by Alexa Aston
Avelyn let out a satisfied breath and smiled up at him. “You are a most wonderful teacher, my lord. I cannot wait for our next lesson.” She lifted the long skirts that puddled on the ground and headed toward the keep.
Kenric would count the minutes till that occurred.
Chapter 17
Avelyn floated back to the keep, happy how her first riding lesson had turned out—and even happier for the time she’d spent with Kenric.
She fought hard to listen to his instructions at the beginning since it was exciting simply being near him again, having his full attention. She’d enjoyed being near enough to inhale his familiar scent. He’d seemed pleased at her progress and she desperately wanted his approval.
Avelyn tripped over the too-long cotehardie as she reached the last few steps that led into the keep. She found herself sprawled on the stone steps, her palms and one cheek scraped. Picking herself up, she brushed the dust from her hands. When they stung, she turned them over and saw the bottom half of each hand red.
Lifting her skirts high again, she entered the structure and gingerly made her way up to the solar. She discovered Elysande sitting in a chair, a pillow behind her back, embroidery in her lap.
“Oh, dear,” her sister murmured, a frown creasing her brow. “How many spills did you take?” She started to rise, but Avelyn motioned for her to stay seated.
“None,” she said triumphantly. “I had a most successful lesson with a dedicated tutor and I didn’t hold my breath even once. I learned how to mount. The proper way to hold the reins. Where to place my feet to anchor myself. I know now to look where I’m going and not down at my horse or the ground.” She chuckled. “That proved to be my downfall in years past. No one ever told me to focus on what lay ahead.”
“I’m sorry. It must’ve come naturally to me. I would never have thought to tell you that. I just assumed everyone looked straight ahead.” Elysande paused. “If your time with Sir Kenric went so well, then why are you in such a sorry state?”
Avelyn turned her palms face up and studied them. “Carelessness. I tripped over the extra material at the hem of my garment as I returned from the stables. I threw out my hands to catch myself.”
“You scraped them badly. And your poor cheek is quite red and already swelling.” Elysande set her sewing aside. “Fetch the basin of water and some soap from the bedchamber. And bring me the small box in the chest under the window. Merryn gifted me with it after I married Michael at Kinwick. It has several salves that can help heal your wounds and reduce the pain.”
Avelyn retrieved the items and allowed her sister to bathe her face and hands before applying the ointment.
“Mmm . . . it tingles some, but it’s a pleasant feeling.”
“It works wonders. Merryn is knowledgeable about these things. Take the jar with you and use it several times over the next few days.”
Avelyn slipped it into her pocket. “You know how I love to garden. I wonder if I could learn some things about herbs from Merryn.”
“She’d be happy to share her knowledge with you. So would Alys. That child has a natural gift when it comes to herbs and their healing properties.”
She sat in a chair next to Elysande. “That’s certainly true. Courtiers constantly hunted for Alys, asking for various remedies from her. Even the king and queen call on her upon occasion when they have need of a headache powder or something to aid them in sleep.”
“So, it sounds as if Sir Kenric showed you quite a bit.”
Avelyn smiled, noticing how her sister steered the conversation back to Kenric. “He did and he’s very patient. After he told me more than I thought I could remember, he began walking about the bailey. I was to follow him on Starlight.”
“How do you like her?”
“Oh, she’s a lovely horse. Very calm and gentle.”
“I thought she would be the mount for you. And you remembered to give her the apple?”
“I did, after our lesson. I wanted to leave her with good thoughts about our time together and be eager to see me tomorrow.” Avelyn sighed. “Kenric did test me, though. It wasn’t all fun and games. He varied his pace and turned in many directions. I learned some by trial and error, but instinct did take over, at times. I know now how to hold a horse back and how to urge it on. At least when walking and at a slow trot. I fear it might become more difficult when the speed picks up.”
Elysande nodded thoughtfully. “Still, it seems you accomplished much on this first outing. I’m pleased that you seem eager to try again tomorrow. Is that your newfound love for riding . . . or because you want to spend time with Kenric Fairfax?”
