Believing Your Eyes - A Medieval Romance (The Sword of Glastonbury Series Book 3)

by Lisa Shea

  The room burst into giggles at that, and Anna’s face was bright with mirth.

  * * *

  Stephen stared at her with curiosity for a long while, and she made no move to break the silence. Would he try again to pry out of her the mystery of the bloodstains?

  At last the words burst out of him. “You are not interested in Ian?”

  “What?” she asked in confusion. “Ian?”

  He waved a hand back toward the keep. “Anna said you had finally finished that decorative thing you were making for him.”

  She nodded. “Yes, as a thank you present.”

  “But then she said that you feel he is too wild for you.”

  The corners of her mouth tweaked up. “Too wild, too childish, too self-absorbed, too -”

  His gaze went still, and she flushed. This was Stephen’s best friend she was talking about. Her throat tightened. “Stephen, I am sorry,” she amended. “I am sure that for some woman -”

  He was shaking his head. “No, it is all right,” he murmured, gazing at her with new light. “It is just that I thought, with what had been going on, that his plans were succeeding.”

  She chuckled at that. “His plans to perfect his monologues?”

  A brightness came into his eyes, but his focus was steady on her, and her soul kindled with warmth.

  * * *

  When Lucia eased down the pew toward Stephen, he turned, his eyes warm and welcoming. Lucia felt it as a heat rising within her heart, easing out through every part of her body, and she smiled in return. She barely noticed as Ian came in on her other side, as he slid until his thigh gently rested against her own.

  * * *

  Nicole drew off her bandage with a flourish, waving her arm to the room of women. “Look, you cannot even tell that I was tragically wounded!” she sighed in relief. “Stephen truly is a miracle worker.”

  Lucia shook her head, running a hand along her thigh. “I am just hoping for sturdy strength,” she commented to Anna. “I leave in a week, after all.”

  She smiled. “At least your gift for Ian is all set,” she returned. “Whatever will you work on next?”

  Lucia’s eyes twinkled. She had already picked out her gift for her friend. It was a necklace she had been given years ago, one she never wore due to its bright colors. She had a sense that Anna would adore it, and that it would do far better where it was fully appreciated.

  Anna clapped her hands. “Oh, I know!” she cried out with delight. “Stephen was there too, when you were found. He lent Ian a hand with your rescue. Maybe you should give something to him.”

  Like my respect … my longing …

  Lucia gave herself a shake, looking down. “What would you suggest?” she asked in a low voice.

  “Oh, I will think of something,” promised Anna.

  * * *

  Stephen held her gaze from across the clearing. “You do not need to give me anything,” he murmured. “What I did for you, I did without any desire for reward.”

  “I know,” she returned, gazing in his eyes. She was comforted by his presence, and she resisted the instinct to look away.

  It was only one more week. Surely she could make it through this last week.

  * * *

  Anna shrugged her shoulders. “He says he does not want a reward,” she told her friend, shaking out the length of blue sash she was working on. “He can certainly be a strange man sometimes.”

  She glanced up at the unicorn tapestry behind her. “Much different from Ian, that is for sure.”

  Lucia followed her gaze, and suddenly her eyes took in the tapestry more fully. She remembered clearly, now, when Stephen rode by her side back from the first day of archery practice. He had said he had nothing at all with his sigil on it – no clothing, no banner.

  “I think I might have an idea,” she murmured. “Do you have a spare length of blue fabric?”

  Anna nudged the pile with her toe. “Have at it,” she offered with a smile. “We have more than plenty.”

  Lucia leant forward. “I would like this gift, at least, kept secret from Stephen.”

  Anna nodded her head merrily. “My lips are sealed!”

  * * *

  Stephen’s voice came suddenly across the quiet of the stream’s gentle babble.

  “Do you trust me?”

  She looked across the clearing at him, surprised. “Yes, completely.”

  “Anna said she had to order more blue fabric, but she made it very obvious that she was not to tell me why.”

  Lucia flushed. The woman’s ideas about holding in secrets were certainly unique. Undoubtedly Anna had done everything she could to rouse Stephen’s suspicions.

  His voice became tight. “Clearly the fabric is for you,” he pressed.

  She looked down. “I do not want to talk about it.”

  His eyes swept across her dress. “It is obvious that the outfit you wear is stained with blood, and now you need to replace it,” he pointed out in a low growl. “Matthew says that you do not have any new injuries that he can find. What happened then? Are you in some sort of danger?”

  Lucia looked up in surprise at that. Stephen’s eyes were shadowed, haunted, and she could see the concern that lay within them.

  “No, not at all,” she promised him.

  “And yet you will not tell me.”

  She looked away for a long moment. He had always been completely honest with her, and she saw how much this worried him. But she could not violate Lily’s trust.

  “Imagine you found Marcus hurt. Would you tend to his wounds?”

  “Absolutely,” stated Stephen with conviction.

  “And if he then made you swear not to reveal those wounds to any other person?”

  Stephen opened his mouth, looked at her more closely, then slowly nodded. After a moment he stated, “I am a good medic. I could help, and I would vow secrecy of my own.”

