Free The Traitor's Daughter by April Munday Page B

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accordingly. He needed to spend time with his steward, but Matthew was still
with Marion, so he had to content himself with writing his instructions down in
the hope that Matthew would soon be able to give them his attention and that he
would understand what Hugh intended. There was also scope for Matt to make his
own decisions. Hugh could only hope that he would be able to do so and would
not become so weighed down by his grief that he would be unable to perform his
duties. He had no idea when he would be able to return to Hill and it was not a
good time to appoint someone else as steward. He took comfort from knowing that
Matt had organised things so that Hill ran itself smoothly and everyone knew
what they needed to do. It was just the changing situation in the town and the
threat of invasion that worried him.
    He then moved on to his final preparations for leaving
the next morning. He had brought little with him and Alais had nothing. That
reminded him that he had promised her one of Isabella’s dresses. He called a
servant and asked her to bring two complete sets of clothing for her. It was
unlikely that his father would think to get new clothes made for her before he
took her to court at Christmas. The clothes and her book would be all the baggage
she would have. Hugh was pleased. They would travel light and quickly. All that
remained was for him to choose the most suitable mount for her.
    As he was going out to the stables, Alais entered the
house from the graveyard. He pretended not to notice that she had been crying
again. “I am going to choose a horse for you. Would you like to come?”
    Alais nodded and followed him. He had a certain horse in
mind for her – big, but calm. She had shown she could ride and he hoped she
could manage the kind of riding he had in mind for the next few days, but he
would not discuss that with her yet.
    “This is Full Moon.”
    The horse had long been a favourite of his. He was dark
as night, with a tiny spot of white on his face. Hugh had named him himself.
When she saw him, Alais expressed her doubts about the size of the horse, but
allowed herself to be persuaded to get up on him and ride him around the
courtyard. Hugh approved of the way she sat on the horse. She looked more
comfortable than he had expected. As he had hoped, she also had the strength of
will to control the horse, even though he was bigger than the mares she had
ridden before. She had expressed surprise that he had no mare for her. She must
have seen the number of horses in his stable, but Hugh had not expanded on his
reasons for choosing this horse.  That task would come later. Hugh was
satisfied that the problem of the horse was solved. It was going to be an
interesting journey, if he could convince Alais to go with him.
    “He is a good horse,” said Alais, as he helped her to
dismount.
    “Do you think you can handle him on a long journey?”
    Alais considered, “Yes, but it is as well that the days
are getting short.”
    Hugh grinned. “I will make sure that we stop
frequently.”
    Alais blushed.
    “Lady Alais, you are a woman and I would not expect or
demand that you ride as far as a man in a day. I am sorry I cannot spare a cart
from here and you know they need the carts they have left in town.”
    She reached up to put a hand on his arm. “Please do not
worry, my lord. I am used to riding. I did not come all the way here in the
cart. I shall manage.”
    Before he could stop himself, Hugh had caught up her
hand and pressed it to his lips. “I am sorry I cannot provide for you as you
deserve.” He was moved beyond his understanding by her situation.
    Alais did not answer and he thought for a moment that he
had offended her. He cursed himself for his lack of control. Then she lifted
her face to him and he saw the faint smile on her lips.
    “It is of no matter, my lord. I know that you have done
all that you can.”
    They stood for a moment more, with Hugh holding her
hand. Then he released