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“Very,” he agreed. “I believe you will like my sister-in-law, Linnet. Mason dotes on her.”

She looked surprised by this piece of information. “Do they come much to court?”

“Infrequently of late. They have three children and the youngest is still not a year old.”

A knock on the door startled them both, but it was only Meldon scowling over a dinner tray. He set it down with a rattle on a side table. “Anything else?”

Oswald surveyed the trencher with a selection of roast meats, cheeses and apples.

“I thought, after feeling unwell you would not want a heavy meal this evening.” He said to Fenella, shooting her a look of enquiry. “But if you are feeling up to more courses, then we can send Meldon down to the kitchen for more.”

“No, no this will certainly suffice,” she hurriedly assured him, sending a quick smile Meldon’s way.

“I believe that will be all for this evening,” said Oswald to his manservant. He wanted the relaxed mood between the two of them to continue. “I have instructed for some tradesmen to attend you over the next few days. It would please me greatly if you would engage their services.” He passed her a goblet of wine which she took.

“Yes, you said,” she nodded. “A tailor.” She took a sip of wine.

“And a few others,” he added casually.

Fenella lowered her cup, looking confused.

“A shoe-maker, glove maker,” said Oswald waving a hand. “That sort of thing.”

“Oh.”

He lifted two chairs from against the wall and drew them up to the small table with the food tray. “Come and sit,” he said, glancing over to where she was watching him from the bed. “I’m afraid this is very informal, but in the light of our long-standing legal status…” He watched her covertly as she slid off the bed and crossed the room to join him, her bare feet peeking out from under the blue silk hem as she walked. He cleared his throat.

“Of course, there is the matter of some betrothal token betwixt us…”

Fenella’s color rose into her face as he pulled out a seat for her. “Is that really necessary? Only it seems a little late in the day for that.”

“I notice you wear no ring for Thane?” he said, setting some meat on her plate.

She looked at him blankly a moment. “Ambrose did give me a brooch when we were promised,” she said. “But I left it in my jewelry box at home. I did not want to lose it and the pin was loose.”

“At Thurrold,” he corrected her. “Thane’s home.”

Her eyes flew to his. “Yes, that’s what I meant-” she stammered. “Forgive me, my lord. It will take me a little time to accustom myself.”

“Of course,” he said smoothly as he sliced the loaf. “It is not to be wondered at.” He could hear her rapid breathing and the fact she was quietly panicking, but was not sure how to reassure her. Instead he buttered her bread and placed it on her plate. “Eat, you need to build up your strength.”

“Yes, my lord,” she mumbled and took a bite.

“I don’t remember if there was a token between us previously,” mused Oswald with a slight frown. He looked at her questioningly, as she froze bread in hand. “I’m inclined to think not. My Father was not good with the niceties of social occasions. I doubt I would have known much about engagement traditions at nineteen.”

Fenella dropped her bread onto her plate. She gave an awkward laugh. “I am heartily glad to hear you say so, my lord,” she said and took a hearty sip of cider wine. “I’m afraid I sent you some very juvenile examples of my tapestry work.” She winced. “I am much encouraged that you do not remember them.”

Oswald frowned. “I thought I remembered something about you weaving, or the like.”

Her shoulders relaxed down. “I wonder what happened to them,” she said. “Hopefully your father threw them out.”

“Very likely,” agreed Oswald dryly. “Or his pack of dogs slept on them. My father was no connoisseur of the arts.”

Fenella laughed. “That would be all they were fit for. And if that was their fate, they would have fallen apart long ago.”

He noticed she looked quite cheerful about the fact. Fenella’s tapestry must be very bad, he thought and hoped Bryce had not added a loom to the list of things to purchase on her behalf. “And I gave you nothing in return,” he mused. “You must see why I must be allowed to make amends now.”

She paused in the act of lifting a slice of apple to her mouth. Forcing a smile, she nodded her head. “If it would please you, my lord.”