  The corner of Lucia’s mouth tweaked up. “You are an amazing medic,” she corrected him gently, “and everything is settled now.”

  He eased back against the oak, his shoulders relaxing, and for the first time in weeks Lucia saw a gentling of his brow.

  * * *

  Lucia was just finishing off the hem around the edge of the tapestry when Ian came bounding into the room. He came right over to the two women and pulled up a chair to sit before them.

  “I have fantastic news,” he greeted them, his mouth wreathed in smiles. “Our Spring Equinox celebration is going to be the greatest Penrith has ever seen!”

  Anna’s face lit up at the news. “That is fantastic! Can I help in planning?”

  His eyes twinkled. “Absolutely. Between you and me, we will create a celebration that will be spoken of for generations.”

  Anna’s brow creased. “That is the Wednesday after next, barely two weeks away. We shall have to work morning, noon, and night!”

  She turned to Lucia. “Oh, Lucia, you absolutely must be here for this. You will be the guest of honor!”

  Ian nodded, taking her hand in his own. “I agree wholeheartedly. She will be the crown jewel in the day’s events.”

  Impatience drew across Lucia. “But I had planned to leave next Wednesday,” she reminded them.

  They were both shaking their heads even as she spoke. “Just one more week,” pleaded Anna, holding onto Lucia’s arm. “It will be a perfect farewell party for you, and then you can give your gifts in front of an audience!”

  Ian’s gaze swiveled to her with bright interest. “Gifts?”

  Lucia sighed at their dual assault. She wanted desperately to be heading south toward her brother and friends. Surely he would be in dock by …

  She shook her head. Actually, it was unlikely that even if she delayed one more week, that he could beat her there. She would be stuck in a grimy inn in a worn-down harbor town to wait weeks for his arrival.

  Her leg gave a twinge and she absently rubbed at it. Besides, healing up further would be the best for all concerned. It would m
ake the ride go more smoothly and ensure she was in better shape for the coming conflict.

  “If it means that much to both of you, then of course I shall stay for the event,” she agreed, drawing on a smile.

  “Thank you!” cried out Anna, pulling her into a warm hug. And then Ian was lowering his head to her fingers and pressing a warm kiss against them.

  “You will not be sorry,” he vowed.

  * * *

  Stephen’s eyes were shadowed; it seemed a turmoil of emotions swirled behind them. “So you are staying an additional week?”

  Lucia sighed. “Anna and Ian were both so insistent, it was hard to resist them.”

  He gave a low chuckle. “Well do I know.” A long moment passed. “Well then, if you will be here for another two weeks, I have an idea.”

  Lucia flushed. What is it that he had in mind?

  He nudged his head toward the hay bale, now in tatters on its wooden platform. “What if I were to get you a fresh bale, and set it up on a swinging rope? You had said you enjoyed more of a challenge.”

  Lucia’s heart brightened with interest. “Oh, absolutely!”

  He smiled at that, and she found herself lost in his gaze.

  * * *

  Lucia carefully stitched at the large golden circle which formed the outer ring of her design. It was centered on the field of blue. She had worried at first that Ian would ask what she was up to, but the man was completely unaware of the project in her lap. Instead he leant forward with eager excitement, laying out his plans for the events to Lucia and Anna.

  Anna chimed in enthusiastically with idea and suggestions, and Lucia was happy to let them run wild, calling for servants, ordering supplies, laughing in mirth at a spectacular new vision. It seemed that the celebration would have everything but elephants and tigers.

  Ian ran off to consult with the keep carpenter, and Anna whispered in Lucia’s ear, her eyes sparkling. “See, this is what the ideal man is like,” she murmured in glee. “This is exactly what Stephen will be like, once he settles into married life.”

  * * *

  Stephen pulled back on the hay bale, his eyes sparkling in delight. “Are you ready over there?” he called.

  She nodded, and he released the bale, setting it into a slow swing. She took her time, eased her breath, then released the arrow.

  THUNK. It caught the left edge of the bale and stuck in firmly.

  “Well done!” he praised.

  She shook her head. “Barely adequate, but it is a start,” she corrected with a grin. “With all my injuries, I will need to be patient with myself.”

  He leant forward to haul the bale back off to the side. The corner of her mouth tweaked up as she watched him taking on the job usually handled by a stable lad.

  “Are you sure you do not mind – ”

  “I do not mind in the least,” he interrupted, smiling. “I am enjoying myself immensely.” He released the hay, setting it into motion again.

  * * *

  Anna burst into delighted laughter at Ian’s suggestion, and the two of them were toasting their mugs together in delight. Lucia shook her head, continuing to work on her golden circle. The two of them were certainly enjoying this process immensely. To her, all the talk of apple varieties and styles of mead seemed fairly inconsequential, but they took on the examinations with great gusto.

  “Oh, Ian, you are delightful,” smiled Anna, relaxing back against her cushions. “I have not had this much fun in years.”

