He ceased his repairs as our procession drove past and watched with a look of hunger on his handsome face. He was working bare-chested beneath the setting sun, his muscled abdomen glistening with the sweat of honest work. It was not the mill that had captured Hildithe’s attention, but the man repairing the roof of the mill. Outside the window was a pastoral scene, a wide creek winding serpentine among the rolling hills, and on the near bank, a mill, its wheel turning briskly with the current. I leaned over, careful to anchor my foot around the support post for the carriage bench so that my new bosom friends could not play me the same trick I had played Livith. “Did you want scenery, Lady Catriona? Have a look out of my window.”

“Oh, my,” Hildithe said, with a hint of a growl in her voice. The land was different from the cold and scrubby wilds that surrounded my family’s keep. We rode through rolling hills and green pastures. My view of the city disappeared as we descended into the fertile valley around it. The city sprawled for miles in all directions, overflowing its tall, gray stone walls like a lake overflowing its banks. We crested the hill overlooking the capital near sunset. I had never been further than half a day’s ride from our keep, but I was careful not to let my expression reveal that the lush farmland, tidy villages and imposing stone towns were new to me. On my instructions, they held their tongues so that I could enjoy the passing scenery in peace. The procession had to stop for an hour to scrape Livith up from the road, but when Galfridus brought her back to our carriage, bruised, bandaged and doped on poppy syrup, all of my ladies were adamant that the foolish girl had leaned against the door handle and fallen from the carriage on accident. You know I can get away with murder.”Īfter that we all got along swimmingly. Hildithe raised her hand to her mouth again, as though preparing to laugh. Whatever mischief you do me will be returned twentyfold, and whatever kindnesses you pay me I shall take as my proper due.” However wicked you think you are, I am worse. “She is not near so wicked as I.” I released the handle on the door and shoved Livith out of it in a single smooth action. “Oh hush, Livith.” The girl beside her laughed. “They say the king paid a price that would have purchased a dozen whores.” “Rumor has it she already has.” This, from the lovely chestnut-haired lady sitting beside the door.

Cat's Tale by Bettie Sharpe