“Both,” Avelyn replied. “I truly enjoyed being on horseback today. I felt a certain elation and freedom. I can only imagine what I’ll experience when I learn enough control to gallop across the meadow or down a road.” She paused. “Spending that much time with Kenric was pleasant because I had his full attention.”
“And he had yours, I daresay.” Elysande patted her hand. “I’m happy to hear it went well.” She yawned. “I’m sorry. I get so sleepy nowadays. Mother says my body needs more sleep than usual, thanks to the growing babe.”
Avelyn rose. “Then why don’t you lie down until we dine?”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Elysande agreed.
She helped her sister to her bedchamber, removing her slippers and lifting her cotehardie away. It surprised her how large Elysande’s belly had grown.
“Are you certain is doesn’t hurt?” she asked, staring in fascination.
“Nay. It’s more of an inconvenience. And I do lose sleep, at times, when the babe decides to kick during the wee hours of the morning. The two of us do not always sleep at the same time.”
Avelyn pulled the bed curtains and slipped from the room. She returned to her own bedchamber, relieved to see that Sela was absent from it. Deciding to change from her clothes and wash some of the scent of Starlight away, she stripped down to her smock and used the vanilla-scented soap she was fond of, lathering it up to wash her arms, neck, and chest. She rinsed the soap away and dried herself.
Remaining in her smock, Avelyn retrieved her sewing kit. Taking Elysande’s riding cotehardie, she cut off the length of her index finger all around its bottom and dampened the bottom of the garment before she began to hem it. She combined a fell and running stitch for durability. She wanted to finish it so that she could wear it again for tomorrow’s lesson with Kenric.
Over an hour passed before she completed her task. Sewing had always been a favorite pastime for her and she’d been proficient in it from the time she was younger than Alys. Now that she’d arrived at Sandbourne, she would make a few things for the coming babe.
Avelyn decided to go through her sewing box in order to see what yarn she had that could be turned into a cap for her future niece or nephew. She also wanted to make her mother a new headdress to wear for her wedding to Sir Charles. They could look over the scarves Avelyn possessed and discuss what colors her mother might choose. She would retrieve them now and show them to her mother after the evening meal.
Avelyn draped the finished cotehardie over the back of the chair she sat in and went to her trunk. Rummaging through it, she pulled out a few scarves as possibilities. Then she remembered that Sela had borrowed one of peacock blue that would look lovely against her mother’s hair and bring out the blue in her eyes.
She hesitated a moment, wondering if she should go into Sela’s trunk. Before their spat, Avelyn would have thought nothing of it—but now with harsh feelings between them, she was unsure. Still, it would only take a moment to find it. Her friend could be careless with items and probably didn’t even remember that Avelyn had loaned the scarf to her. She could find it and reclaim it, with Sela being none the wiser.
Opening the trunk that sat next to hers, Sela’s usual haphazard mess greeted Avelyn. She pushed aside a few items and spied the blue of the scarf that she’d loaned out. As she lifted it, the material caught on something an
d a handkerchief came out with it.
One she recognized as belonging to Queen Philippa.
Avelyn dropped her scarf atop her trunk and fingered the yellow handkerchief. As she inspected the silk, an uneasy feeling grew in the pit of her stomach.
Why would Sela have the queen’s missing handkerchief in her possession?
“What are you doing?”
Avelyn turned and saw Sela had slipped into the room. She sensed her cheeks burning with guilt as her friend confronted her.
“Have you been going through my things? Prying inside my trunk?” Sela marched toward her and yanked the handkerchief away. She retreated to the other side of the bed and plopped down, her bottom lip sticking out in a pout.
“I was—”
“You were meddling in my privacy, Avelyn. I didn’t think you’d stoop so low.”
She remained calm. Losing her temper would only add fuel to Sela’s growing fire.
