Page 38 of May Queen: May Day

“We’re up on a platform, Squire. It should be as easy as looking down a mountain, for heaven’s sake. What’s the problem?”

“Wait. She just took something out of her pocket and is showing it to the old woman.

“What is it?”

“Oops, she’s looking this way.” Nash hurriedly turned back and poured wine into Ricard’s goblet just as Ricard picked it up, causing wine to spill down his arm.

“Egads, watch what you’re doing, Nash.”

“Sorry about that, my lord. I’m trying to see what Lady Flora has. She looks upset. I think she said that after the meal she is going to . . . couple with you . . . in the garden, and that her handmaid shouldn’t wait up.”

“What?” Ricard almost choked on his wine. “Are you sure that’s what she said?”

“I think so. Let me try to see if she is still talking about bedding you.” Nash narrowed his eyes and steadied his gaze across the room.

“No one is bedding me or bedding her, and certainly not in the garden!” Ricard told him.

“Well, if not, then why is she talking about decorating your pole with ribbons and dancing around it? She said something like . . . your pole is the . . . biggest she’s ever seen.”

“That’s enough, Squire!” snapped Ricard, not sure what to think of this information. “Mayhap your ability to read lips is slipping because I am sure that is not what she said at all.”

Nash blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes. “My eyes have been dry lately, but you know I’ve never been wrong before. My skills have helped us many times to find out secret information.”

“Hush, here she comes. Now, please, don’t mention a word of this to anyone.”

“Of course not, my lord.”

To Ricard’s dismay, Nash left the dais and headed directly over to Ricard’s brothers.

“My lady,” said Ricard, standing up, and pulling out the chair for Flora.

“Thank you, my lord.” She sat down and smoothed out the wrinkles of her gown. Ricard’s eyes settled on her pocket. There was something in there, he could tell by the slight bump beneath the material. He would have to find out what it was.

“Lord Ricard?”

His head snapped up to see Flora scowling at him. She must have thought he was looking at her legs or, mayhap, her groin. He quickly sat down.

“So, how was your ride into the forest today?” He reached out for the platter a servant laid in front of them, stabbing a hunk of venison, and plopping it on a trencher between them.

“It was fine,” she said, watching him cut the meat.

“I wish you would have waited for me. I could have shown you anything you wanted to see.”

“I saw all I needed to.”

“Oh?” He held out a small piece of venison on the tip of his eating knife, offering it to her. “And what exactly did you see?”

She opened her mouth and carefully took the piece of venison between her lips. His eyes focused on her mouth as she chewed. Her tongue shot out and licked her lips, about making him want to jump off his chair. And when his eyes scanned down her long neck and he watched her swallow, he felt so randy that he had to look away or she was going to see the lust in his eyes.

“I saw a very kind and caring man who thought of naught more than my own safety. I have never had a man care for me in the manner that you do.”

“You are my bride-to-be,” he reminded her, picking up a square of cloth and dabbing the corner of her mouth. Her eyes closed slightly when he did it. “I would do anything to protect you, my lady. I would lay down my life for you if need be. I want you to know that.”

“Y-you would?” she asked, seeming baffled but also touched by his words.

“Aye,” he answered. He picked up the goblet and handed it to her. She drank from it and gave it back. Then he put his mouth on the cup where her lips had been, only wishing he was kissing her instead.

“I have never been betrothed before,” she told him.