  She rolled her eyes, glancing at Lucia. “That darn fiancé of mine seems to lack enthusiasm for anything in life. I tell him step by step what we are planning, and not even the glimmer comes to his eyes!”

  * * *

  Stephen burst into a delighted laugh as Lucia’s arrow whistled through the air and embedded itself into the center of the swinging target. “There you go!” he called out. “I knew you could do it.”

  Lucia smiled in satisfaction. Her days of exercise were paying off; her body was responding in its old ways, was performing as she ordered it to. “Patience, hard work, and dedication,” she advised him. “And of course, your diligent help with my recovery.”

  He gave a low bow. “It has been my honor,” he offered with a twinkle in his eye.

  * * *

  Servants passed around the elegant cups of cyser. Anna’s voice rang out over the room. “Now each of these is a combination of honey mead and apple, but the difference comes from the variety of apple and the type of honey. So let us know how you like each one.”

  Lucia took small sips as she worked, but the differences, if they existed at all, were subtle. She focused her attention on the curving handle of the lamp she was embroidering within the golden circle. She knew its spirals intimately; it was what welcomed her when she woke up every morning, what soothed her soul as she fell asleep each night.

  * * *

  Lucia eased back against the willow trunk, exhausted and content. Her skill was returning, as was her endurance. Soon she would be back to full strength. She would be an asset to her comrades in the upcoming fight.

  Stephen knelt at her side, offering her his ale skin. She took it, drank back the golden brew, and smiled in satisfaction. It was absolutely delicious.

  * * *

  Lucia gazed down the pew at Stephen, and he returned her look with warmth. She eased herself down the polished wood to rest at his side, and it was comforting, soothing, and all she could want out of life.

  If she only had ten more days with Stephen, she would treasure each one.

  * * *

  Lucia breathed in the warm scent from the gardens, thrilled that the easing March breezes had let them move their sewing outside. The top of the lamp was coming into shape now; its golden peak was vibrant against the dark blue background.

  Anna turned to Ian. “Ian, you must have a talk with Stephen,” she insisted. “You grew up with him. Make him give up this silly obsession with those homelands of his.”

  Ian shook his head, taking another drink of his wine. “That is a losing battle,” he advised her with a smile. “The man has been obsessed since he was ten years old. The years have only hardened him.” He shrugged. “People are the way they are,” he mused. “It is that infinite variety that makes life so enjoyable.” His eyes caught the sight of Nicole as she walked by, and she flushed, moving more quickly past the trio.

  * * *

  Stephen’s gaze held hers with relaxed contentment. She eased against the tree and soaked in the spring sunshine.

  His voice was low when he spoke. “So, what will you do, once you have regained your keep and the Grays are vanquished once and for all?”

  She smiled. “It has been so many years that I hardly know,” she admitted. “I suppose I would finally go for those swims in our local pond, like I did as a child.”

  “We do have a hot spring just south of the wall,” he teased.

  Lucia laughed. “Yes, Anna swore she would never go near it,” she agreed. She pitched her voice to hold the appropriate amount of horror. “Who knows what monsters lurk in its depths!”

  She gave a stretch. “But really, I have no idea. I suppose I would stay at Keilder, take my turn on patrols, man its walls, and life would go on.”

  His voice became rough. “Stay with Michael?”

  She shrugged, thinking of her brother with fondness. Surely someday he would marry. Would his wife enjoy having her authority compromised by her sister-in-law’s constant presence?

  The thought came to her of Stephen’s lands, just a short ride south, and how it would be to be the lady of the land there. She could dedicate herself to protecting the weak, to creating a new community from the burnt out remnants. Her heart warmed.

  “Perhaps I would find another home,” she murmured.

  Stephen’s eyes were attentive on hers. “Michael would not mind?”

  She shook her head, soaking in the vision. “He would wish me the best of joy,” she mused, her voice rich with warmth.

  *
* *

  Anna frowned as Ian headed off to oversee the arrival of two wagonloads of apples. “I am beginning to think Stephen is serious,” she ground out. “I have tried everything. He simply will not budge. He will stay on his lands.”

  Lucia was working on the mouth of the lamp now, where the flame would glow, steady, guiding all who depended on its light. “I would say you are right,” she murmured.

  “Well, I absolutely will not live in that swamp,” stated Anna with firm resolution.

  Lucia glanced up at that. “But you want to marry him,” she pointed out gently.

  Anna took in a drink of wine. “I wanted to marry the Stephen of my dreams,” she corrected her friend. “This man that I am seeing before me, I am not quite sure who he is. He seems to be less and less what I had planned for.”

  * * *

  Stephen’s brow was furrowed, and Lucia let out a long breath. She could not help but feel that she was partially responsible for the unraveling of the relationship before her. If only she had not been ambushed, if instead she had simply arrived, relayed her message, and then headed south. Everything would have gone on just the way Anna had wished.

  She shook her head at that. Would it have? It was easy to imagine that alternative stories held a perfect solution. But in reality, the chasm had already existed between Anna’s visions and Stephen’s reality. That gulf would have yawned between them whether she had arrived or not.