by Alexa Aston
“And keeps my feet from slipping,” she noted. “I can already tell I’m more anchored by doing so.”
“Good. Now release Starlight’s mane, but keep the reins in your hand.” He reached and moved her hands closer to her body. “Keep them here, in front of the pommel. They must remain steady. If not, you’ll jab Starlight’s mouth with the bit.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to hurt her.”
“Then stay aware of your hands at all times.”
“I will,” Avelyn promised.
“Let’s work on how to hold the reins. Let go a moment.” Kenric took the reins. “Now make a fist with both hands. That’s right. Pass through the reins with your wrists sideways. Thumbs on top. Smallest finger on the outside.”
“Like this?”
He nodded. “And remember that Starlight will bob her head up and down as she walks. You must accommodate her movement by readjusting constantly.”
“How do I do that?” she asked, curiosity written across her face.
“Allow your arms to hang down at your sides, then they can swing subtly, back and forth. Just don’t let the reins slide through your fingers. Once we give her a chance to trot, she’ll lift her head slightly. You’ll have to balance and adjust again as she moves.”
Avelyn shook her head. “You’ve already told me a half-dozen things to do and we haven’t even moved a step forward. How will I ever remember all of this?”
“With practice,” he said glibly and found his insides flutter as her sweet laughter sounded through the open air. He wished he could bottle it so that he could take it out and drink deeply from it.
“I think you’re ready for me to lead you about,” he told her. “I won’t take the reins unless I sense you’re in trouble.”
Kenric saw a bit of doubt in her eyes, but she gave him a brave nod. He took a few steps away from her and said, “Follow me.”
Though he wanted to turn and make sure Avelyn was fine, he wanted her to believe in herself. She already had much to remember. If he constantly glanced over his shoulder, she would start focusing on him and not what she had just learned. So he walked at a leisurely pace through the inner bailey. His ears told him that Starlight followed as he started, stopped, and moved in different directions.
It also surprised him that she hummed softly. Kenric had no idea why she did so.
After some minutes, he led them back to the front of the stables. Finally turning to face her, he saw the glee on her face.
“I did it!” she proclaimed. “All by myself.”
“What did you learn as you followed me?”
Avelyn thought a moment. “That I can’t clench my body. I had to let my legs dangle from my hips. She was very sensitive to any movement from me.”
“Good. What else?”
“To always listen to my sister. At least where horses are concerned.”
Kenric cocked his head. “I’m confused, my lady.”
She laughed. “Elysande said you would tell me many things and that I would have a tendency to concentrate so hard that I might hold my breath. She said that would confuse Starlight because it would make me tense. So she told me to hum a tune under my breath. I could still concentrate on what needed to be done, but I’d be more relaxed as I focused.”
Kenric grinned. “Lady Elysande is a wise woman when it comes to horses.” He paused. “Have you had enough for one day?”
“No,” she said. “I want to go round the bailey another time.”
“I’ll admit that you’re a quick learner. I’ll lead you around again if you think you’re up to the challenge,” he tossed out.
He took off again, this time his stride longer and his pace quicker, wanting to provide her an opportunity to push herself. He increased his speed until he trotted along. Kenric threw a glance over his shoulder, wanting to check on her.
The sight that greeted him almost stopped him in his tracks.
Avelyn’s cheeks were flushed. Her sky blue eyes sparkled with pleasure. Wisps of honey blond hair had escaped her braid and curled about her face. Kenric wanted nothing more than to pull her from her horse and kiss her till the sun set.
“Don’t stop,” she called, making her way to pass him.
He fell in next to the horse and stayed with it until Avelyn brought them to a halt back at the stables. He signaled a groom to come and take the horse. She handed the reins to the man.
“Last lesson for today,” Kenric said. “Grip the mane as before and bring your leg over toward me. I’ll catch your waist, but you can slide your body along Starlight’s left side till you touch the ground. Ready?”
“Aye.” She did as instructed. His hands captured her small waist and eased her to the ground. He didn’t want to release her but, already, she tugged away from him.
“Good girl,” she cooed to Starlight. Avelyn reached into her pocket and removed an apple. She placed it in her palm and brought it to the horse, who took it. Avelyn leaned over and pressed a kiss along Starlight’s neck.
Kenric felt a stab of jealousy and shook his head. How could he be jealous of a horse?
She called a farewell as the groom led the horse away and turned to him, her eyes bright.
“I could tighten my legs slightly, and she knew to go faster,” Avelyn said, excitement lacing her words. “Oh, I wish I’d known how much fun riding is. No wonder Elysande enjoys it so much.”
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 bath
e 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 and 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 a
ctivities, 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.
