Free Through The Leaded Glass by Judi Fennell

riders’ colors and
heraldry flashing from their headpieces. They met at the middle
with cringe-worthy clashes of lances to shields, and jarring thuds
as the unlucky opponent was butted from his saddle to the dusty
field.
    A man dressed in thigh-molding breeches—not a
good look on him—and a tunic stretched almost to bursting at the
seams approached them. “Shelton. Heard the news. Does this mean the
Marston lands are fallow?”
    Alex grabbed her hand and started walking. In
the opposite direction. “Wexham. You may inquire to the state of
the lands from Lady Marston herself.”
    “ Boy, you weren’t kidding,” Kate
said when they were out of earshot. “Word does travel fast. Who was
that?”
    Alex shrugged, but it wasn’t nonchalantly.
“Many will scramble for Isobel’s lands now that I have no claim on
her.”
    “ I’m sorry. I had no idea the ring
would cause such problems. It’s not as if I was expecting to be
dropped back here like Dorothy.”
    “ Who?” He patted her hand and she
felt the tension leave him. “Never mind. I understand, Kate. But
Wexham, and others, won’t do well by Isobel. I fear it is she
who’ll be the most harmed by your arrival.” A man and a woman
interrupted them, more proof of Lady Aubridge’s efficient
gossip-mongering.
    Alex had just made the introductions when a
shout diverted his attention. “Ah, there are Nick and Tristan. I
must speak with them.” He squeezed her arm and left her to chat
with her inquisitors.
    Great. Somehow she had to perpetuate their
lie, keep the conversation to a minimum, and avoid anachronistic
behavior. Piece of cake.
     
    ***
     
    “ Are you mad? The future ?”
Nick gaped at Alex. When he’d first seen the ring on the woman’s
finger, his heart had leapt. He knew of Lady Aubridge and her talk.
Knew, as well, that Isobel would be the first to be told. But this…
This Nick hadn’t expected.
    Nor did he know if he could trust it—no matter
how much he wanted God to have sent him a reprieve.
    “ You know me better than that,
Nick,” Alex answered. “Her story’s true.”
    “ Have you considered that she and
the gypsy woman are plotting together?” his friend, Tristan, asked.
“A novel way to force you into marriage.”
    Novel indeed, for no other woman had tried it,
Nick knew. He’d held his breath as Alex had rebuffed one after the
other. Until, that is, the king had suggested Isobel, and his own
hopes in that arena were dashed forever.
    “ I’ve considered it, but she has
items I’ve never seen. She knows things—”
    “ What things?” Tristan
asked.
    “ Things that will come to
pass.”
    Nick had to step in. He was all for Isobel
being free to marry, but for Alex to have lost his wits…”So you
can’t know if they’re true, Alex. Very clever, especially because
she now has what she wants.”
    “ Harsh, Caversham.” Tristan smacked
him in the shoulder. “And what about you? You haven’t been yourself
of late.”
    True. Because he’d been unable to think of
naught but Isobel in Alex’s bed. The image tormented
him.
    But Alex was his friend and the king’s loyal
subject. He wouldn’t defy the king by not marrying Isobel no matter
how much Nick wished unless he had a very good reason.
    “ Henry wants land, Alex. Does this
woman bring you any? Will you change your mind when she brings you
nothing but a shield and a ring?”
    Alex rubbed a hand over his face. “What would
you have me do, Nick? There’s a thief in my keep threatening my
son, Isobel won’t accept second best, and everyone believes Kate is
my betrothed. I have no choice.”
    “ And when she returns to her
time?”
    “ I’ll find another. Someone young
and able to bear heirs.”
    “ But Isobel may not be free.” Would
that it were true.
    Alex nodded. “True. The king will not leave
her lands available for long.”
    Which was why Nick had to make certain that
events unfolded as he wanted.
     
    ***
     
    Alex rescued Kate with a quick dismissal