“I remembered that I had loaned you a scarf. I didn’t think you’d mind if I fetched it from your trunk. We’ve always been open with one another. But I apologize that I invaded your private space. I promise that it won’t happen again.”
“I should hope not.” Sela stroked the yellow silk lovingly. “It’s just like the one the queen has,” she said. “Father knew how I admired it and he gifted this to me.”
“He did? I haven’t ever seen you carry it.”
Sela sniffed. “I was waiting for the right occasion. So many people admire what the queen wears. They copy her sense of fashion at every turn.” She laughed. “I thought, mayhap, I would sew it into the neckline of one of my gowns. Or even use it in a headdress.”
Avelyn wanted to believe that Sela told the truth. She had no reason to lie.
Yet why did Avelyn feel that was exactly what her friend now did?
Chapter 18
Avelyn left the great hall after the noon meal to ready herself for her afternoon ride. Elysande had passed along another of her specially cut cotehardies for riding. After making adjustments to it, Avelyn alternated between wearing the two gowns.
She entered the empty bedchamber, glad that Sela had asked for her own room two weeks ago. Avelyn knew it was because of the incident over the scarf, but Sela had told Elysande that she wasn’t from hardy stock and that she’d need to rest frequently throughout the day. Elysande had arranged for Sela to move into the room directly across the hall from Avelyn. She didn’t pursue why the change was being made nor did her sister ask about the cool relations between the two women.
Avelyn still took her friend around the estate. Sela joined in some activities, but she never volunteered in household tasks such as candle making. When Avelyn made time to work in the garden or try out new dishes in the kitchens, Sela made herself scarce. They did see each other at meals and both stayed in the great hall in the evening, where they listened to music or stories and danced every now and then. Avelyn doubted anyone realized how strained matters were between them.
As she changed into new clothing, she reflected on how Sela kept apart from most of the women at court, though she knew them all and had introduced Avelyn to dozens of them upon her arrival. Thinking back, she realized how Sela latched on to her and dominated much of her spare time. Avelyn hadn’t questioned having a new, dear friend to show her about the Palace of Westminster.
Then she considered how Alys reacted when she noticed Avelyn growing close to Sela. Her young cousin had made it known she was not fond of Sela Runford or her father, but Avelyn hadn’t paid much attention. Alys, though she had a generous nature, sometimes took an instant dislike to someone and never hid her feelings. Any time Sela came to their shared bedchamber to gossip, Alys had usually made herself scarce. Avelyn determined the next time she saw her cousin she would ask about it.
Of course, it wouldn’t matter in the long run. Avelyn had determined not to return to court at the end of the summer. She supposed she would have to go back to collect the belongings she’d left behind and possibly speak to the queen about her decision, but that would be a stay of short duration. Sela could return with her and Uncle Geoffrey at that time. He’d taken Avelyn and Alys to London last September. She assumed he would do the same again when autumn arrived.
After that, she doubted she would ever hear from Sela Runford again. It was a shame, for the young woman had made life at court more pleasant.
Avelyn finished dressing and went to the stables, her routine since the riding lessons with Kenric commenced. At every session, the knight quizzed her over what she’d previously learned and always praised her for having the correct answers. She desperately wanted to show him that she was no empty-headed court fool.
He already awaited her at Starlight’s stall. The horse turned her head and whinnied as Avelyn approached. She stroked the velvet nose and murmured a few endearments.
“I told you that you wouldn’t have to prepare your horse to ride, but I thought you might enjoy learning how to groom her,” Kenric said.
“I’d like to try. Elysande says that’s one of her favorite things to do with her horses.”
He opened the stall door. “Come in. And remember—”
“Not to stand behind her. I know.”
Kenric reached for the brush and handed it to Avelyn. It proved heavier than she thought it would be. He picked up another brush and went to stand on Starlight’s right side. He motioned for her to take a spot on the left.
“Always start with the neck.”
He began stroking the horse. Avelyn imitated his moves, gliding the brush smoothly against the animal’s coat.
