Page 39 of May Queen: May Day

“Well, I hope not,” he said with a chuckle. “I don’t want any cast-offs.”

“Is this how all knights treat their betrothed?” she asked, sounding very curious and also impressed.

“I don’t know, but it is the way I treat my wife-to-be. I think honesty is important between a husband and wife, don’t you?”

“I suppose so.”

“When two people are going to be wed, they shouldn’t have any secrets from each other.” He picked up a hunk of bread and took a bite. “Don’t you agree?”

“I do,” she said, taking another sip of wine.

“Is there something you want to say to me, Flora?”

“Aye, there is.”

Ricard smiled, thinking she was going to tell him all about her Druid father and mayhap even where to find him. But instead, she took him by surprise.

“Were you having your squire spy on me again?”

“What?” he asked, almost choking on his food.

“Did you ask him to read my lips from across the room earlier, trying to find out what I was saying to my handmaid?”

Ricard felt sweat beading up beneath his tunic, knowing if he denied her accusations, he would be lying to her. That was just the opposite of what he’d told her was so important in a marriage. However, if he gave her the truth, she would think horrible things about him. That didn’t sit well with him either. He wanted her to like him.

Thankfully, before he had to answer, his brothers stomped up the dais stairs, heading to their seats.

“It’s about time you got here,” Ricard told them over his shoulder. “The meal started a good ten minutes ago.”

“Sorry we’re late,” said Dayton. “Nash was rambling on about your plans to bed Lady Flora in the garden.” He chuckled and headed to his seat.

“What did you say?” Flora looked up with horror on her face.

“Don’t worry, my lady,” said Lang, making Ricard cringe. He knew whatever was about to come out of his youngest brother’s mouth was going to be even worse than what Dayton just said. Lang leaned over and put his head between Ricard and Flora and whispered, “I won’t tell a soul about Ricard’s pole that is bigger than any you’ve ever seen.”

“Lang!” shouted Ricard, ready to jump out of his chair and strangle the fool. Lang hurried over to his seat, laughing.

“What were they talking about?” Flora demanded to know.

Ricard shrugged his shoulders. “You tell me.”

“How would I know?”

“Didn’t you say those things to your handmaid earlier?”

“Nay!” She jumped up and knocked over the goblet of wine in the process. It spilled on Ricard’s lap. He bolted out of his chair as well. “You were spying on me after all!”

“Then you did say those things to your handmaid. How could you?” Ricard realized the entire hall became quiet and everyone was watching them and listening to their argument.

“Don’t ever speak to me again!” Flora ran down the dais and her handmaid followed her out of the room.

Ricard looked over at his brothers who suddenly found interest in their food and drink and wouldn’t meet his gaze. He left the dais, seeing Nash and grabbing him by the front of the tunic.

“My lord?” asked Nash in confusion.

“You fool! You’d better give up your lip reading because something tells me you got it wrong.”

“Nay, I don’t think so.”

“Believe me, you did. And the next time I tell you to keep your mouth shut, that includes not saying a word to my brothers.”

Ricard ran out of the hall, seeing Flora and her handmaid headed to her chamber.

“Flora, wait! Let me explain.” He followed them up the stairs and down the corridor.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” she said, opening the door and entering her room. Her handmaid was right behind her.

Ricard was about to enter when the old woman blocked his way, holding the door, not letting him enter. “She is very upset, my lord. Perhaps it would be better to wait until morning to see her.”

“She is my betrothed and this is my castle. I will see her now.”

The old woman looked over at the bed where Flora was laying face down crying. She made a clucking noise with her tongue and shook her head. “I wish you’d reconsider, my lord. I think things will blow over by morning.”

“Oh, do you really think so?”

“They couldn’t be any worse than they are right now.”

“Mayhap you’re right,” he agreed with a sigh. Turning and heading back down to the great hall, he wasn’t even sure what had just happened.