She wanted the boys to know their hard work had not gone unnoticed. “My father is grateful for your service in the interim.”
As expected, both boys beamed at the praise. And it was true. Although her father rarely seemed to notice her own service to Stanton, he did recognize the boys were much too young for their current position. They were only in their third year of seven in training.
Daryon watched his brother leave. Unlike most others in the keep, Idalia could easily tell the two boys apart, and it was that look that made it so easy. Daryon was by far the more serious of the two.
The boy’s thoughtful eyes darted from the doorway to her. “’Tis market day.”
And Idalia never missed one if she had the choice.
“Aye, but we must see to our royal visitors,” she said.
Three years earlier, her father had received a charter for Stanton to be designated a market town, courtesy of the well-maintained old Roman roads that led both north and south as well as east and west. Many castles did not enjoy such a right, especially in the “wilds” of Northern England, and Idalia was grateful for their good fortune. She visited the market as one of her duties for Stanton—her mother was much too ill to do so. Secretly, she also hoped she would one day find the herb or tonic that might help her mother. The market attracted all sorts, after all. To make such inquiries directly was impossible, however, as her father had forbidden her from speaking of her mother’s worsening condition to anyone.
“Had I known, I would have gone yesterday,” she said. The market day was actually poorly named—it had grown in popularity enough to stretch to two days. “And if the new master does not have the drift you need, I promise to secure your tool on the next market day.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
She could tell Daryon was anxious to get back to work, so she left him to it, intent on visiting with her mother before supper.
And that was when she saw him, the most handsome man she’d ever seen, striding downhill toward the forge.
Toward her.
Keep reading The Blacksmith available now on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited.
Also by Cecelia Mecca
Order of the Broken Blade
The Blacksmith
The Mercenary
The Scot
The Earl
The Chief
Border Series
The Ward’s Bride
The Thief’s Countess
The Lord’s Captive
The Chief’s Maiden
The Scot’s Secret
The Earl’s Entanglement
The Warrior’s Queen
The Protector’s Promise
The Rogue’s Redemption
The Guardian’s Favor
The Knight’s Reward
Box Set 1 (Books 1-3)
Box Set 2 (Books 4-6)
Box Set 3 (Books 7-10)
Time Travel & Paranormal
Highlander’s Through Time
Sexy Scot
Scandalous Scot
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Enchanted Falls
Falling for the Knight
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Bloodwite (Contemporary PNR)
The Vampire's Temptation
The Immortal's Salvation
The Hunter's Affection
About the Author
Cecelia Mecca is the author of medieval romance, including the Border Series, and sometimes wishes she could be transported back in time to the days of knights and castles. Although the former English teacher’s actual home is in Northeast Pennsylvania where she lives with her husband and two children, her online home can be found at CeceliaMecca.com. She would love to hear from you.
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The King's Commander (Kingdoms of Meria Book 1) Page 20