Kenric continued the grooming lesson. “You’ll move back from the neck all the way to her hindquarters. Be careful, though, round the belly and stifle.”
She’d never heard that term before. “Stifle?”
He laughed. “I forget that you’re still a novice.” He pointed. “Here. It’s this joint, above the hock in her hind leg. The stifle in a horse is as a knee is to people.”
She gently ran the brush under Starlight’s belly. “Like this?”
He watched her a moment. “Aye. Some horses are sensitive in their belly or stifle. And some can be ticklish in either spot.”
“Truly? I’m ticklish on my feet and belly. My father used to tickle me both places when I was young. I would laugh myself silly.” She continued easing the brush slowly and softly. “And would you be ticklish, my lord?” she asked, looking up briefly at him before returning her attention to her task.
For a moment, Avelyn physically felt the charged air about them.
Kenric grew still. “I don’t know, my lady. No one has ever tickled me.”
Avelyn’s arm fell to her side. “No one’s ever tickled you? I find that hard to believe.” She began brushing Starlight’s side again and then brought the brush up to run along her back.
“Nay. My father was not one to play games with his sons.” A shadow crossed his face. “My mother did with Roland. But never me.”
Her heart twisted with the sadness she heard in his words. She placed a hand atop his.
Kenric paused the brushstroke, staring at their joined hands. “If I ever had children, I would tickle them,” he said softly. “I would do as Lord Geoffrey does with Hal. Swing them about. Let them ride on my shoulders.” He paused. “I would be a very different father than the one I had.”
He cleared his throat and Avelyn took that as a sign. She removed her hand from his and continued grooming Starlight. She bent to run the brush down the horse’s leg and started to sit in order to reach the leg better.
“Nay,” he warned. “You must kneel, my lady. Never sit. If for any reason something startled your horse, you might be trampled before you could react.”
“But Starlight knows me by now,” she argued.
“She does—but what if a stranger appeared at her stall door, one she felt menaced by? Or even something as small as a bee flying by and landing upon her, even stinging her, might cause her to react unpredictably.”
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“I hadn’t thought of that,” she admitted.
He grinned. “That’s why you have a most excellent tutor to inform you of such situations. Now, let’s tackle the last areas—face, mane, and tail.”
Avelyn stood, listening attentively.
“A horse’s face can also be its most sensitive. That’s one of the reasons we start grooming at the neck and stroke all the way along the body. It gives time for the animal to adjust to being touched. Once you’re ready to curry the face, you switch to a brush with much softer bristles. Use a gentle, slow motion. And not as much pressure as you exerted along the flanks. If she starts, back away and then approach her slowly once more. Some horses don’t tolerate having their face touched overly much, so be aware of their mood.”
Kenric handed her a different brush. “You try.”
She did as he asked, moving slowly and with a lighter touch than before. Starlight accepted what she did and nickered softly, seeming to enjoy being pampered in this fashion.
“Nicely done, my lady,” Kenric praised. “You have a true feel for animals.”
“My father always did. I thought only Elysande took after him in that regard. Mayhap I was mistaken.”
He gave her a sudden smile that flipped her stomach upside down. She’d fallen off a horse once, many years ago, when her father tried to teach her to ride when she was young. Her stomach had behaved in a similar fashion, causing her to feel nauseated and dizzy at the same time. Yet, in this case, the sensation didn’t sicken her at all. It only made her feel giddy as her heart pounded louder and faster. Avelyn feared Kenric would hear it.
Instead, she looked away to scratch Starlight between her eyes and asked, “So what of her mane and tail?”
“Those are more complicated. I think you’ve learned enough about grooming today and you can show off that knowledge to your sister. Let’s move on to the riding portion of your lesson.”
Avelyn handed him the brush. He replaced the ones they had used on the shelf behind him and then had her step out from the stall while he readied the horse for her. Out of habit, she reached for the reins from him and led Starlight from the stables into the warm sunshine of the early June afternoon. After she checked the girth, Kenric helped her to mount and adjusted the stirrups before he returned for Firefall.