Free To Touch The Knight by Lindsay Townsend Page A

in the fields from sunrise to set. The smell of new hay, the songs of the reapers, the feast after—I am most grateful, Princess, to be returned to such times.”
    He bowed from the waist and sped off, murmuring as he passed her, “And I will win, Princess, so be ready.”
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    By sunset it was all over. Word had rushed round the castle and hamlets: the black knight had cut half a hay field, drawn out a towering pile of daisies for the Lady of Lilies, returned the scythe to the hay reeve with thanks, and then sprinted to the archery butts. Stripped to his leggings and wearing nothing else save the scarlet sleeve of Lady Blanche wrapped around his left arm, he had won there in a score of shots, drawing a great yew bow as if it was a child’s toy, and never missing the middle of the target.
    â€œI hear you were a veritable Hercules,” Giles observed, rather sourly, for his hunting with the heiress had not gone well. “You certainly stink like him.”
    Ranulf shrugged and stretched his arms above his head, laughing as Giles held his nose. His back scorched like the devil but his salve was the dazed look in the princess’s eyes and the knowledge that, after a trip to the castle bathhouse, he would be calling on the Lady of Lilies. He had not felt this alive in months. Even his wearing of Lady Blanche’s sleeve had brought no pain or memories of Olwen, merely amusement because he still had the princess’s favors kept safe, and both of them knew it.
    â€œWhat are you grinning about?” Giles demanded, sullen as a coroner.
    â€œThis evening I collect a debt. A very tasty debt. I will send my squire first, with my terms, and then I think we shall trade.”
    â€œTrade? Debts? Are you a moneylender now? You are mad, Ranulf!”
    â€œMaybe.” He truly did not care.

Chapter 8
    â€œThose are my lord’s terms,” said the squire. “A kiss for each favor.”
    The lanky young man stopped, scarlet in the face. Had Edith been less incensed she might have felt for him, but she had her own troubles.
    â€œHe will acknowledge me as his master at this joust, and carry my favor?”
    â€œAs his mistress and lady, you mean?” The squire swallowed, staring now at his feet. “Yes, my lady.”
    That is something, at least . Edith glanced at Teodwin, seeing his shuttered expression and sensing his near panic. At the back of the great tent, behind the screen, Maria’s light breathing had quickened and Walter was saying to her, very quietly in the old dialect, “Do not worry. Edith will make all well, as she has before.”
    But even Walter knew she could not be unveiled. It would be too great a blow to her mystique, and dangerous if Sir Giles saw her.
    How can I keep my word and still be unknown?
    Hoodman blind —the answer flew to her lips and she spoke. “I will agree to all these terms, squire, on one condition. Your lord must agree to be blindfolded. It is the custom in my land that only a bride and married women may appear unveiled. If he will be blindfolded within my tent, then we may exchange a kiss of peace.”
    He will never agree. He will not agree, and my people and I will remain safe.
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    Edith gripped the edge of the table, feeling as if her whole world was seesawing. “He does what?” she whispered.
    â€œHe agrees to your terms, my lady,” gasped the squire. He was still short of breath, having run hard up the field. “He asks that you have the cloths ready when he comes presently.”
    He bowed out of her presence and Edith sank into her crouch, holding her head. She felt dizzy with a kind of thumping dread and a dazed anticipation. “He is coming now? What will I do? What should I do?”
    â€œKiss him and be done,” said Teodwin curtly. “Will you have Sir Tancred admitted? He is hovering outside, even now.”
    â€œNo!” She wanted no one to witness this.