to me, frowning. “You look pale, my lady. Perhaps you should sit under this horse chestnut. It provides a goodly shade, and I will get you some refreshment.”
    This was the last thing I wanted, but conflicting thoughts and feelings left me dumbstruck. I looked at Bess in silent appeal, sure that she wouldn’t want to leave me alone with the attractive young man she’d been cultivating for the last half-hour.
    But Bess jumped down and said, “I’ll get the medicines then.” And blowing me a kiss, she disappeared.
    I set my mouth grimly as Blaybourne helped me down, willing myself not to notice how it felt to be in his arms. I wandered over to the bench and sat down,