Free Medieval Ever After by Kathryn Le Veque, Keira Montclair, Emma Prince, Barbara Devlin Page B

wonderful?”
    Everything was. She had cooked the pork in honey, the mutton in rich gravy, and had a variety of completely fattening breads about the table. The only vegetable they had were carrots, which she had boiled in honey and cloves, the only manner of spice that they had. They were exquisite. Stephen sat down next to his wife and ate until he could hardly move. Even then, there was still more food on the table and he continued to try everything put before him. As the night wore on and de Lara joined them, Stephen was so gorged that he was sure he would become ill.
    Tate was no better off. He, too, had eaten himself sick and he finally excused himself as the hour grew very late. As Stephen licked his fingers of the last of the apricot pastries, he watched de Lara wander away to sleep off his overindulgence. Joselyn sat next to her husband, her trencher licked clean of the pork she had stuffed herself with. When Stephen glanced at her, he caught her staring at him and he smiled.
    “Lady, if I had not already married you, I would have married you this instant based on the skill of that meal alone,” he said, watching her blush furiously. “Do you mean to tell me that the nuns at Jedburgh taught you to cook like this?”
    She shrugged modestly. “My tasks were mostly kitchen-related. One of the nuns was from Paris and she was a wonderful cook. I learned a great deal from her.”
    “No doubt,” he replied sincerely. “But tonight was a feast fit for a king and I did not, in fact, see Edward at all this eve.”
    “He was here earlier,” she told him. “I heard him tell some of his men that he would be leaving on the morrow.”
    Stephen scratched his black head wearily. “I see,” he muttered. “Then I must seek the man out before he leaves.”
    Joselyn watched him shove a last pastry into his mouth, hardly able to swallow it because he was so full. She laughed softly at him.
    “This will not be the last opportunity for you to eat pastries, my lord,” she told him. “I will make more, I promise.”
    He grinned at her, burped loudly, and then rose to his considerable height. “See that you do,” he commanded, but it was lightly done. “My lady, your culinary skill is beyond compare. I have never in my life had such a fine meal and I thank you deeply. I cannot help wonder if this was meant for a special occasion.”
    She stood up next to him, so petite against his considerable height that she only came to his diaphragm area. Her smile faded as she groped for words.
    “I suppose it is a special occasion,” she ventured. “I wanted to show my gratitude for what you have done for me and for my mother.” Her smile vanished as she looked up at him. “I said terrible things to you last night, my lord. I called you heartless and cold, and clearly that is not the case. What you did for my mother, and for me, goes beyond what I believed you capable of. I am very sorry that I said such horrid things. I hope that someday you will forgive the tongue of a scared, exhausted woman.”
    His blue eyes grew warm and a faint smile played on his lips. “There is no need to apologize,” he murmured. “I know it was a difficult night and I further know that I did not make it easier for you. War dictates my behavior, lady. Last night, we were still at war. Today, we are not.”
    She smiled gratefully. “You are too forgiving,” she said. “But I thank you just the same. I hope this meal was a worthy token of my gratitude for your kindness.”
    Stephen reached up and stroked her tender cheek; he couldn’t help himself. “It is more than worthy,” he said softly. “As are you.”
    Joselyn flushed brilliantly and he laughed softly. “You’re still unused to sweet words, are you?” he flirted gently.
    She shook her head vigorously and he continued to laugh, taking her by the hand and gently pulling her away from the table. Together, they made their way towards the great hall entry door.
    “Well, you had better become